Life Catcher

Chapter Fifteen: By The Way... Can I Hold Your Hand?

15.

We gather my things as Sam finishes the note. He laughs pleased with himself and gives it to me to read.

Dear Winter Blade and Kai Twit,

Me and Cleo have decided to leave and explore the world. Don't try to find us unless you want to join us. We'll currently be heading southwest into American territory. We will then go to the Great lakes and on from there. Since Cleo requests we return we will. . .eventually. If we don't we where either captured by Dr. Death or we're dead. Best regards.

Yours Truly,

Samuel Williams and Cleo Cupid

"Okay, I guess that's . . . fine. You know Kai's last name is Tether, not Twit," I say.

He smiles wickedly. "I know."

We gather our things and head outside. I glance at Winter Blade and Kai fast asleep. We leave the note on Sam's chair, using a rock as a paperweight, and walk into the forest. Dawn breaks into the clouds sending rays of light through the trees. The ground shimmers with white circles of light. The birds chirp in the trees and two squirrels chase each other. I want to explore the world but I will miss this place. It's the most beautiful forest I have been to, and I've been to many forests.

"Cleo. Why are you slowing down? We'd better hit the road if you want to see something interesting before dark," Sam says interrupting the peace and quit. I thought he hated walking long distances.

I walk a bit faster and Sam walks up along side me. The bags I made out of leaves come in handy. It took all night to find the right leaves and tree sap. Not to mention giving it time to dry. And I had to make two of them, which took even longer-

Sam suddenly grabs my right hand and holds it. My side lurches. He entangles his fingers in mine and I try my best not to look at him. I find interest in the leaves to our left and trace out the design on it with my eyes.

"I should fly into the sky to find out where this forests ends," I say breaking the awkward silence.

"Okay," he says and reluctantly removes his hand from mine.

I take out my wings wicked fast and shoot into the sky at least eighty miles per hour. I let out a breath that I've been holding for a while and look around. I've never actually flown above the trees so this is a first for me. I see a group of birds flying in the shape of a semicircle. Dawn light breaks through white puffy clouds. In the distance, I see the end of the forest. Sam told me the sun rises in the east so if we're heading south we need to head left. I turn so that I'm to the left of the sun's position and see the end of the forest in that direction.

I wonder why Sam held my hand. Was he just scared or does he . . . Just forget it. I don't really care anyways, I think to myself.

I fly back down into the trees and land on my feet in a crouching position. I fold my wings in and see Sam snoring on a nearby rock. I sigh and flick his head. He jumps and opens his eyes slowly.

"Wake up sleepy head. We'd better hit the road if you want to see something interesting before dark," I say, mocking his tone.

He yawns loudly. "Can't we just rest for like two minutes? I'm tired."

"No Samantha. Come on."

I grab his arm and pull him to his feet. He rubs his eyes and yawns again. We begin to walk southwest in the direction of America.