Madness

Chapter 5

"Psssssttttt! Nessa! Psssssttttt! Behind you!"

Chloe. Come to get me out of this shit. Or to make me feel better. I could live with either.

"You gonna let me come over without ripping my head off?"

"Maybe," I allowed. "But you might scare away the squirrels."

She looked around. There were no squirrels. She smiled and swung slowly into another tree, keeping her distance when I shot a look at her that said 'stay away from me.'

"You're not in trouble, you know. It's matron that's in trouble. Big trouble. Like, huge trouble. I would stay hidden for a few days if I were you. She'll be in a foul mood when she gets her hands on you. I think you gave her a black eye. Well done."

I took pride in that statement. I don't lose control like that easily. I was glad to know that matron had paid for it when I did.

"You went to get Mrs Vord," I accused, as she climbed over the gap between the trees.

"You went crazy," she retaliated. "Not that I blame you. Matrons a right little shit for doing that to you. I would have attacked her myself except I was scared for you. I was scared you would be in trouble. You have a bit of a record for trouble, and it's not always your fault. It can be scary. I didn't want you kicked out and I..."

"Sssshhhh, you'll scare the squirrel." I said.

"What squirrel?" she asked. I just smiled at her. "I'm sorry." Chloe said.

"It's fine, he's still here." I replied. Chloe took one final look around before giving up on the whole squirrel thing.

"I'm sorry for going to get Mrs Vord as well. I should have tried to help you."

"For the last time. IT IS FINE. I don't care."

I patted the branch beside me. She smiled at me sheepishly before climbing up.

"So are we sleeping here tonight?" she asked. "I brought food."

She went into her rucksack and brought out bread and cheese. Then she produced my blanket and my little velveteen-eared rabbit.

We ate quickly and the food was soon gone. I got out some berries I had once eaten with Auntie Alice, and we ate those too.

"There's lots of stuff here that's edible," I told her. "Bark, for instance. It's not the nicest, but it's edible, so..."

Chloe nodded. She would eat whatever I pronounced safe. Nice of her to trust me. Few people did. But my knowledge of life in the wilderness is far superior to hers, so I don't suppose she has any choice.

"Do you want to go to sleep? You look exhausted."

"Well, I'm not going to lie, chasing you and following was nearly impossible. Your so fast and fit. I kind of stumbled upon you by chance. I watched you sitting there for ages, then you looked like you were going to tell them you were there, and Matron was having a hissy fit the last time I saw her. Mrs Deets was trying to calm her down. It wasn't working. Mrs Curtis managed to keep you in view up to the trees, so did Mrs Vord. You know they are terrified about you, don't you?"

I nodded. And I felt aweful for scaring them.

"Sorry. I know you don't want to talk about it. And I'm making you sound so cruel, making them scared. But I think they're more scared for you than about you."

I curled into a fork, to show that the conversation was over, and turned to see Chloe watching me carefully and looking a little confused.

"Where should I...?"

I pointed to another fork, similar to Chloe's usual spot in her usual tree. The tree that was no longer in my room. The tree that was in pieces in the bin. The tears welled up and over once again, and I hid my face in a bunch of moss, trying to hide how hurt I was from the only person I had left in my world. Maybe in time, Mrs Curtis, Mrs Deets and Mrs Vord would be there for me again. But right now, Chloe is the only person here for me. Right now, Chloe is all I have.