Chapter thirteen:

                  Spencer Switfmittens & Qilby Shade.

    “What’s the big deal, anyway?” I asked Sebastian as I walked alongside him, as we both were striding forward behind the stranger who saved me. 

    “Oh, so you care what I think now?” Sebastian objected coldly, not looking at me. 

    “What are you talking about?”

    “You know what.” he said passive aggressively.

    “No I don't.” I argued. 

    “We don't know if we can trust him.”

    “Well, I do, he saved me, alright? And plus, we find a town and get a place to stay for free, a win-win in my opinion.” I said. 

    “What does he get from it? How does he win?”

    “I meant it for the both of us.” I said shortly, “And we can give him 

company of two nice people.” I offered. “Or just one.” I added. 

    “No one is nice for no reason.” Sebastian stated. 

    “Well, of course you would say that.” I objected. 

    “And of course you would trust him without thinking, like you always do. We don't even know this guy's name.” 

    “Um–excuse me.” I said, interrupting our conversation, raising my voice so the stranger could hear me. “What is your name?” 

    The stranger turned around and then said, “I suppose you don’t know my name, do you?” 

    Then with a deep bow he said, 

    “Pleased to meet you. Call me Spencer Swiftmittens, the well-known traveler, at your service.” 

    “Thank you!” I said sarcastically. 

    “If you're so well-known, why haven’t I heard of you before, huh?” Sebastian interfered. 

    “You tell me.” He said, giving a sly smile. 

    “Swiftmittens?” I asked, chuckling a little. 

    “Why yes, it is an odd name, isn’t it? It was a name that was brought down from generation to generation from my family.” he replied, his eyes brightening with playful mischievousness. “And may I have your names as well? It would certainly be helpful.” 

    “Oh–” I said. I gestured to Sebastian, “this is Pine Blaze, and I am Sparrow.” 

    “Ah, very nice to meet you.” He said. I smiled as he turned back around, facing the road once again, as I felt Sebastian giving me a scowl. 

    “What? Want to say something?” I asked in a taunting way. 

    “Pine? Sparrow?” Sebastian said in a hushed voice, pulling me further back behind Spencer.

    “You’re the one who says you don’t like strangers knowing your name, so Pine was the first name I could think of. And second, I like Sparrow better as a name for a secret identity.” I spoke in a low voice too. 

    “I still say we should not trust this guy. . .” Sebastian commented grudgingly. 

    I rolled my eyes, falling silent as I kept walking. Sebastian won’t trust

anybody regardless if they are good or bad, I thought sorrowfully.

*    *    *

    It was now night time, and we'd been traveling a few hours when a little village came into view. I grabbed Sebastian’s wrist once again as he started to lag farther behind, pulling him along. Spencer led us past the gates and we walked inside.  

    “Welcome to Solaris. If you follow me right this way, my home is over here.” Spencer said.

    Spencer smiled at the two of us as I looked around the village. Sebastian looked at it too, but obviously wasn’t impressed. I nudged him with my elbow, saying, 

    “Hey, lighten up, will you? This is amazing.” 

    He rolled his eyes, 

    “you're too easily impressed,” He retorted rudely.

    I started fidgeting with my hands as Spencer led us to two little huts in

the village and led us into one. 

    “Welcome. Sorry if it’s not to your usual liking, don’t normally have too many guests here.” He said in a warm voice.

    The hut was small, but not too messy. It had a stone wall that contained a small fire inside and I could see a hole in the roof that allowed the smoke to fly out. Once my vision had adjusted to the dimmer lighting a person's silhouette caught my eye.  

    “Oh, hello, Qilby. I didn’t expect you to be here already.” Spencer said, hanging his coat on a nearby chair. The shadowy figure barely turned their head around, his eyes caught the fire light and glowed suspiciously, his face still obscured by the long shawl that he wore. 

    “This is Qilby Shade, you two. Qilby, this is Sparrow and Pine Blaze. They’re travelers, I found them in the forest.” 

    “Forest, ay?” Quilby asked, standing up. He strode over to us slowly. I did dare say that he made me a little uncomfortable, but I decided to ignore it. 

