Chapter 7

A Cure

Galinda and Elphaba walk in silence, the latter a few paces behind. Elphaba can't stop thinking about the fire. It consumes her thoughts just as thoroughly as it consumed the camp. Galinda told her that the officers would be well taken care of but that doesn't push aside the pain she knows they suffered. All at her hands.

She didn't even know what she was doing!

It was as if the fire burning inside her had escaped and try as she might she would never be able to control it. At the time she wasn't even sure if she wanted to. That thought alone plagues Elphaba even now. The thought that she wanted to save Galinda's life badly enough she destroyed others in the wake of her power. She's not a monster... she's not like her father.

She never meant to hurt anyone...

How can Galinda brush what's happened so easily aside? Does the blonde truly disregard life so much? Elphaba doesn't think she'll ever get used to this feeling twisting in her gut. And what more, she never wants to feel it again. Instead she thinks of the good that's come from their escape.

She thinks of Galinda. Brave Galinda, who had come to her rescue - once again - when that guard had pointed his rifle at her.

Elphaba owes so much to the beautiful soldier ahead of her. She only wishes she knew how she could repay her in kind.

"We'll stop here for the night," Galinda says, pulling Elphaba from her thoughts. Elphaba looks around. It's dark in the forest, the moon barely peeking through the thick canopy of leaves above. Elphaba's skin still feels warm in the night air as she takes the survival pack off and pulls her research bag from over her shoulders. She feels instantly lighter without the burden of both objects; a fleeting wisp of the freedom she craved passes over her suddenly.

It all but disappears as she sinks to the ground, remembering the fire once more.

Galinda is too busy checking their perimeter to pay Elphaba's sullen demeanor attention. She can hear the tell tale signs of life calling out into the night, easing her nerves. An owl hoots in the distance, a few leaves rustle in the trees above. Gliders perhaps, Galinda thinks.

The animals feel safe.

Silence would mean otherwise.

Silence follows the Undead, cloaking all life that surrounds them for miles.

She knows so long as the forest is alive with noise that her choice in camp is all right.

They will be safe tonight.

Galinda finds Elphaba easily enough when she turns around. The green girl is not hard to miss, all curled up in a ball with her back against a dead tree trunk, research bag clutched to her chest. The position she's contorted herself into almost seems natural. Galinda is more unsettled by Elphaba's brown eyes, which are wide open, staring unfocused at a spot deep in the forest.

She wants to ask what's bothering Elphaba but thinks better of it. She already knows anyway.

Besides, she's not here to bond with the green girl.

And since she clearly won't be learning any magic either, there simply is no point to being nice.

Or even remotely interested in what the green freak is so worried about.

That doesn't stop Galinda from being curious though.

Know thy enemy, and all that, she thinks.

She sits down a good distance from Elphaba as quietly as she can. But the slight noise snaps Elphaba from her memories, her eyes quickly darting to Galinda.

Galinda clears her throat under the intensity of the startled gaze. "So," she says calmly, waiting a second to continue once she hears the noise of the forest resume around them. "I'll keep watch tonight; you're not quite… capable of handling a situation should one arise."

Elphaba sits up, bag held loosely in her lap. "No, that's not fair to you. I can take first shift, if you'd l-like? This way if I grow tired I can just wake you… or if anything were to occur."

Galinda squints her eyes at Elphaba, wondering where this sudden courage is coming from. Elphaba flinches under her gaze, turning her eyes to her lap. So much for that, Galinda smirks. She taps her chest twice, "The best, remember? I can't trust you to stay up. Just go to sleep, you'll be of more use well rested then fatigued."

"But what about you?" Elphaba asks softly, concerned.

Galinda feels a prickle along her spine but covers her unease with a chuckle and says, "Trust me; I've handled far worse conditions with far less sleep."

Elphaba stares, worried, at Galinda for a moment, gauging whether to offer sharing duty again or to just acquiesce to the blonde's obvious need for control. The longer she stares the softer Galinda's eyes seem to grow. She can see the lines of her forehead smooth, the strain of her frown give. And with a blink of blue eyes the resentment and wrinkles come back as strong as ever.

Elphaba sighs, lying back down. She knows there is only ever going to be one way with Galinda. "Thank you," she says.

Galinda nods, turning to look anywhere but at the green girl. She can't believe she let her guard down like that. All over a stupid look.

