Searching by Cindy Cipriano

Author:Cindy Cipriano [Cipriano, Cindy]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-63422-318-8
Publisher: CTP Publishing

10

The Elders

That was the coldest night I’d spent in the woods of Judaculla. The clear sky meant there were no clouds to keep the heat of the day from flying off the Earth. Fatigue tried to claim me after three days spent walking and running through on very little sustenance. I kept myself awake by replaying the days I’d spent with James on the Fringe.

Our time in Woodvine had been predetermined. Before coming, James had studied for me as if I were the greatest test of his life. When we finally met, he’d passed with flying colors.

But it had been different for me. I fell in love with the boy of my dreams without really knowing him at all. Being with him now gave me the opportunity to see him in an entirely different light. I was able to separate this James from the boy in my dreams to get a glimpse of who he was before us. Seeing the pre-Leath version and what I learned about him during our brief time on the Fringe made me love him all the more.

James had taken it upon himself to serve as a leader to the Fringers. The way they listened spoke volumes about the respect they had for him. He was determined to not only put my needs ahead of his, but also those who lived in the wild with him. The James I’d met in Woodvine was a boy; the one next to me a man.

It was one of the most difficult things for me to do, but when I heard James’s steady breathing, I knew it was time to go. After I eased up, I carefully covered James with my blanket. I gazed at his still form, staring at his face for as long as I dared. I knew if I didn’t get going, I’d change my mind and curl against him.

But if I stayed, I’d only have a few hours before he sent me back to Woodvine. I wanted so much more than that. I wanted the rest of our lives. If it took the rest of our lives for him to remember what we were to each other, so be it. And if he never remembered? Well, that was fine, too.

The change in James’s feelings toward me over our short time together on the Fringe only served to prove that no matter the circumstance, we were meant to be together. I knew then we would always find our way back to each other, no matter the obstacle.

After I picked up my bag, I quietly pulled out the Bound Book. When I snapped on the flashlight, I was careful to point the beam away from where James slept. I walked for a few minutes before I found the twine I’d tied at the base of the tree, marking my way back to the path. The loose knot was easy to untie. I pulled the string away, and tucked it into my jeans.

When I glanced back, the camp appeared to be undisturbed.

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