Page 92 of Fallen Thorns
Weak.
“Okay,” I said again.
Then we were facing each other on the path, overlooking the oak buried cathedral and the dancing lights over the water, and she took my head in her hands, thumbs pushing gently above the crooks of my eye socket as she closed her eyes in concentration. I managed one deep inhale then in an instant I fell to my knees, as if my spinal cord had been ripped right from my back, but she held me steadily until I could breathe again, and I was looking back up at my leader, and she smiled like she always did, cupping and brushing my chin with her hands.
“It can’t get you now,” she whispered. Her hands returned to my head and blackness consumed every crevice of my mind.
Of course she knew.
ChapterTwenty-One
I will never tire of watching things unfold. Of observing the inner workings of every train of thought, every reaction, and every response. Humans are such pitiful things, even those long beyond their humanity. They still think in such a linear format, clinging on to the possibility they might have won against whatever it is that keeps them up at night.
It would have saddened me if he could not remember our meetings, but I kept them hidden so far back in his sorrowful mind that her efforts made little difference. He doesn’t remember all the incredible work we’ve accomplished, or all the imperative ideologies we have explored. He still scurries back to his friends believing he can be rid of me, yet he can’t even remember why he wants me gone anymore. He just tries too hard to find his purpose that he is oblivious to the fact I’ve already shown him.
Iwas floating. Arms outstretched; ankles soaked in soothing warmth. Miles and miles of vast blue ocean churned beneath me; above me lay an infinity of white. My eyes were scrunched tight, yet I could see every colour and every shape that held itself before me. It was so peaceful; I could have lain here for all eternity.
“Arlo, we’re going to be late,” Rani’s voice called out and my eyes shot open. I was stood in my sandstone room, facing the wonky landscape painting in the corner with my back to the door.
I looked down at my feet before I reacted to anything else, ensuring I was grounded. Awake.
A knock. “Arlo! You’re not still asleep in there, are you?”
I waited for the rest of my body to awaken, and once it did, I turned to my bed and pulled on the jacket that lay out ready for me.How did I get here?
“Carmen has the engine running. Are you going to let yourself be late? That’s not like you!”
My body finally followed the voice to the door and I swung it open, smiling at my friend on the other side.
“Ready?” she asked.
I nodded.
“Good, because it will look bad if we turn up late. We promised Ben and Casper we’d be in the front row.”
Ahh, the concert. What day is it?
The next thingI knew I was in the back of a three-door car, neck bent forwards with my back almost pressed against the roof and my legs drawn in until they were inches from my chin. We were driving to a small gig venue on the outskirts of the city. Rani was in the passenger seat, Carmen directly in front of me. We shared a limited conversation, unwilling and stubborn from both ends before Rani turned the music up and reminded us for the seventh time that we were going to be late. All the while I was blinking and shaking my head, trying to get my mind to wake up and for me to remotely feel present. I felt as though I’d been asleep for days.
We didn’t have to queue; Mars greeted us at the back door, and we avoided the growing line of attendees. It was pitch-black outside, and I realised as I looked around myself that I hadn’t missed days and days like I’d originally believed. Only yesterday was I walking along the riverside with Marianne.Where did she go?
Rani held Carmen’s hand as a child would their mother. She looked at Carmen with such joy, the emotion and energy reciprocated. I walked behind them and lowered my head, still disorientated and believing I was missing something.
We were ushered through the stage side entrance in the dim rehearsal light and Mars left me and Rani in the dressing area whilst Carmen followed them, picking up her camera and wrapping the strap around her neck.
Rani propped her bag on the table beside her which was littered in wine bottles and a vibrantly multicoloured lace scarf which undoubtedly belonged to Lawrence.
“Living the lavish life here. Does this make us groupies?” Rani’s eyes were pools of delight and it made me laugh out a smile.
“I suppose so.”
“I never used to listen to this sort of music, as you probably already know, I tend to stick to my upbeat playlists, but thelyricwork and Francesca’s guitar?” She pressed her hands to her lips in a sign of a chef’s kiss.
I couldn’t deny their talent. The four of them playing together justworked.I was happy I was there, again, regardless of my confusion.
Casper waltzed in a moment later with a hoodie on. “Ahh, friends!” he said, putting on a funny accent and welcoming us with open arms.
“Are you playing‘Stars for Alex’tonight?” Rani rubbed her hands together in excitement, one brow raised in anticipation.
