Andrew and the Quest of Orion's Belt (Rise of the Fallen)

by Ivory Autumn

  Chapter Fourteen

  Trust

  That night, a great mist settled over the now moist land that had once been dead and try. It was a fog so dense that it pushed in around them, forcing them to make camp at the foot of one of the trees Andrew had brought to life. Rhapsody made a small campfire, and sat besides it, looking ahead with stern face, not speaking a word since Andrew had disregarded his advice. It was as if the fog was weighing down everyone's minds with gloomy thoughts.

  Everyone was especially quiet. No one quite knew what to make of Andrew's ability.

  Freddie seemed out of sorts, and did speak a word to Andrew.

  Andrew seemed to be the only one in a good mood. "Why's everyone so, so...cheery?" Andrew asked, forcing a grin, looking around the campfire at the gloomy faces.

  Talic narrowed his eyes, and stared at Andrew. "It's foggy, damp, and cold, Andrew, that's why. And you made it that way."

  "What?" Andrew asked. "How did I make it cold?"

  "By disobeying me," Rhapsody snapped. "You should have never done it."

  Andrew folded his arms, and frowned. "Why. Because you don't trust me?"

  "Not anymore." Rhapsody sniffed, and turned his back on Andrew, truly displeased.

  Andrew settled himself by Ivory, and sighed. "What do you think, Ivory. Are you angry with me too?"

  Ivory smiled, and shook he head. "No. I'm not angry with you."

  "Good, because I was starting to think maybe I should, I don't know, make this place gray and ugly again."

  "No, Andrew. Don't do that."

  "So..." Andrew ventured. "You haven't really told me anything about yourself. Do you have any family, any relatives...or”

  "No!" Ivory smile suddenly vanished. Ivory stared at Andrew, a look of emptiness etched into her eyes.

  "Uh," Andrew tried. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean...I just thought that..."

  Ivory pinched her lips into a tight line and blinked back tears. “Really. It doesn’t matter."

  “Yes it does.”

  “Fine, if you want to know. When I was just five-years-old, my own father sold me as a slave.”

  “He sold you? But why?”

  “Because he didn’t love me. That’s why!”

  “Ivory,” Andrew reached out to touch her, but she backed away from him.

  “Wait, Ivory!” Andrew cried, standing up. “I'm sorry, I didn't mean to…”

  "Just leave me alone," Ivory said, turning her back on Andrew, and quickly disappearing through the fog.

  “Ivory!" Andrew cried. "Where are you going?"

  “Let her go,” Rhapsody murmured in a low voice. "She will come back shortly. Her heart has been hurt many times. And a heart that has been deeply hurt, does not easily open. Trust, Andrew, is something we all must earn.”