Kari Kaiba ~ U DO like to criticize, don't u? Hmm, okay, thanks, I guess.
babyjayy ~ LoL, u said it again! Hehe, at least u added something else to it. Hmm, should I make him dead? It would be so much easier . . . IDK, I think I'll just let u readers hang for awhile!
Chaucer ~ Okay! Thanks, glad u like it so far . . . well, u kind of HAVE to read further in order to see this message to u, LoL. Research & the likes are boring . . . well, unless u have an interesting subject . . . anyways, thanks for taking the time to read and review!
Sheba, Queen of ~ Hmm, did u finish ur name? Sry, it just looks kinda incomplete . . . anyways, thank u for ur review! U read my mind! In this chapter, I was gonna have Lela get all mad at Ted, since James is dead *evil cackle* and u just happened to mention sparks! Yep, that's exactly what I'm gonna do. It'll make u happy, get me out of my writer's block, and give my readers another chapter. Well, making chapters longer is hard! And besides, some reviewers commented on the length, so I shortened it. That's the problem with trying to make everyone happy. This chapter is named in honor of ur review. LoL. Enjoy!
butterflygrl ~ I know it's sad but I had to kill him off . . . oh well.
Aviastar ~ Yep, I killed him off *cry*. Okay, now we can read on.
Olenochka ~ I know, I know . . . poor James is dead. I'm so evil . . . mwahaha . . . thanks!
WingedWanderess ~ BTW, luv the name! Thank you sooo much for all the reviews! I can't believe you actually reviewed each and every chapter! Wow, u rock! Thanks for all the encouragement ~ ur reviews so totally made my day. Yes, I think ur right *looks thoughtful*. I should start the romance. Hmm . . . and that reminds me, I was supposed to ask the reviewers to vote. Oh. Right. Later on. Okay, enjoy this chapter!
*****
A/N: I've put up my email, for those who care. It's SparkleWindPrincess@yahoo.com. For those who don't care, it's there anyway. LoL. On to the next chapter!
A/N 2: Sneak Peek at next chapter ~ someone unexpected shows up. Guess who?
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
That night, I slept worse than ever. I kept tossing and turning as troubled thoughts tumbled into my mind, and scary images flashed up and then faded away.
I dreamed that I was back at the river, except this time, James was waiting in the Secret Valley. It was as beautiful as ever, with the color vibrant and verdant. He smiled and reached out his hand towards me. I smiled, and reached out - our hands were a few inches apart - and then I woke up. The dream faded and I felt sadness sweep over me as the reality came all rushing back. James wouldn't be waiting there. He was dead. I sat up, shivering despite the warmth of the light spring evening.
Crickets sang softly around me, and the winds whispered secrets in the treetops. I listened to the stillness, soothed a little, until I heard someone muttering. It came so quietly that at first, I thought that I had imagined I heard the voice. Maybe it was just rustling in the grass, and my imagination was playing tricks on me. Then, I heard it again.
Getting up, I crept cautiously around the campfire, taking care not to step on any dry twigs and make noise.
Ted was moaning and mumbling in his sleep.
I sneaked forward and strained to hear what he was saying.
"Don't - no, I'm not him - no! I'm a noble - I come from a great family - get away!" he muttered.
I sat back and listened.
"He drowned - I tried - I know it didn't work!" he yelled. "Okay, so I couldn't save him!"
That sounded familiar . . . was he talking about James?
"Fine! I killed him! I had to!" Ted shouted in his sleep.
I froze. What was Ted talking about?
"You WHAT?" I asked, forgetting everything in my shock.
He sat up. He blinked, and then seemed to sag with relief at realizing that he was only in the forest, not wherever it was the dream had taken him. He looked over and saw me, and started in surprise. "Lela? What are you doing up? Its midnight."
"I had bad dreams." I answered, rather coldly. "What were you talking about? What do you mean you killed him?"
"Huh?" he looked confused. "Who did I kill?"
"You were dreaming just then - and you said that you killed him." I was getting angry.
He paled visibly. "Who? What did I say? Tell me everything!"
"Not until you do." I told him firmly.
"I can't - not until I know what you're talking about!" he said shakily.
