“What?”he groans, his voice going like sound waves from my ears towards my toes, leaving a trail of goosebumps behind. I curl my toes deeper in my shoes and before I can answer that I meant his laugh he speaks up, putting the puzzle pieces together.
“You mean that animal-ish, raw sound that I made while answering?”
Well, I wouldn’t describe it that way. Kind of weird that if someone asks me what my favorite sound is I will have to describe it as that, but whatever. I keep that part to myself as I go back to his question earlier.
“You mean weeping willows?” I smile, ignoring his answer, picking up the red dread like nothing happened.
“Yes, I just left some kind of tent with clothing and weapons. Have you been there yet?” he answers, following my lead, the tension out of his voice disappearing like it was never there in the first place.
Jeezz, he is chatty. Normally, he answers in short words, but he is giving me whole sentences right now. Finally acting like the twenty-year-old he is, instead of a toddler. The tent with clothing and weapons does explain Delilah her outfit and weapons. Kailey didn’t tell me about it and by her pajamas I can tell she didn’t keep it a secret either.
“Not yet, but I think Delilah has been there, so it can’t be that far away.”I sigh.
“Delilah?”he starts, sounding concerned.“She didn’t fight you, right?I can see him frowning his brows in front of me while holding his lips pint together. I snort because of the image of him in my head, resulting in a weird look of Kailey.
“She hit me hard, but I hit her harder.”I bite back my smile.
“Good girl,”he continues, his voice dark and raspy, like he had just woken up.“But I actually meant, are you okay? I heard you scream when you left. What the fuck happened?”he growls.
I didn’t do anything wrong. He should keep his temper. And how does he mean I screamed. Did I scream? I don’t remember. I open my mouth and snap it close again fast. I should be careful with what I want him to know.
“I don’t remember anything. I have just woken up here in the forest,”I tell him, but as wise as I am, I leave the part of my hurting ribs and swollen face out. He decides to not ask further. Very mature of him.
“I am in a dark part of the forest, I think. I know it is daytime, but if the sun were to be covered with clouds I wouldn’t be able to see anything. It is kind of spooky. A small crook is nearby and if I walk for a while I can see the mountain,”I explain to him.
“Wait a sec, I will climb up a tree to see which direction the mountain is,”he huffs, and I assume he is starting to climb up a tree.“Oh and since you own the sun, don’t let it go away, Honey. I don’t have a flashlight nearby.”
I blink my eyes, making sure I heard him correctly. He has never mentioned my sun signet before. I tap my fist and my sight goes blurry as I wait impatiently.
“What does he say?” Kailey interrupts. I turn my face to look at her. “He is climbing a tree.”
Only after saying I realize how bitchy and stupid I sound.
“Sorry, have you reached my sister yet?” I breathe out.
Sister.
Those words still feel strange rolling out of my mouth. Kailey is paired up with Hazel and we both need to find our duo. Together we are stronger.
“Not yet,” she answers hesitantly.
“That sucks, but it also costs me a while to find him. Braxton told me there is a tent with gear and weapons. Do you think it is smart for us to go over there?” I ask, talking more like myself.
“I see the mountain,”Braxton breaks in. His energy slips. “It must be at least 12 miles away. It is doable, but since the morning is already almost over, I will think about how we are going to do this. Climbing the mountain will make it feel way more than 12 miles.”He sighs, sounding all grumpy. Well so much for going to the tent for a small stop.
“Do I get a vote in this or what?”I shrug. One thing must be true. There is another tent or base or something. Delilah could have never walked more than 12 miles already.
“Delilah can’t have walked this far so there must be another base with weapons.”I need to tell Kailey. She doesn’t have anything on her but a bow and arrow. Don’t know how she got them, but alright.
“There is another base camp or something. There must be. You and I need weapons.” I look from her to me and back at her. “And good clothing.”
Kailey doesn’t ask questions, but her frowns betray her of thinking of a plan. Kailey and Braxton tell me the exact same thing at the same time.
“You should go over there.”
“We should go over there.”
I nod my head and talk to Braxton.
