The Ouiums Journey: Hell Broke Loose (book 1)

Chapter 7

The forest hummed with life around me as I moved. My feet twirled round and round until I stopped and looked above. All around me massive tree canopies stretched as far as the eye could see. My eyes darted back and forth, searching, yearning to see the birds singing their hearts out. The deep yellow sunlight burst through patches of the canopy above, lighting my way up the path. I began moving, taking in what I could while the light favoured me. The path was decorated all along the sides with overgrown roots, all sorts of colourful wildflowers and the wind-swept leaves; they were wilted because of their disconnection from the canopy above. Underneath my feet, they crunched with each step forward I took. As I breathed in, I smelt the fragrance of minty grass and the cold, damp earth below.

There was a small cottage perched on the plain near the woods. It was ancient, and it surprised me it was still standing. The walls were made of the same wood, and I don't know what kind. The roof was stone. How did the decaying structure support that? I would likely never know. There was a fire burning nearby, and grey smoke flooded the area.

It'd been a few weeks by this point, and nothing had happened. We were all concerned but also relieved. Estelle had taught me ways to channel my energy better and to focus on more devastating attacks. I just realised that there were a lot of things I didn't know and I was more than glad to receive help and lessons from her.

I had thought about Skylar, which was unusual for me. I was always taught to keep a clear mind because you never knew when you'd need to fight. However, sometimes the thought of being in Thegon's realm tormented me. I had spent little time with Skylar recently.

Though, the tingles I get when I am around him confuse me. It is an unfamiliar feeling, and I want to learn why.

I remembered him saying, "You must invite me to dinner first." Perhaps I remembered wrong, but it was something along those lines.

I had Skylar's number in my phone, so I called it. He answered, and I asked him if he would meet me at my favourite place in the park.

The teal blue sky was gradually becoming darker as time passed, day turned to night. I wandered until the hill and watched the solitary pink tree stand glistening against the sky, poised on top. A few petals from the blossoms carefully floated towards the lush dewy meadow, sailing as the gentle breeze trapped them in their fall.

I walked closer to the tree and could see Skylar. The heat in my stomach churned, and the air drained from my lungs. I took deep breaths.

"So, dinner. When are we going? I was thinking tomorrow?"

His soft eyes widened, and his thin eyebrows raised. His cheeks grew red with each second that passed, then faded quickly. He averted his gaze over my shoulder and fidgeted with his fingers, interlocking them like a knotted rope. A moment later, his eyes returned to mine.

He began speaking.

"You know I was only joking, right? As I said, it's just a saying around here. Wait... You're serious, aren't you?"

"Absolutely. Why would I bring you out here for nothing? Is there anything wrong with two friends having a good meal together?"

His expression was from somewhere between uncertainty and surprise.

"Nothing at all, Esa."

Skylar smiled at me with that same smile I was growing to adore.

***

We went out the next day, the sun's position in the sky telling me that it was already mid-afternoon. The restaurant we arrived at was high class, but I hadn't even stepped inside yet. Just the entrance was enough to make me feel underdressed. I moved ahead, and we were greeted by a general greeter. The sight before us was beautiful. Surrounding the building were massive double-paned glass windows with black frames, and the floor we toured through was waxed marble; the walls were a shade of angel white, and various artworks from local artists hung all across the walls. As you opened the door, the smell of wafting out from the revolving kitchen door filled your nostrils right away. Fresh herbs, marinated meats, spices.