Chapter 2 #5
I walked over to Theo, whose panic still hadn’t settled, and placed a hand over his heart. It beat wildly beneath my palm.
“We’re going to die,” he said flatly. “You know that, right?”
“Well… at least we’ll die together.”
I stepped away from him and continued walking. Theo caught up quickly, falling into step beside me. He angled his face towards the sun, soaking in its warmth. As smug as ever. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Huh?”
“You’re happy to die with me.” He jabbed a finger into my shoulder. “You love me.”
“Oh, fuck off, Theo.”
He laughed, genuine despite everything, I couldn’t help but laugh too.
We walked and walked and walked until our legs throbbed with exhaustion, our knees threatening to buckle. The sun had long since dipped below the horizon and the weight of sleeplessness pressed heavily on our shoulders. Our stomachs clenched with hunger, an ache that grew with every passing hour.
We stopped only briefly whenever we stumbled upon a small stream, cupping the cool water in our hands and drinking greedily. Eventually we found a clearing—a meagre space just tolerable enough for sleep.
Theo carefully stacked dry twigs and coaxed a fire to life. The flames flared, casting dancing shadows against the surrounding trees.
We sat on the dirt floor, stretching our hands toward the fire, letting the heat chase away the evening’s chill. As we sat in silence, the reality of our journey pressed down on us both.
If we were discovered, what excuse would we give?
“We’ll say we got lost,” I suggested.
Theo snorted. “That’s it? That’s your big plan?”
I shot him a glare. “I don’t see you coming up with anything better.”
He huffed but said nothing.
“I think it’s a solid plan. We were travelling to another village, got lost, and happened upon the Veil. Curiosity got the best of us and we wandered in. Simple.” I clapped my hands as if that sealed it, trying to sound more convincing than I felt.
Theo sighed, throwing his head back to stare at the empty sky.
“Yep,” he muttered. “We’re dead.”
I clicked my tongue in irritation, poking the fire with a stick. The flames crackled and shifted. “Unless you have a better idea, I suggest you shut up.”
Quiet stretched between us, only the distant hum of owls breaking the night.
Theo jerked upright. “I know!”
“No,” I snapped before he could even voice his idea.
I knew Theo too well. His plans tended to be overly dramatic and unbelievable.
Ignoring him, I lay down on the hard, uneven ground. The dirt was uncomfortable, the night air still far too cold. I wanted to weep at the state of it all.
As if things weren’t bad enough, Theo pressed up against my back.
“Theo!”
“I’m cold, Elira,” he mumbled. “Body heat will keep us warm through the night.”
Before I could protest, he threw a heavy arm over me, securing me against him. I let out a long sigh, too exhausted to fight him off.
“I swear to the Heavens, Theo, if I feel anything remotely stiff, I will kill you.”
He chuckled, his breath tickling the back of my neck. “I can’t control it, Elira,” he teased, lowering his voice to a drawn-out whisper. “Sometimes… it just happens.”
I groaned and shoved back hard into his stomach, hoping to hurt him.
“Yeah… just like that.”
I thrashed, my fists itching to punch him, but his arm tightened around me, trapping me in place. He burst into laughter, the carefree sound shaking against my back.
A reluctant smile tugged at my lips, though I refused to let him see it. No matter how much he annoyed me, he was the only person who could make me laugh in moments like this. The truth came to me like a quiet confession.
I couldn’t live without him.
“I’m scared, Theo,” I admitted.
He tightened his hold around me, his warmth a comforting blanket. “I know, but I’m here with you. Every step of the way.”
His words soothed me, easing some of the constricting fear.
“I love you, El.”
“I love you too.”
“I knew it!” he gloated.
I jabbed my elbow into his ribs. He grunted and squeezed me tighter. I didn’t need to look at him to know he was smiling.
My heart thrummed a wild rhythm against my ribs. I was burning from the inside out, flames scorching through my veins. I tried to breathe, but the air was too thick with ash. Clogging my lungs, choking me.
“Elira!”
The voice was distant, nearly drowned out by the thunderous pounding in my ears.
“Elira! Wake up!”
Through the haze of it all, I still saw his eyes. Watching me. Relishing in my torment.
“ELIRA!”
I sprang upright, chest heaving as I struggled to shake off the lingering heat. Theo was in front of me, his face etched with concern. He gripped my shoulders, anchoring me to reality.
He scanned my face, brushing a strand of hair from my forehead. “Are you okay?”
I cleared my throat, forcing my voice to steady. “Nightmare.”
The word was a weak excuse for the terror still gripping my body. I wiped my damp palms against my pants, trying to ground myself in the sensation of the rough fabric. It was different this time. Sharper, more vivid. Every sensation more real than ever before.
Theo exhaled in relief. “You scared me,” he admitted. “It looked like you couldn’t breathe. You were.” He paused, gesturing at me. “You’re dripping in sweat.”
“I’m okay.”
I kissed my pinkie finger.
When we were children, we use to do that whenever we made a promise. An unspoken vow between us. The simple act seemed to soothe him. He relaxed, accepting my silent reassurance.
The golden light of morning warmed the air as we set off again. Birds chirped overhead, their cheerful songs a complete opposite to the heaviness I felt.
Theo talked about everything and anything, while I mostly just complained. Our hunger dominated the conversation, turning us into restless children.
“Theo, I swear,” I whined, dragging my feet dramatically. “If I don’t eat something soon, I’m going to pass out. You’ll have to carry my lifeless body, and I won’t make it easy.”
He snorted. “Bold of you to assume I’d carry you. I’d probably just prop you against a tree and come back for you later. Maybe. If I remembered.”
Just as I prepared another exaggerated complaint, movement in the underbrush caught my eye. A small creature darted between the trees, its brown fur blending with the forest floor.