Page 68 of Fallen Thorns
Thank you for what?
“I’ll be seeing you in time. Do not be afraid.”
“How could I fear you?”
“Arlo! Answer me!”
All sensation returned to my body as I was violently shaken into the present. My neck flopped down holding dead weight, and I shook my head violently to let my vision regain focus.Mars.
“Arlo, what on earth are you doing?”
“I…”have not got the faintest idea…
“What are you looking at?” They finally unhanded my coat and brushed their hands against their hips a few times.
“The…”Come on, brain… what just happened? Spit it out, Arlo.
“Is someone there?” They turned to the crack I had fixated on, the very same that was now open once again, light and dust filtering through in a peaceful glow.
“I…”can’t get the words out.
“Arlo, please tell me what you were looking at, you’re scaring me.” They turned to look back at me, eyes brimming with concern.
My mother often enjoyed telling me of a habit I had as a child, long before I could speak. I used to stop paying attention to my mother or aunt and instead focus on the corners of the room where three points met at the ceiling. I would begin to smile and sometimes even beamed and giggled. She was adamant I was seeing something she couldn’t, and I always found it amusing in the past.
Finally, my voice returned to me. As did my mind.
“I think the creature just spoke to me.”
In mere minuteswe were outside, Mars charging ahead. They’d thrown open the door that released us into a side alley, and we headed up the cobbled pathway until we reached the other side of the wall. A few people were walking obliviously in the distance, but the square itself was empty. The perfect place for us to stay hidden, or so I thought.
Mars’ head jolted around frantically, no time wasted before they pointed to the crack and asked, “Here? What did it say? How do you know it was the creature?” Their tone was hostile, and my brain grasped for a moment to catch up, ears burning. I didn’t know how best to react.
“Arlo?” their voice softened, breaths steadying to an even pace. “Sorry.” They lowered their head.
“I just knew,” I said.
Their eyes said a thousand words, breaths tired and uneven. “Okay.”
“I had a feeling it was following me earlier, but I dismissed it as paranoia. There is no way something could have hidden itself in plain sight. Right?”
“I’ve only ever seen humans and creatures like us. I have no idea what to even picture. It might not even be humanoid… It might not even be from this earth.” They had their hands on their hips, glancing around with wary eyes. “God, what am I saying?”
I cleared my throat. “It was a strong sense. I’m normally good at these things.” I was bewildered by my own direct honesty.
“It very well could have been then…”
“You believe me?”
“Always.”
What a funny thing to say to someone. That you will always, no matter what the circumstances, believe what they say. I don’t think I could have ever been that trusting, even if I tried.
“So, what now?” I sighed.
“The only thing we can do.”
“Which is?”
