I expect the worst to happen. I’m on high alert for an alloquet attack, or waiting to see a glasma come stomping out of the trees. But all we encounter when we climb the steps is a beautiful garden. I’ve been here before.
Lush greenery and flowers in full bloom surround us. The air feels warm and humid, like early summer. The sun is high in the sky, but partially obstructed by the surrounding trees.
“I see what you found so terrifying,” Zoë taunts Charlie.
“This isn’t anywhere near what I saw before. You went through first. You must have set the tone for what we’d see.”
As we climb the few remaining steps that lead to a large stone landing, I drop both of their hands and head toward a nearby bench. I look around the garden as I tread lightly around the brick walkway, listening for any signs that might point to Natalie’s presence. The archway has vanished, or at least become invisible. It is clear that the doorway we entered through was meant as a one-way path. When I reach the bench I take a seat and look around one more time.
Zoë and Charlie look at me like I’m crazy.
“What?” I ask them after a minute.
“Are you okay?” Zoë asks me.
“I’m trying to figure out if Natalie was, or is, here. I thought maybe if I was quiet and centered myself, I could get a better read on it. Maybe pick up on some sort of vibe.”
“Have you ever connected with her before?” Charlie asks.
“Only by accident. She’s found me a few times, but I never knew who she was or that we were related.”
“So she finds you?”
“Yeah. We managed to cross paths a few times. I don't really know how it happens. I think it’s because we have a strong connection.”
“I can’t believe neither of you knew anything about who you were until just a few days ago. Shouldn’t you have been in some sort of life-long Jedi training?”
“Apparently my dad and Zoë's parents didn’t think we should know any of our history until we proved to them that we were prepared to handle something big.”
“And how exactly did you prove it?”
“We heard a news story about Natalie. Her parents, who aren’t walkers, think she’s in a coma. They’re doing everything they can to try to help her by getting her the best medical care, but it’s not going to work if she can’t find her way home. I confronted my dad with it and told him that I had seen this girl in a few of my walks already. I told him I wanted to go on an extended walk to bring her home. The rest, you already know.”
“So how do we find her?”
I sigh heavily. “I have no idea. She was just always there. We need to find Cardine. Hopefully she can help us.”
“Cardine?”
“She’s a witch. She lives here, in the caligo. I used to visit her a lot. She kept me safe from some very terrifying creatures, helped me find my way home. I’m hoping that maybe Natalie has found her, like I did when I was little. If she hasn’t, maybe Cardine can at least give us some guidance as how to find her.”
“Do you remember how to get to wherever she lives?”
“I think so,” I say, standing up.
We begin walking out of the garden, heading toward the woods.
“Em, you’re killing me with the woods,” Zoë jokes.
“Hey, it’s my thing. You think you’d be used to it by now.”
We walk into the light cover of the trees with the sun shining brightly through the treetops. I look around, trying to determine the correct path to take. Nothing jumps out at me. I search my conscious memory for the path to Cardine's house, but can't find it.
“Maybe you should try the pendant,” Zoë suggests.
I smile at her good idea before pulling the pendant out of my shirt and wrapping my fingers around it. I give it a little rub and wait for it to illuminate and fill me with knowledge. Just as I begin to connect with the pendant, a noise off to our right distracts me.
“Stop,” Zoë curtly commands.
Charlie steps closer to me and I involuntarily grab his arm. Zoë takes a few steps away from us, into an area covered by thick brush. She holds one of her palms up toward the brush and whispers, “revelar.”
The small, twiggy branches of the shrubs part. Charlie walks closer to get a better look.