Chapter 40: An Empty Shell

                                           4 years after Thalia's funeral

    Faye sat by herself in her small room staring out her window.  The small wooden hut had now become her home, lasting through snow, rain, hail, and everything else nature brought against it.  

    But Faye couldn't say the same about herself.

    She picked up a small frame she had made from twigs and sap and stared at it.  Inside was the picture her friend Cameron had given her.  The one where they were so happy and goofy.

    Faye wiped the dust off it and imagined those days, back in her teenage years.  She had been fifteen at the time of that picture, and now she was

turning twenty. 

    Nothing around her had changed much.  They were thriving in their little hideout and Anoteros hadn't found them yet thanks to the protection of the Gemstone of Nature that was now under Faye's care.

    Faye's brothers had grown in with the people and the oldest, Taylor, who was now 25, had just gotten married to a girl named Tiana.

    Abby had also officially joined them and she had many friends, though she was the only person who couldn't change.  Her and Abraham had gotten closer and Faye had noticed this, though Abraham said they were just friends.

    And, as of Faye and Denarius, Faye had realized that she couldn't have a relationship while she was still planning to overtake Anoteros.  So her and

Denarius had decided to just be friends, guiding the people as leader and captain.

    Faye had said it was for leadership matters, but, to be truthful, there was a small part of her that still wondered if Cameron was still alive.  And if he was, then she would find him and bring him home, and they could be together.

    Faye had never thought of Cameron as a boyfriend.  But it wasn't until she was without him that she realized she needed him most.

    Faye got up and left the hut.  A fresh blanket of snow lay over the ground, making the forest look fresh and clean.  Faye strapped on her black leather boots and grabbed a thick shawl.  Wrapping it around her, she walked outside and tread through the thick snow. 

    It was dawn and the sun was beginning to rise, making the snow turn orangey-yellow.  

    A cold wind whistled through the trees and Faye pulled her shawl closer to her body.  She made her way to a rocky cliff and sat down.  The view was gorgeous.

    The sun was coming over the hills in the distance and illuminating the valley below Faye.

    There was a shuffle of steps behind her and Faye heard a voice ask, "Can I join you or are you busy again?"

    Faye patted the spot next to her and said, "You can come Dede."

    23-year-old Dede made her way to the cliff and sat.

    "I'm sorry I never have time to talk to you anymore," said Faye, sighing.

    "That's okay," Dede said. "I've never been a leader of something, but I remember how hard it was to lead a group of children in a straight line.  I was the teacher at one of the gatherings here for one year and those kids never listened to me."

    Dede crossed her arms and huffed.  "They kept saying I had funny hair."

    "They're only kids," Faye said. "They say a lot of stuff."

    "It's been a while since we've talked, Faye," Dede said. "Is there anything you need to talk about?"

    Faye shook her head. "I don't want to burden you with my troubles."

    "If you are still sad about losing Cameron then know that it isn't your fault.  He chose to sacrifice himself, and you couldn't have stopped him."

    Many people had said that to Faye, but she still didn't believe it.  She 

knew it was all her fault.

    "It doesn't help," Faye whispered. "Nothing does.  I try to forget but every night I have terrible dreams of what Anoteros might have done to him.  I can't like with myself and I don't feel like I should lead.  In fact, I was thinking about giving the position to Denarius.  I don't trust my judgement anymore, Thalia made a mistake. I just don't have the passion anymore.  I'm an empty shell."

    "You aren't a mistake," Dede said. "Thalia was very wise for her age and she would have picked Denarius if she had thought him best.  But she chose you, Faye.  Sitting and going over all your faults never helps.  You need to push forward to the future and leave guilt behind.  You said you would overthrow Anoteros, so do it, work towards that."

    "I think you actually just gave some good advice." Faye smiled as Dede scoffed and got up. 

    "I need to get back to work," she said. "I have to make friendship bracelets for the little troop of girls I teach.  Can you guess what I'm making them out of?"

