CHAPTER SIX

The forest is so dark. We walked through the meadow, which was snappy under our boots. When we look up, the trees have become skyscraper-like shadows, looming above us. Steep, shadowy pines shoot high into the haze like spears. Spotty stars and sky can be seen through tree cracks, with the moon beaming through a lattice of leaves.

It was only a few moments ago that we decided to enter the forest, and we've already been strolling for almost a minute without saying anything. We follow the barely discernible black trails winding through the floras of the undergrowth. Only our breathings and the snapping twigs, grass and weeds sliding against our trouser legs, can be heard.

When the wind whips through the leaves and creaks the tree trunks, I clutch myself tighter, adding to my unease. I despise how silent Flynn is, so I have to come up with a way to get him to talk. Seriously, the night woods scares the living daylights out of me.

“How certain are you we can pass by the border guards? I shouldn't have trusted you. It will be dangerous if we get caught, don't you know that?” I ask him.

When cobwebs cling to my face, it irritates me. I had to come to a complete stop on my track in order to remove it off of me and continue walking.

I hear Flynn sigh. “Silence please, Sol. Don't you trust me?”

“I came here all the way with you and you're questioning my trust?” I slap my arm when I’m feeling itchy. I almost trip, good thing I catch his arm but I let go immediately.  “Perhaps, you're right. I don't trust you anymore. You are leading us to obvious danger. What if they shoot us?”

“They won't if they will not see us.”

I breathe, allowing the stench of rotting foliage and earthy mildew to soak into my nostrils. “So, you mean we have to hide the entire time we are passing the borders?”

“What is your definition of sneak, Sol? Of course, we have to hide, unless you want to be confined.”

“That is certainly not part of my plan.”

“Oh, good. Now you have a plan,” he deadpans.

“Stop it. Why can't we just use the main gate?”

“Are you not thinking? A large number of guards are stationed at the main gate. Doubling the number of border guards here. And it can only be used for royalties..”

I stomp my feet. The twigs make a loud snap. “Fine. So, what do we do now? Wait for a miracle to happen?”

“Patience, Sol.”

We come to a halt in the thickets. We grab a break. The moon accomplished its goal of providing light, allowing us to see the thick and tall concrete barrier front of us. It has vines creeping through it, suggesting that it is ancient and yet standing.

“Are you afraid of the dark?” Flynn asks, looking at me while I am hugging myself.

I straighten. “No. I’m just uncomfortable of the forest during nighttime.”

“I think it is rather calming.”

“I don't think—aw!” I wince. The pointed stems of the shrubs prick my skin. I feel a twinge of ache.

Flynn rushes to my rescue, holding out my arms and squeezing the damaged region to allow it to bleed.

“For a servant, your skin is too sensitive,” he comments.

“What should I supposed to do when I’m pricked. Laugh?” I roll my eyes.

Amusement dances on his eyes but it is quickly replace by curiousity. “It is just unusual to see servants with such skin. Yours also looks soft. Perhaps, the late King was taking good care of you?”

I yank my arms free from his grip. It sounds like I did something I shouldn't have done from the way he worded it. I'm interested to know what he thinks of me.

“We should focus,” I say.

He nods. “Of course,” he clears his throat. “During the night, there are only a few guards patrolling this section of the border. We have to remain as quiet as possible because they are trained to be on the lookout for intruders and loud noises at all times.”

“I understand.”

“I sneak here all the time so I doubt they already discovered something that I used to go in and out of the borders.”

“What something is that?” I ask.

“A hole.”

“A hole?” I gasp. “You made a hole?”

He shakes his head. I feel relieved he's not as stupid as I thought.

“I didn't. It looks old. I think it was built by someone. I thought, at first, that the guards were responsible but they seemed not to notice there is an opening.”

“Built by someone? Someone who also sneaks in and out of the borders? But who?”

“It is not our concern, anymore. What's important is we have a way to sneak in.”

