take me to happier places

crimson flakes (chapter 8)

nimble fingertips swayed against the exterior of their attire, Kitta still taking the article of clothing that belonged to Ryon; a thick, olive coat. it were precious to him, but the feline needed it more than he needed it himself. both of their hues searched the cedar trees for any markings of Mary, a mare that would never trek this far from camp. the fire werent naturally caused, an element that was started by man. or whoever could have done such a thing. their shoes belonged against the frozen droplets below them. sloshing repeatedly through the thin slate of snow. it were almost eerie to hear it constantly without anyone speaking; the trudging of their boots, and the whistling of the wind. almost like a wolves howl through the night. that was until Ryon's own soul leaped from the surface of his skin from the sound of Kitta's voice;

" you're still on the hunt for your mom? " she asked with a much calmer tone than before.

" yeah. ill try to at least. she's probably dead somewhere and im just too stupid to give up, " he stuttered.

" don't say that. im sure shes trying to find you too. "

" i don't think so. "

" why not? she cared about you didnt she? " she asked with serious concern.

the antlered boy took a large inhale. breathing in the frosty atmosphere of the forest and deconstructing the sweet scent of pine from the smell of snow. it were something that soothed his senses when he would be placed in an uncomfortable state. which was what the feline had put him in from her unknowingful question;

" i dont know, can we just stop talking, " he paused. " please? "

and with that, she exaggerated a sigh from her deeply pigmented magenta lips. there was no secret that the femme cared for him. either that or she were just nosy about his story since she knew nothing of it. or both.

the two turned around a large tree, being introduced to a small clearing in the midst of an abundance of cedar trunks. the center of the small lawn were where the footprints stopped, and where carmine liquid began. delicate droplets forming on the flakes from what seemed like just seconds ago, it almost looking like strawberry syrup. the adolescent had only hoped, but he knew it were something far from that innocent concept;

" this doesn't exactly mean its her, " he stated, glancing up to Kitta who couldn't part her gaze from the droplets.

" if she's dead, ive lost everything, " she mumbled to herself. a childhood friend that were there for her more than anyone else has been. the mental image of the girl being in distress before her death was a scary concept. an idea that made the felines stomach turn.

" she isn't dead. who knows if this is even her, " Ryon paused before he noticed her pale complexion that shifted from peach to white. " are you okay? " he asked before placing a hand at her back for comfort.

and with that she turned and let out a helping of vomit. it were clear. mainly because she hadnt ate anything. turtle soup sounded nice. the thought made the vomiting stop, wiping the surface of her mouth with the back of her frozen hand. Ryon gulped heavily and peered at the clear puddle before looking to her;

" youre disgusting, " he stated jokingly before guiding her bodice toward the trail of blood. right up until she holted.

" i cant do this, Ryon, i cant go any further, "

" you can do it. im right here, " he reassured.

hesitancy filled her core, taking a small step with him that were forward. the two began to walk in pace, the boy holding onto her hand with a light squeeze. whatever they were going to witness, he knew it would be bloody. hopefully it wasnt Mary. the wind began to pick up around their physiques, Kitta parting her lips before dragging the hood of his jacket over her head. he still had nothing but a long sleeve, ebony sweater. but the winter was his home. glancing around at the place, he looked to his right to eye an obviously bloodied frame of a female. quickly he turned to Kitta so that he could face her and that she wouldn't be able to see over his physique;

" what are you doing? " she asked with the furrow of her brow.

" whatever happens, i need you to promise me you wont give up, alright? " he asked.

" what? "

" promise me, " mumbling once more before raising his pinky as if asking for a pinky promise.

" what are we, in third grade? " she joked before grabbing his pinky with hers and interlocking them. right before she glanced past his shoulder to see two sprawled out braids in the distance.

black pupils enlarged as time seemed to slow. her hands pushing him away as her blueberry locks flew behind her before sprinting toward the lifeless body of her friend.
everything was silent.
she didn't feel cold.
she didn't feel sick.
she didn't feel.
migrating her body quickly to the bloody avenue of her friend, her knees met with the snow just as she could make out the problem. Ryon were right behind her, attempting to help her up as he understood what happened to the mare.

triple arrows to the abdomen werent a gorgeous sight.

sitting onto the frozen lands, he took her head into his chest. wrapping his arms around her messy strands to try and muffle the shreaks that she admitted. weeping against the fabric of his sweater, she gripped the seams of the attire until she inhaled deeply;

" Kitta, we need to go, " he peered down at her until glancing to the frozen corpse.

there was someone out here. someone who wanted each and everyone of the campers dead. Ryon knew the mare attempted to escape the arrows, but couldn't handle three of them. who could? holding onto the shaking body of his friend, he burried his head against her. not refraining from keeping his biceps locked securely around her cold bodice.

all his memory could picture were the carmine flakes that melted below the body of someone he wish he knew.