Thorns

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The sun slowly sets. Josh trudges down his secret path into the woods. It's just behind all the buildings the dorms are in. The view of the forest is fantastic from a room; but it's another thing to actually be standing among the trees. Josh normally has this walk before going to sleep. He likes to use the time for thinking but he always gets sidetracked. The tall trees overlook him. All alone.

"Hi, Josh!"

Josh's heart starts racing and he can feel his pupils dilate. He freezes, his feet shuffling and rustling the leaves on the ground. He checks behind himself even though he already knows who it is. No one else can sound the hyperactive.

"Simon, you gave me a heart attack! You almost killed me!" Josh is very angry. Simon stands there in a burgundy shirt with JJ beside him.

"Luckily that's not possible, you're already dead." JJ points out.

"How did you two even find me?" Josh asks aggressively.

"We followed you." Simon casually smiles.

"Stop stalking me. If you're going to follow me, be sure I'm okay with it because it's just annoying otherwise." Josh states, clenching his fists.

"Okay." Simon nods.

"Why are you here?" Josh questions. Simon steps closer.

"We're here because I wanted to know where you were going. Why are you here?"

"I'm here because I like to take walks. They're relaxing. I suppose you'd like to join me?" Josh sort of invites. He finds it hard to relax when other people are around talking but it's even harder to chase Simon away.

"I'd love to!" Simon jumps up. Sometimes Josh wants to slap the boy away but that would be like kicking a puppy. You just don't. "Are you coming too, JJ?"

"Yeah, since you are." JJ is too protective of Simon to let him be with someone who would leave Simon lost in the woods.

Josh resumes walking and the two friends follow behind. Simon starts to whistle for a bit but soon stops.

"So you just walk around in the woods alone?" Simon questions. His mission is still to befriend the mysterious, Joshua.

"Yes. It's my secret place." Although it's not so secret anymore.

"The trees say they appreciate your company." Simon tells him. There's a small smirk on his face.

"You can talk to trees?" Josh is surprised.

"No, I'm just messing with you." Simon chuckles.

"Oh. That would be pretty cool if you could. Let's take a detour." Josh steps away from his self made path to a slight hill. He slides down the slope into the leaves and bushes. Simon sits on the dirt before sliding down like he's on a slide. JJ follows in suit.

"You good, Simon?" JJ checks. Simon nods, thanking him for asking.

"But you do have lots of other cool powers." Josh continues. "What about you, JJ? Do you have any important skills or is making random stuff for no reason all you ca- abdjfkejs!" Josh swats his hands in front of his face. Leafs are all in his face. "Did that tree branch just hit me?!" It's just above him so he couldn't of ran into it.

"Yes, I hit you with it." Simon giggles from behind. "That's for being rude to, JJ. I may not be able to talk to trees but I can still manipulate them." He wiggles his fingers.

"I didn't think you were one to hurt other people." Josh raises an eyebrow. He gets next to Simon, leaving JJ in the back, before they begin walking to nowhere again.

"Sorry if I hurt you. That was not my intention. But JJ has a very important role and cool powers. He can create anything in a dream and it's not always for fun. They often mean something."

"It's all symbolism. Dreams are a way of communicating with the dreamer." JJ finishes. His whole purpose to tell a dreamer what they need or warn them. Simon gasps,

"Oh no!" He covers his eyes.

"What now?" Josh groans.

"It's a dead squirrel! Look at the poor thing!" Simon whimpers. He rubs his face into Josh's left arm.

"Gross. What happened to it?" JJ squinches his face. The squirrel is bloody and it's body is flattened. Simon peeks through his fingers. Josh rolls his shoulder, brushing Simon off.

"Don't be such a crybaby." he growls. Josh bends down in front of the dead creature. He places his hand over the body. After a second, he raises his hand, a ghostly white whisp rises up with it.  

"What was that white thing? Where did it go?!" Simon is dumbfounded. This is why he's interested in Josh. The boy of death always mystifies him.

"That was it's soul. I took it and sent it to where all dead animals live." he explains.

"There's a whole section in the underworld with animals?!" Josh nods. "Can you take me? Please?" Simon begs.

"No way. It's too dangerous." Josh declines. "You'll probably get hurt." he adds, knowing Simon is both fragile and oblivious.

"Aw, you care about my safety." Simon puts his hands on heart.

"No I don't! I just don't want to get in trouble." Josh crosses his arms. He notices himself getting friendly and being caring. Josh isn't supposed to be like that. He's death. Josh glances around the unfamiliar area. "I think we're lost."