His Woodland Maiden by Michelle M. Pillow

Author:Michelle M. Pillow [Pillow®, Michelle M.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: The Raven Books LLC

10

Rick felt a tickle beneath his nostril and swiped at his nose, coming away with a smear of blood on his thumb. He stood at the end of a cliff, looking out over a clearing beyond the forest. His knees locked, though it would hardly protect him from a strong wind. He peered down, seeing his toes hanging over the edge and the great distance awaiting his fall.

“Are you better now?” Sprout asked. “I’m sorry if your head hurts. I should not have tried that last upload.”

Rick’s head throbbed violently. With the uploads Sprout had stolen for him from the facility where she lived, his brain was packed full of new knowledge. “It’s better. A headache is a small price to pay for the knowledge to fly us off this world someday.”

And in the moment, as the upload unpacked itself into his mind, he knew which ship would take them away the fastest and how to fly it into the high skies.

“I know you will fly away. I won’t be with you.” Sprout rarely talked about her life, and he didn’t pry, but he innately understood she felt as stuck in her circumstances as he did. “Do you think we’ll be friends in the life after this?”

Sprout’s voice sounded small.

“I don’t think there is anything after this life,” he answered. Her small hand fit into his. He knew this memory wasn’t right. He was a grown man, and she was a foggy recollection from childhood. His hand should have been smaller to match hers, as he’d been a boy when this had happened. “We will make the most of this one.”

“If I disappear, don’t follow me,” she whispered. “I hope you’re wrong about the next life. I want to see you again.”

“If you disappear, I will find you,” he promised. “There are so many adventures to be had. You’re coming with me. I don’t care what your parents say. We’re leaving this place together.”

“Promise me you won’t forget everything we talked about, Rick. Get into trouble and don’t let anyone stop you.” Sprout’s thin shoulders shook before she lifted her chin in resolve. She tossed the uploader over the side of the cliff and watched the expensive piece of equipment crash. “When I’m gone, you have to do all the adventures. Don’t forget.”

“Stop talking like that,” he dismissed.

“Promise me, you won’t follow,” Sprout insisted.

“No.” He shook his head. “What is this about?”

“I have to go.” Sprout took off and sprinted into the trees.

Rick automatically gave chase. She moved quickly for a girl as if each little leap of her legs propelled her twice as far as it should. He jumped down the incline that led away from the cliff’s edge. He ducked under trees, knowing there was a place he needed to be. If only he could find it.

“Rick.” Sprout’s voice was strong, commanding his attention.

He turned toward the sound. Sprout’s dark eyes met his as she stood on a small path that cut through the litter of the forest floor.

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