    "Acorns?" Faye asked.

    "Yep, they're my specialty!" Faye laughed as Dede walked away and left her to think about what she had said.

    Faye soon returned back to camp and ran into Abraham and Abby who were testing the frozen pond to see if it was safe.  

    "Why hello," said Abraham, now 21, as Faye walked by. "Birthday girl, what are you finally doing out?  Have you come to skate?"

    "That ice isn't safe," Faye said. "Especially for someone of your weight."

    "Hey, most of my weight is muscle," Abraham retorted. "I bet your too scared anyway."

    "Fine," agreed Faye. "Whoever can go the farthest wins."

    "You're on!"

    Abby, 20, sat down in the snow to watch the game and called to Abraham, "If you fall in, please don't drown!"

    "Don't worry," Abraham said back. "I'm gonna win." He winked at Abby and Faye wondered if he was going to try something.

    They started off and Faye took small steps, testing the ice before she put her weight on it.  Abraham was going faster, sliding across the ice on his belly.

    "That should be cheating!" Faye yelled.

    Abraham didn't answer and kept going.  Faye quickened her pace and began catching up as she ran across the ice.

    Suddenly, she saw an open hole in front of her.  Faye tried to slow down but she body skidded across the ice and she fell right into the freezing water.

    The water stung her body and she tried to move her limbs to get back up.  She felt Abraham grab her and pull her out of the water.  "You okay?" he asked.

    "Yeah, and I won!" Faye yelled, raising her hands into the air.

    Abby slid over to them and announced Faye the winner.

    "Whatever, I saved you so I actually win," Abraham said.

    "You guys are adults and you're still fighting about silly things," Abby remarked.

    "Yeah, but we're also siblings, and Faye is super competitive," Abraham said.

    "I'm also about to freeze solid," Faye said. "I need to get back to my hut.  Nice seeing you guys."

    "Well, we'll see you tonight, don't forget it's your birthday," Abby said, smiling.

    Faye walked off the pond and made her way back to her hut.  Denarius was standing inside once she walked in.

    "You're soaked," he observed.

    "Me and Abraham had a competition," Faye explained, grabbing a soft

blanket and wrapping it over her wet body. "It's been a while since I've had fun with him."

    "I never had any siblings once I was growing up."

    "Ah, no wonder you're so serious all the time.  You never had any fun."

    "I was also always running from Chasers."

    There was silence and then Denarius asked, "You seem happier today, Faye.  What is it?"

    "Nothing.  I just had a talk with Dede this morning."

    "Ah, her crazy happiness is contagious."

    "I was actually talking about giving up my position.  I think I'll make the announcement tonight at the celebration."

    "What?  Faye, Thalia wanted you to be the leader."

    "Yes, but you would be better.  And I . . . I'm going to go away for a little while to do something."

    "Faye, I don't understand."

    "You will lead them and I will go to find out more information about Anoteros.  We haven't heard about what they are like now.  They might be stronger."

    "This is about Cameron, isn't it?"

    " . . . yes."

    "Faye, I've already told you, he has to be dead now."

    "I won't give up until I'm sure, and you can't stop me, Denarius.  I will be safe.  I can take care of myself.  And I know you will be okay here."

                                     Chapter 41: Setting Off

    That evening, all Faye's family and close friends gathered at her hut to celebrate her birthday.

    Her brothers had made up a birthday song and Faye enjoyed it and laughed along with everyone else once they all tried to create a human pyramid.

    There was food and then presents.  Dede came forward first and gave her an acorn necklace with a matching bracelet with red berries interwoven into it.

    "Thank you, Dede," Faye said, beaming as she put on the jewelry. "I've always wanted one of these, and I mean it."

    Dede looked pleased with herself and Abby came forward. "I didn't know what to get you because it was hard without any stores or online shopping.  So I found some lavender plants and mashed them up to make a small bag filled with lavender scent.  So you can always smell good, I guess."

