In Form

The Memory Tree

*Memory creatures ^above*

    Hex drove along side the road at the end of the bridge that led back to highway twenty. My house was still a couple miles down the road. Hex got out of the car and grabbed Onyx's purse with him.
    "Why'd we stop here? We still have a ways to go." I said to him as I got out of the car.
    He gave me a look as if it was obvious. He then threw back his arm and chucked the pink bag into the river. I stared blankly at the river as I watched the pink object get swept in the current then slowly sink to the bottom of the river.
    "Okay, so we're just gonna ditch the car?" I asked as he began to walk away from it.
   "Yes. Now come here." He demanded blankly. "Bring the book."
   "Why...?" I asked slowly as I walked towards him.
    He sighed. "I'm fast, I'll carry you to the location. Just remind me where it is." He put his hands in his pockets and looked out onto the road, surrounded by tall thick evergreens.
    The air was clear and cool here next to the river. I appreciated where I lived in such a lush place for the moment. "Um, their uh-"
    "Territory."
    "- ya territory- is just half way in between these woods here." I said madder-of-factly pointing into the woods.
    He nodded and walked over to me. I stood stiff as a board as he came up behind me and picked me up cradle style. I squeaked and instinctively wrapped my arms around his neck. I felt myself blush as I looked up at him.
    He narrowed his eyes at me. "Don't be weird." This made me blush even more. I looked to the ground sheepishly. He took in a breath through his nose as if he was struggling to hold me. "All right now, hold your breath."
    "Hold my-?" Before I could get those two words out wind was blasted against my face and I saw the woods fly by. In a mere second, we were where I said Dragolya and Mistory's territory was. Then I hit the cold wet pavement.
    "Ow! What was that for?" I whined as I made my attempt to stand. I suddenly felt noodily and my legs wouldn't allow me to stand.
    "I thought you would stand. You held your breath right?"
    "No!" I gasped. My breath seemed to also be gone. "I didn't know you- you were going to do-do that!" I breath out helplessly. I gave up trying to stand and flopped over on my back onto the road.
     "Don't do that, you don't breath as well lying down. Stand up and put your hands on your hips or head, it will open up your lungs." He said nodding to me.
     I struggled to get up once more, this time it was easier to stand. I bent down to pick up the leather bound book, which made my head spin. "What did you do? Why do I feel like this?"
    "I told you I'm fast. Running almost the same speed as the flash, especially when you don't hold your breath and your eyes were open, your bound to get sick and feel...well, floppy like a noodle." He took a scan of the woods. "Your certain their here?" He asked.
    "Yes." I nodded. I picked up the hunters book and tucked it in my arm and walked into the woods to lead him.
    We trekked through the woods, with Hex behind me the whole way. Honestly I felt very wary of him behind me, I would glance back at him to make sure he wasn't doing anything nefarious. I didn't trust him enough. He looked pretty sketchy too.
    I soon felt that I had walked farther than where I should have gone. We would have past their nests by now. I stopped and took in the whole perimeter around me, but nothing seemed familiar.
    "You do know where they live, right?" Hex asked. There was a impatience to his voice.
    "Yes, yes, I know where their nests are-they should have been here- but I guess their land is much more in distance within my property..." I cringed. That last part of my sentence was in British and was spoken strangely. I only hoped Hex hadn't noticed.
     Hex was suddenly in front of me with his speed. I gasped and stumbled back in a heart attack of fright. Hex narrowed his eyes at me. "What was that?" He questioned.
    Crap, he did notice.
    "You didn't lie to me did you?" His eyes became a deep red. "You said you were fifteen..."
    Oh no, he thinks that I lied about my age. Stupid weird language. I took a couple steps back. "I am fifteen!" I proclaimed loudly so Dragolya or Mistory could hear me if they were nearby, before things get out hand.
    "Then why do you sound my age?" The red color of his eyes was unsettling, I couldn't stop looking at them as he got angrier. He then suddenly straightened his shoulders and looked more calm as his eyes faded back to his deep brown. "Turn into form and show me." He said calmly. I felt better about his tone but was not ready for it when his patience waned. He pulled out his pistol, cocked it back and aimed at me. "Now!" He said aggressively.
    I flinched. I did what he said, smoke encircled me and I found myself on all fours. I forgot how good it felt to be in form and I rolled my sockets that led to my wings back and forth. I took in the air that seemed to be even sweeter than before. I looked straight at Hex and narrowed my eyes at him for thinking I was lying.
    He just grinned and nodded his head slowly while he replaced his gun back at his side. Dark smoke surrounded him and out of the smoke came a large black dragon. It wasn't a shiny black, but a grey-ish black. He was a Wyvern, just like the girls were. Around his eyes were white scales like the spots on a dog. His eyes seemed to be wider and friendly looking, and more approachable, but they were red not gold. He scratched his foot on the ground and lifted his head in bobbing motions. I couldn't understand what he was saying so I tilted my head in confusion. He tried again, but he didn't get that I didn't understand.
    We both turned out of form. "Well, good to know you keep your word Amber." He reached out and shook my hand formally. As he stepped away he realized what he had done. "Sorry," he said talking about the hand shake. "Habit."
