R.E.M.: The Hidden World (10 page)

17.
A Slippery Slope

Renee
braced for impact for several seconds, but there was nothing.  No fire rained down against her skin, no sounds of panic escaped from the animals. 

             
Nothing. 

             
Daring to peek, she saw they all remained still, calmly watching the sky.  “What was that?!” 
The flames were headed straight towards us
.  She was on her feet now, ready to demand answers.  “I mean, the fire…..and how….I don’t understand how we weren’t hit?”  The emerald-eyed woman glanced her way as a light smile spread across her face.  Then, she immediately turned her attention toward the sky. 
What kind of an answer is that, lady?
  Renee sighed loudly then took in a deep breath.

             
Perhaps she’s trying to tell me something though…
Renee redirected her sight towards the sky. Another fireball was already heading their direction.  She fought her instinct, forcing her eyes to remain open.  She needed an explanation, she needed to know. 

             
The fire approached ever closer, yet no form of defense rose against it.  The woman and all the creatures simply remained standing, almost motionless.  Everything slowed, seconds lasted hours.  Renee continued to fight her urge to look away.

             
The fireball was only fifty feet above them when something incredible happened.  It dissipated.  It seemed some invisible shield stood between them and it.  As it bounded off the unseen surface, sparks of light and fire spread across the sky, yet none fell to the ground where they were positioned.  Then it was gone, no sign of the hellish fire remained.  They all stood completely unharmed.  The animals returned to their meal.  They all appeared unfazed by the event. 

             
The woman’s voice now rang out, her tone filled with reassurance.  “Do you see now, my dear?  I would not have asked you to stand strong if I did not know your safety was ensured.”  Her voice was gentle, as always.  The statement was simply a truthful correction rather than something born out of anger.

             
I failed her.  I should have trusted her…but then again, I barely know her.
  Despite the argument in her mind, looking up into the woman’s shining, perfect eyes, Renee reflected upon the hug during her arrival. 
How could I have doubted?  She showed me love immediately, as a complete stranger…more so than my own parents ever did…
Guilt filled Renee and she stood there some time, without uttering a single word.  “I am sorry for not trusting you more.” 

             
“You are fine, my dear.  I understand how this must all seem to you.  You are from a place far from these lands and the customs of Neveah are all new to you.  Would you like to understand more about what happened?”

             
Renee felt like it was her first day of kindergarten and the concept of learning filled her with joy again.  “Yes, please.  Where did that fireball come from?”

             
The woman's eyes instantly lit up.  “Follow me, I will show you somewhere quieter where we can talk.”  It was just now Renee realized the animal noises all returned back to their normal status.  No, actually they were louder.  It was as though the animals were talking amongst themselves.  Renee imagined them discussing the recent news of the fireball, theorizing about its cause and what it would mean for them if the barrier ever failed to stop the flaming balls of doom.  The woman started strolling down a nearby path that led further from the village, into the woods.  Renee followed accordingly.

             
“Wait!”  The word was meant to remain a thought.  Blurting it out, every animal stopped and turned her way.  Renee blushed deeply.

             
“Yes, my dear, what is it?”  After saying this, the woman waved her hand towards the animals, implying they should return to their own affairs.  They obeyed accordingly and the noise resumed.

             
“Sam! I still have not seen Sam!”  Renee could not believe a simple fireball distracted her from the idea of seeing her lost friend.

             
A smile spread across the woman’s face.  “You want to trust me, correct?”

             
Renee did not like where this was going.  “Yes,” she mumbled.

             
“You shall see Sam very soon.  First, you must understand a few things about Neveah.  When I am done explaining, I promise you shall see your friend.”  The woman’s eyes were as genuine and steadfast as ever.

             
Renee could not comprehend anyone ever doubting this incredible woman.  “Ok. Well, let’s go then, no sense in wasting time.”  Renee rushed down the path as joy filled her. 
Finally, I will see Sam.  I hope they’re treating him as well as they are treating me here.  I’m sure they are….I can’t wait!
 

             
They continued onward for some time, passing incredible sights, but Renee hardly noticed.  Her mind was fixed on thoughts of Sam.  The woman bounded behind her gracefully, with a questionably permanent smile fixed upon her face.  Joy filled them both. 

             
Renee picked up the pace.  She was at a full jog now.  It took almost no effort at all.  She was not sweating or breathing heavily in the slightest.  She always hated jogging; but now she felt a sense of empowerment with every quickened step.  The faintest sound of the woman’s voice echoed behind her….
Was that her voice? She must be way back there.
  Renee pushed on.  Suddenly, the woman’s steps sounded right behind her.