She really should just leave Elphaba here and go on her way. Surely she can find someone more capable of teaching her magic once she gets to the Vinkus since Elphaba is so clearly unable to. Fiyero's family must know someone. If there will be any perk to their marriage that might as well be it.

As if by some freakish irony Elphaba chooses then to say, "Your fiancé is a very lucky man."

Galinda almost thinks Elphaba can read her mind but the expression of genuine admiration on Elphaba's face indicates otherwise. Galinda wonders how someone so tortured as a child could be so empathetic.

Elphaba must be mad.

"Go to sleep," Galinda says meaning for it to come out far harsher than the light whisper it does.

Elphaba feels her heart beat faster at the almost tender tone of Galinda's voice. She dares to say something further, "I am lucky to have met you."

Galinda pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, eyes turning to the sky. The next words out of her mouth come out as nothing more than a groan. "Don't say that."

Elphaba sits up; the sudden need to get everything she's been meaning to tell Galinda all night off her chest. She keeps her voice low as she says with a faint smile, "You've saved my life multiple times, given me new shoes when I don't deserve anything near as lavish and now you're sacrificing again. All because of me," Elphaba says, swallowing the thick lump forming in her throat. "I-I'm sorry I cannot teach you magic but I promise I will try to control my power so that I may be able to one day. It's the very least I can do after you've done so much."

And there it is again, Galinda groans inwardly. The guilt, this time far stronger then it ever was before. She hates that Elphaba can so easily make her feel this way. No one has ever caused her to show such… such pity. Yes, Galinda thinks, that is what she is feeling. It must be pity. Pity for the poor experimented upon odd green girl.

Diseased odd green girl, she amends as she scoots a little further from Elphaba.

Elphaba notices Galinda widening the space that separates them. It pains her that Galinda still feels so repulsed but she vows not to let it show. Instead she settles back to the ground once more, this time using the Gale Force pack as a makeshift pillow for her head. Elphaba buries her face along the worn fabric, trying to hide the tears threatening to fall from her eyes.

I'm pathetic, Elphaba thinks, turning her back to Galinda. Like a child crying over dropped candy. How stupid.

She knows it was foolish to have wished for more from Galinda. What more Elphaba thinks she could possibly wish for, she's not entirely sure. But more is what she hoped for anyway.

She falls into a fretful sleep a short while later, still faced away from the soldier.

Galinda watches as Elphaba's shoulders relax and her breathing deepens; only once she's sure the green girl is asleep does she finally let out a long shaky breath. Galinda has no idea how one person can make her feel so incredibly on edge. No one on Oz, aside from her mother perhaps, has ever gotten quite under her skin like Elphaba.

It frightens Galinda a bit to think about the effect Elphaba has on her. She's fully conscious of the feelings. Oz, are they ever there. It's as if her senses are constantly on alert whenever she's anywhere near the green girl.

But Galinda tells herself it's just her defenses. She's afraid of becoming like Elphaba.

Her body is reacting this way to protect itself.

She won't allow herself to be turned.

No matter how harmless, dare she think sweet, Elphaba appears all snuggled up to that survival pack.

Galinda gasps in disgust at the thought that just crossed her mind. She silently gags, and shakes the images from her mind.

Her eyes land on Elphaba's shoulder bag. Besides, she thinks, there is something far more worthwhile she could be doing with her time. Galinda scoots closer, careful not make a sound, assuming Elphaba to be a light sleeper. She takes the green girls bag and sits back down against a nearby tree with it. The bag is heavy and when she opens the clasp she finds it absolutely filled with pages upon pages of notes and scientific equations that she can't even begin to wrap her mind around.

Most of the pages are still damp, some of the ink running but still legible.

She notices a good portion of the pages inside the notebooks seem to be in a different handwriting from the others. Sharper, and distinctly flourished. It reminds Galinda of Morrible's penmanship. Excessively frilled yet impeccably to the point. Galinda feels a chill settle over her as she realizes this must be Elphaba's father's writing. Along the edges are notes, scrunched to fit between the margins, or anywhere they can find space to breathe. The ink strokes are curvy, light and quick, almost as if written in a great deal of hurry.

One line of particular interest jumps out at Galinda as her eyes skim over the note:

Test failure: Lion Cub near death after exposure to Undead blood sample in Frexspar Trial num. 21. Refer pg.15. Father outraged by results. Animals still immune to disease. Will free Cub.

