Page 72 of Treasured Secrets
Absentmindedly, I tossed a bunch of clothes in a suitcase and threw it out the window. I heard a thud as it hit the ground, and I sucked in a steadying breath. Everyone would be mad, but this was something I needed. Selfish? Probably, but I just wanted to breathe again, and I couldn't do it here.
Still questioning my resolve, I went to the window and started climbing down the shaky, weak lattice that stretched the full length of the house. The vines that grew in between the gaps were wet and made it slippery. I inched my way down, carefully and cautiously moving before the creaks grew too loud.
Then, when I only had five feet left to go, the slippery vines bested me, forcing me to lose my grip and fall the rest of the way. My arms whipped wildly and uselessly in the air, as if I could take flight and spare myself the impending slam. It didn't even slow me down.
My side pounded the ground with too much force. A grunt was forced through my lips, and a gasping wheeze followed as I strained for a new breath. After a minute, I was breathing normally again, and the pain dulled. I scowled at the wicked lattice and vicious vines.
"This night is just freaking wonderful," I griped to myself while heaving my protesting body upright.
I picked up my bags and threw them in my car. Fortunately, I wasn't blocked in, and I kept my lights off until I reached the end of the driveway. I was glad my car was so quiet. And with so many coming and going, they never even noticed the car cranking.
I turned on my lights and headed toward the airport. This had been the worst week of my life. I needed comfort and warmth. I was sick of the snow and the cold. I was sick of the magic. I was sick of the lies I had believed to be truths, and all of the rules disguised to seem arbitrary, when they actually held such severe consequences.
I was tired of learning about all the ways magic could ruin my life before I could even use it. I was exhausted from constantly being confused and feeling like I had just moved to another planet. I couldn't rest or relax anywhere there.
I was tired of being hunted down by the Dramians... Yes. I called them Dramians. It wasn't comforting to feel like a trophy someone wished to hang above a mantle.
I wanted to go to the one place that made sense. I wanted to go home.
I knew everyone would be worried, but I was taking precautions. I had grabbed some of the talismans that helped to block my scent for the times I wasn't in my car. I also grabbed the vial of stripping potion.
Iris told me once that it was a special concoction that would strip you of your scent for up to four days. I would wait until I got to the airport before I took it.
She said it couldn't be made anymore because the main ingredient was extinct. It was for emergency purposes only. I felt bad for taking it, but I had to go. As far as I was concerned, this was an emergency.
I'd left a note telling them where I'd gone, and told them I would be back before the four days were up. I knew they'd still be worried, but I had to go. I needed to feel peace again. And I couldn't get that anywhere but my rainforest.
I reached the airport with two hours to spare. I turned up the protective concoction and cringed as I drank it down - or forced it down, rather.
"Oh my damn!" I coughed out. "That's disgusting."
It was a slimy, wretched, foul tasting monstrosity, and it lingered, refusing to leave my mouth completely. The slimy film covered my tongue, my teeth, and my gums. I wanted a toothbrush.
"It sure as hell better work after going through that," I murmured to myself while grabbing my bag. I locked my car and headed inside the airport, ready to escape.
Chapter 16
Home to Haluali
Sometimes you spend your whole life looking back, and then you stop moving forward until it is too late.
"Now boarding flight 151 to Brazil."
The loudspeaker snapped me out of the catnap I had been taking. I got up and wheeled my small bag over to the stand to hand in my ticket. The lady warily examined my stolen identification and my ticket, skeptically glancing from the photo to me.
I knew Ash and I favored, but we didn't look a lot a like. I was only seventeen though. I would have needed parental consent. I'm sure Jaslene wouldn't have agreed to that. Alvin either.
She handed me back my things, still regarding me skeptically, but a whoosh of air left my lungs when she motioned for me to board.
It worked.
The flight was long, but I slept for the majority of it, so I didn't mind it much. I woke up when I felt the plane landing. I looked out the window to see the sun was just peeking out. I didn't have long to be there, but I was going to soak up every bit of warmth I could.
I was going to take in every radiant color I could see. Most importantly, I was going to breathe in the freshness of my rainforest and let it calm me.
I paid a cheesy local tour guide to drive me to my favorite spot. Then I paid him more to drive faster, feeling rushed to start enjoying the few days I had.
I planned to go to the village after I visited my hideaway.
