The Silver Lining

Chapter Three: Mystic Green Fire

"Bet you can't catch me up here!" I called to Sam as I scrambled up the tree, easily reaching for one roughly lined branch after another. It was a beautiful summer afternoon, complete with clear skies and bright, sunny weather. Sam and I knew we would be returning to school in a few days, so we made the most of what little freedom we had left.

"Be careful, Scarlett! Get down from there!" My mother called when she saw me perched high in the maple tree in our backyard. From my elevated position I could see her in the kitchen washing the dishes through the first floor window. She was gazing out the window with her lips pursed and her eyebrows furrowed, the plate that was in her hand now resting in the sink. Her hand came up to clutch the tear-shaped locket around her neck subconsciously, like she always did when she was worried.

I rolled my eyes, thinking myself invincible, much like every other eight year-old in the world. "Relax, Mom. I'll be fine." I laughed as I reached for a branch above me. Almost instantly the branch snapped under my weight, causing me to slip and fall from my perch. Letting out an ear piercing scream I plummeted to the ground and landed on my right arm, a sickening crack following the dull thud of my body connecting with the ground.

Pain more excruciating than anything I had ever felt began to emanate from right forearm, causing me to bite my lip as anguished sobs began to escape me. Everything that seemed to matter disappeared, the searing ache within my arm at the forefront of my mind.

"Scarlett!" Sam and my mother cried, racing towards me as I instinctively clutched my broken arm fearfully to my chest. It wasn't long before they reached me, my mother had dropped the plates she was washing and dashed outside whilst Sam had found me and returned to my side.

Sam stood back tentatively as my mother knelt beside my shaking form, her faded yellow apron still tied around her waist and her wavy blonde hair brushing my shoulder. Her ocean blue eyes, the same color as my own, were calm, but full of concern. Her delicate, heart-shaped face was creased with worry, her lips curved into a sympathetic smile. Her comforting, floral scent filled my senses, but for the first time in my life it failed to assuage my anguish. Sam stood behind her, looking frightened and at a loss as to what to do.

She reached out and stroked my face as tears continued to fall, my breathing erratic and panicked. "What's wrong, honey? Are you hurt?" She asked, examining my body until her eyes honed in on my right arm.

"Can I see your arm sweetheart?" She asked. I shook my head apprehensively, shrinking further into myself.

"Please?" She implored soothingly, reaching out to stroke my hair with tentative hands. She then reached down to wipe away my tears with gentle thumbs.

Sniffling, I moved my knees to expose my broken arm and she gasped, sadness and pity welling into her eyes. "Oh Scarlett," she murmured.

With a sigh she rose and turned to Sam. "Sam, would you mind heading on home for a little while? I need to take Scarlett to the hospital."

Sam looked unsure, her gaze lingering on my crying form. "But Mrs. Asteria, Scarlett needs me."

My mother smiled kindly at her. "I know she does, but right now she's in a lot of pain, and might be in the hospital for a few days. I don't want your mother to worry about you."

Sam looked conflicted. She looked to me for approval.

"I'll be fine." I managed through quivering lips, tasting salt as I spoke. "Go."

"Alright. Feel better Scarlett. I'll see you tomorrow?" She replied, the last part more of a question than an assertion. I nodded, squeezing my eyes shut for a short moment as a sharp, blazing pain erupted. When I opened my eyes again it was to meet her distraught gaze before she ran off.