Galinda knows that Animals have been scarce throughout Oz since the scourge began but she hadn't thought them immune to the peril.

And for Elphaba to risk her father's wrath to save one so young…

Galinda turns the page, distracting herself with more of the journal before the thought can fully sink in.

Elphaba stirs in her sleep, curling further into herself. Galinda stops breathing and stills at the movement, hand hovering over the next page. She lets out a slow breath as Elphaba relaxes once more. It's no surprise really, she thinks, that Elphaba would be plagued with night terrors.

Who wouldn't be if they had the man who wrote these books as a father?

Galinda is well aware her own father was anything but perfect. But he was a good man, he meant well and provided the best he could for her in life. Galinda doesn't understand how someone could sacrifice so much for another. Let alone another who showed such little regard for all he's done. For the life he left to keep his family safe... to keep Galinda safe. She never thought she'd meet a soul like him. It bothers Galinda that Elphaba is the only one she can think of.

The blonde suppresses a shudder as she puts the journal back inside the bag. Her hand brushes along something cool and she wraps her fingers around the small object. Galinda pulls her hand from the bag, the green bottle resting against her palm. She knows Elphaba believes this to be the cause of the Undead but Galinda fails to see how something as simple as a drink could turn a human into something so vile.

She's seen her fair share of drunks and never once has someone tried to dine upon another's brains because of a bit of alcohol.

A bit of alcohol and some spices; that's what the Wizard said the liquid was. Galinda holds the bottle to the meager light, swirling what little substance is left inside. She can't tell if it's green or if it's just the bottle making it glow emerald in the moonlight. Could the Wizard really be responsible?

Galinda brings it back down, careful not to let the stopper out as she inspects the bottle further, ever curious.

"No!" She hears Elphaba shout. Galinda barely has time to lift her head when she's suddenly tackled to the ground. Her instincts kick in and she turns the body atop hers over, wrapping her legs across the knees as she grabs both her assailants' wrists and pins them to the ground.

The bottle rolls, forgotten, to the ground beside the two bodies.

Galinda is almost surprised when she looks down to find Elphaba's familiar brown eyes staring up at her in shock.

"What's gotten into you?" Galinda demands, brows dipped low over her fiery eyes. "Have you lost your mind?" she hisses.

Elphaba pants quickly below her, shaking her head. "I-I'm sorry."

Galinda takes a breath, noticing the blush creeping along Elphaba's cheeks. She feels Elphaba squirm beneath her before growing suddenly still. Galinda realizes she's hovering mere inches above the green girl, practically lying on top of her. She can't scramble to her feet fast enough.

"I'm sorry, Miss… Miss Up-Upland," Elphaba apologizes again, picking up the bottle as Galinda brushes frantically at her body.

Galinda looks over to Elphaba, upset that the guilt is deciding to reappear again. She sighs. "No, I shouldn't have been snooping. You had every right to… you know."

Elphaba blushes some more as she moves back to her tree again, nodding. She's never felt someone so closely before, even if it was all a mistake. The brief moment made Elphaba's entire body feel as though it was ablaze. It frightens her how much it excited her then. She sinks back to the ground, stuffing the bottle back into her bag and hugging the fabric tightly to her chest. She wishes her heart would stop beating so loudly; she's positive if Galinda listens closely enough she's sure to hear it.

Galinda finally relaxes as she sits back to the forest floor.

Elphaba. Green awkward Elphaba managed to surprise her. Galinda can't help the laugh that escapes her. Elphaba turns, confused at the sound.

"I may have underestimated you," Galinda says with a growing smirk. "No one has been able to sneak up on me like that in quite a while."

Elphaba smiles shyly, "I apologize again. It was all a big misunderstanding. I thought you were about to drink some."

Galinda's expression suddenly turns sour. "Why would I ever drink something that would turn me into one of them?"

Elphaba gulps, eyes back to the ground once again. "I didn't think you trusted me," she says, sheepish.

Galinda feels a bit foolish realizing Elphaba is correct. She hasn't given the girl much reason to believe that she trusts her. And if they are to continue on this path together to the Vinkus… well, than perhaps it's time she starts. They don't have to braid each other's hair or anything but at the very least she could be cordial and a little more trusting.

Besides, rule 14 of survival is that if one wishes to survive, one needs to communicate.

She's seen one too many groups quickly dissolve into arguments only to be ambushed by Undead moments later.

