Reaper

Chapter 4

I continued to meet Thomas at the pond for the next few days. I would often spend the early morning talking to Thomas and Unity and watching the pixies fly around.

"Thomas," Unity said one morning, "I think Will is looking for you."

"Why would Will be looking for me?" Thomas asked.

"I haven't the slightest idea. I just know that he's looking for you."

"Who is Will?" I asked curiously.

"He is one of the Ravencrofts. He is Aria's youngest son." I remembered Aria; she was the woman that I had met in Mr. Clarke's store. "He may want me to help him find Anna again. Heaven knows that she's probably hiding somewhere around their home again."

"That's always possible." Unity said. She didn't sound convinced, though."

Thomas stood and helped me to my feet. "We should get you home, Morgana." I nodded reluctantly. "Unity, could you find Will and tell him that I'll meet him at the hollow?" Thomas asked. Unity nodded in response and flew off while Thomas and I walked in the opposite direction, heading towards the creek.

We walked in silence until I asked, "What's the hollow?"

"The hollow is a clearing that is surrounded by a group of trees that are hollow and dead. I found it a few years ago when I was exploring the forest with Will one day." he answered. I stopped and he walked a few more steps before realizing that I wasn't following him anymore.

"What?" he asked.

"Can I see it?" I asked. "Can you show me the hollow?"

"No, I can't." he answered. His voice sounded frustrated. "At least, not today. I can take you to see it another day."

"Why can't I see it today?"

"Your parents are most likely wondering where you are. You need to get home."

"What if I wanted to stay in the forest all day?"

"Morgana, you really must get home."

"I don't want to go home." I protested.

His slender fingers wrapped lightly around my wrist and he gently started to tug me in the direction of my home. My feet started to move against my will. "Please, be reasonable. You probably have things that you must do at home. I'm sure that your parents are wondering where you are." His voice changed slightly, going from frustrated to pleading.

No more words were exchanged between us until we stopped on the bank of the creek. "I'll see you tomorrow morning, Morgana." he said, releasing my wrist as he spoke. "I hope you have a good day."

"I hope that you do as well." I replied honestly. He turned, walking back into the forest. As I watched him walk away, an idea suddenly started to form inside my head. I waited a few more seconds, then I started to follow him. I was careful to make sure that he was always a few yards in front of me, so that he wouldn't know that I was there. I kept my footsteps as light as I could and prayed and hoped that he wouldn't feel like he was being followed.

Soon, a small clearing appeared in my view. I could see why it was called the hollow; dead trees that were large and gnarly-looking surrounded it. The atmosphere seemed to become darker as I neared it but it didn't make me nervous. Instead, it seemed as if it were welcoming me.

"Will?" I heard Thomas call out as he entered the clearing. I stepped behind a large tree to avoid being noticed.

"I'm here." A tall, slender boy came into view. His eyes looked around, as if to make sure that he and Thomas were alone.