    Sebastian tried to jerk his wrist out of my hand, but I gripped it tighter,

almost to the point that I was crushing it. It's fine! I thought. I saw Spencer next to the fireplace.

    Quilby unwrapped the shawl from around his head letting it rest on his shoulders. He wore a mask like Sebastian. What is up with masks? Is it just fashion? I wonder if I used to wear a mask. . . 

    I suddenly felt Sebastian’s hand freeze as his whole body did, I turned my head around to see his face whitened a little. Then I could have sworn his hand started to tremble a little. Why’s he so scared all of a sudden? The thought echoed through my mind. 

    “Why are you two traveling out in the forest?” Qilby asked curiously. 

    “Why would you need to know?” Sebastian dodged the question swiftly. I jabbed him in the ribs quickly and hard. Qilby did not answer with anything more than a simple grunt. 

    “Take a seat. Take a seat.” Spencer said. I had to drag and pull Sebastian, who seemed to be frozen in place, down to sit next to the fire. I sighed with relief. 

    I looked around the hut and a few books caught my eye. The way that

the spine and covers were decorated. “What are those books for? They look special.” 

    “Oh, those…” Spencer turned his head to get a better view of the books. “Are books that are filled with spells.” 

    I perked up in an instant. “You said spells? As in magic? Can you do magic?” 

    “Why?” 

    “I was just wondering.” I replied to Qilby’s question. 

    “I’m not the best. I’m still learning. But yes, I can do some.” Spencer said, giving a grin. 

    I noticed Qilby staring at me with his eyes full of uncertainty and suspicion. 

    “So. . . you guys say your travelers? What brings you to these parts? Where did you say you were from?” 

    “Yes, we’re travelers. Right, S–Pine?” I caught myself before using his full name. I looked over to Sebastian, but saw his face looked pale against the fire-light, and I would've thought I saw sweat beading across his

forehead. 

    “Are you okay, Pine?” I asked. When I put my hand and touched his skin, he looked around, startled at the contact. 

    “Yes, are you okay, little boy?” Qilby asked with his deep and gruff voice. 

    “Yes, I’m fine. And what’s with all the questions! We don’t have to answer you!” he lashed out, which made me jump. “And stop calling me little boy! I’m a full grown adult!”

     He slammed the ground with his fist so hard that it broke the old floorboards, sending pieces out flying everywhere. He suddenly, without any kind of warning, jumped up to his feet and walked to the entrance of the hut. I had been so shocked, I guess I had let go of his wrist without realizing. Before he exited, he said, “I’ll be back soon, Sparrow, if you need me I’ll be outside.” Then he left the hut, stomping angrily. 

    I watched him with my eyes wide. I was truly shocked. What's gotten into him!? I thought. 

    “Is your friend okay?” Spencer asked. 

    “H-he’s fine. I think. I hope so. He’s not used to people, really. They seem to scare him.” 

    “We don’t mean to scare him.” Spencer said, and said it like it was genuine. 

    “I-I know. He can get like this sometimes.” I scratched the back of my head. “Sorry about this. But on his behalf, we would like to thank you for letting us stay here.” 

    “No problem. No problem at all.” Spencer tilted his head as he smiled. Qilby grunted. 

    “I better go find him.” I said. 

    “Don’t get lost.” 

    “I won’t.” I promised as I left the hut and into the night, the moon and stars watching me. 

                        *    *    *

    I sat on the ground in the mini hut that Spencer let us stay in that was

originally supposed to be where animals were kept, tapping my knee on the ground anxiously, drumming my fingers on the ground. I found no luck in finding him. 

    The door to the shed opened behind me causing my surroundings to go bright and dim again with the door closing. I jumped to my feet in an instant, whirling around to see Sebastian, I asked swiftly, 

    “Where have you been!?” 

    “What do you mean? I’ve been outside.” 

    “It’s the middle of the night! Why did you stor m out!” I demanded. “Spencer and Qilby are trying to do something nice, letting us stay here, and your treating them as if they are–” 

    “I don’t trust them, that's why!” Sebastian interrupted loudly. My whole body shook with frustration. 

