Follow the Arrow

Chapter 6

I'm waiting up in a tree for Zane to arrive for our nightly get-togethers, but it's taking an awfully long time for him to appear. Not that we have an arranged time, but typically, we both appear within a fifteen minute span of each other. It’s been like hat for nearly three weeks. Tonight, it's been almost a half of hour and he still hasn't shown up. I'm beginning to worry. What happened? Was he caught? Was he forced to tell the truth and wizards are on their way right now to capture me? Or did he get hurt? Did he fall off his broom? Did some animal or creature attack him? My nerves are getting the best of me, I know.

But I'm trying to remain calm. I'm sure he's just late because he had to do things before he came tonight. Maybe he had guests at the castle, other noblemen, or even royalty. Yeah, Zane's fine. He's not in any trouble. Nope.

That's when I hear it. The sound of a broom flying. I smile and sigh with relief. He's fine. Just like I thought. I begin climbing down, but then I hear another sound. The sound of not one, but two brooms flying. Did he bring someone with him? No, he'd never betray me like that. Or so I thought. I look through the branches and see that familiar teal hair, coming to a stop above the tree I'm in. The other broom is still flying though so I have no idea who he brought.

A sudden anger builds in me. How could I trust a wizard? A wizard?! They're all the same! Despicable, vile, and horrible creatures. They're filth! And I was deluded enough to trust one. Shame doesn't even begin cover what I feel for falling for this ruse. I could've told myself this would happen.

"Orchid," he calls quietly. "Orchid. I do apologize for my punctuality, but I have a perfectly good reason. I swear."

Yeah, I bet you have a good reason, you horrible excuse for a person.

"Please don't attempt to frighten me again. I have a surprise for you." So you admit it? "But I could easily chose not to give it to you. So come on out from where ever you are."

He's going to find me. I can't exactly make a get away without being spotted. He could catch up to me in no time with his broom. Or maybe he'd pretend he didn't see me so he cold quietly follow me to my village. I glare at him through the branches but look away, not even wanting to see his face anymore. How could I be so foolish?

"Orchid?" My head snaps back up to him. He looks anxious. "Orchid?" He starts flying down and I quickly hide myself, but keep a small opening so I can watch him. Zane hovers by the ground, looking all around. "Or-Orchid?" Is this all part of the act? And where is the other wizard? I look up to try and find them, but see no one. "Good lord!" he suddenly gasps, making me look down at him again. "She went searching for me! I thought she was lying when she threatened me with exposing herself." He grabs at his own hair. "Ugh, why did I have to be late? She's going to get herself killed because of me!"

I figure even if this is some very convincing act, I'd be found anyway. I come out of hiding. "Zane! Hey, I'm up here!"

"Orchid?" I start climbing down, but halfway down, he's in the air, just a few feet away. "Are you okay? Are you hurt?"

"Yeah, I'm okay. And no, I'm not hurt."

"Then why didn't you answer when I called for you?" I blush, my shame returning for completely different reasons. "What's the matter? Did I do something wrong?"

"No, Zane. You didn't."

"Then what's the problem because I'm lost."

"I heard the other broom following you. So I thought..." I can't even meet his gaze. "I thought you had... I jumped to conclusions."

"Oh." He looks shocked, maybe even a little hurt. "I'd never-"

"I know. But the other broom-"