I'm On My Way

Chapter 21

"What actually happened to Whitewood, anyway?"

Their hands swung between them as they strolled back through the forest. Maddy looked up at Rhydian, biting her lip slightly, watching as he looked up.

"Errrrr..." he gave her a reassuring smile. "You've got Shannon to thank for that, mainly. She wrote a letter of complaint, or something. You know what Shan's like. Anyway, said something about threats. Me and Tom helped of course."

"Course ya did" Maddy repeated, nodding her head, mocking him.

"We did!" He paused. "Only to give witness, but still..."

"Oh, forgive me! That makes all the difference!" He laughed, and squeeze her hand tighter.

"Yes it does."

They were approaching the boundary between what they saw as freedom and jail, when Maddy suddenly stopped.

"Maddy?" Rhydian turned round, puzzled. He frowned as he watched her spin desperately on the spot. She took a step forward, as if to run back into the shelter of leaves, but she placed her foot back down again. With her eyes still fixed behind her, she walked back up to him. He could see the bafflement and blank look in her brown eyes. They continued to walk again, as if nothing had happened. Rhydian stared at how his feet left a slight imprint in the grass, as he tried to wait through the ignorant silence.

"What was that?" He asked tentatively, but he attempted a smile. Maddy's eyes flicked behind once more, biting her lip.

"I don't know..." she whispered slowly. Her eyes jumped to ahead of her again, and she looked up at him before looking forwards again, as if guilty or confused. In other situations Rhydian would have pushed the question, but he knew her answer was legit.

Maddy found it hard to forget about the unknown thing which waited behind her as they made their way back to the school. Even once they entered the building, her head was too aware of its presence. The fear still lay in her heart as if it had just happened. Hand in hand, Rhydian and Maddy sauntered back to the others. They greeted them with a "Hi" and reassuring grins, but none of them asked. They all decided it was best to forget Maddy's break down.

Lunch and the last lesson began to drag on. Lunch ended with a bunch of laughs, and the group made their way to the next class. As they walked across the open concrete, Maddy couldn't help but look towards the looming forest, furrowing her eyebrows as she did so. Rhydian frowned at her slightly in concern, but shook it off. He took her hand. Smiling up at him, Maddy could still feel the worry at the back at her mind.

They were in the middle of their last lesson, and Rhydian subtly nudged Maddy whilst their heads were buried in their work.

"What was that all about, then?" He whispered, still watching his hand write on the black page. Maddy's eyes flickered up at him, and she sighed.

"I smelt something. Again. It seemed so familiar..."

"What? Like with the Eolas?"

She shook her head. "That's what I don't know. It could of been, but I don't know if I could smell during that anyway. It seems like I've smelt it BEFORE that..."

"Before?"

"Yeah..."

"Like, sometime since you've been back?"

"I feel like even BEFORE that."

"So, the wild?"

"I think so. I have no clue how I know, though. I can't REMEMBER anything. Yet, it seems so familiar. But then, it could be anxiety. Or..."

He slipped his hand over hers.

"Don't argue with yourself Mads. It won't help anyone" he smiled reassuringly. "We'll sort it out. Promise."

"Thanks Rhydian."

"No problem."

The lesson continued in silence, except for the odd work related question, or group joke.

They all rushed out of the classroom; Shan, Jana and Tom leading, with Maddy and Rhydian close behind.

"Right, well, we'll see you tomorrow then?"

"Yeah" rhydian answered. Maddy frowned.

"What? Can't we go to Bernie's or something?"

Shannon smirked as she looked at Rhydian, before correcting herself and returning to her friend.

"Sorry, we can't."

"Oh, right okay." Maddy stammered. She mustered a smile. "See ya then"

There was a chorus of "Bye" as the group parted. Maddy made to walk off, but Rhydian lightly caught her by the arm.

"Maddy?"

"Yeah?" She grinned shyly.

"Do you want to go somewhere tonight?"

"Oh!" The school ground was nearly empty, and Maddy smiled up at Rhydian intently. Casting her eyes around quickly, she planted a kiss on his lips.

"Sure!"

"Great! See you at yours at seven?"

Maddy was already rushing off after Shan.

"Of course!" She called over her shoulder.

Blushing slightly, but grinning widely, Rhydian watched his feet as he started the few hours until he saw her again.