Chapter 6
700 Words
Avery’s POV.
As the trees enveloped us again in the forest, the air wrapped cooler around us. The heat from our previous disagreement still lingered in my chest, making my heart ache. Jameson stomped beside me with stiff limbs and shoulders, as if each step was a protest against the uncomfortable ceasefire we had just negotiated.
I glanced at him out of the corner of my eye, catching a flash of irritation on his face before it was gone. Normally, he was stoic and detached, which annoyed me. I bit the insides of my cheeks, trying not to dwell on the harsh words we had exchanged.
We walked further into the woods, the trees standing like sentinels on either side of the narrow route, their gnarled limbs reaching out as if to snare us. The air was filled with the fragrance of decayed foliage, lichen, and dampness, making my body shiver.
Jameson wasn't speaking to me, so I focused on organizing my thoughts. I replayed the old witch's words in my mind: "Anna is weak." What did she mean? Why did she want to reveal this to me? I swallowed hard, erasing the mental image.
Jameson's low, strong voice broke into my thoughts. "If you keep thinking about it, you're going to drive yourself crazy." His tone was impersonal, leaving me unsure if he was advising me or criticizing me. I didn't respond, turning away instead.
The wind rustled through the trees, and a low, crisp sound caught my attention. I froze, my heart tightening. Jameson froze as well, peering into the darkness with keen eyes.
"Did you hear that?" I whispered, my voice barely audible.
Jameson tensed, his shoulders tightening. He studied the dark trees without responding, his mouth pressed into a thin line. "It was probably just an animal," he said finally, his voice tentative.
I didn't believe him. The sound had seemed artificial, not natural. I set aside my fear and forced myself to move.
As we continued walking, the tension between us remained. Jameson had always left me confused, and the more I tried to understand him, the more it seemed like we were worlds apart.
My thoughts drifted back to the vision of the elderly woman. She was saying things that didn't make sense. I took a deep breath, trying to focus.
Suddenly, something hard brushed against the bottom of my boot. I stopped and looked down, curious. "Hold on," I said, squatting.
I found something chilly and worn, brushing through the leaves and dirt. Jameson stood next to me, his gaze intense without looking up.
"What is it?" he asked, his voice quiet but attentive.
I revealed a chunk of map, its edges brittle and frayed. Despite being aged, I could still read the fading ink.
"A map," I whispered.
Jameson studied the shard closely but seemed unimpressed. "It could be nothing," he said calmly.
Annoyance boiled under my skin. "This isn't nothing, Jameson. Take a look. It could be a hint."
He hesitated, his expression stoic. "And what if it takes us nowhere?"
I tightened my fists, feeling frustrated. "Because I know it's something. She told me things that had significance. Don't you think this could give us some answers?"
The two of us shared a moment of silence, surrounded by the sounds of the woods. Jameson's cool, condescending eyes felt like an anchor holding me back from hope.
Finally, he said, "I don't trust clues. Not without evidence."
His words stung, but instinct told me this was important. I whispered, "Jameson, we can't keep doubting ourselves. We’re all stuck here together. Let's believe in the map for once. Have faith in something."
He didn't respond, his eyes unreadable. The air was still thick with tension.
At last, Jameson groaned. "OK, we'll look into this. But don't expect me to believe it."
I nodded, feeling a sense of uncertainty. We stood there for another minute before moving again, our footsteps unsteady, our breath shallow, and the map fragment clutched tightly in my hand.
The trees stretched out before us, tall, dark, and patient. And with every step, I couldn't shake the feeling that someone was watching us, stalking us. Something was out there.
- Writer
