Heed My Warnings and Survive (Second Draft)

Chapter Thirty-two

It had been a week since my dream about Finley, and nothing had changed, except now I could do menial tasks, but the guilt in my chest was building, and it had began to take itself out on the things around me, in truth I have no idea how Kiara had been putting up with me.

I was sitting next to the fire at the camp we had been staying at for the past week, frowning, and grumbling, and kicking the dirt, while Kiara was gathering food, and firewood. She had gotten pretty good at recognizing edible plants, and hunting. She came back with a rabbit, and mushrooms. She quickly prepared, and roasted them.

“Are you hungry?” She asked. I shook my head. A look of concern adorned her face. “Are you sure? You’ve barely eaten at all this week,” she said, nervously rubbing her hands together.

“I said I’m not hungry,” I said harshly. She nodded slowly, and turned away, starting to eat the rabbit. There was something in the back of my mind telling me to apologize, but I ignored it, every other emotion quelling the voice of my conscience.

“At least drink some water,” She said, holding the water skin out to me. I shook my head once more.

“Draven please, you need water, and food too. You’re beginning to worry me,” she said pleadingly. I stood suddenly.

“I told you I’m not hungry so would you just get off my back!” I almost yelled. Kiara’s eyes narrowed, and she stood as well.

“Look I know you’ve lost someone dear to you, and I know you’re hurting, but so am I, and I’m not lashing out on you for every little thing. I’m trying to keep you alive, so just stop, I’ve had enough of this, if you don’t stop I’ll leave too.” I was stunned, not that she yelled, but at my own behavior. I sat down hard on a nearby tree stump, placing my head in my hands.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to.” Kiara’s face softened.

“I know,” She said. Embracing me softly.

“Kiara, how can you even look at me?” I said, “you must hate me.” tears started in my eyes. She stroked my hair.

“Draven I don’t hate you for lashing out, I didn’t welcome how you reacted, but it’s not like I’ll never forgive you for it,” She said.

“But I’m the reason he left, I’m the reason he died, if I had reacted better, if I had been calmer.” Kiara shushed me.

“There’s nothing we can do about it now, let’s not say what if, let’s just mourn our loss,” She said calmingly. I leaned into her embrace

“I miss him,” I whispered.

“As do I,” She responded sadly. I wrapped my arms around her.

“Thank you.” She placed her cheek on the top of my head.

“No need to mention it.”

The next days were considerably better than the prior week had been. I began helping Kiara around camp, and she got the rest she had been lacking. We were working together to survive now, instead of just her keeping the both of us alive, and that was infinitely better than one set of hands.

“Draven I’m going to get firewood, can you please get us some food, maybe find a freshwater source?” Kiara asked. I nodded, and rose to my feet. I walked away from the small camp. It didn’t take me long to find a patch of mushrooms, unfortunately this was all I could get, since I couldn’t hunt, or so I thought, until I found the stream, and the patches of berries surrounding it. The bushes put a smile on my face.

“Fantastic,” I mumbled to myself, going to the berries, and filling my small pouches with them, I then filled the water skin, and was about to head back to camp when I heard footsteps. I ducked behind the berry bushes, quietly drawing my sword. I peaked from the bush’s branches, and I saw two large beefy men. I recognized one of them as the man who had pummeled me in Devin’s camp.

“Frooshta,” I said under my breath. They were coming my way, and I was petrified.

“Ahah look. Berries,” One of them exclaimed happily. Oh how I wished they were poisonous. No you don’t that’s ridiculous, you’re a healer you can’t think that. My brain retorted. I clenched my teeth. The men came closer, they were almost to the point where they’d be able to see me. Fate must have been smiling down at me, because just as they were getting too close for comfort someone called them away, and they left the berries alone. I let out the breath I was subconsciously holding in. After sheathing my sword, I ran as quickly as I could back to camp to warn Kiara about Devin being so close, but when I reached camp she wasn’t there, and what was even more frightening was the pile of firewood that lay next to the glowing embers, Panic started to grow in my chest, and I almost yelled out her name, but then remembered the close proximity of Devin, The Witch, and they’re goons. I searched the surrounding area, and was immensely relieved when I found her.

“Kiara, there you are,” I said, a bit out of breath. She tilted her head.

“What’s wrong?” She asked.

“It’s Devin, he’s close by,” I told her. She straightened up.

“How do you know?”

“I saw his men over by the stream I found.” She took a deep breath.

“That actually makes quite a bit of sense, because I just found this young boy wandering around the woods,” she said. And emerging from behind her came, small five year old Thomas, son of Zander.

“Thomas? What are you doing out here?” I asked. He came up to me.

“Where’s my dad?” He asked, a worried look in his eyes. My heart ached as I had to tell this child what happened to his father.

“He uhh. He’s. I am so sorry I have to tell you this but-”

“Did he die?” He asked bluntly. I gave him a slow nod. His shoulders drooped. but he perked up quickly.

“Mama said when people die they go to Vinha, and that’s a good place right?” He asked. I nodded again.

“Yes that’s right Thomas, he’s gone to Vinha, its the most beautiful peaceful places you could possibly imagine.” I assured him. Thomas smiled. “Do you think you can tell me where your mother is?” I asked. Thomas shook his head.

“She told me to run away, and not go back no matter what,” He said. I sighed.

“Ok, well we’ve got to get out of here,” I told him. “Would you like to come with us?” Thomas nodded.

“Can I ride on your back? Like we did at home?” He asked. I smiled.

“Of course.” I squatted down, and he climbed on my back, wrapping his arms around my neck, and his legs firmly around my waist. I grunted as I stood, and stumbled, my cracked ribs had flared up, but I’d survive. We passed back by our camp, and Kiara picked up our packs, and we left, in truth I didn’t want to. It was after all the last place I had seen Finley, and I didn’t want to lose that, but perhaps I’d come and Find it again someday, but for now, we were once again on the run.