Rose’s tinkly voice in my mind, and I cringe. I haven’t heard . . . what I thought I heard . . . again. It’s almost a relief to be surrounded by the flesh-eaters’ shrieks and groans.
After drinking my fill, I drag myself back up the hill to the tree I was lying against before. It’s as good a place as any. I push together some leaves and brush to make a pillow, curl up, and almost instantly I’m asleep.
Something hits my head. I push myself up, confused.
“Fennel,” Peree says, “listen!”
I do, and fear crashes through me. A crowd of howling creatures encircles me. I pull my legs up under my chin, making myself smaller. “What are they doing? What’s happening?”
“Ever since you fell asleep they’ve been coming, gathering around you. They seem more aggressive. My arrows weren’t keeping them back, so I’ve been throwing things to wake you up. You need to go back to the caves.”
“Can’t,” I mumble. “Punished. Have to stay out here.” I try to stand, but I sink back down. My eyes sting like I’ve been rubbing dirt into them, and Peree’s voice sounds like it’s percolating from underwater. My cheek drops onto my arms.
“Try,” he pleads. “Try to stay awake. I’ll tell you a story.”
“More animals? Won’t be enough, too tired . . . ”
I’m walking on top of the water. I have an expansive, majestic pair of wings sprouting from the middle of my back. I can always “see” in my dreams, although I don’t know if what I picture is the same as what the sighted see. My wings begin to flap and I take off, low and slow, my feet skimming the surface. I revel in the speed, and the freedom. I’m starting to gain altitude, when I hear a shout from the shore. Something strikes my beautiful wing, and I crash into the water.
My right arm throbs. “Quit throwing things, Peree! Let me be!”
“It wasn’t me. Were you . . . bitten?” Horror strangles his voice.
I touch my arm. It’s not bleeding, but it hurts like hell. My voice shakes as I answer him. “I think I was, maybe.”
I pull myself up against the tree and almost topple over. The flesh-eaters scream at the sudden movement. I start to pace, my hand over the bite, but it’s hard to pace when you’re surrounded.
“How do you feel?” Peree’s voice is hollow now. “Any . . . different?”
Am I changing? I’m sick and dizzy with exhaustion, but I still feel like me. For now. “My arm hurts. How fast do you think it happens?”
“I’ve never seen someone change, but I’ve heard it’s quick.”
“I’ve heard that too,” I say.
“It’s like your protection faded when you fell asleep. Did Aloe say that could happen?”
“No, but I don’t think she ever slept with the fleshies.” Blood pounds in my ears, distorting the cries of the creatures. I realize I’m about to faint. I lodge myself against the tree and jam my head between my legs. When the fuzziness clears away a little, I straighten up slowly. “I’m scared, Peree.” A sob sticks in my throat.
“It’s all right, it’s going to be all right.” His voice sounds different now, calmer. “You can come up here.”
“What?”
“I’ll pull you up with the rope.”
“But what if I change? What if I come after you?”
“I’ll take care of it.” His voice sounds steady, but like he's struggling to keep it that way. He’s telling me he’ll kill me, and all I feel is relief: I can’t live as one of the Scourge. It’s my worst nightmare.
“Isn’t it against your rules? To allow a Groundling in the trees?” Not to mention someone who’s about to become a flesh-eater.
“It can’t be helped. I can’t let the Water Bearer be taken.”
That distracts me from the terror clawing away at my insides. “What did you call me?”
“Water Bearer. It’s our name for you.”
“Was Aloe called that, too?” I’m saying whatever pops in my head, putting off the decision, waiting to find out if I’ll change. I still don’t feel any different.
“Yes.”
“I didn’t know we had a name.”
“Maybe Shrike wasn’t as chatty as I seem to be. What do you want to do? More of them are coming.”
I hear the new ones, moaning and panting as they get closer. That’s it. I can’t think the consequences through. All I know is if I’m going to change, I want Peree to be able to put an arrow in my chest, or some other essential body part.