“How can you be so sure the guards haven't found it yet?”

“I’m certain, otherwise they will alert all the border guards and find whoever the crook. So far, I have not yet gotten wind of something like that. Have you?”

I shake my head. Otherwise, I would have heard it from Tremaine.

“Good.”

“So, where is it?” I ask.

“It’s—

Before he can even continue, we hear a noise from not so far from us, snapping of twigs and voices of men.

“Have you heard about the ball?”

“Down!” Flynn whispers.

We hide behind the shrubs, squeezing our body down so the guards won't see us.

“Yes. What of it, buddy?”

“Oh, how I hope I could go there.”

“Not a chance. We are not permitted to leave the perimeter.”

“I know of that. I’m just wondering how many beautiful ladies would be there to witness it. I’m thrilled.”

Flynn instructs me to remain silent. I nod and look down, but how quickly I regret it as I see a snake crossing in front of me. I let out a loud squeal that the guards are sure to hear. Flynn's eyes widen, and I feel my cheeks turning purple with fear.

“Your wife isn't. Stop—what was that?”

“What?”

“I’m certain I heard a voice.”

I squeeze my eyes close.

“That is impossible. No one comes this far except us, buddy. Perhaps, what you heard were just some animals. Happens to me sometimes.”

“Let me check.”

“Fine. I’ll go back to my area.”

The droplets of sweats cascade down Flynn’s forehead seem shining because of the moonlight. My throat go dry and I feel sick.

“What do we do?” I whisper. The sounds of the steps getting louder each second.

“You have to run.”

My eyes widen. “What?” 

“I’ll distract him. You, on the other hand, will find the hole.”

I shake my head. “But I don't know where it is!”

I notice him becoming agitated. I'm suddenly feeling terrible. If we are caught, it is entirely my fault.

“The border. It camouflages the border, Sol. You won't see it if you won't touch it. Go!”

I hesitate but the guard is coming. I don't want to get caught.

“You will follow,” I said.

“Of course, Sol. I will.”

I scurry to the tree close to the shrubs, my actions shuffling the leaves. It causes the guard to move closer to us, but Flynn unexpectedly stands up, surprising the guard so much that he points the gun in his face.

“Sir!” Flynn shouts.

He slowly drop the gun when he realizes Flynn isn't a threat. “What are you doing here?”

“I am just merely looking for my pet. A cat. Have you seen it?”

I frown while I am finding my way out of the guard’s radar. Do I look like a cat? I know it is just his way to mislead him but it irritates me.

“Are you certain?”

“Yes, sir. I saw it coming this way.”

“I haven't seen anything.”

“What a shame. It's my favorite pet. Are you certain you haven't seen it?”

“Yes. You have to go back. You are not permitted to enter this perimeter. Have you been gone here?”

“I haven't, sir. This is my first time.”

“Come with me.”

I let out a gasp. When I hear the guard apprehending Flynn, I am frightened. My palm steps on the wrong twigs, causing it to shatter louder than I expected.

“Sir—

“What was that?”

My eyes widen.

“That is probably my pet, sir. I guess, it's trying to hide from me.”

I run closer to the border while I'm in a dark portion of the forest where the shades of trees serve to hide the surrounding sufficiently that the guard won't spot me. I can't hear Flynn's or the guards' voices any longer.

I walk along the boundary, caressing the tendrils of the plants that are sprawled across the concrete.

Is there a hole that has been camouflaged? How will I find it?

Every step brings me closer to the boundary, where I have to find something I am clueless about. My hands caress the vines' scratchy stems, pressing, gripping, and frisking them as though every contact is a sign of hope. Others are firm, while one is squishy.  But I've been here long enough that I'm getting quite frustrated.

I think for a moment. Would I want someone to know about the hole if I was the one who dug it? Obviously not. So, what am I to do? Keep it hidden. Where? You can't readily hide a hole, especially if it's right on the border, where guards are stationed. So, where? How?

