Surviving the Dark

Chapter 7 - Risks

I reached the hotel. I ran the whole way here from the nature preserve, so when I arrived, I was out of breath. Tears stained my cheeks; my face was flushed from the cold air from the run.

When I finally got my breathing under control, I walked into the hotel heading towards reception to check in. I was stopped by someone calling my name. When I turned, it was Jamie.

"Hey Is! Wait up!" He bent over resting his hands on his knees, panting. Did he run after me?

"Why'd you run off like that?" He straightened up. His emerald green eyes were boring into my violet ones.

I broke eye contact and turned away from him. I didn't need him to see that I had been crying.

"It was getting late. I needed to check in for a room." I mumble.

"But, O was going to invite you to stay with us for the night. You took off before she could."

I looked up at him, meeting his eyes once again. All I could see was worry and something else I couldn't place.

"I don't need you or your sibling's pity!" I snapped.

If I get too attached to these people, I would never leave. And I would be putting this whole town in danger.

Pain flashed through his eyes but was gone a second later.

"Where did you get pity from? It was just going to be a thank you for helping us at the preserve. Xavier and I have to go help mum and dad with something this arvo. O can't tend to the preserve by herself."

This is the point where I felt like a jerk. They have all been nothing but nice to me. And I repay them by running off and snapping.

"I'm sorry. I've just had bad experiences with waterfalls. I guess I just overreacted a bit." It wasn't a complete lie.

The Grove at the nature preserve looked exactly like my home. To the very last detail. For a split second, I felt like I was home. That if I took off my rainbow crystal necklace, and flew over to behind the waterfall everyone would be there. The kingdom, mum, dad, Thea, Axel, Xavier. It would be as if it was one massive nightmare.

"A bit?" Jamie says, starting to chuckle. "Come on, Xav and I need to head off soon. We can walk back together."

I couldn't afford to go back into the preserve. However, I didn't want to say no to them. I couldn't place it but being with Liv, Jamie, and Xavier, I felt safe. Like I wasn't on the run.

"So what do you need me to do?" I asked trying to focus on something other than worrying. I can do that later.

Jamie faced me, walking backwards. He flashed me a smile, showing a dimple on his right cheek. Opposite to his sister.

"Glad you asked. Are you any good with planting?" His emerald eyes glinting with mischief.

Nodding, my eyebrows drew together puzzled.

"Great! The flowers at the entrance needed changing. The daisies are starting to wilt." Turning back to walk normal, Jamie grins down at me, still showing his dimple.

I sigh in relief. I won't be in the preserve per se. Just on the outskirts. I could get away with that. If I spent a little time around the preserve without actually going into it, I might be able to suppress the strength of the pull nature currently has on me.

On the walk back to the preserve I take the opportunity to study Jamie. His emerald green eyes match his sisters, and other than both of them having dimples, that is where the similarities end. His dimple is on his right cheek where hers if on the left. His left ear is pierced, and he has an eyebrow ring on the right. His dark blonde hair is cut short, but long enough to look shaggy.

You can tell he works in the preserve a lot from how tanned his skin is. I wouldn't go and say he was model worthy with his looks, but he was very easy on the eye.

We get about half way, and Jamie slings his arm over my shoulder. I'm starting to think that's just who he is.

I can hear birds chirping in the distance, almost like they are singing to each other. I start humming to myself, almost mimicking the birds. The birds get closer as we come to the gates of the park, Liv and Xavier waiting for us.

"Hey, you okay? You took off so fast. O doesn't even that fast. I don't even think O runs." Xavier says, walking up to us. His comment resulting in Liv glaring holes in the back of his head.

"Yeah, just overreacted over something. Sorry to worry you, Xavier."

"Glad you are okay. And call me Xav."

I nod and am about to reply when Jamie's arm falls from my shoulders as he starts muttering under his breath.

He turns to face us, and you can see on his red shirt one of the birds flying above our heads had pooped, and it landed on him.

"Birdie, birdie, in the sky, Dropped some white stuff in my eye, I'm a big boy, I won't cry, I'm just glad that cows don't fly," Jamie says.

Xavier and Liv roll their eyes, while Jamie turns and smirks at me.

"Xav he is going to start cracking jokes again," Liv whines to Xavier.

"Oh come on O, you love my jokes," Jamie states winking at her slinging his arm around her. To which she screams and pushes him away complaining about not wanting bird poop on her. Don't blame her either. It would be a real hassle trying to get that off a leather jacket once it dried.

I couldn't help but smile. It was only small, but it was a genuine smile.

"They are always like that," Xavier states coming up next to me. "Jamie is always cracking jokes and doing things to annoy O. And O is always complaining. Half the time I feel like I am the oldest out of us."

Turning to face him, I can see as he is watching Jamie chase after Liv, the love he has for them both. They might not be his biological siblings, but he loves them all the same.

"Hey Xav, didn't you and Jamie have to be somewhere? That's why you got me to come help Liv?" I asked. In the back of my mind, I wanted to go back to the hotel and move on from this place. But I couldn't leave, not when I could be close to nature for a few hours. Not when I have been shown such kindness.

"Oh yeah, thanks. Yo J! We need to go! Mum and dad are gonna flip if we are late again."

Jamie stops and starts making his way over, and I can see Liv heading towards a small shed near the gates. I'm about to head over to help Liv when Xavier swings his arms around me.

I instantly tense but bring my arms around the kid. The strange feeling of knowing the kid from somewhere comes flooding back to the surface of my mind, and I pull away.

"Thanks for helping Isa!" Xavier calls over his shoulder as he walks off with Jamie.

Jamie turns and gives me a wink and smiles showing me his dimple.

"Don't forget; you're staying at our apartment tonight so don't go sneaking off and checking into that crummy hotel. A pretty girl like you can do better than that place."

I'm at a loss for words. I am taking too many risks. I'm getting too attached to this place and these people and its only been a day.

I push the thoughts of the consequences of my risk taking to the back of my mind. I couldn't have a panic attack now, not when I could be amongst nature again and help. I may be putting my life in danger but is the least I can do for all the kindness the Blu family have shown me today.

I'm just gonna have to take a risk.