to the most beautiful waterfall I have ever seen. It was like a haven of water in the dying desert. Ky eventually talked my mother into coming back to camp after a few days, but, once a year from then on, Ayden and I came back and camped out.
Last year, after we received the rejection letter on our requested union, we came here again, and wasted hours talking about staying at the falls forever. Like my mother, however, I set aside my unrealistic dreams and returned to camp.
I can see the falls in the distance, and I can almost taste the moisture in the air. My heart pounds, my side is killing me, and all I want is a drink of water.
It takes less than a moment for us to cross the open space between the forest and the pool of water. The water tumbles beautifully down into the small clear lake that we stand beside. A rocky opening within the cliff is barely seen a few yards above. Dirt and dust coat the crevices of the side of the cliff, centuries of wind and rain and life in general piling into the cracks.
I pick up Ripper and tuck him into Ky’s pack. Not because his pack has the most room but because I’m currently not on speaking terms with my mother and there’s no way the little dog would go compliantly into Forty-four’s bag. Instinctively I start climbing the slick rocks, my fingers finding the familiar grooves. I ignore the stabbing pain soaring through my palm. I don’t wait for them to follow; I’d actually prefer as much distance from them as possible.
As soon as my hands reach the cold wet floor of the cave, my legs start to give out and I force myself up over the ledge. Pain bites into my spine as I roll onto my back, looking up at the jagged ceiling. Deep breaths push into my lungs; I can actually feel the sweat running down my neck. It’s still midday outside, and there is plenty of light slipping into the cave through the clear running waterfall that separates me from the rest of the world.
But I find instant peace here.
I hear the others climb into my safe haven one by one, stealing away the calming magic the structure offers me with each person who enters. I realize this is no longer my safe place. I’m still not sure why we are running, but, if I had to guess, the falls are now Forty-four’s safe place.
My mother and Ky walk past. Ky drops Ripper off at my feet and the little dog wastes no time licking up the puddles at the fall’s edge. Ky and my mother start setting up camp. Ky starts a fire effortlessly as if he’s using a bow drill every day in his spare time. My mother digs through our packs and lays out thin blankets. I continue to lie lifelessly on the ground still heaving to catch my breath.
I should clean my wound. I know I should. Infection is a huge risk without proper cleaning and bandaging. I’m just too tired to move right now.
Just as the burn in my chest starts to subside, Forty-four’s boots land before me and his face appears above me with the crystal waterfall behind him. Like an angel glancing through the heavens. As hard as I try, I can’t will his image out of my view.
No one bothered to speak to me about or even ask me if I wanted to come along on our little family vacation, but this pike knows everything, and I know he is the sole purpose of the little adventure. I roll over so I no longer have to look up at him. I’m facing the wall now, and I do my best to pretend to find comfort on the jagged floor. In my mock comfort, Forty-four’s face appears again.
“Seriously, can you not take a hint?”
He gives a half smile and kneels down beside me to sit in the limited space I have left between myself and the wall. Ripper growls at Forty-four’s closeness, before skittering away like the wimp he is when Forty-four gives him a side glance. I peek up at Forty-four again as he takes my injured hand. It reminds me of when he captivated me at the compound. I jerk my hand away, pain shooting through my palm at my roughness. I hold it to my chest in the safety of my arms.
He clenches his