Granted, she's had her fair share of arguments with classmates in the field, but she always pushed them aside quickly. They could tear at each other's throats later.

In a week she and Elphaba can be in the Vinkus. Maybe less if she can manage to find a horse or two.

Galinda looks back over to Elphaba as she thinks of something to say, anything to distract the reclusive girl from her current thoughts. Her eyes land on the bag held tightly in green hands. "I read some of your research," Galinda says as she takes a few arrows from the quiver and begins inspecting the feathers. From the corner of her eye she sees Elphaba sit up, interested. "Could you… explain it to me?"

Elphaba's smile is so big Galinda can't imagine her green face can possibly contain it. "Of course!" Elphaba says, digging back into her bag. She extracts a few books and spreads them out along the ground. She gives one a gentle nudge toward Galinda who suddenly realizes the distance between them is rather unnecessary. Perhaps a few feet will suffice. She sits back down, arms length from Elphaba and picks up the first journal.

Once the book is in her hands Elphaba tells her everything. She explains about the funny orbs hidden within Ozian blood. How the Undead differ from those still with souls. Of the properties of the elixir and the green tendrils that seem to swim inside. Galinda didn't think she'd be this fascinated by what Elphaba is telling her. If anything she was fully prepared to tune the green girl out when she started speaking. But Elphaba is so passionate about the research, so adamant about what she's uncovered.

Galinda can't help as she leans in, listening intently to every word. It's nothing short of impressive what Elphaba's had to endure to get to this point. All of the suffering just so others could perhaps one day live free of the Undead curse. Galinda thinks if she were in Elphaba's shoes, she would have ended her life long ago.

What point is there to living if everyone will only ever see you as nothing but one of them?

She gets Elphaba in that moment. She understands why the girl is so dedicated to her discovery being taken seriously. It's not only proof that the Wizard has deceived them all… it's proof that if he hadn't come along, Elphaba would have been born normal.

She wouldn't have had to suffer for so long.

Galinda looks down to a few pages Elphaba has spread before her, the green girl explaining the logistics behind the experiments she ran on Undead orbs and her own.

But all Galinda can think about now is that Elphaba has discovered the cause.

And if Elphaba knows what started it, then she surely must know how to end it!

"So you've found the cure then as well, right?" Galinda asks, all her hopes poured into one simple question.

Elphaba sighs, shaking her head. "No. I just know how it all started."

But Galinda thinks that if Elphaba could figure out the cause then she can surely find a solution. She grins, whispering, "You know, my fiancé comes from a bit of a wealthy background. I am sure once we reach his home that he'll want to help. I'll make sure you get whatever you need to keep researching. You're so close Elphaba! If you just had more time, you could figure this all out!"

If Elphaba can find the cure then she can clear her name! She can get back her life...

For some reason that thought doesn't elate Galinda as much as she imagined it would. But she shrugs the feeling off as nothing did ever much elate her nowadays anyway.

Elphaba wishes she could share in Galinda's newfound enthusiasm but she knows otherwise. The Undead have been plaguing Oz for near a quarter of a century and no one has come anywhere near close to developing a cure in that time. Not her father, not the best scientist in the land, and certainly not the Wizard. It was just impossible. There was no counter to what had been created. There never will be. Yet right now, right here with Galinda looking happier than anyone Elphaba has ever seen, she can't seem to tell her otherwise. Galinda looks so pleased by even the prospect of a way out that Elphaba doesn't have the heart to see Galinda's happiness go.

She doesn't have the heart to tell her they'll never be a cure.


The next morning Galinda is still in good spirits as she offers to carry the survival pack and Elphaba's bag. Elphaba declines and Galinda looks a bit morose at her refusal, but brightens once more when Elphaba smiles her way in apology.

Elphaba hates lying. Especially when she knows Galinda will only be upset when she learns the truth.

She wonders how long she can keep this going before it eats away at her soul and all that's left is a true Verdigris.

"So," Galinda says as they make their way West through the forest. "I apologize for being a raging bitch."

Elphaba nods, accepting but says nothing, eyes focused ahead. Galinda quirks a brow at Elphaba's odd behavior. Had she said that yesterday she's sure Elphaba would have been groveling to her feet by now out of sheer gratitude.

Galinda is confused by the green girls' sudden shift in personality.

