When the Sky Catches Fire

Chapter 2

Wilder held Callie, burying her face into his chest. Strangely, even though he squeezed her tightly, thrilled to have her return- unscathed, she felt no discomfort. Being in his arms was just as comfy being wrapped in her favorite blanket.

"Aren't you happy to be back here... with me?"

Was Wilder concerned about my disappearance, afraid I'd become one of the vanishing villagers?

Callie remembered hearing his voice, above all the other voices out searching for her, as she crept through the woods. He was the only one able to penetrate her heart. Every time he called, she'd felt a slight tugging to return to him, but the calling to enter the forest was stronger so she'd left him behind.

Wilder's affection had a calming effect on her. To deepen the effect, she wrapped her arms around his midsection, embracing their connection.

"Oui! I guess your hair isn't the only thing to have changed." Viewing her new appearance in the moonlight, he struggled to free himself from her embrace.

"What do you mean?" Callie asked, lacing her fingers together behind his back, watching him twist and bend, obviously trying to escape her hug. It tickled her to see him struggling. 

"Release me," Wilder whispered, embarrassment flushing his cheeks.

Callie was always a strong girl. The other girls walked around playing hop stick and other silly games, but Callie was different, she tied her skirt up and played in the mud with the boys. She gave them a run for their money when it came to races and wood cutting, but Wilder had always been stronger, until now.

"Fine," Callie reluctantly set him free. She was impressed with the gift of her new strength. "Did I hurt you?"

"No. Did you know one of your eyes is now purple? What happened in Hüter Forest? And did you come across the great beast?"

"Yes. I'll tell you in a minute. And no." She laughed uncomfortably, wondering how she was to explain without sounding insane.

Callie remembered how the village responded towards Jeremiah Wright when he lost his ability to speak. The whole village avoided him, hiding their children, murmuring and whispering behind his back. One day they woke up and he was gone. Everyone created tales of the wretched beast swallowing him, chosing him because of his weakness.

"Callie!" They both turned towards the approaching voice.

"Callie!"

"Father," Callie said, running her fingers through her hair.

Her mother, a plump round, never jolly woman, sprinted across the field, behind her father, a lean, muscular man.

"What do we do now?" Wilder asked, entwining his fingers with hers.

"Let the show begin," Callie stiffened, preparing for the onslaught of questions.

Filter less, Bessie sprewed forth whatever foolishness she thought. Callie's father was the only one able to seal her loose lips, but he only did so after he had enough of her endless chatter.

"Where have you been?" Her father demanded, pulling her into an embrace.

Callie withdrew from the instinct to return his hug; she didn't want to crush him with her new strength.

"We were so worried," her mother added, hopping in on their tender moment.

At the touch of her mother's fingers, Callie pulled away.