The Willows: Haven

by Hope Collier

I lifted the material and my heart churned in my chest. The faint scent of Gabe lingered in the thermal shirt he’d given me in the cave. Slipping my arms through the sleeves, I couldn’t help but draw in a breath and wade through painful memories of warm cedar and rain.

  I stared at the uninviting pallet Kyle laid out and briefly deliberated its position before towing it away from the fire and everyone around it. Balling up on my side, I wrapped my arms around my legs, longing for more cover. But I wasn’t about to give them the satisfaction of anything. It might have been childish, but it felt like surrender to try to be comfortable in any way.

  Warm tears streamed freely, leaving enticing paths for the crisp air to sting my cheeks. Sniffling and shivering, I dozed in and out of consciousness. My shoulders finally relaxed when someone placed a cover over top of me, their hands lingering at my back for a brief moment then I surrendered to the warmth.

  ***

  The morning sun beat down, roasting me beneath the makeshift blanket. I sat up, sore and rigid from the all the nights of painful accommodations, and stretched. Things popped and cracked loudly into place.

  “Oh, perfect!” Kyle grumbled, his ire marred with sleep. “Which one of you slackers dozed off during his shift?”

  I smiled a little to myself at being a cause of dissention. I had zero intentions of making things easy for them.

  “Psh, take it down a notch, Warden,” Oren grumbled. He stood and stretched with a loud yawn. “She wasn’t going to do anything. Even if she wanted to, where’s she going to go?”

  Ouch. My smile melted into a glower. Thanks, Oren.

  “Yeah?” Kyle snapped, unusually agitated. “You want to explain to Kev why we lost her? Again.” He looked pointedly at Oren as he spoke, standing frighteningly close to his irritated cohort.

  “Oh, come on, like you would’ve done any better! You’re the one who wouldn’t screw her car up to begin with,” Oren accused.

  Kyle’s eyes flashed to mine then he looked away.

  “That stupid hotel didn’t even have a valet service, so that wasn’t my fault,” Oren continued. “And don’t even try and peg the parking lot on me!”

  I gasped, but Pearse spoke before I could form an intelligible sentence.

  “Ah, brotherly love,” he teased, deliberately fueling the fire.

  “Shut up, Pearse!” Kyle and Oren shouted at the same time.

  “Whoa, hang on,” I interrupted. “The four of you are brothers?”

  Everyone stopped and stared.

  Oren stepped forward, a smirk on his face. “No, the five of us are brothers.” His gaze fixed on the play of emotion crossing my expression.

  Kyle sniffed and muttered something unintelligible.

  The light bulb of my reasoning flickered to life. Kevin would be the fifth. “There are five of you?” My tone shot up. “How is that possible? I thought males were uncommon enough, but five in one family?”

  “You see how this is a big deal then?” Kyle eyed me, the silent message in them obvious.

  Hatred and bitterness washed through me, hardening my expression. I’d lost Gabe, my freedom, my sanity, and possibly Harry all because of the Dryads.

  “No, I don’t! This is my life, Kyle. I shouldn’t be responsible for someone else’s selfish decisions or mistakes. It shouldn’t fall on my shoulders. How is that fair?” I yanked the cloak off and heaved it in Kyle’s face then stormed into the foggy woods.

  “Let her go, Elon,” Kyle commanded, his voice weary as it faded into the background.

  A fine mist floated through the air, enhancing the smell of wet ferns and leaves. I loped aimlessly through the thick undergrowth until my grief caught up with my anger. Curling up against an old mossy log, I let the anguish have me. The hollow space in my chest echoed the grief found in memories of Gabe — his piercing eyes, the scent of him filling every part of me, the way his lips felt against my skin.

  I dropped my head against the dead tree beside me and stared into the murky vacant woods, lost in my own bleakness. The smell of the shallow creek winding through the trees encouraged me up. I walked over and bent down to scoop up a mouthful and splash my face. I pushed the long sleeves of Gabe’s shirt up and washed the best I could. The crisp water helped to sooth my weary heart.

  Suddenly, a soft cool hand snaked around my mouth from behind, silencing my cry.