Not to be deterred, Galinda tries a different approach. She hasn't been friendly to anyone in quite some time and what better way to befriend the future savior of Oz, infected or not (sure to change soon though!), then by making some small talk? But the more she tries to think of a question the more she realizes the answers she'll be met with will be nothing short of traumatizing for Elphaba.

A simple "where did you grow up" would turn into a disastrous tale of abuse during childhood.

Oz, even her favorite book might spark a memory of fire and pain.

And it's not like the girl has any friends so really she couldn't even fall back on that if she wanted.

"You wanted to, to a-ask me something, Miss Upland?" Elphaba says timidly.

"Just Galinda is all right." She gives her a warm smile, suddenly realizing, "I'm the first person you've ever met, aren't I?"

Elphaba smiles back, about to give a nod when she lets out a small, "Oh. No, the second technically."

Galinda sighs. "The clunker."

Elphaba nods.

"Well he doesn't count, so there," Galinda grins. "I'm the first."

"I prefer you as well," Elphaba says quietly.

Galinda feel her cheeks warm but shakes the feeling aside as she looks over to Elphaba. She realizes she hasn't gotten a chance to actually look at her. Which technically isn't true since she did that time she almost killed her. But now is different! She hasn't gotten a chance to really look at Elphaba since then. Not without something hiding her face or the cover of darkness obscuring her features. In the bright sunlight, with her long black hair braided behind her neck, it's clear to Galinda that Elphaba isn't the repulsive sight she once imagined hidden beneath the cloak. No, Elphaba's rather pretty actually, she thinks, in a different sort of way.

She has great cheekbones, full lashes worthy of envy by any girl and rather pouty lips. Her nose is sharp though, giving her quite the strong profile. She's striking for someone so green.

An unusual green, she thinks. Galinda has seen Undead, Oz she's struck down enough to last most people three lifetimes. She knows their rotting flesh is the most hideous color in all of Oz. It's pale, sickly and of the color one would attribute to rotting vegetables sitting in a bucket of stagnate pond scum.

It's disgusting.

But Elphaba's skin isn't like that… not in the least.

It reminds Galinda of grass a bit, yes. The kind you want to relax in while the sun warms your cheeks.

Galinda blushes. She can't believe she even thought that. She spares a glance at Elphaba who seems no wiser to the inner workings of her obviously insane mind.

She needs a distraction.

Elphaba, blessedly, chooses then to speak. "C-could I ask you something?"

Galinda nods, more than happy for the opportunity to get the grassy thoughts from her mind.

"How did you meet your f-fiancé?"

"Oh," Galinda says, "Him. Fiyero, um, we met at Academy actually."

"What's he like?" Elphaba asks next, curious. She's never been in love but from what she's read in books she thinks it must be one of the greatest feelings in the world. Galinda must surely love Fiyero. It seems only natural that Elphaba wants to know the truth. Does it really live up to the things she read?

"He's," Galinda begins to say trying to piece together a couple words to describe Fiyero. "He's handsome," she says watching Elphaba's reaction as she continues, "strong, tall, a good friend."

"And you love him?" It's asked so simply it almost causes Galinda to trip.

"Of course I do," she says quickly. "I am marrying the guy after all."

Elphaba doesn't quite know what to make of Galinda's response. She's not entirely convinced. Galinda seems almost... uncomfortable speaking of her fiancé. Shouldn't it be the other way around? Shouldn't speaking about someone you love be easy?

"What about you?" Galinda says, hoping to steer the focus to Elphaba instead. "Anyone special in your life?"

She doesn't realize her question is unbelievably ridiculous and not to mention entirely rude until she sees the expression on Elphaba's face fall.

"Oh! Oz, I'm sorry Elphaba." Galinda apologizes hastily. "I just completely forgot about…"

"About how I'm a huge freak?" Elphaba says with a self-deprecating grin. "The green kind of makes it hard to overlook."

Galinda feels her chest tighten. "I didn't mean it like that."

"I've never had a friend, let alone anyone, special," Elphaba says pointedly feeling a bit bitter that Galinda even bothered to swing the subject around to her. Her skin itches along her neck and she reaches up to scratch at the unwelcome sensation. The more kindness Galinda shows her the more uncomfortable she feels knowing that if Galinda knew the full truth she'd hate her once more.

"You're not missing much," Galinda says, hoping to make amends with her words. "I never had many friends myself, actually."

Elphaba finds that impossible to believe and asks, "why?"

"Too busy I guess?" Galinda offers.

