Wooden World (Divergent Themed)

Chapter 1

Chapter 1 - The Inferno

I sway my body in the river, letting the old blood rinse off. Climbing those trees were dangerous, I knew that by now, but hunting in one is even more. The birds mockingly sing their songs at me, and I smirk. Dumb birds, think they can live forever. I learned everything I needed to from my mom before she died of starvation when I was ten. Two years after the incident. I still remember what happened that day, the running and the screams of the others. Dad. Everything I needed to know.

I get out and let my clothes dry, before heading out back to camp. Now, eight years later, I have a cottage, water, food, the big things. I never dare leave the woods, I don't know what lies out there. Momma would tell me stories of the things living out there, mean people and liars are out there. Animals are nothing but friends or food. They don't harm me as long as I don't harm them.

I swing the door open and it stays that way; hanging as if waiting for someone else to follow after me, but that never happens. I sing softly to the lyrics of my favorite song, 'My Melody'. It's an older song, still my favorite.

" Oh, my Melody.

Why are you so sweet.

I pick you some fresh raspberries

just so you can eat.

The birds will harmonize

and sing a lovely speech

I will bring you your favorite treat

a darling little peach. "

The lyrics are fresh in my mind, always sound like they are new. Momma would sing me this song every night, because it was dad's favorite.

I haven't in-countered as many people as I thought I would see, only a few, six or seven maybe in the past three years. Many people don't come out here, but if they do, they don't see me. I hide in the trees, knife always ready in my small hands just incase. My blue eyes go with water or any bush berries, my long dirty-blonde hair is hidden most times by my cameo jacket. My skin is usally burnt by the sun, freckles look like dirt.

I chug down some water and eat fish, then walk outside. My body is healthy, I get the right amount of food to eat, so I'm not extremely thin or anything. I freeze when I hear movement from my left ear. I jump behind the bush closet to me, knife stash there. I hear hard footsteps, they come closer and closer, my heart beats fast. My grip becomes tight on the knife, my forehead starts sweating.

"Hello?" A male voice calls out, it sounds shaky and different. I hear more crunching leaves under heavy boots, "Anyone out here?"

I know I shouldn't show myself, but something tugging from the back of my mind was making me. I step out of the bush, knife brushing my thigh as my arm swings down. It's a boy, my age. Brown hair, green eyes. He is wearing a cameo jacket, like me, and thick, black jeans. His forehead has a fresh cut on it, like it was made only seconds before. Blood trickles down his forehead, but he is okay. "Who are you?" I demand, he smiles.

"Caden Prier." I've never met someone who just says who they are, without asking who I am... "Who are you." Oh, so he isn't that different. I wouldn't tell him, especially not now.

"Why? I don't tell." I turn my cheek to him and walk away, knife still readily in my hand, but he was nothing. Most men have a weapon with them, making me hold my distance. I can easily cut him right here and now, but I don't. I hear a crunch and break into a run. Through the trees I run, a baby bunny with its mom stop dead in their tracks as I jump over the spruce branches protecting a little hut, I assume for them. Water flicks into my face by a running waterfall. I slide onto the hoping rocks and dash across onto the other mossy side. Oak trees and leaves cover the forest floor, leaving no space for silence. The faint sound of leaves stop, and I know I beat him. I climb up a tree with bent limbs.

The bark is thick, no holes in the tree. The branches stretch out far and swirl all around, every foot up there is a step to climb. I get to the very top and let go. The breeze whirls my hair back and I stand there, above the leaves and everything. The sun is rising from the pink horizon, I hadn't slept all night. The smell of soil and wood fill my nostrils and I inhale deeply. A branch breaks and my neck snaps to look at the ground beneath me. Caden fell down six feet.

I jump down and land on my feet, "Caden?" I whisper. I hear a soft moan and he is still like a statue. His chest slowly rises and falls, and it stays that way for a little bit. I take my time to examine his face. His cheekbones are tight and his cheeks are a pink tent. His brown hair is stuck together with blood, but it's curled, framing his tan face. He was a bruise on his left temple and I retrain from touching it.

My eyes trail down to his shirt. Underneath, I see the outline of his chest. He has a six-pack and is toned. I look away back at the tree, blushing. I couldn't just leave him here to decay, the fire had taught me more than hatred. Sure, I will never trust a man who is living at a village with traitors and killers, but I couldn't possibly leave him here for the animals. I couldn't carry him, not with the weight he probably is. I grab his arms and struggle to pull him up, "Unf." I groan as he pulls me back down.

Once I get him onto a large branch on the Oak tree, I run back to the camp. I throw everything I need into a bag and head back to him. His body was still there and I take the things out of the pack carefully. First, medicine from the sap for his wounds, some water, and a rag for pressure. I fix my eyes on his wounds and apply a generous amount of medicine to the gash on his cheek and forehead. I pour some water on the towel and hold it on his bruises so they can go down.

His eyelashes are long and brown and his cheeks are dimpled. A small smile is on his unconscious face, and I smile to myself then stop. Why am I smiling? I can't let this boy change the rules that are made; never trust anyone, but my heart keeps tugging at something. Loneliness or love? I push the thoughts away and look up at the sky.

He moans as I apply pressure to the wound to make the blood stop a tad, and his eyes open wearily. I quickly look away so he can't see my stare and blushing. Stop! I try to command myself, but I can't, "Hi." I say weakly and he props himself up on his elbow.

"What happened?" He asks, rubbing his temples. I sigh deeply.

"Karter Stockinngs." I breathe out.

"What?"

"I'm Karter Stockinngs," I try to stop talking, "Eight-teen years of age." Why did I do that? I'm such an idiot. Know he knows and will kill me.

"Wait, Stockinngs? As in the p-" I cut him off, raising the knife close to his neck.

"If you dare tell a soul, I will not even think twice about killing you." I hiss between my teeth and his eyes open wide.

"No! No! I was jus-"

"Stop," I hold up my hand, "Just don't okay?"

"Okay." He looks into my eyes, then to my lips and my stomach is mixed with emotions. Why am I feeling this... Feeling? I say shuddering. I can't like him, it's impossible. His eyes fix on my lips for a good ten seconds then trail off to his hands, I guess he saw my questioning look.

"Sorry..." He mumbles and I shake my head. It wasn't intentionally bad, right?

"It's fine." It is, I mean, I think it is. The sun is settling down now, and the evening breeze tugs at my curling hair. I look back in the direction to where the camp is, it's stacked logs are crackling, I will have to put clay on it in the morning. I wrap my dainty arm around his masculine waist and he slowly limps to the campsite with me.