Survive Or Die

Chapter 9- Alaska Forbes

Archers POV
"I'm Alaska Forbes," she introduces when we are both settled in the tree. She's a few branches above so she has to look down at me. She holds out her hand which looks like a struggle while gripping onto the tree trunk.
I smile and reach my hand out to her, shaking her tiny, muddy hand in my own. "Archer." She still has me in a bit of a daze. How is she even alive? Surely the Flesh Eaters would have got her by now.
I don't get to ask her though because she pulls away and is soon asleep. I follow.
"Archer!" I hear someone sing from below. I open my eyes and look down at the young girl by the fire. Then the events of last night come back to me. I have a friend, I keep repeating in my head. I'm not alone anymore.
I climb down the tree and watch as Alaska fries some kind of nut over the fire using a big leaf. "Why Alaska?" I blurt out. Of all the questions I ask I choose this one? My face heats up so I look down.
She bites her lip and hands a leaf with some blackened nuts to me. "That's where Momma and Papa fell in love. It's an odd place but they loved to ski." Her light blue eyes take on a vacant look as they stare at the fire. She giggles, "how they first met was skiing. Momma crashed into Papa and he ended up needing stitches," she bites her lip and smiles, dream like. "But he said it was okay. He said he loved Momma from the moment he saw her..." She trails off, lost in her thoughts before remembering me. She snaps up and gives me a lopsided smile. "Anyway, that's why I'm called Alaska. Sorry for droning on," she laughs and her cheeks turn bright red.
I try my best it's-okay smile and blurt, "you're cute." I instantly wince and brace myself for sheer humiliation.
She bites her lip and her face turns even darker red. "So are you," she says quietly and gives me a peck on the cheek.
Now It's my turn to blush deep red. "S-So, wanna s-see something cool?" I stutter. She grins and nods so I take her hand and lead her away.
We run through the trees until I find what I was looking for.
A beautiful clearing in the trees with a giant, old tree in the centre. Surrounding the tree is thousands and thousands of different coloured flowers. Hovering above the flowers are hundreds of stunning butterflies, all of different colours, shapes, and sizes. The most beautiful ones are light blue, of course. Like Alaska's eyes.
The whole scene is breathtaking so I get an ounce of pride when I hear the sharp intake of breath from beside me.
"Woah," She breathes, surveying the ear with wide, curious eyes that glimmer in the in the bright sunlight. "It's gorgeous." She takes a delicate step into the clearing and I follow carefully. It takes some time before either of us realise that we are still clutching hands. We separate and she bites her lip again. Of course, I turn deep red and have to look away. ,
We get to the middle of the space and she closes her eyes. She flops down and lays with her eyes close and her hair scattered around her head with flowers intwined.
I carefully lay down next to her and watch the canopy of trees as they sway softly in the slight breeze. "I miss them," she says softly.
"Who?" I ask, still watching the trees overhead.
"Mama and Papa," she sighs. I feel her hand grip mine and I automatically tense up, but only for a moment. "Do you miss yours?" She asks hesitantly.
I nod instantly then stop. I don't know really if I do. "I didn't have a Mother," I whisper. "Father was a great man though. That's what people would always say anyway."
Shes quiet for a minute. "What would you say?" She whispers, still holding my hand.
"I would say that I'm glad he's gone," It comes out as vicious and full of venom, making me instantly guilty. "I mean, he wasn't a great man in my eyes. I don't think a great man would punish his son for not wanting to shoot a rabbit or bird," I say.
"Punish?"
"Yeah. But it's fine. He's gone. Not even he could keep away the Flesh Eaters for long." The memory brings a soft smile to my face that I immediately evaporate.
"You'll forgive him," she says with perfect determination.
I sit up and give her a bizarre look. "No I won't," I say bitterly.
She sits as well. Her jaw sets and her face is hard. "Yes you will," she says with superiority. "You will, because life gets a hell of a lot easier when you learn to accept the apology you never got. Learning to forgive makes sure that their behaviour doesn't destroy you, bit by bit." And with that she stands and marches back through the trees, leaving me in a shocked daze.
I slowly stand and scurry after her thinking that, maybe, just maybe, this small girl understands me better than anyone has before.
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Hey guys.
I know, I know, these chapters are short but I really wanted to end it here.
As I was writing the end bit I was thinking of John Greens quote from Looking For Alaska, "If people were rain, I was drizzle and she was a hurricane." And realised that maybe this is a little like that... A little.
Just so you guys can get to know Alaska a but more I will do another, or a few more, chapters in Archers POV. Maybe one in Alaskas idk.
Aria- 30
Celia- 27
Alaska Young is also one of my favourite book characters so yeah I like the name Alaska.
Bye guys, and sorry for the super short chapters.
Comment, vote and share :-)
Luv you all to pieces xxx