    “Why not though? Oh I’m sorry, it must be because you are too scared to actually trust someone!” I said sarcastically, my voice wry, “For once, let yourself open up to trust someone, it's good for you! Not everyone is out to get you so stop being so paranoid!” 

    “That's how you get killed! Sorry for trying to protect you! Sorry for trying to stay alive!” He snapped angrily. I calmed down, taking a deep breath. 

    “Listen, we need to go.” Sebastian said, lowering his voice and grabbing my arm.

    “Why though?” I said swiftly, jerking myself away from him. 

    “Because they're not good people.”

    “Not everyone is bad, Sebastian.” Lowering my voice, noting that we could very much be heard. His eyes widened. 

    “No no! You have to trust me right now. They are bounty hunters, okay? I just know it.” 

    “They are not bounty hunters, that’s crazy, stop making assumptions about everything.” 

    “I’m not! They are bounty hunters!” He prompted. “I noticed it earlier, that guy Quilby, he's got the same build as a bounty hunter I know. He’s been after me for months, I barely managed to escape a few times before. We’ve got to leave.” 

    I crossed my arms, not believing him. “His build? Don’t you understand that your mind might be playing tricks on you? Can’t you just leave it?” 

    “No!” 

    “Why not?” 

    “Because I’m trying to save us, you idiot!” He growled. “Don’t you believe me? Don’t you trust me?” 

    I stared into his eyes, thinking. 

    “No. I’m sorry. But no. I trust them, that's the end of the story, you're suspicious of everyone. all the time.” I shook my head. 

    Sebastian stared at me, his eyes, face, whole expression was blank. Then a fire seemed to have lit in his eyes as he said bitterly, 

         “Fine, then.” He turned around sharply, then walked out the door. I sat down stubbornly, my heart growing with anger and bitterness by the second. . .

    It has been three days since Sebastian’s disappearance, and I was starting to get worried. 

    “Any signs?” I asked anxiously as Spencer came through the doors of the hut. He shook his head. I sighed. I can't find him, even with the bind connection between us! 

    To take stuff off my mind, I looked around the hut for a change of subject. “Spencer, you said that you know magic?” 

    “Correct, Mr. Sparrow.” 

    “Would you say that you could revive memories?” I asked. Spencer tilted his head, and so I explained how I lost my memory, by the end of it he seemed a little stumped. 

    “Uh–I’m not sure.” He said, “I could try it if you want. But is tomorrow fine? I’m tired, and you know it’s not best to overexert yourself.” 

    “Okay. I’m going to bed in that case.” I got up to my feet, saying goodnight as I left the hut to go into the other one. 

    I laid down on the stone-cold floor, the feeling of anxiety, guilt and loneliness took over as I fell into an uneasy sleep. 

    Sebastian, where are you? 

                                                Chapter fourteen:

                          My beloved Serena

    “Fine, then.” I snapped, quickly walking out of the hut. I stood outside the hut, motionless looking at the moon. You trust them but not me? Something furry and soft came into my hand making me pull away swiftly. I look down to see Emine staring up at me. I patted his head, thinking of what I should do next, and he followed behind as I walked out of the village.

    I drew a couple of pent-up shaky breaths.

     “This is stupid! Why do you keep trying to protect this idiot, he obviously doesn’t want it! Just let him die at this point.” Scorning myself quietly. Realizing the sharp cold air kept me alert, I entered the line of trees. 

 I trekked through the forest heading away from the village. Once I was far enough out, I climbed a tree. Sitting on the branch I watched the moon, slowly falling to sleep. 

    The very next morning I woke up abruptly realizing the tree was moving. Then all of a sudden I hit the wet grass. my head throbbed with pain. I looked up realizing that I fell out of the tree. I absently started to rub my head, trying to get rid of the hurt. Looking over I was about to wake up Pine, thankful that he always slept in. 

    That was when I remembered what happened. I noticed in the corner of my eye Emine staring judgingly up at me. 

    “What?” I yelled. “Are you judging me too? I was trying to help him! It would’ve been easier to listen to me, but no, he had to be stubborn. After all we’ve been through, that idiot doesn’t trust me. I saved his life! It’s not my fault that he doesn't like me, so stop looking at me like that, Emine!” 