"When I was young," Elphaba begins to say, smiling at the memory as she continues, "I tired digging a hole to the other side of Oz because I wanted a friend so badly."

Galinda chuckles as she imagines a small Elphaba doing just that. "That's ridiculous, you know."

"I know," Elphaba tells her. "I guess what I am saying is that it must be nice to have the opportunity even if you think otherwise."

Galinda shakes her head with a grunt. "People are horrible, selfish and, most of the time, just disappoint you anyway. You're better off alone, trust me."

"But you have Fiyero, you have someone."

"Yes, I have Fiyero," Galinda says quietly, she glances to Elphaba, surprised to find the green girl staring at her curiously. She feels like an orb under one of Elphaba's microscopes. "What?" she snaps.

"Nothing," Elphaba says, looking away quickly.

Galinda doesn't let the look slide though. "No, honestly. What is it?"

Elphaba just shakes her head. If most people are like Galinda she can't understand how anyone can have friends let alone be engaged. Everyone just seems to go around lying and pretending as though everything is all right.

It doesn't seem like a way to live to Elphaba.

It feels more like being trapped. Like being back at the Consulate.

Elphaba is tired of feeling trapped.

She sighs. Now or never, she thinks.

"I have to tell you something," Elphaba says, eyes watching the ground below as her feet carry her forward. "There… there is no cure."

Elphaba feels instantly free once the words leave her lips. She turns back to Galinda to find the soldier giving her a small smile.

"Yet," Galinda says. "There isn't a cure yet."

Elphaba stops walking. "No," she counters. "There will never be one. An Undead is forever an Undead unless someone stops them. Be it bullet, blade, fire, or what have you they just can't be cured with a simple serum. Their blood orbs are resilient to everything! They devour everything! There can never be-"

"No!" Galinda shakes her head, interrupting Elphaba. "No, there is a way. There must! You can't just find a cause without also finding a cure! It's there! You just have to look harder!"

"I can't!" Elphaba exclaims, frustrated by Galinda's insistence. "It doesn't exist! Just like the souls in the Undead cease to be! You can't cure what's already been taken!"

Galinda grabs Elphaba by the collar of her dress, pulling the green girl down till their eyes are level. "Listen to me you green freak. I let you live before so I could learn magic but since that's not happening the only reason you breathe now is to find a cure. If you're telling me its impossible then I guess you don't care to live then."

Elphaba's eyes dart between Galinda's hoping the burning hatred she sees in them is just another mask. Just another lie… but Galinda's anger is real. Her grip on Elphaba only tightens.

Elphaba stares right back into those piercing blue eyes as she says, voice quivering, "I-I'm sorry, Ga-Galinda…"

Galinda lets out a growl as she pushes Elphaba away. The green girl stumbles to the ground, the sleeves of her dress tearing at the elbows from the force of her fall. As Galinda rips the survival pack from Elphaba's back she suppresses the urge to apologize. There is nothing to apologize for, she thinks.

Elphaba more than deserves to be left in the forest.

No cure, Galinda scoffs. Then there truly is no point in continuing together. She tries not to look back as she throws the bag over her shoulder and leaves Elphaba prone on the ground. With each step away she feels that stupid guilt drilling a hole through her heart. She cringes, walking faster, hoping once she's far enough away it will all just fade and she can go back to being numb once again.

Elphaba watches, absolutely terrified as Galinda leaves her. "Wait," she breathes, voice barely audible. Galinda doesn't hear, or chooses not to, as she disappears entirely into the trees ahead.

And just like that, Elphaba is alone.

She never imagined being so free could also be so horrifying.

With Galinda gone she's sure she won't survive the night.

No weapons, no knowledge of even the simplest of survival techniques.

Elphaba depended on Galinda. Depended on staying beside the soldier no matter how much the soldier protested otherwise.

But now, now Elphaba knows that is no longer going to happen.

People like Galinda don't bother with creatures like Elphaba.

And if one thing is absolutely clear from the sting of Galinda's departure… it's that no one ever would.


Galinda continues on, muttering curses under her breath at how stupid she has been. She couldn't believe she'd been so… so nice to Elphaba! Was it so easy to forget that the green girl was INFECTED (no matter how much Elphaba protested otherwise) with the very thing she's dedicated her adult life to stopping?

She feels betrayed by her very mind. How dare it not do its job!

Galinda hears a rustling in the trees, the air growing suddenly thick.

