Page 8 of LeX (Darverius, House of DaR #17)
Chapter Seven
RYLIE
The sound of an odd voice has me sitting up, but as I look around, I can’t seem to find where it’s coming from. The long, thin limbs of the tree I am lying under still blow freely in the light breeze. Its yellow flowers opening and shutting randomly up and down its limbs is mesmerizing and so is the light flickering through the spaces between them.
Crossing my legs in front of me, I gaze out at the fields surrounding this tree, just noticing there aren’t any others around. Just this big, magnificent tree standing all alone…but wait. Weren’t there trees of different colors before? For a moment, my mind questions where I am, but the unease quickly leaves as the voice once again seems to whisper all around me.
“ Hello ?”
I instantly regret saying anything aloud because the voice stops. Curious as to what surrounds me, I get up and push the long limbs out of my way as I step past the protection of the tree. Wildflowers dance around me as I slowly made my way across the field, keeping the tree constantly in sight. Fascinated by the diverse textures and shades, I delicately touch the blossoms. I’m captivated by another oddly colored bloom and pause to inhale its fragrance.
When the voice suddenly returns, I jerk in surprise. Stopping , I try to grasp exactly what it’s saying, but it’s simply words in no particular order, just the soothing sound of another in all this beauty. Time doesn’t seem to have meaning here. I don’t know how I know this, but I’m not in a hurry, or under a deadline, or even scared. I’m just here; shouldn’t that bother me? Unsure , I shrug that thought off. I glance behind me to make sure the large yellow tree is still visible, only to realize it hasn’t moved, despite me walking for a while.
The voice gets quiet again and for some reason that bothers me. I’m enjoying the deep rumble even if most of the words are not clear. Out of nowhere, a small stream appears, and I kneel down closer, letting the cool water run across my fingers. A shadow moves across the ground, and I look up only to find a ghostly silhouette standing on the other side of the water. Startled , I start to step back until I hear … that voice.
“ Please , don’t leave. I promise I won’t hurt you.”
Suddenly , my arm feels cold, and I am so tired … I feel like I have been walking for miles. Ignoring the odd presence, I look back at the tree, a place in my mind that is safe. The faint feeling of something touching my arm has me looking back at the shadow, but it hasn’t moved.
“ Are you the voice?”
“ I am. Would you like me to read to you some more?”
“ I don’t know what I wish for you to do.” Turning away, I start moving back to the tree, confused. There is something wrong, but I can’t seem to figure out what. Every time I think my mind has found the solution it becomes foggy again. In a blink, I’m back under my tree, sitting down tiredly.
Laying down on my side, I sigh heavily as I fight to keep my eyes open. I fall asleep with a small smile on my face as the voice fades away again.