    I stomped off into the forest, irritated, feeling Emine’s gaze still on me. I walked out of frustration not caring where I went, trying to clear my mind. I was walking through the forest until I realized I forgot

something. 

    That's what I forgot, I thought, burning with anger, I left Bylur with the others! What would they do with him? I can't trust Pine with my horse! Well, I can’t go back, I kicked myself mentally, if I do then I’m going to get caught then be begged to come back… I got angry again thinking about how Pine grabbed my wrist and wouldn't let go. He’ll probably do it again.

    I spent the rest of the day considering if I should head back and get my horse or how I should do it. Then again, I could run into Pine, or Qilby and Spencer if I did. I had so much to consider that I lost track of time.

 I was now  laying back on a tree trunk, staring up at the starry night sky once again. 

    I wonder if he’s okay…I thought distantly remembering how I left Pine alone with the bounty hunters. A pour of guilt doused me. No! Why am I feeling guilty? He's the one who said they were perfectly trustworthy! I tried to get rid of the feelings. He doesn't even have a bounty on him, he'll be fine. Well whatever happens, it’s his fault. He didn’t seriously expect me to stay with him, right? Obviously he doesn't think he needs

me.

    Well, he really does, a voice echoed in my mind. 

    Why? A different voice argued. 

    You're a team. 

    No, we’re not, that's not a team. I thought about him constantly interrupting me.

    Yeah, right. Believe what you want. 

    What do you mean by that?

    Not telling you, the other voice said crossly.

    Why not? 

    You're not dumb. Figure it out yourself.

    I got up to my feet, and that's when I noticed that I felt lighter, like weight was taken off me. I looked back to see my body by the tree trunk. 

    “Oh, great, I’m dreaming.” I sighed. I shook my head in disbelief when I heard a voice. 

    “What’s so wrong with that?” 

    My hands shook as I whirled around. No. No. This is impossible. 

         “Serena!” I finally managed to breath out. 

    “Hello, Sebastian.” A woman’s voice answered my call. I could have thought at that moment that I felt my throat closing as I watched a woman walk out from the woods. She asked, 

        “Why do you look so surprised?” 

    “You're supposed to be dead. Get out of my mind!” I snapped. 

    “Ah, grumpy as always, dear Sebastian, I see.” The woman simply smiled, laughter in her eyes. I took several steps back as she stepped closer to me. 

    “It is true that you're imagining me, but isn’t that good?” 

    I closed my ears by blocking them with my hands as I shut my eyes. 

        “Go away! You're dead, you’re not supposed to be here!” 

    I opened my eyes when I felt my hand being taken off my ear, and I saw her right next to me. 

        “That's rude, and you know it is. Don’t ignore me when I’m talking.” 

    I grumbled. 

    “You really did isolate yourself while I was away, didn’t you?” She asked

as she stepped away from me. I stared into her eyes, then said, 

         “I suppose you could say. Why? Are you going to lecture and hate me now and say I’m wrong for leaving?” 

    “You know what I’m going to say.” She said softly, tilting her head to the side.   

    “Yeah, yeah.” I waved her off with my hand. She giggled, then started walking, each step she took caused the ground beneath her to light up, glowing white. I watched her go and couldn’t help but let myself give a half-smile. I swiftly started to trail behind her. 

    With incredible dexterity, Serena climbed a big tree, swung from one branch to another, eventually sitting down on a bough, her legs dangling in the air. She gestured for me to come sit with her by patting the spot next to her, which was exactly what I did; I climbed the tree until I was next to her. I took a seat next to Serena, our legs slightly touching each other. 

    I stared up at the moon, astounded. Serena layed and rested her head on my shoulder, slipping her hand into mine, saying, 

    “It's pretty out here, don’t you think?” 

    I kept my gaze set on the sky above, not moving and sitting still, the smell of her aroma drifting around me, as I nodded my head and agreed. 

    “Yes. Pretty incredible indeed.”

    “Well, it better be, considering this is your dream.” She reminded me. 

