Wind in the Forest

"Are you sure you want to do this?" I asked. He cupped my cheeks with his hands and kissed my forehead.

"Of course, if it means I can be with you, I'm fine," he said. I blushed. "Come on," he said, grabbing my hand and running.

The bags I was carrying made my feet heavier with each step. Oriel's steps too kept getting slower and slower. As we passed Spanish moss-filled trees and the clear transparent river, you could see the water sprites dance beside the edge. The sirens and the mermaids giggled. The fairies included water in their dance. I looked up towards the sky, to see a green and red dragon play fighting. Oriel's breathing was uneven and sweating. Still he held my hand as we ran.

'I'm really gonna miss this place,' I thought. My first friends, my first crush, my first love, I'd spent my whole 21 years here, just leaving it all behind was going to be hard. But at least I wouldn't spend it alone. If I had Oriel then I could do anything.

"Don't worry, Kai, we're almost there," he says. As we ran, the magical creatures were getting farther and farther, not appearing close to the only entrance and exit of this world. Just as we were nearing the exit, I stopped Oriel to let go of my hand. "What's wrong?"

"I just need to catch my breath", I said. Sweat ran down my face and neck, my breath was ragged. I was never that much of an athlete, I was more of a preserver of energy.

Oriel noticed that I'd reached my limit. He gave me a nod and he sat down on a rock. I sat on a rock a few feet away from him, breathing in air deeply.

"Finally", I breathed out. The heavy bags fell from my back, and my shoulders finally released. The leaves danced gently with the wind.

"Recharge quickly, Kai, we don't know who might be close on our tail," Oriel said. I rolled my eyes. I took off my shoes and let my feet touch the bare earth, closed my eyes. My 2 feet connected easily with the earth, so I could sense anyone nearby. I couldn't feel anyone close by, only the people in the village and a girl a few miles back, but no one who could catch up.

"Don't worry, there's no one close by us. Unless you count the people in the village," I said.

"And how do you know that?" he asked, I looked at him as if it was obvious, and he was still confused. A deep sigh left my lips, I lifted up my feet and gave him an eye signal. He looked at me still confused, and then a few seconds later he caught on.

"Exactly", I said. Then a rock hit my back oww escaped my lips, not because it hurt, but as reflex. I looked back to see my little sister hiding behind a tree. "I need to pee."

"Make it quick, Kai," he said.

"Ok." Once I was far away, I picked up a rock and flicked it against the edge of a tree. "Wisteria, what the hell are you doing here," I whispered.

My sister came out from her hiding place. Her tan skin seemed to glow with the sun, her purple dress hugged her body perfectly, and the loose skirt ended at her knees; her hair was in a low side bun, with different flowers in it. She wore a simple silver rose necklace and round diamond stud earrings. My little sister was indeed beautiful, anybody in the village might say she's one of the most beautiful women there. Maybe that's why she receives so many gifts, like the earrings she was wearing, a gnome created them just for her. That might be the reason she remains single.

"You're really leaving, huh," she said. Her left hand held her right arm as she looked away from me. I gave her a hug. She hugged me, back, roughly. "Why can't you stay?"

"You know why, they don't accept us here," I said. She looked at me with a sad smile. She knew how hard I'd tried to adapt.

"I know, I just wish my big brother could stay here with me. But I'd rather you leave than stay here," she said. I patted her head softly, not to ruin the flowers in her hair.

"I have to go", I said. My right hand cupped her left cheek, and my thumb carefully caressed her before I kissed her forehead. "That was smart to travel by the trees rather than the ground. Did you know where I was, anyway?"

"The plants told me," she said with a smile. Of course the plants told her, she's a flower fairy, after all, as I am an earth spirit.

"Kai, are you done? We have to go!" Oriel yelled I waved one last time at my sister.

"See you later. I will make sure to write to you when I'm free," I said. She smiled sadly as she waved back.

"You better," she said. "I love you, stay safe".

"I love you too, you stay safe as well," I walked back towards Oriel and took my bags. "Come on."

"Finally," he sighed and I just rolled my eyes.

As we got closer and closer to the door, I couldn't help but feel as if I was doing the right thing. I held Oriel's hand and gave him a smile, which he returned I couldn't help but see the relief in his eyes, the relief that were to be free from the harsh treatment we had received from this place. We were too sad to leave our home, but also excited to create a new life with each other. I couldn't help but feel excited about what our new life had ahead for us.