"I heard you muttering things in your sleep - you said that he drowned, and you tried something, but it didn't work, and you couldn't save him - and then you just shouted that you killed him because you had to!" I felt my anger surging up inside me.
"I said that?" Ted said, appalled.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, you did." I told him tartly. "Were you talking about James?"
"Yes - no! No, no, no!" Ted said violently.
I was mad. Did he think I was stupid? I could put two and two together. He had killed James. Why?
He must have seen the expression on my face, for he said hurriedly, "It wasn't James, Lela! I didn't kill him - I tried to save him!"
"So you admit that you killed someone?" I said, my hands clenching and unclenching.
"Yea - no. I never said that."
"Liar." I spat. "I trusted you, and you didn't tell me this?! This is the most important thing - killing someone is just wrong!"
"Well, I had t -" he stopped. "I never said that I killed someone. I was in a dream. I was dreaming when I said that."
"You're lying!" I said furiously. "James is dead, and you've just said that you killed someone. How do I know you didn't kill him?! How can I trust you?! You've lied to me!"
He rose. His eyes were sparking with fury. "Well, it's not like you've told me anything either! I know it - you and James are hiding something. Nobles - they're all alike! Lying to get their way - I know you aren't just some ordinary noble! For all I know, you could be the princess of Kyrria! You haven't told me anything - I've told you everything about my past!"
"Except this part. Killing people? Coming from a great family? I don't exactly recall you mentioning this to me! I'm sick of people not telling me things! My parents -" I stopped. I didn't want to tell him that my parents thought I was too young to accept too much responsibility. They hid many things from me to protect me - I was sick and tired of it.
"You know what I'M sick of?! You and James, always giving each other secret looks, knowing things I don't, and assuming I don't see! Do you know how annoying it's getting?"
"So that's why you killed him?" My voice was shaking with my fury.
"I DIDN'T KILL JAMES!" Ted yelled.
"Then who DID you kill? Why would you hide something like this? If I killed someone, I would -" I faltered. The thought had just occurred to me that if I had killed someone, I wouldn't tell anyone, either.
"See?" Ted said, seeing my hesitation. "You wouldn't tell either."
"At least I know that I didn't kill my best friend!" I yelled at him.
"What?! You still think I killed him?"
"Until you explain, I'm not changing my mind." I told him harshly.
He sank down to the ground, not looking at me.
"Well?" I asked impatiently.
"Lela - just go to sleep, I'll explain everything to you someday - just not now. Please." He sounded weary.
"No! How do I know that you won't murder me in my sleep? Or do something else? I don't trust you anymore! I hate you! I never want to talk to you again!" I screamed. He looked as if I had slapped him. But I was past caring. Whirling around, I stomped off.
"Lela!" He called after me.
I ignored him and plunged into the forest. I was oblivious to the thorns and brambles pulling at my clothes.
Why had I yelled at him like that? I knew I was stubborn, and rebellious, and irrational, even, but never this much. I hadn't even given him a chance to explain. I felt mad at myself now. I had let my grief and frustration at James' death spill over into anger at Ted. I guess I just wanted to blame someone else, to ease the heavy weight upon me. I still thought that James' death was my fault. It felt a little better being able to blame someone else.
Now that I was cooled down, and thinking a little more clearly, I realized that Ted wouldn't have had any reason to kill James. Had I been mistaken? Of course I was.
I hadn't meant those things that I had said to him back at camp. I didn't hate him. I could never hate him. I should go back and apologize to him. I turned around to go back. I tramped through the woods for a long time, but didn't reach the camp. Thinking I must have mistaken the direction, I turned right. A little while later, I stopped again. I didn't recognize anything. Where was I? I looked around, not recognizing any landmarks. Everything looked the same to me. My heart sank.
I had gotten lost in the forest.
I was all alone.
*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*
A/n: Stubborn Lela! Naughty, naughty! It's all her fault. She's a little TOO rebellious. LoL. I've decided that I like having only 2 main characters better. It's a lot easier. Exit James. Haha to those who thought I might not kill James off. Hmm, now I'm not so sure. I like it this way, though. I'll have to think about this . . . while I think, you can R&R! Thanks to all! --Sparkle Wind Princess-- *~*~AryaWinds~*~*
babyjayy ~ LoL, u said it again! Hehe, at least u added something else to it. Hmm, should I make him dead? It would be so much easier . . . IDK, I think I'll just let u readers hang for awhile!
