The night clung around the two travelers, moonlight sparkling against the dewy vines and curly moss. The boy, lean and well muscled, expertly navigated the twisting trails while the girl, petite and full of fear, clambered behind him. Her dark hair hung in tangled waves past her slumped shoulders, and her left hand remained fidgeting near her throat constantly. Several hundred feet behind the two of them, a bear cub trotted along, nose to the ground. Occasionally he would stop to stand on his hind feet and appear to be looking around for a moment, before sprinting off through the woods.
As Daylight had just begun to break through the trees Lark stopped and turned towards Lena. He began to say something and then stopped as Teague jogged up the trail behind her, out of breath. He glanced at Lena quickly before speaking to Lark.
“They’re a day behind us, at least… If they follow all the trails I planted, maybe more.”
Lark sighed and pulled his hat off to run his hands through his hair. He grimaced and glanced at Lena. She stood with her arms crossed; one hand twisting whatever that was on the chain around her neck. Her eyes remained downcast, not really looking at anything. He assumed that she would have a million questions to ask him, but she remained quiet and withdrawn. Anyone put in her situation would be pretty shaken up though, he thought to himself.
“We’d better carry on then.” Lark said, trying to catch her eye contact. “Are you guys hungry at all?” he asked, reaching into his pack.
Teague smirked quickly before shaking his head. Lark barely noticed, his eyes remained focused on the girl. Her head shot up suddenly, as if putting together the silence in the air and the boy’s gazes. Her bright green eyes were wide and almost fearful as they met Lark’s, and then softened slightly with her expression as Lena came back to them.
“Sorry, what?” She asked with a crackling quiet voice.
Lark held a fruity nutty looking oat bar, halfway unwrapped from is leather case towards her, along with a canteen of water. She took it and ate it slowly, as they started walking again.
Overhead, the sun began its trek across the sky, signaling mid-day to Lena and the two boys. Tall fir-like trees still stood around them, but the forest was less dense now, and the ground almost felt sandy the way it was so soft. Not many words had been exchanged as the three of them walked. Lark studied Lena as she took in the scenery. He watched as her eyes grew big when looking upon certain things. He couldn’t help but smile to himself as she ran her fingers over the trunk of a tree she must have found particularly fascinating. The smile on his face was fleeting though. When he caught Teague watching him out of the corner of his eye with a murderous expression, his face fell. Their situation was grim.
He pondered over how much to tell the girl. She seemed so overwhelmed already, withdrawing into silence the way she had. He thought she could take it though, she seemed strong enough, and she would certainly find out some things in time. He hated to replace the curious look upon her face with that of fear. She’d gone quiet, and surprisingly quit asking questions. Maybe she didn’t want to know the answers. Gooseflesh erupted over his arms and neck. He didn’t know how he could possibly get her home, and he was her only hope. It was time to figure out where they were headed.
Moving on instinct, Lark elbowed Teague in the side and glanced further down the trail. Teague had barely nodded his chin in agreement as Lark took off at a swift run down the trail ahead of them.
“Where’s he going?” Lena asked.
Teague studied her carefully before responding with a smirk.
“She speaks.”
Lena shot him an irritated look and set off at a brisk walk after Lark.
“Okay, okay, wait up.” Teague started after her.
“He’s just gonna run up ahead there and make sure the trail’s clear, that’s all. Hey, are you hungry? You haven’t eaten since this morning. Here.”
He shoved his hand down into one of his many pockets and handed her a pouch full of assorted nuts, and another with some freshly picked berries and veggies.
Lena accepted them slowly, surprised at his sudden kindness. He had been so cold towards her so far. Picking through the very different looking veggies, questions sparked in her mind and she wondered whether he would be honest with her.
“Where did you go this morning and how did you catch up to us so fast?” She asked suddenly.
Teague smiled and held her eye contact for a moment before replying.
“We’re very fit, my brother and I. We run every day. It’s very important for us to be physically fit. If something should happen...” He trailed off
“Like what?”
He didn’t answer.
“Why’ve you been so cold towards me?” She asked, turning towards him.
He looked at her softly before his face hardened and he turned away.
“You know nothing of the risks you bring to us.” His voice came out low and harsh. “We would be killed if anyone found out…” He stopped himself, seeming to realize he had said too much, and fell quiet.
“Why?” She asked, fearing what the answer could be.
Teague just shook his head.
“You’re gonna have to talk to the man in charge about that one. I’ve told you enough already.”
His voice had turned cold once again.
“He should be back any minute. Pick up the pace too would ya?”
YOU ARE READING
Becoming Ambellina
Fantasy'If you could listen closely, at this very moment, you could almost hear my life twisting and turning on its axis, spiraling me into a whole new dimension.' Follow Ambellina as she is thrown into a new world full of unbelievable people and lurking d...
