Chapter 9.

Getting back out of Gamla had been a lot harder than getting in. The Marrow vine hadn't reached all the way down so the two of them together had to find a large chunk of stone and push it into the middle of the underground lake. Even then it was a reach, Kyrin having to stand on Jensa's shoulders to get it. She expressed her concern that Jensa wouldn't be able to get up, but leave it to her sister. In a most impressive maneuver she managed to launch herself high enough to get to the vine and started climbing at a rate that made Kyrin frantic to keep ahead.

By the time they'd neared the top, Kyrin's arms were burning with the effort and the skin of her fingers had rubbed raw and started bleeding. She felt certain she'd never be able to climb those last few yards, but every time she thought she'd surely have to let go and plunge back into the darkness Jensa would be there, offering up encouragement.

"Almost there, 'Rin, feel the fresh air blowing down? I can smell blue blossoms from here."

Another hand over hand, gripping and pulling up and slipping and tightening. Sweat coated her body, but then she actually could feel it. The cool breeze tickling the moisture that covered her skin, making the bumps on her arms stand up. Despite herself she closed her eyes and breathed deeply the faint smell of flowers. It was oddly invigorating. With an unexpected burst of speed that left even Jensa falling behind in wonder, Kyrin reached the twisted root system of the fallen tree, hoisting herself up as her head broke above the ground. She launched herself onto the grass, panting for a moment, before wearily rolling onto her stomach, reaching an arm down to help Jensa. Hands slicked with blood, sweat and sap from the vines, they very nearly broke grip, but tightening her hold on Kyrin's wrist, Jensa pulled herself free from the hole.

The two girls lay drenched, filthy, and completely out of breathe in the tall grass. Night had fallen since they'd fallen down the rabbit hole. From the depth of darkness, Jensa knew it was not just a little past dark. It was late. They'd be in trouble. Big trouble. Seylira would skin then alive for this little stunt. She guessed Kyrin hadn't yet figured that out. Her eyes slid over to her sister, but Kyrin's eyes were closed as she took fast gasping breaths. They lay there for ten, maybe twenty minutes. In the moments that passed, the only sounds that could be heard were the wind rustling the grass, night insects buzzing and chirping quietly, and Kyrin's slow, deep breaths.

At last Jensa sat up, patting Kyrin's leg, "come on, we should get going. Wouldn't want a long-tongued skink after us."

She'd grin, teasing. Of course, she didn't believe in those horror stories parents told their children about the beasts that came out at night. Seylira had always told them that those stories were full of goat droppings. Besides, as a child, they'd given Kyrin terrible nightmares. Which is why Seylira had made up funny tales with the same creatures. Stories so ridiculous that even mentioning the once scary creatures would make Kyrin laugh, just as she was doing now. Kyrin would get up, stifling a huge yawn. She was exhausted after today's events. When she finished stretching, she'd frown. Even in the darkness, Jensa could feel her sister's expression. "It's really late, isn't it?"

Jensa took her 'devil-may-care' tone of voice, shrugging as she started walking in back towards town. "Eh, can't be that late. I bet most people haven't even gone to bed yet. You know how hard it is to keep track of time once the sun goes down."

The stillness of the street revealed Jensa's lie though. The town square was deserted, deadly quiet. Kyrin stuck close to Jensa, uneasy at being out so late. Jensa pretended like she didn't notice. This damn town always gets to damn quiet, she thought to herself. She could see how worried Kyrin was, so she figured she should make some noise, lighten the mood. So she'd start doing back bends and agile flips; the kind that made Kyrin's back hurt just watching them. It seemed so impossible and yet Jensa's grace made it seem so natural. Jensa jumped up on the well, walking on her hands around the edge. Kyrin forgot her fear about being out so late and instead, shifted it to fear for her sister's safety. A clear diversion, on Jensa's part.

"Oh Jensa, cut it out! You're going to fall in again, and I don't think I could stand going in after you a second time today."

Jensa was having too much fun showing off though, now doing cartwheels and flips around and around the edge of the well. At one point, Jensa seemed to slip, a part of the well damp from some spill earlier that evening. Jensa's body twisted dangerously towards the inky black darkness of the well, before Jensa's hand reached out, grabbing backhanded wise at the frame of the well, and managing to turn her fall into a graceful dismount from the well. Kyrin's mouth opened, but her scream sounded oddly disembodied as if came from someone else. Jensa's head shot up, but not towards her sister. No, towards the sound of the scream, which had, in actuality, come from Mrs. Timbre, her expression aghast at what she'd just seen.

"D-deamon! The spirits posses you and fill you with evil…spawns of the hellbeasts-"

Whatever else Mrs. Timbre had been about to say was lost as Kyrin had grabbed Jensa by the wrist and starting running with all she had towards home. She could feel Jensa tugging back, as if trying to hinder their escape, but Kyrin wouldn't let go and she wouldn't stop. Not till she saw the lantern in their kitchen window. She'd let go of Jensa, tilting her head in surprise, Jensa oddly gasping for breath behind her, seemed oblivious of the oddity.

"Seylira left the light on…"

No one left lights out because it served as beacon to show the creatures of the night to your home. More reasonably though, people didn't leave lights on because no one stayed out after dark, so they didn't need to. To have left the lantern hanging out the window meant they were in big trouble because-

Crack!

The sound reverberated as pain spread through her cheek. A sound of surprise told her Jensa had been struck as well. Before she could register the source of the attack, she was being dragged by the collar of her shirt towards the front door. Two pairs of eyes would blink, trying to adjust to the sudden brightness. When things came into focus again, the girls would find themselves looking into the red-tinged face of Seylira. In all the days of Jensa's antics, Kyrin had never seen a look like that on Seylira's face. It was enough to make her quell in fear. Her voice, though more a harsh whisper than angry shouting, was even worse than the look.

"What were you two thinking? I didn't raise you two to be fools, and yet here you are, trotting back in after being out half the night! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was? I've been sitting here trying to figure out what horrible fate had claimed your lives. Fools! Childish, selfish idiots. This world may not be half as dangerous as your neighbors might have you believe, but it's about twice as dangerous as Jensa gives it credit for. And you, Kyrin! I would have expected better judgment of you. I'm very disappointed in you two. I thought I'd raised you two to be smarter than this. Now get to bed this instant. You're not to leave this house until I decide you can."

Even Jensa didn't have a cocky smile or smart response to offer up. She just grabbed Kyrin's hand and scurried off towards the bedroom. There were no words as they silently got ready for bed. Kyrin could feel her cheeks burning in shame, and she wondered if Jensa's felt as hot. The girls climbed into bed. Within minutes, Jensa's slow steady breath joined the sounds of the night. For Kyrin, it would be a long, restless night.