Chaucer ~ Okay! Thanks, glad u like it so far . . . well, u kind of HAVE to read further in order to see this message to u, LoL. Research & the likes are boring . . . well, unless u have an interesting subject . . . anyways, thanks for taking the time to read and review!
Sheba, Queen of ~ Hmm, did u finish ur name? Sry, it just looks kinda incomplete . . . anyways, thank u for ur review! U read my mind! In this chapter, I was gonna have Lela get all mad at Ted, since James is dead *evil cackle* and u just happened to mention sparks! Yep, that's exactly what I'm gonna do. It'll make u happy, get me out of my writer's block, and give my readers another chapter. Well, making chapters longer is hard! And besides, some reviewers commented on the length, so I shortened it. That's the problem with trying to make everyone happy. This chapter is named in honor of ur review. LoL. Enjoy!
butterflygrl ~ I know it's sad but I had to kill him off . . . oh well.
Aviastar ~ Yep, I killed him off *cry*. Okay, now we can read on.
Olenochka ~ I know, I know . . . poor James is dead. I'm so evil . . . mwahaha . . . thanks!
WingedWanderess ~ BTW, luv the name! Thank you sooo much for all the reviews! I can't believe you actually reviewed each and every chapter! Wow, u rock! Thanks for all the encouragement ~ ur reviews so totally made my day. Yes, I think ur right *looks thoughtful*. I should start the romance. Hmm . . . and that reminds me, I was supposed to ask the reviewers to vote. Oh. Right. Later on. Okay, enjoy this chapter!
*****
A/N: I've put up my email, for those who care. It's SparkleWindPrincess@yahoo.com. For those who don't care, it's there anyway. LoL. On to the next chapter!
A/N 2: Sneak Peek at next chapter ~ someone unexpected shows up. Guess who?
*~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~**~*
That night, I slept worse than ever. I kept tossing and turning as troubled thoughts tumbled into my mind, and scary images flashed up and then faded away.
I dreamed that I was back at the river, except this time, James was waiting in the Secret Valley. It was as beautiful as ever, with the color vibrant and verdant. He smiled and reached out his hand towards me. I smiled, and reached out - our hands were a few inches apart - and then I woke up. The dream faded and I felt sadness sweep over me as the reality came all rushing back. James wouldn't be waiting there. He was dead. I sat up, shivering despite the warmth of the light spring evening.
Crickets sang softly around me, and the winds whispered secrets in the treetops. I listened to the stillness, soothed a little, until I heard someone muttering. It came so quietly that at first, I thought that I had imagined I heard the voice. Maybe it was just rustling in the grass, and my imagination was playing tricks on me. Then, I heard it again.
Getting up, I crept cautiously around the campfire, taking care not to step on any dry twigs and make noise.
Ted was moaning and mumbling in his sleep.
I sneaked forward and strained to hear what he was saying.
"Don't - no, I'm not him - no! I'm a noble - I come from a great family - get away!" he muttered.
I sat back and listened.
"He drowned - I tried - I know it didn't work!" he yelled. "Okay, so I couldn't save him!"
That sounded familiar . . . was he talking about James?
"Fine! I killed him! I had to!" Ted shouted in his sleep.
I froze. What was Ted talking about?
"You WHAT?" I asked, forgetting everything in my shock.
He sat up. He blinked, and then seemed to sag with relief at realizing that he was only in the forest, not wherever it was the dream had taken him. He looked over and saw me, and started in surprise. "Lela? What are you doing up? Its midnight."
"I had bad dreams." I answered, rather coldly. "What were you talking about? What do you mean you killed him?"
"Huh?" he looked confused. "Who did I kill?"
"You were dreaming just then - and you said that you killed him." I was getting angry.
He paled visibly. "Who? What did I say? Tell me everything!"
"Not until you do." I told him firmly.
"I can't - not until I know what you're talking about!" he said shakily.