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  Unexpected Company

  My heart beat frantically as I tried to jerk away, clawing at the hand covering my face.

  “Shh, stop,” the hushed soprano voice encouraged. “I’m not going to hurt you. Hopefully, I’m here to help.”

  I tried to pivot.

  “Don’t turn around,” she warned. “There’s no time for explanations. I’m going to try and help you though. We just have to bide our time and wait for an opportunity. I don’t know how soon that’ll come, so just relax and wait, okay?”

  I nodded breathlessly and listened. The girl released her grip, but I didn’t turn.

  “Play along but don’t be easy. Be yourself.” She laughed once. “We don’t want them looking for anything; that wouldn’t do at all.”

  “Okay,” I whispered quickly, trying to figure out who would be here to help me.

  “Don’t get up yet. Wait a few minutes and let the scent die down. And remember, be patient.”

  The leaves rustled as a gentle breeze swept through, the girl with it. As quietly as she appeared, she disappeared. I stood up, wading though the disbelief, but remained by the water, heeding her warning. A hint of a smile pulled my mouth up. An unexpected release washed over me with the thought of my mysterious ally. That tiny flicker of hope was all I needed to keep going … for now.

  I stood and made my way back for fear the Dryads might pick up the stranger’s scent. It suddenly dawned on me. I couldn’t smell her either. Was I losing my ability? I pulled in a long breath. Each of the Dryads scents stood out. What was it that made her different?

  “Good thing you didn’t try to run.” Oren shook out his blanket and packed it away. “Though I do enjoy the hunt.”

  I rolled my eyes and watched Kyle in my peripheral vision. His eyes lingered on me as everyone broke camp, but I refused to meet his gaze. While losing Gabe scarred me in a way I couldn’t even comprehend, having my best friend betray me was just as bad — maybe worse in some ways.

  We left the camp, heading south. My mind raced over the conversation with the girl from the woods. I watched the trees, wondering who she was and how she could possibly get me out of this mess.

  “Are you walking backwards?” Oren spoke, pulling me from my thinking. “I’d like to move a little faster than a glacial pace.”

  I tugged Gabe’s shirt over my head and tied it around my waist. “If you want to go so bad, why don’t you take off,” I suggested with a sarcastic smile. “I’d be happy to help any way I can.”

  “And lose my head? No thanks, Princess. Your wrath is a little less intimidating than Darach’s.” Oren swept me up and onto his back before I could even blink, let alone oppose. With that, we set off at a frightening speed. Oren smiled over his shoulder when my grip tightened.

  The brothers ran till the sun was well past overhead, never pausing or breaking stride. They moved nimbly around the trees, hopping over boulders as if they were no more that bricks in their way. And despite their enormous size, they ran with grace, never making a sound.

  A jolt of fear shot through me when we came to an abrupt halt, fearing they had seen or heard someone. Oren’s sudden movement slammed my face into his shoulder. I moaned as pain seared through my mouth, and the coppery tang of blood assaulted my taste buds. I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, nursing the gash caused by my teeth.

  “What is wrong with you?” Kyle snapped at his brother. He lifted my chin. “You all right?”

  I jerked my face away and swallowed against the metallic flavor. “I’m fine.”

  “Yes, you are,” Oren jived. “I think that’s the appeal.
Now, if you could just learn to be quiet.”

  “I feel sorry for your mother,” I quipped.

  “Funny,” Oren said then looked to Kyle. “So, should we blindfold her?”

  “You know what Oren…” Kyle began, but resigned himself with an exasperated huff. “Never mind. And no, she doesn’t need a blindfold now.”

  Oren opened his mouth to argue, but Kyle’s glare silenced him.

  I wasn’t used to seeing Kyle angry and resentful. It set my heart aching, missing the light-hearted friend I’d left in California. What could’ve possibly happened to change him so drastically? And why did he act like I was somehow at fault in this picture?

  The sun blazed against my back and the heat from Oren smothered my front. My gritty sweat-soaked shirt clung to my torso and chafed against Oren and my temper. A faint rumble of a waterfall crashed in the distance making my agitation worse. My insides gnawed for the water like an empty stomach.

  “It’s not too much farther now,” Kyle spoke beside me, his eyes on my expression.

