Chapter Five
As the sun climbed its ladder to the sky, to fulfill its place in eternity; Raina awoke. Caleb slumbered on, arms outstretched over her. Raina wiggled slightly and was able to free herself from his embrace. Sarah slept all sprawled out like a baby kitten. Raina held in a giggle and covered Sarah up again, moving her closer to where Caleb lay. She looked around, and yes for sure they were still inside the safety of the oak tree. This was not a dream, this was real, and so was he. Raina shook her head, trying to clear her clouded mind but to no avail. Slowly she stretched and tried to fix her tangled hair. Once she realized the effort in this was pointless she began to fix her dress, here and there. Moments later her stomach began to growl and her eyes traveled outside. A brilliant idea began to form in her head. She immediately began to look for Sarah's satchel. She found it lying right next to the knife Caleb had thrown the night before.
"Better take it just in case." She thought.
With a soft smile at Caleb and Sarah, Raina whispered, "I will be back soon."
With that said she walked out of the safety of the oak tree and into a world that had been saturated by rain and appeared to have an underwater effect. As she walked she could see the contrasting colors in every plant and tree. Some of the colors were ones she had never seen before. She could not fathom what their names could be, so she continued on with her mission.
"At least the storm is over. It should make traveling so much easier." said Raina to herself.
Raina walked for a little ways and found a tree that contained apples. She picked as many as she could carry and tucked it away in Sarah's satchel. Beside the apple tree was a bush of wild strawberries. Raina exclaimed for joy and picked as many as she could. A noise behind her made her jump. Slowly she turned around. Facing her was a small rabbit. She chuckled and tried to tell her nerves to relax. Something flashy next to the rabbit made her freeze. Slowly she walked towards the unflinching rabbit. It looked up at her curiously, but did not run away. Raina looked and to her astonishment beside the rabbit laid a bow and a bag full of arrows. She slowly took the bow into her hands and placed the bag full of arrows on her shoulder. Upon the bow was her name, engraved the same way the lettering on her broom. Raina kneeled and said, "Thank you."
The rabbit sitting beside Raina nuzzled her hand. Raina slowly reached out and pet it twice. The rabbit gazed at her with deep brown eyes, eyes that looked….almost….human. She paused and looked again, this time trying to not to blink. The rabbit winked at her and hopped away. Raina shook her head, rubbing her eyes at the same time, "I must be going mad, this is not possible. Rabbits do not have eyes that look like a human, and they do not wink either."
The sound of a blue jay calling to its mate, made Raina remember what she had come to do. She switched her newfound bow to her other hand and walked past the bush that she had just picked strawberries from. Raina walked for a few minutes until she happened upon a small clearing. Not even forty feet away from her stood supplies; food and other necessities that they needed, or would need to keep Sarah and themselves healthy. Carefully she looked around to make sure this wasn't a trap. With the speed of a tornado, she sprinted to the supplies, grabbing everything. With a strong feeling of triumph she returned to the oak tree where Sarah and Caleb were.
The sound of Sarah's small snores filled the oak tree full of life. Caleb sat up in a nearby corner keeping an eye on Sarah, and awaiting for Raina to return.
Caleb's point of view:
"I cannot believe she did not wake me up, or ask me to go get something for us all to eat. Why is she trying to prove to me that she can be like a man, when she clearly is just a stubborn woman?" fumed Caleb as Raina walked through the entrance quietly.
Raina set down all of the supplies. Caleb's eyes practically bulged out of his head, "Where did you find all of this?"
"In a clearing not too far from here, it was just sitting there, like it had been waiting." said Raina softly.
"Do you know who might have left all of this?" pondered Caleb.
"I am assuming it is the people who are like us and trying to guide us to safety." said Raina brisk- fully.
Caleb nodded and looked at Raina's other hand, "How did you come across this bow and the arrows on your shoulder?"
"A rabbit startled me while I was getting breakfast for us all. I turned around and there it was." said Raina.
Caleb sat back down and fell into deep thought.
Raina's point of view:
"Caleb looks so confused, but yet his confusion makes him even cuter," thought Raina.
She watched as his eyes amber eyes shifted to hers and stared at her in defeat, today she was the man. With no words spoken, they both knew this. Caleb threw his arms up into the air, "You win."
"I thought so." murmured Raina as she placed the bow and arrows beside the supplies.
Back to normal:
Raina walked over to where Caleb sat and handed him Sarah's satchel. He opened the flap on the Satchel. To his surprise, inside were apples and strawberries. He smiled and threw his arms around Raina. Raina chuckled and hugged him back. They took small portions from the satchel, and had a small breakfast while they waited for Sarah too wake up.
"She needs this rest, we will not disturb her." whispered Raina.
"Agreed." nodded Caleb.
Slowly they ate their meal in silence listening to the soft snores of little Sarah. Caleb smiled and took Raina into her arms, "If you will allow me, I would like to stick around forever."
"I will indulge you and grant your request." said Raina.
Caleb's smiled. This smile was different than any other smile he had shown her. This time it was real, it touched his eyes, and warmed Raina's heart through and through. The morning floated on as they watched Sarah sleep; content in each other's arms.