   "No, it's a fine habit!" I said politely.
    We both flinched at the sound of something big walking in the woods. It was far enough away to where no human ear could hear it. Hex turned back into form defensively and made a cracking growl noise. His growl was followed by a similar growl growing into a roar out in the woods. Hex's ears perked up towards the noise. He then made a noise that seemed more welcoming as he titled his head in the air. It reminded me of a playful horse.
    Dragolya trotted out of of the bushes with a skip in her step, she looked very happy to see him. She clicked and bobbed her head and scratched at the ground. -oh, that must mean some sort of welcomed greeting- Hex did the same. They clicked and bobbed their heads at each other, as well as other noises, greeting each other.
    Mistory appeared beside me. "They're happy to see each other." Her bow was over her shoulder and her quiver on her back. She had on a flowy shirt with elastic at the ends of her sleeves. The shirts pattern consisted of reddish flowers, behind some of the flowers read BlackVeilBrides. "It's been a couple years, since they've seen each other." She said.
    I nodded slowly. Then I remembered - I gasped. "Oh, I have to tell you something!" I proclaim to her.
    She turned to me slowly. "I know. I came back to your house to see if you were still upset at us for being 'con women', and...I saw everything." She said.
    I nodded again. "Did you tell Dragolya?"
    "Yep. And I know of that Barber tribe your father mentioned." I flicked my head to her. "Up in the Rocky Mountains. It gets very heavy snow up there sometimes."
    "I can really find my dad?" I asked excitedly.
     "Maybe." She sighed. "But remember, he did say that he's probably going to move. I suspect he already has."
     "But where?" I pressed.
    "I don't know." She said plainly. She abruptly turned to me. "Now, I don't want to assume things but, how did you two meet?" She asked pointing to Hex and myself.
    "Oh...well..." I almost forgot about the frightening abduction. "Onyx had kind of...kidnapped me, and-"
     "What?"
    "-she picked up more hunters and they were planning on making me talk. Then Hex came and killed all of them except Onyx."
    "What?" She continued, this time looking at Hex questionably.
    By this time Dragolya and Hex were listening.
    "We took the car to the bridge and dumped it off their then I showed him you guys were here." I said gesturing to places.
     "You were just a little ways off." Dragolya said silently.
     "This is obserd! Onyx kidnapped you? Man I want to scorch all of them!" She said, furious. Her balled fists bursted into flames and I stepped to the side.
     Dragolya turned out of form. "Whoa there flame brain, cool down."
    Hex turned out of form as well. "Is this 'Onyx' girl really that important to you guys?"
    Mistory's flames had ceased but her eyes had turned blood red. "Well you wouldn't know because you let her go!"
    He sighed. "Don't start with me..." He said rather boringly.
    "Why did you let one hunter go huh? Did the council order you too? I bet you went on one knee and kissed the Dire's hand... And bowed your head in submission..." She taunted.
    His eyes flashed red, but I knew he was trying to stay calm. "I will bite you Mistory..." He sang to cover his anger.
    "Bring it, fang face!" She yelled.
    Hex's eyes gave in to the red eye color. He stayed silent though and only stared at Mistory. While she growled at him, ready to fight. He tilted his head and with it his torso, then I realized Mistory copied his movements, like a snake to the charmer and before I knew it Mistory slumped over onto the ground.
    I gasped. "What did you do?" I cried as I went to her aid.
    "She's just asleep." Hex said.
    "Dragolya punch him in shoulder, causing him to recoil back a couple feet. "What the heck Hex! I told you not to do that!" She ran to Mistory and knelt beside her. "Oh... she is going to be so mad at you..." She laughed.
    He shrugged and sighed. "I know. This is better than," He glanced at me. "What I would have done."
    Dragolya sighed as she put her hand on Mistory's chest. I could see the energy move from within Dragolya through her arm and into Mistory.
    Mistory instantly sat up. She glanced around. "Where is that piece of-"
    "Gone." Dragolya answered for her.
    I turned around to see that Hex was now gone. He had taken the book that was safely in my arm as well.
    "Mistory don't start something with Hex in front of Amber." Dragolya said in a motherly tone.
    Mistory just growled and didn't make eye contact with Dragolya.
    "What? What can't I see?" I asked.
    "Nothing." Dragolya answered.
    "No, what?"
    Dragolya growled. "Amber, don't ever tell me 'no'."
    I shrunk back sheepishly. Even though they told me not to, I can't help but cower. It seemed so much easier against those wolves.
   She seemed determined now. "You know what? Let's give a little taste of our past to Amber." She said aloud to Mistory as she looked at me.
    "What do you mean?" I was a little scared at this point.
    The two girls looked at each other at the same time. "Memory tree?" Dragolya said.
    "Memory tree." Mistory concluded.
    We had flown most of the way, while I was on Dragolya's back, to this 'memory tree' they were talking about. But, there were too many trees for us to land at the location of the 'memory tree', so we had to walk the rest of the way, up a very steep hill. We had to climb on all fours sometimes because of how vertical the hill would get.