  The thought of water was like a jolt of electricity to my system. It took all my willpower not to fight Oren’s grip and run headlong toward the inviting sound. My legs twitched, and I sighed as the fragrance filled my senses.

  Rounding the mountainside, I caught sight of my proverbial unicorn. A towering waterfall cascaded down a sharp precipice into a river below. Sunlight cut through the mist, as it hovered near the base.

  Seeing the pool renewed my hope; I might get that chance to escape after all.

  Our pace didn’t slow as we neared the falls, though Oren’s grip tightened around my wrists. Understandable. This was the one place I could get away, even a dolt like Oren could see that.

  “Um, we’re running out of path,” I offered as if they hadn’t noticed.

  “Thank you, Dr. Obvious. I think I know where I’m going.” Oren scoffed.

  “Could’ve fooled me.” I threw back at him just to be spiteful.

  “She’s going to fit in nicely,” Pearse teased, casting me a sideways grin.

  That shut me up.

  Oren slowed as we inched toward the cascade. The edge of the water flowed just a few feet away, leaving nowhere left to go. I peered at Kyle, sure he would answer my question, but he just nodded toward the waterfall.

  “Now, Elon,” Kyle spoke as we stopped beside the cliff. Elon pulled his backpack off and opened it. He handed Kyle a length of rope and a red strip of cloth.

  “What’s all this?” I asked as Kyle pulled his pack off and passed it to Oren.

  “I can’t have you trying to take off.” Kyle pulled me from Oren’s back to his. “Be good. Don’t make this difficult for either of us.”

  Oren walked around Kyle, grabbed my wrists, and bound them together around Kyle’s neck. He wrapped the red cloth around my eyes, securing it with a knot in the back.

  “What am I going to do now that I wouldn’t have done before, Kyle?” I demanded, provoked by the sudden security.

  “I don’t want you killing us both,” he murmured.

  “Oh, well thanks for clearing that up. It’s nice to finally understand something for a change.” The blindfold was getting to me. I couldn’t watch for an opportunity if I couldn’t see.

  “Please cooperate,” Kyle said, holding my arms against his chest.

  “Look, I’m not going to know where we are anymore than I already do now. I don’t need the blindfold.”

  “It’s to keep me safe. Not you,” Kyle said, already beginning to move.

  “What? What are you talking about?” I barked. “I swear, Kyle, you make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Why can’t you just give me a straight answer, for once?”

  Someone huffed beside me. Even blinded, I inclined my head toward the sound, a scowl on my face.

  “Geez, man,” Oren grumbled. “Now I see what you guys mean about her not being quiet. She seriously won’t quit, will she?”

  “Shut up, Oren!” I growled. His booming laugh carried over the thunderous roar of the waterfall.

  After a minute of silent movement I realized why I had been bound and blinded — we were climbing. I’d have an open view of the landscape, and I imagined the Dryads didn’t want me having any clue where we were. At least something made sense, even if it was a bit extreme.

  Kyle’s arms continued to lift and flex overhead as if I were no more than a human-sized backpack. I shuddered at the thought of Dryad’s strength and speed. No one could ever outmatch them on land.

  “Something wrong?” Kyle asked, his breath fanning over his shoulder. He wasn’t even winded. Who were these people?

  “You mean aside from the obvious?” I harped. He stopped moving.

  “Monet…” Kyle’s voice softened and my throat went tight. The Kyle I’d known and loved for the past eighteen months bled through — the one who’d been my best friend and confidant. The one I hadn’t seen since leaving him bewildered in Malibu.

  “How could you, Kyle?” My voice broke, but the blindfold caught the renegade tears.

  “It wasn’t my call, Ash,” he murmured. “It’s never been mine.”

  “And you thought acting like a jerk to me would make it all better? I needed you.” I dropped my forehead against the back of his neck. “I still need you. I’m all alone in this, Kyle. I can’t deal with losing Gabe and you.”

  His shoulders tensed. “You’ll do better not to mention that name anymore.”

  “Because that’ll change anything that’s happened?” I scoffed. “I’m not going to pretend like everything’s okay, and I’ll just get over it with time. I’m not the same flighty girl that fell for your brother.”

