They ambled through the forest and Twyla took in her surroundings. Deep green moss blanketed the floor with brilliantly coloured plants popping up every here and there. The trees were close together and their roots often intertwined. Vines grew up some of the trees and flowers twisted through some of them. Twyla was embarrassed at how long it took her to realise but where were all the animals? Had she even seen a bug? She was about to ask Hunter when he stopped at a fallen log.
"We can stop for a brief period."
She sat down happily. Her knees clicked as she stretched out. Arching her back like a cat, her muscles protested but she felt the tiniest bit looser.
"Hey! I didn't lose my bag!" she exclaimed.
"Is it precious to you?"
"I mean. No, I guess not. But it does have snacks," Twyla clarified, brandishing a chocolate bar. "Do you want one?"
"Sure."
Hunter joined her on the log and they ate their chocolate in companiable silence.
"Now, I need tea," Twyla sighed.
"Do you have tea in that mystical bag of yours?"
"Unfortunately not."
"I am sorry," he voiced, his eyes downcast. "Are you ready to proceed?"
"Alright."
After a while, Twyla stopped noticing the fancy flowers and the tall trees and trudged along next to Hunter. The sparkles of light through the canopy also started to dwindle as the day grew.
"Hey, Twyla" Hunter murmured, running his hand down the back of her head.
She looked up at him and his warm smile.
"This is the edge of the human world. You are about to step into 'The Isles of Sarafina'," Hunter announced. He had stopped walking and took her hands. "Are you ready?"
"Yes." Her voice came out in barely a whisper.
She felt more than saw what he meant as they took the next few steps. It was like stepping into a warm bath but everything sparkled for a second. Her eyes took a second to get used to the bright shine after the dark forest and then she really saw what was around her. They left the sparkling border behind them and they were still in a forest. But it was so much more than that. This forest was no mere trees and plants. The plants moved with life. The colours were richer, fuller. Colours she was sure she hadn't seen before popped up here and there. There were flowers tinier than her fingernail but also flowers larger than her. Sofia would have loved this. The trees bent down and then straightened and then shook off leaves. Flowers closed and opened. Breathing in, she smelt a stronger scent of vanilla along with mints, aloe, citrus, and perfumes she couldn't identify. Lights fluttered in the air. She didn't know what to look at.
"Do you like it?" Hunter asked, shyly, his hand rubbing the back of his neck.
"Yes," Twyla breathed. "I… I've never seen anything like it. I don't think I have the words to describe how beautiful it is."
"Good. We are going to have to make camp here. It is too far to walk the rest of the way tonight."
Twyla really wanted to argue but her body ached and sleep beckoned.
"Stay here. I am going to get some wood and hunt. Just stay here."
Twyla leaned against a tree and looked up at the stars. She didn't know if she was just tired but she was sure the stars were moving around.
"Wishing on a star?"
"Hunter! You startled me," Twyla screeched. "I didn't hear you come back."
He laughed. "You were very busy wishing on the stars."
"I was not wishing. I was trying to find the constellations."
"Ah… Yes…" Hunter did not sound very convinced. He knelt down and started organising the logs he had found.
"I was! Do you want some help? I can finish the fire."
"Sure."
Twyla put some dry grass and took out her lighter. She lit the grass and blew it gently.
"That bag is full of wonder," Hunter proclaimed, watching her.
"Gotta be prepared." She watched the flames start to dance.
Soon they were eating mushrooms and whatever he had caught. Twyla did not look too closely as he skinned and cut the animal.
They ate the last of the chocolate for dessert. They were sitting so closely on their log. The fire was roaring in front of them. He wiped a bit of chocolate from the corner of her lip. Her heart started racing again. His eyes bored into her soul. Her lips tingled and she looked at his soft lips that parted as he saw her looking. His head came closer. Her lips parted. She could feel the heat come off his body in waves. Their noses almost touched. Could her heart beat any faster?
"No. I am sorry. You are injured and I have taken you to this forest where you cannot leave without my help. It would be taking advantage of you. I am a man of honour," Hunter stated, ruffling his hair. "You deserve better."
Twyla looked around and realised what she was about to do. Kiss a man she didn't know. In a forest. She turned away from him and they both got very interested in the bark of the log they were sitting on. The night drew on and the awkwardness faded.
"Do you often look at the stars for constellations?" Hunter teased.
"I… Argh!" Twyla didn't really get full words out.
Hunter roared with laughter.
"Why is it so funny?" Twyla asked.
"Well. Constellations are pretend. Stars are ancient spirits that have long since passed. They aren't going to stay still in a pretty picture," Hunter teased, with a twinkle in his eye.
"The stars stay still in the human world! You've been there," Twyla retorted.
"I am not usually looking at the stars," he said softly.
Twyla refused to fall asleep. But her body had other ideas. As they sat in front of the fire, she started leaning ever so slightly on his arm. Ever so slightly became completely which turned into her head on his chest and his warm arm cradling her. She felt so warm and safe. And sleepy. The next thing she knew she was asleep curled on his lap. She fit so perfectly.
"Watch where you put those feet," a gruff voice mumbled into her ear.
Twyla startled awake, trying to figure out where she was and where her feet were. Then it all came back.
"Hunter! Sorry!" She tried to extract herself from his lap without causing serious damage but the stifled grunt told her she was failing.
"Stop. Just stop. Let me help you," Hunter insisted, sounding harassed. He picked her up and sat her gently next to him.
"Sorry," she muttered, hanging her head.
"Did you sleep well?"
"I did, thanks to you. Did you get any sleep?"
"I am not tired. There are some mushrooms left over. Would you like some?"
They shared the mushrooms and got ready to leave their little camp. Twyla would love to get to a place where she could take a bath and sleep in a real bed. Tending to her injuries might also be nice.
Hunter showed her which plants were poisonous and where she shouldn't step as they made the last bit of the journey to the resistance. She had grown to like him over the past day. And the fact that he hadn't kissed her had somehow made him more attractive.
"Are you ready?" Hunter questioned, his eyes gleaming. The bit of forest they were in looked exactly like all the other bits. What did he mean? There was nothing here.
"Um… Yes?"