The Last Theiro

07

Eden
•••

"Do you have everything you need?" I asked Cassia as I helped her carry her parcels to the cabin

Cassia nodded at me and flashed me a smile. "Thank you so much, Eden. You've been so helpful all these years."

I smiled at her and shook my head. "It's nothing, really."

It really was nothing. I didn't mind helping Cassia and Tessa with anything. They've become my family over those past years. I knew Tessa ever since I was ten and I stumbled upon her in the forest. I smiled as I replayed the memory in my head.

I was angry at my father for leaving us, for leaving me. I just wanted to get away from everyone. I wanted to escape so I decided to hide in the forest for a few hours.

I sat with my back against the tree and took deep steady breaths. My eyes burned with tears and I clutched my arm where Dad had hit me before he left.

I was actually glad he fled. I wouldn't have to put up with his drinking and late nights. I wouldn't have to try and block him from hitting Mum. I wouldn't be the person he took his anger out on.

But even though he was a bad father, it still hurt knowing he left without even trying. It still hurt knowing my father had just walked out of my life.

"Are you okay?"

A girl's voice pulled me from my thoughts and I met her electric blue eyes. Her brown hair was pulled neatly into a ponytail and she clutched a bow tightly in her hand. I noticed the quiver of arrows that slung over her shoulder.

The girl's beautiful blue eyes eyed me curiously before she walked closer and sat beside me.

"Yeah, I'm okay." I croaked out and wiped the tears off my face.

"No, you're not okay." The girl declared. "You're crying and you're sitting alone in the forest with a bruised arm. So you're not okay."

I looked up at her blue eyes and shrugged. "Who are you?"

"My name is Tessa." She said and extended her hand out to me.

I shook it reluctantly and Tessa smiled at me brightly. "I'm Eden."

Tessa stood up and pulled me up with her. "Cassia is going to be so happy that I've made a new friend." And she dragged me deeper into the forest until a cabin came into view.

"Is that where you live?" I asked Tessa and she nodded happily. "It's beautiful," I said in awe as I stared up at the huge building built out of shining wooden planks.

"It's not much, but it's home." Tessa shrugged and dragged me through the front door.

I stumbled over the threshold and Tessa giggled at me.

"Cassia!" She screamed and a lady with bright red hair and green eyes entered the hallway. Her eyes widened as she eyed me and I smiled innocently at her, rubbing my neck nervously.

"Hey, Tessa," Cassia said with raised eyebrows. "Who's that?" She asked and I felt my cheeks grow red.

Tessa shrugged. "He's my new friend. His name is Eden. Isn't his name nice?" Tessa said and dragged me once again towards the stairs.