  Kyle sighed. “I don’t expect you to put up a front, Ash. But if you don’t want to fuel the furnace, you’ll keep your memories of what’s happened to yourself.”

  I swallowed hard. “Right.

  I felt Kyle’s head fall to one side.

  “Or until we’re alone at the very least,” he added with a sigh.

  “What’s the problem, big brother?” Oren called from above us. “Is her nagging sucking all the oxygen out around you? I can come get her if you want.”

  “Idiot,” Kyle groaned and began moving again.

  We finally came to a rest and he squatted down, lifting my numb arms over his head. I wobbled as he set my feet on the ground. My legs were numb but tingly from being bent up for however many hours I’d been carried today. Being blinded certainly didn’t help my cause.

  “Careful.” Kyle steadied me and tugged the blindfold off. After blinking a few times, I looked around and groaned.

  “Ugh. I hate caves.” My voice echoed in the rocky entrance.

  Kyle’s mouth turned up. “We’re just cutting through. It isn’t far.”

  “Long enough.” I glanced longingly over my shoulder toward water.

  “Don’t even think about it.” Kyle lifted a suspecting eyebrow.

  “What?” I demanded, crossing my arms.

  “You know what. I’m not stupid, Ash.” Kyle moved to mimic my action. We stood, identical postures, measuring the other for a beat before everyone else got annoyed.

  “Let’s go. The sooner we get through here, the sooner this will all be over.” Pearse walked toward the blackness. I considered chucking a rock at the back of his head — turn for turn after his snarky comment about fitting in with his family.

  Kyle gripped my wrist. For a second I thought he must’ve seen my rock hurling idea, but he merely grasped the rope, and with one quick motion, my hands were free.

  “I don’t want to restrain you like that anymore, so be good,” he said, his eyes falling to the ring on my index finger.

  I tucked my hands in my pockets and nodded.

  Firelight flickered off the damp rock, reflecting in the pooling water along the stone floor. Stray drops of condensation fell from the ceiling and tickled down my bare shoulders. The smell of musty air and wet limestone filled the tunnel, settling on the back of my tongue.

/>   Kyle’s warmth heated my side as we walked. His closeness wasn’t in a guarded way like he was concerned I would run, but almost protective, as if he were trying to keep me from some unseen harm.

  “We’ll go ahead and prepare everyone for her highness’s arrival.” Oren winked at me before bounding off with Elon and Pearse.

  “Idiot,” Kyle and I spoke in unison. He smiled halfheartedly and motioned for me to sit down.

  “I’ll stand.” I shoved my hands in my pockets, not in any mood to bother with politeness. “I may never regain full use of my legs after the past two days.”

  Kyle smiled even though my frostiness. “I think you’ll make a recovery. But I’m sorry about that.”

  He glanced over his shoulder, his expression torn.

  “Why do you look sad?” I asked despite myself.

  “I didn’t want this for you, Ash. None of it,” he began slowly. “You’re right. You don’t deserve this. You have every right to be happy with the person and life you choose. For what it’s worth, I would change it if I could.”

  I dropped to my knees in front of him. “Then help me,” I begged, shameless tears of desperation in my eyes. “Talk to them — talk to Kevin. Tell him to let me go.”

  “I can’t, Ash. There’s nothing I can do,” he said in defeat. “I’ve argued my point from every imaginable angle. You were in too deep from the beginning. Then you and Kev actually got together. They won’t let you leave now. You’re here forever.”

  “No, not forever,” I whispered, “just as long as I live. I hear being miserable shortens your lifespan considerably. What’s that leave me? Fifty years? Sixty at most.” I contemplated the idea both encouraged and disgusted at the same time.

  Kyle stared at me as if I had a terminal illness.

  “What?” I asked, dread in my tone.

  “You know, right?”

  I shook my head.

  Kyle appraised my reaction. “Haven’t you ever wondered how we’ve all known each other so long? Why Kev is marrying you now, instead of your m—” He paused. “Well, why you’re next in line and he’s not old, like he should be?”

  A cold sweat beaded over my skin. It all became painfully obvious, no one was aging. Or more appropriately, no one was dying.