Enchanted Hearts

Chapter 6

Delilah

"Do you want to die?" the Moxie growled at me. 

"No," I whispered. We both didn't say anything for a bit after that while we caught our breath. Then it started to get awkward, with him still on top of me, so I said quietly, "Are you going to kill me?"

He looked me straight in the eyes, serious for a moment. Then he burst out laughing, not the malicious sort, but that sweet laugh he was so fond of. He pulled me up, not letting go of my wrists. "Not yet," he said smiling with his straight white teeth, "Delilah." 

I glared at him. He dragged me along through the forest around the Moxie camp. The camp either doesn't belong to them or they are taking Skylar and I to some secluded rape dungeon before they kill us. Just as Skye and the other Moxie came into view up ahead I asked, "Was that your camp back there?"

"No, Delilah," he said simply. He was really getting on my nerves. 

"What's your name? Since you know mine, it's only fair." 

"Charlie," he said looking up to meet my eyes.

"Really?" I was surprised he answered me at all.

"Yes. It's not like I have anything to hide. You're just an innocent Virago girl who thinks Moxie are violent and cruel, just like all the others. No point pretending." Wow, I was so not expecting that. 

"I do not think that! And I'm not innocent." I was annoyed that he was so quick to judge, but I coulndn't blame him, most Virago did think that. Charlie didn't reply and that was the end of our first conversation. He tugged me further up so we were now walking with Skye and her captor. She looked across to me and I gave her a weak smile. We walked in silence until the sun went down and we couldn't see where we were walking. 

"We will camp here for the night," said the blue-eyed Moxie to Charlie. He turned to Skylar, "Just set up the tent over there by that tree." She made her way to where he was pointing. I looked up at Charlie and he let me go. I raced over to Skylar and hugged her, letting go when I noticed the Moxie's watching us. 

"Are you okay?" I asked Skylar.

"Yeah, I'm fine," she sounded a little shaken up still but I knew she would recover quickly. "You?" 

"Yeah, I guess I'm fine too. I think I'm still in shock though. I mean, what's going to happen to us?" I was starting to freak out a little. 

"We can still escape. We just have to wait a bit." She grabbed our tent and we started putting it up. At least we know what gave away our position away, our stupid tent. The Moxie's were talking to each other quietly so we couldn't hear. Probably planning our execution. Then Charlie walked off into the forest and the other Moxie piled together some sticks and lit a fire by the tent. Once we finished putting up the tent Skylar sat down by the fire to try and get warm as the air cooled. I leaned against a pine tree just as Charlie walked up to us with a dead rabbit. They cooked the rabbit over the fire and ate it in silence. They offered Skylar and I some. Skylar took some, I know she can't last very long without food. I didn't take any though, I refused to eat even though I was kind of starving. It wasn't because I thought they were trying or poison us or anything, but it was like a peace offering and I didn't want to make peace with them. I know that's what I'm supposed to be doing, but I how can I trust them? They chased us down and now they are holding us captive. I am scared of them, that they really will kill us. We had to run away and soon.  

The Moxie's asked Skye a few general questions, like how old she was and where her camp was. They never told us where we were going or what they were going to do with us and we never asked. Skylar replied politely and with confidence.

When it started to get late the blued eyed Moxie stood up and said to Charlie, "You can take first watch, I'm going to sleep." He walked into the tent. When he passed Skylar he said, "You two can sleep in here too." 

Skylar walked over to me. "Well, I am pretty tired. Are you coming?" 

"In there?" I said pointing to the tent. 

"Yes, where else. Delilah, I don't think they are going to hurt us."

"Not yet anyway." I sighed. "I think I'm going to stay out here for a bit before bed."

"Okay. Well, goodnight, I'll see you in the morning." She squeezed my hand and went off into the tent, zipping it up behind her. I couldn't help but feel worried for her. I just prayed that she would be safe. Not to imagine Mahogany, out in the forest by herself, with no food or weapons. I prayed for us all, that we would make it out of this alive. Charlie was still sitting by the fire looking out to the river shinning in the moonlight. I sat down on the opposite side of the fire to him. The fire was so warm, I wanted to jump in the flames and sleep there. I also wanted to ask him what they were going to do with us and much more, but I wasn't going to speak first or even at all. After maybe 15 minutes of quiet I saw him get up out of the corner of my eye. I followed his feet as they made their way towards me. The fancy shoes stopped in front of me. 

"Are you sure you don't want any food?" Charlie asked, "There's plenty left if you want any. Help yourself." I didn't reply, just kept staring at his shoes. I was being rude, but I didn't care. I was angry at the Moxie's. They are keeping Skylar and I as prisoners, I have every right to be rude. He sighed deeply. "You should get some rest, we have a big day ahead of us tomorrow." Then he walked around me and jogged off into the forest. When I couldn't hear his footsteps I swung around and jumped up on my feet. Where did he go?  I couldn't go into the forest unarmed, not at night. Who knows how many Moxie are lurking out there? I went to sit back down by the dying fire, when I noticed a knife  lying by the rock Charlie was sitting on. It couldn't be. As I moved closer I knew it was mine, with its carved wooden handle and double sided blade. How did it get here? The last place I had it was in that giant oak tree before I fell. Charlie must have picked it up. Did he leave it there for me on purpose? Why would he do that? Hah! What a douche. I hope he realizes what he's done. Now all I have to do is stab the Moxie sleeping in the tent and Skylar and I are free. So long as Charlie doesn't come back. I snatched up my knife and crept into the tent and what I saw mortified me. The Moxie had one arm tucked around Skye and she was snuggled in close to him. Seriously, what was I thinking? I couldn't kill someone, not even a Moxie. Maybe, we could leave quietly without any violence. I wanted to wake Skylar, but they were just so cute together. I guess I can wait until tomorrow. I zipped the tent back up and started for the dark forest. Why Skylar was sleeping like that with the Moxie, I had no idea, but I certainly did not approve. How could Skylar be so naive? He was a Moxie for crying out loud!

It was pitch black, with the tall pines forbidding the moonlight to enter the forest. I didn't know where I was going or where Charlie went. I was straining my eyes in the darkness for any movement or sign as to which direction he went in. I just kept walking. Every so often I would look back and see the fire glowing, but now it was starting to fade and I could barely see it. What was I doing out here? I didn't really understand why, but I think I was trying to find a Moxie. One minute I was trying to escape the Moxie's now I'm chasing after them. Life is so confusing sometimes. Then I heard a noise and it sounded close. I should have turned back, but my curiosity got the better of me. I kept walking. Suddenly a light appeared. A small light. It was fire, on a stick. Someone was there holding a fire stick. I froze, not daring to breathe. They would have been too far away to see me, but if they came any closer I could be easily spotted. I couldn't see who was holding the stick, but it was moving around. There was more than one person, maybe three or four people and I was almost certain they were Moxie's.