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I wanted that solid hope that they seem to share.
“What about Michael and Julie?” I don’t want to run off with Theo and lose them.
“I will carry Julie and keep up,” Michael says, like his newly formed feet aren’t stinging like someone slapped them with a belt. I notice him shifting his weight, trying to ease the pain even if no one else can.
Now Theo is visible. Even though his face is a mess, it is intriguing to see him thinking and considering options. A smart giant monster…as long as he is on our side, that is a good thing. The moment he turns, we are all in trouble. “We don’t have to move fast. You can stay in my shadow so others can’t see you if you’d like.”
I’d like to move fast, reach the center and scale that spire, but there is a part of me that never wants to reach the center because of the fear of failure. What if we are too monstrous to climb?
What if we are not monstrous enough to even reach the spire?
I force a smile and pretend that it’s fine with me. “Great, that seems like a good plan.”
It’s our only plan.
18
Julie
Ihand the spikes that Theo spat out to Joe, not wanting to leave them behind when they could be useful. His tail is wrapped around Theo’s waist and his other arm is around Theo’s neck. He is pissed, annoyance burns in his amber eyes, but it is directed at himself. I want to touch his leg and tell him they look good, but that won’t soothe him. Until he figures out how to walk, or his tail shrinks, there is nothing anyone can do.
Instead of putting my shirt on, I tear the sleeve off with a claw and wrap it around Michael’s bleeding arm. That he’s still bleeding is worrying as I’m sure he healed faster yesterday. I keep the thought to myself as I don’t understand all the changes that happen in Under. I use the rest of the sleeve to wipe myself. The fight distracted me, but now that we aren’t in danger and the changes have been celebrated, I can take note of what a mess I am.
I haven’t been able to wash my hair in days. I want soap and hot water so I can have a proper bath and scrub myself clean. As much as I want that, it’s not going to happen. So I settle for what I can get. The next puddle that we stop for a drink from I am going to also wash in—after we have drunk our fill.
I pull my skirt on, along with my one-sleeved shirt—I don’t want to rip the other one off when it might be useful—then I throw the robe on over the top.
Michael watches. “Ready?”
I nod. “Yeah.”
My voice sounds rough, but it is mine.
My gaze flicks to the large shadow that is Theo. I can’t forget his toothy maw, or dark pits of eyes. I don’t know what I expected him to look like. Maybe I’d hoped that in the shadow he was actually very human.
I climb on to Michael’s back and feel him tense as he stands. “Will you be okay?”
“Yes.” He wriggles his toes. “It’s nice to feel them again.” He steps into the shadow, and when Theo starts walking, he jogs alongside the giant.
Getting down from the ridge is much easier than getting up as there is no climbing, only a slow descent. Shrouded in the shadow, the rest of the world falls away. I don’t know how invisible we are, but when we stop it is because Theo finds a puddle that appears to be drinkable.
I am glad for the break to stretch my legs and my back.
Theo sits, and Joe unravels. He stands tentatively. I go to offer him my hand, but the ferocity in his eyes makes me lower it just as fast. He manages a couple of waddling steps before coiling up, as though resigned.
If he tries to slither, he’ll be dragging his legs, which will strip the skin.
Michael kneels by the puddle and takes a small scoop to taste. “It’s good to drink.”
None of us leave the shadow and I can’t see beyond it. “What’s out there?” I ask Theo without looking directly at his face.
I know it shouldn’t, but it freaks me out.
“Monsters,” he replies.
I lift an eyebrow. Of course there are monsters, but what kind and will I be safe if I step out?
“What? You don’t have enough?” Joe gives a rattle. Usually he’d be darting back and forth, burning off some tension and anger, but now he has to sit with it and stew. It’s only a matter of time before he erupts.
