“See, he wasn't looking for a name nor to follow us, he only wanted your damn food. Stop being so naive, Genevieve. I get that you love animals and nature, not all animals want a friend.” I breathe. “And you are not some magical animal princess out of a fairytale that sings and they come to you. So please, focus. Not everyone wants the best for you, we live in a cruel world full of magical spells and curses. I beg you, at leasttryto not get so distracted.”
Her cheeks turn rosy, and her eyes won’t meet mine. Grabbing her bag, she walks right past me while staring at the dirty ground.
I’m just like my father.
I spoke those mean words to her when she hadn't done anything wrong, she was only being nice and thoughtful. She was only trying to help an animal. She did not deserve that.
I’m an asshole.
Chapter 9
Genevieve
It’s hard to believe what he just said to me, all I wanted was to help that poor squirrel. He was hungry, and if I could offer something simple such as an apple to help his hunger, I would gladly do it again, even if it means that we have to get more food for ourselves.
I wish Esme was here to help with my confidence. I’ve been working hard on it, but sometimes it leaves my body, abandoning me. And that’s okay, not every day can be the best one.
He made me feel embarrassed when he said those things. It felt like I did something wrong, even though I didn’t. A familiar feeling of shame is lingering on the surface, but there is no reason for me to feel that way.
I don’t want him to be able to control my feelings. But somehow he makes me feel all types of different emotions.
Why am I this emotional?
This journey is already taking longer than I thought it would, almost like the sand in an hourglass has turned to stone. The sun is setting and I have no clue how far we’ve come. All I know is that my body is tired and is in desperate need of a long night's rest.
Ector and I haven’t spoken for what feels like an eternity. It was going so well until it wasn’t. He didn’t apologize, nor did he ask if I was okay. We’ve been walking in silence, him taking the lead with the map in his hands and me following right behind.
Feeling hungry, I reach down in my bag to grab the pear, only for the realization to hit me, it’s no longer there. All the food I brought is gone.
I hate to admit it, to accept it, but Ector was right about that squirrel, he only wanted the food and he must have taken everything when none of us were paying attention.
My stomach twists and turns, and I let out a small groan of pain. Ector freezes to ice for a split second but doesn’t stop walking.
We can’t keep walking all night. We don’t know this land well enough. We don’t know what could get to us in the middle of the dark hours. Something, or someone, could steal our lives the moment our eyes fall shut.
Suddenly, the thought of my mother enters my mind. She must be worried, terrified by now. I need to find a shop that sells papers, pens, and write her a letter, and send it with Fast Fairy Mail. It's not the cheapest alternative but it's my only option. They will make sure that the envelope gets to her in a few hours.
Some fairies compete in the yearly Fast Flying Competition to win the title of being the fastest fairy of all time, and a lot of them work for Fast Fairy Mail only to keep up their daily practice.
“Ector, I’m starting to get really hungry and tired.”
“I know, sweetheart, me too.”
“I think we should find somewhere to eat and stay the night before the sun sets entirely.”
“We’re almost at Lake City. If we can get there, I think we’ll find everything we need. And I wouldn’t let anything happen to you even if we kept walking the whole night.”
“Do you know how long it will take to get there?”
“We should be there in just a minute, sweetheart.”
And there it is, that nickname.
“Lake City should be just behind these big bushes.” Ector claims as he pushes the bushes aside with his big veiny hands, a detail I can’t seem to ignore.
As the big bushes blocking our view are pushed aside, both of us try to take in the city unfolding before our eyes.
The buildings are gigantic, castles almost. Their sturdy stone walls whisper of old tales. Their great pillars rise from the ground all around the city, and flowers in pastel with big leaves are growing upon them. The sunset in hues of soft pink and radiant gold is still painted over the sky.
