The Woods

Chapter Twenty-One

            I woke up the next morning feeling rather emotional drained. That dream felt more real than any other dream before. It really felt like Sister Jude was there and pulling my hair. Daniel’s arms were still wrapped around me and I was thankful that he never left me. I stirred in his arms and turned so I was facing him. Daniel’s eyes opened slowly and I gave him a small smile.

            “How are you feeling?” Daniel asked me. I shrugged my shoulders.

            “I am better. Much better than last night anyway.” I said. Daniel kissed my lips lightly and I snuggled closer to him in his arms.

            “What was so bad about your dream?” Daniel asked quietly. I didn’t even want to think about it but I wasn’t going to not tell Daniel. I knew that he would want to know.

            “Sister Jude was in it.” That was all I said and that was all Daniel needed to know. He kissed my forehead and looked me in the eye.

            “That Godless woman will never hurt you Calla. I’ll make sure she never does. She is evil and we are going to get her out of power.” Daniel sounded so fierce when he said that to me that I actually believed him.

            “I hope so.” I said. Daniel smiled and he got up.

            “We should get dressed and head downstairs.” He said. I nodded but then sighed. I wished I could just lay in bed all day. I watched as Daniel put on a plain shirt and jeans before heading downstairs.

            A few minutes later, I got dressed myself and headed downstairs to a table filled with people and food. I must admit that I was very hungry—but it wasn’t breakfast food. How long were we asleep? I looked outside, it had to be early afternoon or something like that. I sat down at the table and everyone greeted me. I smiled and waved back. Daniel was already stuffing food in his face and I just shook my head. I grabbed a few things myself. Some bread, butter and a bowl of soup.

            “So I was thinking that just Calla, Adam and I will go to the village tonight.” Daniel said randomly. Before I could even get a word in, people started protesting saying that it was better to have the original group of us going since we have the protection spell. I finally spoke up against them all including Daniel’s mother.

            “He’s right. Just the three of us will go. If anymore go, then it will be more difficult to keep a low profile.” I said. I looked at Daniel and he smiled at me. People seemed to quiet down after that.

            “What about protection?” Katarina asked.

            “Looks we’re going to pay Pinto another visit.” I said. Daniel nodded and the conversation ended there. Diana surely didn’t mind. She wasn’t the biggest fan of me or my village. I am sure she didn’t want to go in the first place. 

            A few hours later, we headed towards my grandmother’s house. I was eager to see how she was doing, but that was also where Pinto and Alec. When my father found out about my grandmother being ill, he sent Alec to stay with her and help her out. When we arrived at the house, everything seemed pretty quiet. I saw my grandmother in the kitchen—she was making what seemed like tea and by the smell of it, she put lavender into it.

            “Hi Grandma.” I said with a smile. She turned and a big smile came across her face. The medicine I had acquired from the Capitol had been curing her and keeping any visions away that she might have.

            “Hello sweetie. Daniel.” She said with a smile. I gave her a light hug and sat at the counter with Daniel.

            “How are you feeling?” Daniel asked her. She handed Daniel and I a cup of tea.