Silent.

A chill washes over her at the implications. She pulls the bow from around her shoulders and quickly fixes an arrow to the string.

The leaves move again and Galinda whirls, pointing her arrow toward a bush a few yards off. The second time the bush rattles, Galinda lets her arrow fly. A small cry issues from the bush as the arrow embeds into the tree behind, a dead rabbit hanging from the shaft.

Well, she thinks. At least she's caught dinner.

A scream tears through the forest as she lowers her bow. Galinda feels her stomach drop when she realizes the voice is Elphaba's. She shouldn't care. She should just keep going. But Galinda can't seem to make her body move.

A slight breeze passes by, the unmistakable stench of Undead in the air.

Galinda makes her decision.

The bunny is going to be quite tasty later.


Elphaba nearly trips over her feet as she runs from the couple of Unmentionable's hot on her heels. She only counted two but one was more than enough to have her screaming for help. As she looks over her shoulder she grows even more distressed to find another has appeared. She pumps her legs faster, urging her body into a full sprint.

A branch snags on her shoulder strap, halting her in her tracks and sending her head over heels to the ground below. Elphaba feels the air rushing from her lungs as her back impacts against the dirt.

She knows she's made a fatal mistake.

The first Undead is upon her not a second later and Elphaba raises her legs, prepared to kick it away when she hears it let out a guttural moan. An arrow explodes into the back of its head, the blood spurting out at the violent impact. Elphaba gasps, rolling aside as the Verdigris falls to the ground, unmoving.

Dead for good.

Elphaba's breath is ragged as she desperately fills her lungs, scooting back along the ground, away from the soulless body. She looks back up to where the arrow must have traveled. Her eyes land on the other two Undead along the ground also sporting similar arrows to the head.

Galinda jogs into view not a moment later.

"Well then," she says, with a smirk, cheeks flushed from the rush of the fresh kills. Elphaba thinks she's almost glowing. "You've proven me right. You are absolutely useless."

"You… came…ba-ba-" Elphaba manages between her ragged breaths.

Galinda rolls her eyes. "Yes, I came back."

"Why?" Elphaba says, struggling to find the reason for the blondes return. Galinda helps her to her feet, throwing the survival pack into Elphaba's chest.

"I need someone to carry that," Galinda says simply. "It's heavy and it puts my aim off."

Elphaba stares, incredulous at Galinda. She's sure there's more to it than that but right now, she's just thankful Galinda is here.

How many times has the soldier saved her now?

"Well?" Galinda asks, as she turns to go, waiting for Elphaba to follow.

So Elphaba secures the backpack behind her and falls into step behind Galinda.

She'll worry about the why later.

For now she's just happy to be alive.


Elphaba is appalled later that evening as Galinda strips the fur from the rabbit and prepares to cook it over their small campfire. They walked for what felt like hours and Elphaba has never felt sorer in her life. There is definitely a welt forming along her cheek from where Galinda punched her the previous afternoon. It is tender to the touch. Oz, her whole body feels as though it's been dragged through the cobbled streets of the Emerald City. She was more than relieved when Galinda suddenly came to a stop, declaring the small spot of forest as their camp for the night.

Elphaba immediately sat down, stripping the boots from her tired feet, glad for the rest.

Galinda had set about checking the area around their makeshift camp before she started de-furring the poor rabbit. "I promise it'll be the best thing you've ever tasted," Galinda tells her as she watches the rabbit begin to brown over the flames.

"I don't…" Elphaba begins to say, gulping down her urge to vomit, "I don't eat meat."

"Oh," Galinda says, stopping her slow rotation of the rabbit. "I'll go get you some berries then."

Before Galinda can leave though Elphaba stops her. It is now or never. "Wait, please."

Galinda halts, turning to look at Elphaba yet not directly meeting the green girl's eyes.

"Why did you really come back?" Elphaba asks.

Galinda shrugs the question off and bends down to pick her bow from the forest floor. "Like I said, my aim was off with the pack on."

Elphaba stands to her feet when Galinda does. "I know that's a lie. Please… why are we here?" she emphasizes.

Galinda flinches. She looks up to Elphaba, expecting to find the brown eyes narrowed into her own but instead she finds that same steady concern Elphaba always carries. Of course she can't tell her the truth. The truth is something not even she is ready to admit. Call it a momentary lapse in her otherwise cold shell. Galinda wanted Elphaba to be safe. Why though… she refuses to acknowledge. But she knows something deep inside of her spurred the decision.

