Head in the Clouds

Chapter 28: Behind the Wall

She wasn't sure if it was the way the wall cast a black shadow over her or the new feeling of dread filling her, but the wall of vines seemed much more daunting as she stood there alone.

"If they feel stabby again, there's no one else here but me," she thought. She looked down at the scars in her palm, "Yeah, let's hope it doesn't come to that."

Her sword laid on the grass right where she left it, and a pool of blood seeped into the soil. She could still see Sir Cecil's limp body hanging from the sky. It almost made her sick. 

She swallowed the lump in her throat and presented a warrior's posture. Her eyes stared straight ahead and her lips pursed into a straight line as though glued shut. Had anyone else seen her, they'd think she wasn't deterred by these creatures at all, but she was always good at presenting such illusions. 

"I prefer to fight the wolves," she thought, recalling what got earned her warrior status years ago.

"Hello!" She called up at the roots, the wind whistled in response, "I'd like to speak with you please!"

Even the wind hushed now.

"I'm unarmed... scouts honor," she continued, almost smiling at the odd phrase. She thought for a moment, "I'd like a water berry please!"

The ground rumbled just a bit as roots shot from the ground.  Her eyes stuck to the wall, missed the green rope that launched from the earth, and wrapped her up like a Christmas gift.

The wall split open and the same three children exited: the pink haired girl, pink-haired boy, and blond-haired boy. The short-haired girl furrowed her pink eyebrows as the roots tightened.

"Who do you think you are?" The girl growled lightly. 

Deidre tried to riggle out the root's grasp, but they only got tighter.

"I'm someone who wants to help," she uttered painfully, "I know why you're upset, and I understand, but we cannot move all these people in three days."

The girl stepped forward, much to the boy's dismay. She seemed as though Deidre could step on her, yet she wasn't afraid.

"You know nothing about us," the girl claimed as the roots squeezed Deidre like a snake catching its prey, "We aren't friends."

"I know... or maybe I don't, but I just wanted to tell you something," she choked getting more and more lightheaded.

"Save it," jeered the white-haired boy. Deidre never felt the urge to harm a child but began seriously considering it.

"Let's hear her out," requested the other boy timidly.

With the roots tightening she uttered two words.

"I'm sorry."

The fire burning her lungs eased as the roots grasp weakened. She gasped for air, refusing to break eye contact with the leader of the kiddy gang.

"Sorry?" She repeated softly.

Deidre nodded. They gave her a minute to catch her breath.

"I'm sorry for everything we've done to hurt you," she apologized, "I'm sorry we stole the berries. I'm sorry we burnt the forest. I'm sorry we took your land."

The girl wrinkled her little nose and looked to the ground, but the blond boy started for her.

"Is that all you're sorry for?" 

"Tarmiel!" The pink-haired boy called after his friend.

"It's all I know about," Deidre replied.