Shade of Shadow- Other Side Trilogy

Chapter Three- In The Tree's

Chapter Three- In The Tree’s

            I did not know how to work together; I have only ever worked alone.   Having to worry about whether or not Michael was going to be able to climb the branches to get high enough into the tree was not something I was keen on dealing with at the moment.

            I was tired, drained, and only cared about getting high enough into the tree, to be shaded, and then close my eyes to get some sleep.

            “I cannot keep up with you Amanda,” Michael huffed.

            “Well if you cannot get as high as me, at least get high enough to keep your body masked in the dark,” I replied.

            “If you would wait, we could give each other a hand,” he replied.

            “I do not need a hand Michael, I have done this many of times.  I think it is you that needs my help,” I replied laughing.

            “Have you ever had a friend Amanda?”

            “No,” I replied.

            “Not even when you were a child?” He asked.

            “I can remember having my sister Hailey as my friend, but I do not remember playing with other children in my community.”

            “Why did you not play with the other children?”

            “Because they drew too much attention; but what does any of my child-hood have to do with either of us climbing a tree?” I asked.

            “I wanted to know if you ever had a friend, because right now you are not acting very friendly like.”

            I was appalled.  How dare Michael accuse me of not being friendly, “well if you do not think I am being friendly in attempts to wait for your slow-poke self to try and get to my height in this tree, then why don’t you just part ways with me.”

            “Have it your way Michael replied, and stopped climbing where he was only half way up the tree.  He situated himself lying perfectly along a larger branch covered in leafs.

            I ignored his arrogance, and climbed higher up in the tree, and I noticed the higher I was climbing the colder it was getting.  I started to shiver a little bit.   I finally situated myself perfectly on a branch that was not quite as wide as Michaels.   I lay flat against the cold branch of the tree against my back.

            I tried to close my eyes, but the wind pierced my skin, and my teeth started chattering.

            Maybe Michael was right about me not being so friendly, if I had not have been such a snot, Michael and I could be lying directly against each other, and our bodies would be keeping one another warm.  Now I am stuck sleeping alone, and being cold the rest of the night.

            And what the heck was his community thinking?  Taking my leaf clothing I made all on my own, and dressing me in these rags? Michael was much better dressed than I was.

            I thought of maybe climbing down to were Michael was in the tree, but it was much to unsafe in my eyes, and I was so tired, I was afraid I would fall out of the tree, if I had to help him climb up to where I reached.

             I could feel myself start to drift off into a sleep; I could feel myself getting deeper…

            “Amanda… Amanda!” I could hear Hailey yell in the distance.  The darkness was blinding, and there was no sign of sun at all, just black.