"I heard you muttering things in your sleep - you said that he drowned, and you tried something, but it didn't work, and you couldn't save him - and then you just shouted that you killed him because you had to!" I felt my anger surging up inside me.
"I said that?" Ted said, appalled.
"Yes, as a matter of fact, you did." I told him tartly. "Were you talking about James?"
"Yes - no! No, no, no!" Ted said violently.
I was mad. Did he think I was stupid? I could put two and two together. He had killed James. Why?
He must have seen the expression on my face, for he said hurriedly, "It wasn't James, Lela! I didn't kill him - I tried to save him!"
"So you admit that you killed someone?" I said, my hands clenching and unclenching.
"Yea - no. I never said that."
"Liar." I spat. "I trusted you, and you didn't tell me this?! This is the most important thing - killing someone is just wrong!"
"Well, I had t -" he stopped. "I never said that I killed someone. I was in a dream. I was dreaming when I said that."
"You're lying!" I said furiously. "James is dead, and you've just said that you killed someone. How do I know you didn't kill him?! How can I trust you?! You've lied to me!"
He rose. His eyes were sparking with fury. "Well, it's not like you've told me anything either! I know it - you and James are hiding something. Nobles - they're all alike! Lying to get their way - I know you aren't just some ordinary noble! For all I know, you could be the princess of Kyrria! You haven't told me anything - I've told you everything about my past!"
"Except this part. Killing people? Coming from a great family? I don't exactly recall you mentioning this to me! I'm sick of people not telling me things! My parents -" I stopped. I didn't want to tell him that my parents thought I was too young to accept too much responsibility. They hid many things from me to protect me - I was sick and tired of it.
"You know what I'M sick of?! You and James, always giving each other secret looks, knowing things I don't, and assuming I don't see! Do you know how annoying it's getting?"
"So that's why you killed him?" My voice was shaking with my fury.
"I DIDN'T KILL JAMES!" Ted yelled.
"Then who DID you kill? Why would you hide something like this? If I killed someone, I would -" I faltered. The thought had just occurred to me that if I had killed someone, I wouldn't tell anyone, either.
"See?" Ted said, seeing my hesitation. "You wouldn't tell either."
"At least I know that I didn't kill my best friend!" I yelled at him.
"What?! You still think I killed him?"
"Until you explain, I'm not changing my mind." I told him harshly.
He sank down to the ground, not looking at me.
"Well?" I asked impatiently.
"Lela - just go to sleep, I'll explain everything to you someday - just not now. Please." He sounded weary.
"No! How do I know that you won't murder me in my sleep? Or do something else? I don't trust you anymore! I hate you! I never want to talk to you again!" I screamed. He looked as if I had slapped him. But I was past caring. Whirling around, I stomped off.
"Lela!" He called after me.
I ignored him and plunged into the forest. I was oblivious to the thorns and brambles pulling at my clothes.
Why had I yelled at him like that? I knew I was stubborn, and rebellious, and irrational, even, but never this much. I hadn't even given him a chance to explain. I felt mad at myself now. I had let my grief and frustration at James' death spill over into anger at Ted. I guess I just wanted to blame someone else, to ease the heavy weight upon me. I still thought that James' death was my fault. It felt a little better being able to blame someone else.
Now that I was cooled down, and thinking a little more clearly, I realized that Ted wouldn't have had any reason to kill James. Had I been mistaken? Of course I was.
I hadn't meant those things that I had said to him back at camp. I didn't hate him. I could never hate him. I should go back and apologize to him. I turned around to go back. I tramped through the woods for a long time, but didn't reach the camp. Thinking I must have mistaken the direction, I turned right. A little while later, I stopped again. I didn't recognize anything. Where was I? I looked around, not recognizing any landmarks. Everything looked the same to me. My heart sank.
I had gotten lost in the forest.
I was all alone.
*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*_~_*
A/n: Stubborn Lela! Naughty, naughty! It's all her fault. She's a little TOO rebellious. LoL. I've decided that I like having only 2 main characters better. It's a lot easier. Exit James. Haha to those who thought I might not kill James off. Hmm, now I'm not so sure. I like it this way, though. I'll have to think about this . . . while I think, you can R&R! Thanks to all! --Sparkle Wind Princess-- *~*~AryaWinds~*~*