Chapter 4: New Land

Trellis swam passed the serpent, who was still laughing.

"How did you know that? I've never heard that riddle in my life!" Trellis said amazed. "Your right about that! It's from earth… the planet where I came from." Emily said in remembrance. "Oh… I shouldn't have asked." Trellis said regretfully. Awww! You're going soft on her! Admit it! You're love sick for her! 'I am not! So what if I'm going soft? Wouldn't anybody do that? I mean, her story is sad.' Trellis argued.

The cold water rippled as Trellis kicked it to get through to land. "Um, Emily? My arms are getting really tired… I don't think I'll be able to carry you all the way to land." Trellis said. "Then carry me with your amulet." Emily said simply. Trellis did that and he swam to land. He rose from the water and put Emily on the ground. He shook his head to dry the water out. Emily squeezed the water out of hair and sighed.

She was colder than before. Hugging herself she curled into a ball on the ground. She had become very sleepy.

Trellis sat beside her. He was drying his cloak. When the cloak was dry enough he put over Emily sleeping body. Trellis wasn't sure, but he thought he saw Emily smile a little. That made him smile.

Come on, why don't you admit? Your being nice to her and everything-

'Shhhhh! Don't talk! I'm trying to sleep!' Trellis cut in.

In the morning Emily woke up with a start. She sat up and looked at the cloak around her. Trellis sat beside her gazing into the horizon. "About time you woke up." He said smiling.

"Why didn't you wake me?" Emily said clutching his cloak tightly. "And… here! Have your cloak back!" she said thrusting the piece of cloth toward Trellis.

She was embarrassed and turned her head the opposite way. "How are going to get back to the ship?" Emily said quietly. "I don't think we can… wait, maybe we can! No. That never work!" Trellis debated. Emily looked sheepishly at the ground. It was her fault they were there in the first place. She was sure Trellis hated her guts now.

Wait! Why do I care if he hates me? That should make me happy. Cause I hate his guts… don't I? Do I… hate him completely? So much I wouldn't care if he died right now! But, then… I would feel horrible… but WHY? It's not like I like him and I don't know that yet. Does he like me…?

Emily trailed off. Huh? Oh! Yeah. You do like him deep inside yourself… or else you won't be thinking about him… like he does with you.

Emily's amulet spoke teasingly. "What! No! You-you know that isn't true!" Emily stuttered a little bit too loudly. "Hm? Did I say something?" Trellis asked, unaware that Emily wasn't talking to him, but he just had to talk to her. He had no idea why, but he wanted to hear Emily talk some more. He knew if he didn't talk first, there was no chance of her speaking to him.

"Oh! I- I wasn't talking to you. My… my stone spoke to me." Emily said shyly. Trellis caught it in her voice and wandered what it was that made brave Emily suddenly so shy. Oh, you are so slow and dim-witted! She obviously likes you and won't admit it. Like someone I know! 'And she'll say it… if it's true… when she wants to! Like me!' So, you do like her! You admitted it! Oooh… I knew it! You know, I don't really know if Emily likes you or not. His stone laughs in admiration in itself.