Picking Petals:

Chapter 17: Into the Woods

It was now only a week away from the festival and everything was coming together beautifully. Through the past weeks Berella and I occasionally visited my father Lux and Rone at the grounds. They already had a stage for the talent show and booths out that they thought would be a good idea to let the kids paint.

   Rone was proud of himself as he should be. He was working day and night, making sure the kids had fun helping and getting things done. It was admirable really and with Rone being so busy during the days I've been able to join the Trax every morning.

Since I've been hunting with Gregory and the others we've gained back a new sort of friendship. I've noticed he joked more, laugh more. Things weren't as weird as they used to be, every day was a new beginning for us.

   Berella and James... even though they weren't serious, just company searching for company, I worried for James. James is a good friend of mine and he's already had his fare share of Fae drama.

Everything was falling into a routine and I was beyond comfortable with my life right now. I had the perfect balance of light and dark, up and down, blind and sight.

   But than things happen, people die and I fall from my cloud, yanked from under me, robbed.

I'm standing in the woods beside Musho, as we were uncontrollably laughing at Gregory cursing at his bow for missing a stag (when in reality he was just a clumsy archer.) Gregory looks at me and smiles, it was a bright goofy smile. The kind that said "everything is just right." This just proves even more that sometimes two people can be the absolute worst for each other, even though they loved blindly. Gregory cocked his head to the side, his dark hair brushing the tips of his coal black eyes, fumbling with his bow.

I didn't even hear it. I didn't even feel the evils presence as it snatched Gregory in a blurry haze. The demons long claws almost the size of him crushed him. The demon not even looking to us, took off with a limp Gregory in hand.

   I didn't think, there was no time. I take off, my legs taking me faster then I've ever gone in my life. My eyes were locked on the demon, Gregorys maybe lifeless body in his hands. This can't happen, not him, not now.

I tried running as hard as I could, razor like branches gashing at my legs and face. My body felt raw but I forced myself to feel nothing. I even started screaming, demons don't run what the hell is happening? At the end of the day, they're stronger, faster. I knew I lost him, I lost Gregory and he was good as dead.... right?

Wrong. This wasn't how Gregory was going to die, he was more than just a moment or a memory. He is too strong to be brought down.

   I was gasping for breath feeling dizzy as I grabbed my bloody arm, crying out in pain and anger. James caught up to me soon enough. He looked scared and panicked, his dark eyes searching the woods frantically. For a human he was beyond strong, I wondered how he was the first to catch up to me.

   "Were deep in the forest this isn't safe, we need to go." He tried to grab me but I shoved him, hard, harder than I meant to.

"I'm not leaving without Gregory," I hissed. The whole group has now caught up including Berella and Musho. "We dont leave our people." I cried out, digging my hands in my hair as I paced around, what do I do now? My mind was blank, I felt helpless and defenseless.

"You're not going to find him," James said carefully. "Remember what you told me about Alliesa? Well you need to think the same way now. Gregory is dead, there's no way he's going to survive and there's no way we can find that demon. We need to go home while we all have our heads."

I was listening to him, I really was but this was Gregory, sweet Gregory. I grew up with him, I fell in love with him, we broke each others heart and now what? I forget him? Go home and sleep safe in my bed? He wouldn't do that and neither will I.