    "Thank you, Abby," Faye said as she took the bag. "It means a lot."

    Abby smiled and stepped back as Denarius came forward.  He held out a shiny sword and gave it to Faye. "So you're safe on your journey.  It was my great-grandfather's."

    Faye stared in wonder at the magnificent craftsmanship of the sword and how detailed the handle was.  Denarius also gave her a sheath and she placed it around her hips.

    "Journey?" Abby asked.

    Faye sighed and said, "Thank you, Denarius.  Everyone, I have an announcement.  denarius will be the new leader and I am going to be leaving."

    There were confused shouts of "What?" and Why would you go?" but Dede stayed quiet.  

    Faye held up her hands and continued, "I am going out to spy on Anoteros and to gain any news if I can about Cameron.  I promise I will not be gone for more that three months."

    "Three months!" Abraham yelled. "What if you get into trouble or you're also captured by Anoteros?"

    "I will be fine," Faye said. "It's you guys I worry about."

    "I will keep them safe, faye," Denarius said.

    "No, it isn't that.  I have been hiding for way too long, and I haven't been the leader you guys need, the leader everyone here needs.  Think of me as just going off to find myself and coming back and meanwhile Denarius will be your babysitter."

    "What's a babysitter?" Denarius asked.

    "That doesn't matter," interjected Taylor. "Faye, I think you should go.  And I will watch over the other Spring children, as well as my own."

    "Thanks, Taylor." Faye said softly. "I am leaving in the morning, before anyone gets up.  So tonight I will say goodbye to all of you."

    With that, Faye finished and everyone came forward to say goodbye and then go back to their own homes.

    Dede was the last one and she said, "Keep the bracelet and necklace on in your journey.  It will help remind you of us so you don't loose yourself."

    Faye smiled and hugged her. "Bye, Dede."

    Once everyone had left, Faye sat down a packed her leather bag full of food and one extra pair of clothes.  Then she lay down in her bed for the last time and fell asleep.

                                               .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .  . 

    Faye awoke before the sun and got all her things together.  She placed the sheath around her waist and the necklace and bracelet around her neck and arms.

    She even decided to take the lavender bag Abby had made for her.  She left her hut, her bag swung over her shoulder and walked to the cliff where

she had been the day before.

    She headed out in the direction of New Skielie and walked through the crisp freezing snow.  There were many beautiful sights around her but Faye didn't stop to take them in.

    Her desire to find out about Cameron and her anger at what Anoteros may have done to him drove her on and she only stopped to rest once the sun had set.

    Faye started a fire and placed her sword near her, in case anything popped out of the trees.

    She finished her small snack and laid down to rest.  

    Faye opened her eyes once she heard a twig snap.  She g]sat up and looked around in the darkness.  Her hand slipped around the handle of her

sword and she slowly got up.

    There was the sounds of walking and Faye decided to surprise whoever was coming her way.  She placed the sword down and transformed into a falcon.  Soaring into the tree she hopped from branch to branch until she heard voices.

    "What was that?" asked a male voice.

    Faye got closer and listened.

    "It's nothing," said the same voice.

    "That person must be talking to himself," Faye thought. "I can probably surprise him and find out what he's doing here."

    Faye lept from the branch and turned back human.  She fell right on top of the person and he gave a shrill yell.

    Faye shoved his face downward and he lay on his back, shaking.

    "He can't be a Chaser," she said in her mind. Then, speaking loudly she asked, "Who are you?"

    "Listen," said the boy. "I didn't mean to run away from New Skielie Middle School, I just wanted to see the forest!  Please don't send me over to the building!"

    "I am not with Anoteros," Faye said more quieter. "What is you name and age?"

    "Peter Salvago," the boy whimpered. "I'm only twelve."

    Faye got up and the boy was about to run once she grabbed his arm and said, "No.  You need to stay with me if there are actually people after you."

    She led him back to her small camp and gave him some water and food.