Page 14 of Pride High 3: Yellow

“Thanks.”

Ricky moved closer, wanting to cling to his arm, but the path was too narrow. Diego didn’t let go of his hand. Even when they were forced to walk single file. Ricky held on to him like a lifeline as the woods closed in around them.

“So if it’s not the dark,” Diego’s voice rumbled from ahead, “and it’s not animals, what are you scared of?”

“Getting trapped here.” Ricky said, the air thin in his lungs. “I used to have recurring dreams when I was a kid. They would always start in a clearing. And I’d feel safe there, but only at first. This slow panic would come over me until I’d feel the need to run. Not because of anything in the clearing with me. It was more like if your house was on fire and you had to escape. And I would try, but the woods never seemed to end. No matter how far I ran, but in the end, I’d always end up in the same clearing. And the trees would close in around me, or grab me if I tried to escape again, but I’d fight against them until—”

His voice strangled to a halt.

Diego stopped and turned around without letting go of his hand.

“I’m sorry,” Ricky said. “It’s stupid.”

“What about caves?” Diego asked. “You ever have bad dreams about those?”

Ricky blinked in confusion. “No.”

“Good. Come here.” He pulled on Ricky’s arm, and before he knew what was happening, he was swept up into Diego’s arms.

“What are you doing?”

“Carrying you. I know where I’m going. We won’t get lost.”

“But you’ve already got a massive pack on!”

“You help balance it out. Now close your eyes.”

“No way!”

“Do it,” Diego said as he resumed walking. “Imagine somewhere safe.”

He pictured them back in Frankenstein, where he always felt secure. Although when he leaned his head against Diego’s chest, that was all he needed to chase away his fears.

“This is nice,” he murmured.

“Yeah.” Diego’s voice sounded strained. “Why don’t we do this more often?”

“I bet you give great piggy back rides. Hey, we could try that! I’ll put the backpack on so you don’t have to carry it.”

“I don’t think that would help,” Diego grunted. “The pack is the only real issue. You weigh about as much as a wet towel.”

“If you put me down we could carry it together.” Ricky opened his eyes and could swear that branches were reaching for him. “Although I would have to walk with my eyes closed,” he said, squeezing them shut again.

“What do you imagine?” Diego asked him. “When you want to feel safe.”

“Being with you,” Ricky said. “In your car.”

Laughter rumbled against his ear. “I like that. Frankenstein does too.”

“Next year we can just park somewhere.”

“Or go on a road trip.”

Ricky lifted his head, despite keeping his eyes closed. “That would be so cool!”

“Yeah. I hope you like this too.”

“Like what?” Ricky swiveled his head around, trying to orient on a new sound. He heard running water!