Chapter 15

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***Author's Note: I keep doing it! Promising I'll not take forever to put up a new chapter, but then I do. I'm so sorry! But I've been busy with work and editing this because I got it self published. If you're curious it's available here:  http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1468036734/ref=kinw_rke_tl_10 But again, sorry. I wish I could promise not to wait too long, but I can't.

It's been a little over three weeks since we've left my village behind for the integrated village and there's still no sign of any village. Not even a regular one. But thankfully, we haven't seen any wizards around, officially scrapping the idea of a wizard hunting ground. Though no one would admit it to my face, some were scared this was a trap orchestrated by Zane to get us onto these lands so his fellow evil wizard companions could have fun picking us off, and that somehow I was under some spell so I could allow it to happen. This was a simpler version I heard while eavesdropping. I've heard crazier and much more elaborate ones. I haven't had the heart to tell him any of them though. It's hard enough as it is.

Right now, by my estimate, it's about noon and we've been walking for hours.

I lean my head back and cover my mouth as I yawn. Then I lull my head forward and smack my lips absently as I continue walking toward the unknown. My eyelids droop closed every few seconds.

"Orchid? Are you okay? Are you tired? You haven't been sleeping, have you?" Zane quickly asks, the concern obvious in his tone. "Maybe you should tell Leif it's time for a break."

I swat my hand dismissively as I'm hit with another yawn. I shake my head, trying to stop anymore from coming. "No, no, no. I'm fi–" Yet another yawn and I cover my mouth again and turn away.

Zane cocks an eyebrow. "Hmm?" he hums smugly.

"Fine," I finish curtly, folding my arms. "I'm fine. I don't need any rest."

But that is a lie. I haven't been sleeping all that much since we hit the two week mark. I'm scared this was a huge mistake. What if we end up like my parents? I can't stand causing all of the people I care for most any harm, but that's what I may be doing. We are no closer to finding that village than we were when we began. I lie awake at night, guilt drowning me. At first, Zane would stay up with me, because it appeared he had a case of insomnia as well, but after a couple days, I realized he was just doing it for my benefit. So I pretend to sleep so he won't feel bad about making me stay up alone. From time to time I'll watch him in his sleep, which is surprisingly entertaining. He smiles a lot in his sleep. I wonder what he's dreaming about that makes him so happy, but I can't ask him without exposing myself. There are rare nights when he doesn't smile at all; those are the nights with the nightmares. I'll wake him from those, claiming he woke me up by tossing and turning.

Another blasted yawn attempts to contradict me. I growl to myself. "I'm fine, really."

"Have you been having a hard time sleeping again?" he asks, ignoring my last words. "Why haven't you told me? Even if you don't want to talk about it, I don't mind staying up with you. It's not a bother."

"It's all good, Blue. I've been getting more…" More yawns, turning my words into lies. "Than enough sleep." I can't lie when I'm sleepy! It's not fair.

His blue eyebrows knit together. "You look like you haven't slept in days." I begin shaking my head wildly, not in denial, but trying to force myself awake. I rub my eyes and force them open as wide as they can, but now my head is spinning. I give a small yelp when I trip over my own feet, but Zane catches me before I can fall face down in the snow. He sits me down, and frowns. "Will you please ask for that break?"

"No," I say stubbornly, trying to get back up, but he's holding me down.

"Why not? You need your rest."

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