Fall into my confusing journey

Chapter 9

I lay staring at the ceiling of the cave. Everyone else has already fallen asleep, but for some reason, I couldn't. The sun was already peeking over the horizon and the sky was brightening as I slipped out of my hammock.

Rya was snuggled up against Howl, who had shifted back to human form in his sleep. Somehow, he had his clothes on which he does in his sleep. Sophie was snuggling on his other side.

Nathan was in the farthest corner of the cave, laying against the wall and Sera was on the opposite wall, huddled under the blanket I lent her.

Nobody stirred when I crept past, so I quickly fled the cave. I didn't know where I was headed until I was back at the overhang's edge.

I look down. The river at the bottom was running like rush hour at six in the evening, when everyone was getting off of work.

I frowned remembering the City. It was never peaceful like this. Now someone's sending android officers after us. It partially makes sense. Androids can't be manipulated by our gifts like humans can. Unless one's gift is controlling machines.

The snap of a dry twig pulled me out of my thoughts and I whirled around just in time to see Nathan break away from the tree line's caress.

I sigh and sit on the ledge. I see Nathan settle beside me, shaking his head. "You'd think you would learn your lesson after dropping off of this particular cliff."

I managed a weak grin, replying, "What can I say? I'm a pretty reckless girl." He chuckles. "Yeah, you definitely are."

There was few long moments of silence between the two of us, nothing but chirping birds and the sound of rushing water. Then I whisper, "I would do it again."

Nathan sharply looks over at me with worry, confusion and... anger on his face. "What?!"

I turn away from his gaze and look over the steep rock face. It was a long way down. Even though I've blocked him, I know I'm going to tell him anyway.

"I would jump again." I answer wistfully.
"Why?" I look over again. His face is still confused and worried so instead of answering, I put on a grin and yell, "Race you back to the cave!"

I jump up and take off, not wanting to have to explain the surge of adrenaline and the yearning to feel that freedom once again.

It's not worth listening to his sarcastic but annoyingly true reply. The only person I could talk to about that to is Howl. He'd understand. The urge to be free from all of the cramped cages that plague the world.

Others claim it to be claustrophobia. I say too many tight spaces. Others claim its normal. I say they're delusional and crazy.

I turn in the opposite direction of the cave and keep running, hoping Nathan won't follow. The cave is too small. I'm not going back.

I stare straight ahead and run faster. I stumble over some branches and upturned roots, but keep running. Some loose strands of hair flow in the wind and I want to yell with content.

This is freedom. This is free.

Soon, I come across an Elm tree and my first thought is, Perfect! All the climbing a girl could want! Then I catch Nathan calling my name. Yelling for me to come back and I think, This is fate. This tree was placed here on purpose. Nathan will never find me here!

I almost laugh out loud at my childish thoughts. Usually, I'd tell myself to pull it together, but I deserve to be childish. With all the seriousness I am going to have to pursue to control my new group of friends, I'm not going to have any time to have any fun at all.

With that, I scale the tree with ease. If and when no one else was watching, I used to climb all of the trees in the City's Park.

There was one that was painfully hard to master. I always got blisters and cuts. One time, it took me too long to climb to the top and hide, so I got caught by a park trooper and pried off of the tree like a terrified cat gets pried off of the carpet.

That didn't stop me though. I kept going back to that tree, trying to master it. Sooner or later, I did.

I was already high in the tree when Nathan came calling for me. I put a block on my conscious so he wouldn't be able to locate where I was hiding.

I looked at my clothes and then looked at the the tree, then up at the sky. I wasn't camouflaged very well. I curse under my breath.

We curse under our breath. Nathan freezes from his pacing. SHITE!!! Shite! He heard me! I started to shrink back but stopped when the leaves on my branch rustled.

Nathan looks up, squinting against the rising sun. I freeze like a child during freeze tag. Now I'm struggling to keep my concentration on my block.

Nathan hesitates and then begins climbing my tree. I stayed impossibly still and waited patiently as he climbs onto the first branch. Watching his muscles contracting under his shirt steals my breath away. Wait? Am I checking him out? What are my feelings for him?

When I glance back down, I'm startled because Nathan is almost to my branch. So without thinking, I throw myself off of the Elm tree. I hear Nathan shout for me as I hit the ground. There's a throb in my foot but I shake it off. I laugh as I watch his concern turn to a mix of expressions I can't place.

I grin as he jumps, landing in front of me. "That was fun. We should definitely do it again sometime soon." I tease, walking away.

"You're faster than you look." He argues. "Of course. You should know I'm a lot different from your average girl by all the data you have of me." I reply, recalling the information he's provided me.

At that he smiles and it's a real genuine smile that sends a chill through my body. I put up a block casually because even I don't know what I'm thinking and I don't think I want him to know.

1068 words.

Hey guys 👋🏽. Sorry I haven't updated in I while. I've haven't necessarily been busy but I had no motivation to type all of this up. So please don't be mad at me. We all get a little lazy sometimes. Anyways, how have your summers been going so far? Mines mostly been me missing my friends even though I can text them. This chapter was supposed to have more but I decided to cut it because I'm tired af. It's frickin 1:08 a.m. right now. My minds kinda fuzzy. Also, I'm writing this in my notebook before I type it so remind me I'm on page 40 okay? Thanks. Whelp, goodnight.

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