There is more to the odd infected green girl then meets the eye.

Be it her incredible magical power, or her righteous determination.

Elphaba is not like everyone else. It intrigues Galinda even now as she stares, trying to think of an excuse good enough for Elphaba to believe.

"Galinda?" Elphaba calls her name softly and Galinda groans, irritated with Elphaba's need for the truth.

"I don't know why, all right? Does that answer your question?" Galinda fires back. "I'm trained to help. I heard a scream and did my job. I don't always want to have to be turning back to save you. It's just easier this way."

Elphaba sits back down along the moss covered ground, accepting Galinda's answer. She won't press her further.

Galinda grabs her quiver of arrows, instructing Elphaba to stay put, before heading quickly into the forest to gather the girl a meager dinner.

When she returns with her pockets full of berries and some fruit from a fig tree, Galinda is surprised to see Elphaba has taken her rabbit off the fire and laid it to rest a top the survival pack wrapped in some fresh leaves.

"Thanks," Galinda mumbles as she motions to the rabbit. Elphaba gives a nod. "Here," she says, emptying her pockets of the food into Elphaba's lap. Elphaba picks up a few of the berries, nibbling on them before eating with gusto.

"Thank you," Elphaba tells her with a grateful smile.

Galinda gives a nod as she picks up her own meal and bites into the still-warm meat. After swallowing the bite she says, "I'll teach you which are all right to eat tomorrow."

Elphaba is about to tell her she doesn't have to, but stops herself. She wants to learn and gives Galinda a smile of gratitude in return.

A chill settles into the air, the temperature dropping just slightly. Elphaba moves further from the fire to settle against a tree. Galinda quirks a brow at the move.

Elphaba would rather be closer to the flames. They'd be sure to keep her warm but she's still shaken from yesterday's incident. She can hear the screams echoing in her head with every pop of the small flame before her. It was easy to ignore the fire when Galinda was cooking her rabbit and her senses were invaded with the smell of the roasted meat.

But now, without the distraction and with the sun dipping ever lower in the sky, it's all Elphaba can focus on.

"Is something wrong?" Galinda asks, snapping Elphaba's attention away from the flames. The fire crackles into the dimming daylight as Elphaba shakes her head.

"It's nothing." Elphaba says softly.

Galinda tosses the rest of the rabbit aside, stomach full, as she says, "It's the fire, isn't it? You're still thinking about what happened."

Elphaba gives a small nod, hugging her knees to her chest. "I've always been afraid of it…ever since I was a girl and it consumed my home. Seeing it destroy the camp like that it… it was like being back in Munchkinland again."

Elphaba grows silent, hugging herself tighter. Galinda wants to pick some dirt up and douse the flames since they make the green girl so uncomfortable but she knows that won't help.

Facing your fears is something she learned very early on.

"Look, Elphaba," Galinda sighs, "if you hadn't conjured that fire then we'd be the ones in trouble. Dead, most likely." When Elphaba doesn't seem to relax, Galinda tries to think of something, anything to say. What comes out of her mouth surprises both girls. "When I was little I was deathly afraid of ducks."

Elphaba lets her legs fall back to the ground at the sudden confession from the blonde. "Ducks?"

Galinda smiles, rolling her eyes at herself. "Yes, I know. Terrifying beasts, aren't they? It was silly."

"It wasn't silly to you." Elphaba says, her lips finally pulling into a smile as well. "I'll make sure to scare any off if they try to quack at you."

Galinda chuckles. "Brave," she says as she finally pours some dirt over the fire, pitching their camp area into the dark night. "I'll take first shift, you second?"

Elphaba nods and lies back against the ground as Galinda settles down a few paces away against a skinny trunk. The trees above aren't as thick as the ones she slept beneath their first night. Elphaba can clearly see the night sky above, stars brightly dotting the black heavens.

She hasn't seen them like this since she was a little girl. She'd spend evenings outside in her garden at Colwen Grounds while Nanny washed dishes in their kitchen. Elphaba remembers feeling warm on those nights, safe, as she'd watch the stars move across the night sky.

"We use them to find our way, you know," Galinda says quietly, noticing Elphaba's eyes taking in the sight above.

"I do," Elphaba replies just as soft.

While Galinda tells her about the stars Elphaba only thinks how much she prefers having someone else to watch them with.