    “That would actually be true, wouldn’t it? I forgot it was a dream for a second,” I murmured in agreement, chuckling a bit as my grin got a little bigger.  

    “Why don’t you laugh more often?” She demanded suddenly. 

    “Why? Why laugh if I find nothing amusing.” 

    “Except for that new friend of yours.” Serena protested, lifting her head off my shoulder, looking at me. My smile faded as I avoided her gaze. 

    “He’s not my friend.” 

    “Yes he is. You do find him amusing. He protects you, trusts you–” 

    “No he doesn't.” I cut her off sharply, looking back at her, getting a little frustrated. “I saved his life, and he helped me. I thought we were friends but then he got mad at me for trying to keep him safe, and trusts a group

of strangers more than me.”

    “Weren’t you a stranger too when he met you? It’s the same thing, just with different people. He wasn’t afraid and decided to trust you.”

    “Well, that's a little different. I tied him up. He couldn’t leave. I let him go. I did. But then he didn’t go, he kept following me! I told him to stop but he wouldn’t listen!” I argued. “He trusted me. A complete stranger. He shouldn’t have done that. I could have been dangerous!” 

    “Then why didn’t you just leave? In the middle of the night while he was sleeping. He was prone, you know you could have, but you didn’t.” She counterargued

    “I tried!” 

    “No, you didn’t. It would have happened if you did. Stop making excuses, stop lying to yourself!” She said crossly. 

    “No one should trust another, in case they're dangerous. Like I could have been.” I spoke, my voice blank.

    “Now. Why do you think that?” She asked, her voice quieting down to a soft tone once again. I searched through her expression. 

    “I am dangerous! That's why!” I shouted, my voice filled with guilt. 

    “Sebastian.” Serena spoke comfortingly. “You're not a murder.” 

    “Yes I am. Admit it. You know it.” 

    “Then if you are, you would have killed or injured him in the beginning, why didn’t you?” 

    I kept silent, brooding over this. “Because, I’m not going to hurt another human being like that. That's…inhuman. I’m different from everyone, because unlike them, I’ve changed.” I responded. “What does he think I am? A monster? One moment he says he’ll never leave me, the next he's overtalking me and dragging me around saying I'm the one in the wrong.”

    “You didn’t change.” she argued. “You cut yourself off from civilization, don’t talk to anyone. He comes into your life, stays, loves you and cares for you, that's obvious. So why are you so resistant to returning it back to him?” 

    “Because–” I broke off. 

    “Because, why, Sebastian?” Serena challenged, sitting up straighter, her

voice firm and cold as ice. 

    “Because—-because I don’t know If I can trust him…” I admitted, then trailed off for a second. 

    “You know you want to trust him, you're just too stubborn to admit it.” Serena said bluntly. “He won’t leave, and he doesn’t hate you, you know he's just trying to help you. He’s proven that, that's why he wouldn’t let you go. Let yourself be able to trust again. He was right about one thing; not everyone is after you, let your heart open up once again.” She said, “Because we know that you want to be a good person, you're not bad, are you?” 

    “...no…” 

    “That’s exactly what he said to you previously, right? You are unable to trust him because you are so blinded from your past, but he’s proven more than enough times to you that he is trust-worthy, and he won’t leave.” 

    I took a deep breath, my eyes stinging, and I looked around. “Maybe you're right, Serena.” 

    Serena gently put her hand on my cheek, turning my head over so I was able to face her once again, she smiled sweetly. 

    “You want to trust someone, you just don't want to admit that you're lonely. I know I’m right, Sebastian.  Remember, to open your heart and at least try, okay?” 

    “I promise.” I vowed. She rested her head back on my shoulder, her arm around my back as if a side hug and started to hum. 

    The last thing I heard was her singing a melody before I woke up. 

    My eyes flew open as I looked around, panicked. I saw that I was not in the same place as I was before. 

    Where am I? I asked as I looked around. I jumped up but then quickly collapsed to the ground, yelping out loud in pain as I winced. My side burned, blinding me with pain. I saw Emine trotting up to me. 

    “Oh, hey, you're awake.” a voice said. I looked around, startled, and that was when I noticed a person was coming rushing up.