Chapter 9 "Up the Tree"
Nearly a month had gone by, Spike was getting used to taking care of himself more and more.
His new companion Power was becoming a strong friend but Spike didn't rightly know how to take this, he simply offered respect back but having somebody to care was not what he'd gotten before…least wise not from his father.
Every day he felt more and more sorry for what had happened, anger and regret swirling inside him; he wished he could have done something to save his mother…he missed her more each passing day.
Power was proving very resourceful; he found them shelter each day and in the most unexpected places, it seemed he knew more then his age suggested.
He very much hero-worshiped him, another feeling for Spike to get confused about as he was never looked up to before.
The two hedgehogs had picked up and left, living life as travelers now.
Spike had the feeling like there was something he was supposed to be looking for and running around the place was the best way to find it.
At the moment Power was gathering some fruit from a nearby tree and having a hard time of it as well, as he was too short to reach it.
He nudged to the side and kicked it a few times out of frustration but the only fruit he could get were the ones down lower.
Spike smirked happily; it was nice to get a laugh after all he'd been through.
He ran up to the tree quickly and helped Power collect the oranges.
"Sorry about that." Power said with a nervous smile.
"No problem." Spike said simply, digging into an orange.
He sat down on his knees enjoying the orange as Power nibbled at his, taking small bites.
Spike was finally relaxing; he was having a hard time adjusting to how things were going.
Power on the other hand was very enthusiastic most of the time, seeing Spike as the brother influence he'd always wanted.
Power smiled happily moving his feet up and down watching the sky.
Spike continued to ponder.
"Say Spike? Why have we been going place to place?" Power asked.
"I don't know…I just have this hunch there's something out there needing to be found," Spike said. "It's probably stupid in retrospect."
"Oh I don't mind, I was just wondering was all." Power answered. "Weird you should say that cause I've been having the same feeling lately."
"I know." Spike said.
Power looked oddly back at him. "You do?"
"Uhhh I think I just read people well, I don't know how to explain it." Spike said sounding jittery.
"Well that's cool, Master." Power said sounding a little funny.
Spike turned his head back in question. "What'd you call me?"
"Errr 'Master' what is that a weird title?" Power said.
"Well I guess its ok, just never been called that before." Spike said.
"I'm glad I met you Master, frankly I was worried I was going to be gone when that landslide came down that hill." Power said.
Spike brushed the spikes on his head backwards. "Yeah well, I'm glad too, it's kinda nice to have somebody to talk to."
Spike suddenly jerked his head, something was amiss.
A spark of color lit the sky for a brief moment with a while center to it like a light within a light.
The two young hedgehogs stood up and shielded their eyes till no signs of the light were visible.
"What was that?" Power said.
"I don't know, but I'm going to find out." Spike said instinctively heading for it.
The hedgehogs ran down the hill, Spike immediately taking the lead with sheer speed.
Two hills were shown with a single tree in the center suddenly showing a glowing green sparkle within its branches.
Power and Spike stood there looking up into the tree trying to figure out what was creating the glow.
"Master, get on my shoulders." Power suggested.
The tree was fifteen times taller then they were but the branches were about only two times more; so they improvised.
Power swung him up over his back and Spike planted his feet on his shoulders.
Power was having a hard time keeping his balance so Spike grabbed the first branch he found sturdy enough.
"Hey Power, I think I see what's glowing." Spike said reaching for the next tree limb.
Power saw Spike rise and begin climbing further up the tree overhead.
Spike was enthralled climbing, getting higher and higher up with every reach.
Sitting in the middle of the second highest branch was a green glowing object no bigger then Spike's hand, it twinkled repeatedly shining through the leaves it was intertwined with.
"I'm going to try to get a closer look." Spike said grunting as he continued.
End chapter