CHAPTER 12: MARIEL

My night was miserable. I fully believe that nature has no sympathy for the hopelessly stupid. I had tripped into every root snare and fallen in every vine trap. In the preternatural dark of the forest, I could see phantasmagorical animals stalking me just beyond the limits of my night vision. My fear driven vigil had caused me to become delusional. The cuts and bruises on my body hurt and every time I started to close my eyes, I was assailed by dizziness. My hearts pound like I have been running for miles. It's been two days and I am already ready to die.

The sun rises bright on my wedding day. I am not impressed as the early morning rays blind me and cause me to pitch forward out of the forest.

I guess I black out again because when I come to, the sun is hot on my back and I am incredibly thirsty. I get up and try to walk. I don't want to get caught by whoever owns this land.

Too late. I see him coming over. I try to turn around, but I twist my ankle trying and fall heavily with an animal moan. I look up and know immediately who it is. Bloody tail, why did I have to fall in his yard? Of all of the lawns on this whole planet, why his?

>Hi. Are you alright?> He asks.

>Fine.> Maybe if I lie, it will be enough to convince him that I am sincere in wanting to be left alone. I know that it won't work, but I have to try.

>Do you need help?> He comes up to me and tries to get a good look at my face, but I evade him.

Just go away. >No.>

He tries to reach for me, but I don't want to be touched. I don't think there is a part of me that doesn't ache or sting.

>Turn around,> he says firmly. I try to ignore him. Not the smartest of tactics I know, but I feel like crap and I just want to get away without him seeing me this way. Then he snaps his hand out and catches my face. He turns it to him, the jerks his hand away.

>Mariel,> it's little more than a though-speak whisper, but it says a lot. I can feel his disgust, his concern, and his need to comprehend. He steps back clumsily. >Mariel,> he says again disbelieving, >what happened to you? How? Why?> He kneeled down in front of me (a difficultthing to manage)and put his palm on my face to lift it so our main eyes would be level. He is kissing me, but he doesn't notice and I don't call his attention to it. >Can you stand? Come on. We'll wash some of this off,> and he picks a clump of my off of my shoulder with his other hand, >and see how bad off you really are. I can take you back to the base—>

At that, I lose it. I struggle wildly to break free, but he wraps his arms around my waist, effectively restraining me. >You can't. They'll come for me…take me back…make me marry him…> I look up at him, >I can't marry him. I hate him! He doesn't care. They all tell me that I'm lucky, that I should be happy.> If I could cry, I would.

He looks at me like he understands perfectly and I breathe a sigh of relief. He won't betray me to Ajaht, I know he won't. >Alright, calm down. Nobody's going to make you do anything right now. At least come home with me. We can talk more about it there.>

I was shaking so hard that he had to hold me up most of the way. I'm glad. I don't think I can walk on my own anyway, my ankle hurts so badly. I lean on him heavily and we make slow progress towards his scoop.