    "So-" I panted. "-why is it-*wheez*- it called the memory tree?" I just made it over a vertical climb.
    They both seemed unfazed. "That's not really its name." Mistory told me. "It's got a longer, more complicated name in roman or something, but we could never remember, so, it's called the memory tree." Mistory shrugged.
    "The memory tree is a tree that holds the memories of those who want to give theirs." Dragolya said. "These trees can't be planted but no one knows why they grow at their times and places. They are scattered everywhere."
    "Now, these trees have feelings, especially the ones that are given through the memory's. And, the trees have to disguise themselves from human curiosity, so they play the part of a real tree and loose their leaves in the fall and stay that way through winter. The only way to 'activate' it's power so it knows your not human is to release your power into the tree." Mistory said. "Get it?"
    "Yeah-yeah I think so." I nodded.
    We made our way up till the ground began to level just enough to where I could stand without loosing my balance. As we kept walking Dragolya and Mistory kept glancing around.
    "Is everything ok?" I asked.
    "Yeah..." Dragolya said slowly. "I could have sworn that the tree was here somewhere..." She took a few steps forward, then it looked like she heard something. "Mistory, come here." Mistory came to her side. "Do you hear that?" They both stood and listened.
    "Yes! I do believe I do!" She proclaimed, excited.
    Dragolya clapped and ended it by snapping her fingers. "Ha! I knew it was here!" They both ran to the right, of course I followed. As soon as was on their heels, I could here this strange noise. It was a combination of inaudible whispering, and a swooshing sound that resembled wind. The more we ran I noticed that the noise got closer.
    I followed them till they stopped in front of a bare tree. Once I was I sight of the tree the noises suddenly stopped. The tree would maybe be half way up Dragolya and Mistory's neck when in form. It's bark was gray and was peeling from the base. It looked dead. Even the grass around it was dying. This was the great 'memory tree' they were talking about? Looks like firewood to me.
    "Amber, would you like to do the honors of presenting your power to the tree?" Mistory said in a gesturing way towards the tree. "All you have to do is press your hand to the tree and use your power on it. Don't worry, it won't hurt the tree."
    "Okay..." I said as I walked up to the tree. I looked at it top to bottom. This was probably the ugliest tree that I've ever seen.
    I put my hand on the trees receding bark and used my power on the tree. Truthfully I expected nothing to happen, and nothing did for a few seconds. The whispering noise started again and I looked up at the tree suddenly. Starting from my hand a green glow began to cover the tree rapidly. The softest of mosses also rapidly grew from the base of the tree. I took my hand off of the tree that seemed to twist itself around until the trunk took the shape of a fairytale twizzler. Muddy green moss trailed it's way up the tree and into its curves. The seemed to come alive again. Pink buds and flowers bloomed as the area around us seemed to darken from its angelic light. It became silent only a moment before I saw glowing creatures come out of some still blooming flowers. They were blue and seemed to float and swim through the air. The floating creatures looked hairy in a way, like glowing fur that floated with their every movement. Their glow illuminated the tree so beautifully with the mixtures of blue and pink. At the end of its transformation, the tree seemed to physically sigh.
    The creatures swam around till some found their way to Mistory and Dragolya. About four or five swam around each of them and the girls looked at them in delight. Some memories though stayed hovering around the tree.
    How come I didn't have any?
    "What are those?" I asked aloud, while watching them float around the tree.
    "They, are the memory's of magical beings who have been to the tree before. See the ones that seem to stick with us?" Dragolya moved back and forth as the memory's followed her. "These are mine."
    "And these are mine!" Mistory said cheerfully twirling.
    I nodded, understanding why I didn't have any. "Could I make one-I mean give one?"
    "After you understand ours first." Mistory said with a tapping finger.
    There was a breeze that blew through my hair as Hex suddenly appeared beside Dragolya. He stared expectingly at Mistory.
    Mistory looked at him as if she didn't know what to think then pretended to casually glance off towards the tree.
    Hex was holding the leather bound book that I brought back from the car. He had his head down a little as if he was looking at the book but his eyes were on Dragolya. Dragolya looked at him the same. They must have been silently speaking.
   Hex suddenly brought up his head with a strong inhaled through his nose. "Amber," he called.
    "What?"
   "You remember that story you read in this hunters... Book?" He said raising the book in his arm slightly for a gesture.
    "Yes."
    "Remember how I said it was false? Well, here's my proof. I did the liberty of given the tree this memory while you guys were still down the hill..." He said as he walked closer to the tree. A couple blue memory's flew to him with great speed, like a dog who greets his owner after he comes back from war. Hex looked through them as if he knew them all by name and finally came to one that lingered behind him. He guided it with his hand to me. "Put out your hand. Good, now remember, your still here with us during this time. Okay?"
    I nodded affirmatively. "Yep. I'm ready." I took a deep breath. "Will I have to close my eyes?"
    "You won't have too." He said as he let the memory drop.
    The memory, at first hovered above my hand as if it was deciding what to do. It then slowly lowered itself down into my palm, and as soon as it's fur grazed my palm there was a bright flash.