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“What?” I ask, smiling back.
“You recognized me.”
2. “Hello, Old Heart.”
With a thump into moist soil, my high heels sink. I let go of the wooden planks nailed to the tree and begin my walk through the Emerald Lake forest.
After a day and a half of rest, Kane leaves to gather food.
Naturally, he gave me a strict order to stay in the tree house. Dangers lurk in these forests that I won’t believe unless I see them. Beings from old folk tales. The reasons why our citizens stay within their perimeters.
But I’ve already made the cots, cleaned up after us, and stared blankly at the horizon of swaying trees for over an hour. I’ve wondered endlessly what’s next for us? Are we planning on living in the tree house forever? Are we going to find somewhere to live? Build a hut? Find a safe place in the forest? Or does Kane have a plan?
The morning air is cool and refreshing, dancing against the turquoise leaves, creating an Emerald Lake symphony. But I don’t make it far.
There’s movement a few trees away. A flash of moss green and radiant gold.
Great, Kane was right. I didn’t make it two seconds.
I press my back into a tree, staying completely still until the figure leaves or reveals itself to me. I strain my eyes past the vines and shrubs and into the shadows of the sycamores.
I force my breathing to remain shallow and undetectable. But the forest dances on without interruption of man or beast, and there is no evidence I saw anything.
With a final minute of silence, to be sure, I lean off the tree, taking a step into the soft soil to investigate.
“Be frightened not.” A masculine voice like thunder and sandpaper echoes from behind me.
I spin around, the sides of my shoes filling with dirt, and I topple over as my eyes land on him. A tall, lean man wearing moss and vines for clothing, woven intricately around his body to the way veins would crisscross under skin. The wind flutters through his long, golden hair, pushing it back behind his shoulders.
I stay completely still, gauging his next actions with caution. The man narrows his hazel eyes down at me quizzically.
“My big friend will be back soon,” I say.
He looks around, intrigued. When he doesn’t see the big man I’m referring to, his light eyes fall back to me. “Young.”
I blink twice. Huh?
“What are your years?”
I cock my head. He doesn’t seem dangerous, but I can’t be too careful.
He steps toward me, long brown legs glistening in the sunlight.
“Stay back, Forest Boy.” Surprisingly, I don’t flinch. I stare back at him with calm, threatening eyes. Being away from the suffocating nature of the city seems to have made me feel stronger. When normally, I might crawl backward in fear.
His brow furrows. Gazing down at me as if I’m a pet of his. He dips his head to acknowledge my guardedness. “When you are ready.”
~
I shimmy my way back up the tree house ladder before Kane and DaiSzek return. The last thing I need is a firm scolding and an “I told you so.”
But apparently, I still don’t know him as well as I think I do.
“You just couldn’t resist leaving, huh?” Kane throws a sack over his shoulder before pulling himself up from the ladder.
“I didn’t leave,” I say quickly. Too quickly.
He smiles as he removes his shoes. “Tell that to the dirt you brought with you.” He nods at my high heels coated in wet soil.
