In Search of You

Chapter 6

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STORY CO-AUTHORED BY @STRANGEGROUNDS

CHAPTER 6

The next day dawned bright and beautiful.

Well, not really for sunlight cannot pierce through the thick canopy above Thornhearts. Astrid stirred and lifted her hand to rub the sleep away from her eyes.

 “Finally,” Quil muttered. He sat in front of her with his legs crossed on the wooden floor. His elbow was placed on top of his thigh and his head rested on his palm. He was looking at her and he seemed to have been awake for a long time now. This was because his bag was already packed and sitting beside him.

“Get up. We have to go,” Quil told her. Just like that her illusion of a fine morning was shattered. What was up Quil’s ass today? “If we’re hurrying, you should have woken me up instead of being grumpy,” she told him as she got up and tried her best to fold his cloak neatly.

Quil huffed as he stood up. “I’m not grumpy.” Clearly, he was. He accepted the cloak and stuffed it back in his bag. Then, he swung it over her shoulder. “Where are the others?” Astrid asked. “They’ve returned to their homes for the day. They only patrol during the night,” he answered.

Astrid stretched some more before she picked up her bag. She turned to follow Quil. “How much more walking through this godforsaken forest are we going to do today?” she asked. “Maybe a half-day’s worth if we pick up the pace. I think we’d be there before sundown. Let’s just hope they allowed us more time or we’ll brave the journey to the elders by ourselves,” Quil replied. His voice was hard and the shudder he repressed told Astrid everything she needed to know. There was more danger when travelling to wherever Quil’s tribe was. Something even more that what Thornhearts had to offer.

Quil exited the small wooden shack and Astrid followed. He began to walk across the thick branches again. His brows were furrowed and he seemed to be deep in thought. His body twisted and climbed agilely. He moved branches out of his way and climbed with ease. But there was a blank expression in his face. Whatever he was thinking about, Astrid knew that it was something important. Because of this, she decided not to bother Quil anymore. The two of them walked in silence for a long time.

Astrid felt the burn in all her muscles but never did she say a word to Quil. The man had a lot on his mind and she didn’t want to sound like a whiny female. She was also a bit hungry. From the start of the day, she ate only what looked and tasted to be like the berries and nuts from this world. While they walked, Quil picked them from bushes and trees and handed them to her. It was the only sign that he still remembered she was there.

Astrid looked over the horizon and noticed that the sun was about to set. They must be near. If not, she’d collapse on whatever surface was available and sleep like the dead until she can walk again. They exited the dense forest of Thornhearts a while back. Now they walked on a valley that seemed to extend several miles. It looked like a field and the plants there were almost as tall as her. It was a good thing Quil walked ahead of her and hacked at the pesky plants.

Suddenly, Quil stopped. He did it without any warning and it caused Astrid to bump into him. “Ow!” she shouted while she rubbed at the sore spot in her head. Quil held up a hand. “Shh,” he hissed. Astrid shrugged and kept silent. In a world she didn’t know anything about, Quil was her only chance of survival and never had he let her down. She might’ve been with him for a short time only but he had her full trust.

Quil crouched down behind tall bushes and Astrid did the same. His blue eyes scanned the area around them for a few minutes. Astrid watched him and then she decided she’d look towards the opposite side of the forest to guard their backs against any weird predator. The plants were so tall and thick that she couldn’t see anything until it decided to pounce. So she kept herself alert.