Why haven't the guards noticed the hole yet? What is keeping it obscure?

What—

Oh, hell.

I raise my eyes to the border that is hovering over me. When I notice it, my mind seems to hear a loud click. I retrace my steps, looking for the spot where I brushed up against a permeable patch of concrete. I place my palm on the vines when I discover it, the coldness of the stems sending goosebumps up my spine. I swallow a lump in my throat before pushing my palm through the stems, barely forcing it down. I shudder when I realize it's sinking as if the concrete isn't there.

Because it isn't there. Behind the vines, there's a hole. Because the vines are dense here, it is difficult to see the other side of the border.

Flynn’s right. It is camouflaged... using the vines.

I had to struggle to get it open, but I'm pleased I did. There is only enough capacity for one person in the opening. The opposite side is the same, with vines covering it. I don't see why I shouldn't have use the blade in my purse. I cut it down to the point where I can disentangle the vines. I get a sense of relief when I see the woodland from the other side. I force myself out of the hole and tumble down the foliage.

Despite the pain in my back, I hurriedly jump up, fearful that someone might be around, but it is eerily quiet, as if no one has visited this part of the forest. Is it true that I'm already in the Kingdom of Larimar? I suddenly feel different. Is it true that I crossed the border?

I stare towards the opening, hoping to see Flynn. Every second he isn't here, I imagine the worst-case situations that could occur. The moving of the vines awakens my senses for a long period, and then Flynn emerges.

“You’re late,” I say but it's actually meant I’m glad he's safe.

“Oh, what a welcome, Sol. I was almost caught. I thought they will lock me up.”

“I’m sorry,” I really feel bad. He looks troubled now.

“Don’t apologize,” he said. My eyes look at what he's carrying. A small blanket, I think he got it from the guards. He's a thief, after all.

“Anyway, what we have to do is to get out of this forest and then we're fine. The guards are on the far side of the border. So, I guess we'll be fine.”

“Thank you,” I say slightly bowing.

“Did you say thank you, instead because I told you not to say sorry?”

I roll my eyes. “No. I really meant to say thank you, asshole.”

“Here. You have to wear this,” he hands me the blanket. I really thought he got it out of instinct, you know. He's a thief and everything is worth stealing for him.

I hold it and get it from him.

“Why?”

“Your hair...” he looks at my hair. “What we don't need right now is attention, and your hair appears to pique people's interest. It's odd to see someone with your hair color in the Kingdom of Larimar.”

“Why?”

“Your hair color... belongs to royalties.”

I suddenly feel the rushed of panic. “What do you mean? I am not—”

“Of course, you're not. You told me you're servant. I believe you. What I meant was, there's no hair color like yours in this Kingdom. Peasants have dark hair colors. So, we assume light hair colors like yours belong to royalties.”

I feel relieved and nod. “I understand. I’ll wear it.”

He nods his head and walk. I follow him as I cover my hair with his blanket. A little wide but it's fine.

“Passing the borders is nothing than sneaking into the ball, more so—a palace. It is well-guarded. Do you have any plans?”

I shrug. “I don't know. I doubted we could pass the borders, earlier and now we are here. I think I just have to believe in you since you're most familiar with the place.”

What I said adds to the confidence he already has. His smugness displays on the grin he's flashing.

Given that this is a place where a large number of guards are stationed, getting out of the woodland is a simple task. Flynn seemed to know where to walk and turn to avoid being discovered by the guards. He can also walk effortlessly, as though the darkness doesn't bother him; I assume he comes here frequently. I make sure I'm yanking on the rim of his old shirt, just in case I trip and fall.

I am relieved when we reach the mouth of the woodland, which overlooks what is most certainly the town.

“Well, it is difficult to sneak in so the only way I can think of is to enter in open,” he finally says.

“What?”

“I have a plan,” he looks at me from head to toe. I can't help but feel very conscious. “But first, we have to find some clothes.”