Remi's Great Escape (Forestfolk Prequel)

Chapter 12b

Irrational thoughts flew at me from all directions. This was what happened to Aberrations in tribes. I'd witnessed it firsthand.

"Would you like to stay?" Bren asked.

I blinked at her, still prepared to run. "What?"

"It's always been assumed that you were welcome here, but we realized that we never formally asked. And you're sleeping in a tree. You can sleep in a real bed, as one of the Forestfolk. If you'd like."

I blinked one more time, absorbing this. They wanted me to stay?

I peered at them both with their earnest eyes and sincere smiles. They wanted me to stay!

Something in my chest took flight and began soaring. My head pumped up and down before I could even think twice.

Bren smiled. "We thought so. I think we can make space in the children's cabin. I hear you've already made friends with Nirrin. What do you think about that?"

"Uh, well..." The thought of spending all day, every day, with Nirrin made me itchy. "The tree is okay."

Galen chuckled. "We thought as much." He began walking again.

Bren followed him, so I did too. We stopped in front of the storage cabin I had emptied. Did they want me to clean it some more?

"You've proven yourself to be a hard-working, independent, young man. Well-deserving of a space of your own." He gestured to the open doorway of the empty cabin. "How about this one?"

I stared at it like it was a mirage. Like it would puff into smoke if I looked away. It had to be a misunderstanding.

Galen stepped closer to the cabin and touched the bark of one log. "I realize it's in rough shape, and the roof might leak—"

"If I fix it, can I live here?" My excited brain wasn't quite grasping the intent of their words.

"Remi, you can live here whether you fix it or not."

I looked to Bren for confirmation. She nodded.

"Unless you prefer the tree?" Galen gave me a teasing smile.

I shook my head and took uneven steps to the entryway. I poked my head inside, seeing the modest space with new eyes.

A bed sat in the corner.

Was that for me too? I turned questioning eyes back to Galen and Bren. Bren nodded her encouragement.

I stepped inside. Looked around as if I hadn't just been here yesterday, brushing cobwebs from dark corners.

My place? For real?

I went to the bed and noticed the scratched-up dents on one of the legs. This was the very bed I'd helped Barrigan build yesterday. I'd been building my own bed.

A smile spread across my face.

A neatly folded garment lay on one corner of the bed, and I picked it up. It was the piece of hide I'd grabbed before escaping the tribe. The familiar scent from my mother's cabin greeted my nose, and I inhaled deeply. Mother, I've found a new home, I silently told her. I think you'd like it here.

I gave it a squeeze before shaking out its folds.

A vest.

Jora had made me a vest.

I slipped my arms through it and pulled it on. It hung loosely around me.

"Jora said there wasn't enough material to make anything else, but she wanted it to be big enough for you to grow into," Bren said from the doorway.

"It's perfect," I said, pulling the material tight around me. I closed my eyes and pretended it was a hug from Ma. "I love it."

My eyes popped open at the sniffling sound. I found Bren wiping an eye.

"Dust," she mumbled and cleared her throat. "Here, you might also want this, for your doorway." She presented a bundle of folded cloth.

I took the heavy material from her. "Thank you." I looked to Galen. "Both of you."

"It was a group decision," Galen said. "Everyone wants you here."

My eyebrows went up. "Everyone? Even Davin?" I hadn't seen the old man since he left me in the dirt.

Bren huffed. "That old badger was the first one to vote you in."

I looked down in wonder at the bundle in my arms. Everyone wanted me here. Everyone. They'd said everyone, right?

"Let's let the boy process," Galen said, placing a hand on Bren's shoulder. "I imagine it's a lot to take in."

Bren took a step back. "If you need anything..."

I nodded, still staring at the cloth I held.

The two of them left, and I was alone in the cabin. My cabin.

Maybe the Forestfolk accepted me because they didn't know I was an Aberration. Because Galen was kind and didn't report it to anyone. But I wasn't about to turn away a good thing. Maybe one day, when I knew these people better, I would reveal myself.

The thought sent cold shivers up my spine.

I would deal with that later. But for now...

I unfolded the heavy cloth and laid it out on the bed. A thick cord fell out, and I strung it through the holes in the cloth. I was too short to reach the top of the doorway, so I found a small stump outside and rolled it close. After much wrangling, I finally hung the cloth across the entryway.

I pushed it to one side and stepped back to admire it. My very own house. With a new bed. And a door covering.

I smiled. A door covering just like I'd always wanted.

Privacy.

It hit me all at once. I had privacy now.

A right to be respected.

Respect.

Because, here, I was a person.

I reached out and swooshed the cover shut.

No longer an Aberration.

Remi finally finds his place! Home sweet home. This concludes Remi's tale of how he came to join the Forestfolk. Thank you for all your votes, comments, and undying support. My readers are the best!