             
“Wait!” This was a full on scream now and the woman’s tone resonated with concern.  Renee looked back at her.  The woman’s smile was gone as she reached out her arm towards Renee.

             
“Whaaatt?”  Feelings of annoyance formed in Renee’s mind.  However, before the thought processed any further, the woman grasped her hand, jerking her to a stop.  Dirt and rocks flew beneath her feet as Renee was drug to the ground.

             
“What the hell?!”  Renee yelled the words out of sheer, instinctual anger.  As she looked closer into the woman’s eyes, she could see the woman was deeply hurt.  Next Renee realized there was not a mark on the woman’s body or on her clothing.  There was not even the slightest sign of dirt, blood or anything, for that matter, even though she was also dragged across the ground.  The woman, trying to catch her breath, raised a finger and pointed forward, in front of Renee.  Renee turned forward and, once again, was instantaneously filled with guilt.  There, not five feet from her leg, was an enormous drop off.  The cliff stretched at least twenty feet above the lake and waterfall swimming pool.  If the circumstances were different, the view would have been magnificently beautiful.  However, fear was the only thing running through Renee’s mind now.

             
“I am so sorry.  I did not mean to hurt you.”  The woman’s voice was soft, almost angelic.

             
“No, it is me who should be sorry.  You saved my life! Thank you!”  Renee’s common sense finally caught up to her.  “I should have listened when you told me to wait.”  They both stood to their feet as Renee brushed the dirt off of her attire. 

             
Looking back down the trail, Renee now noticed the gravel path ceased several feet back. 
How did I miss that?
  She turned her attention toward the woman, with apologetic eyes.  “How about you lead from now on?”  A weak smile crossed her face.

             
The woman chuckled and agreed.  “Yes, I think that would be a good idea.”  She then turned to their right and started making her way through the crowded trees.  Renee cautiously followed in the woman’s steps.

             
“Be cautious up here, the path gets rather steep.”  The woman slowed her pace even more.  Renee, looking ahead, saw why.  The trail became so steep, it appeared impassible. The angle of the hill was at least seventy degrees.  Renee felt a knot forming in her throat and she swallowed hard.  "How are we going to make it?” 

             
“Follow my lead and no matter what, please, do not rush.”  The woman’s voice was still soft but far more direct than previously.  Her words were undoubtedly an imperative warning.  She proceeded down the trail by initially supporting herself against a tree.  Then, while still clinging to a branch with her right hand, she stretched out her left arm and reached for another tree trunk further down the hill.  Her feet followed the transition accordingly. 

             
Renee proceeded employing the exact same method.  They continued on for some time, making what seemed like no progress.  She felt much like a snail trying to cross a highway.  Finally, her urge to speak up overwhelmed her.  “I do not understand…why couldn’t we have just talked at the top of the hill?”  Her impatience was obvious.

             
“Did I not ask you to trust me?  This journey may be painfully slow but, sometimes, that is exactly the right path in life.  Remember that, Renee.”

             
Renee….wait a minute…
Something about her voice struck a chord.  She had not distinctly spoken her name this entire time; and now it dawned on Renee.  “The woman in the woods….who said it was a coral snake…that was you?!”

             
The woman giggled.  “Yes, of course, silly.  I have always been there, even when you did not see me.”

             
Renee was flabbergasted.   At last, it was all starting to make sense. 
Wait, if she has seen me the whole time, then she knows I ran away…
Renee decided not to verbally open that can of worms.  All she truly wanted was to see Sam, alive and well.  The explanation of this mysterious and incredible land seemed completely irrelevant in contrast with the well being of her friend.  Several more minutes passed in silence, each of them slowly making their way down the hill.  At last, the woman spoke.  “We are almost there.”  Renee could see up ahead, how the path leveled off and, once again, became passable by ordinary means. 

             
At last, her foot met the solid, flat surface. She was half tempted to bend down and kiss the ground.  Of course, she learned far too much about soil in her Biology class to even give the thought any seriousness.  “Are we here? Is this where we can talk?”  Renee’s eagerness was getting the best of her.  She so desperately wanted to have this conversation over with so she could see Sam.

             
“Almost.”  The woman continued slowly taking steps forward.  Renee longed to leap ahead of her at a full sprint, but remembered her recent near disaster at the edge of the cliff; and opted out of that idea.

             
Ahead, Renee could make out a stone bench, nestled amongst the trees.  Beyond that, she could barely identify the pools of water that so majestically caught her attention upon her initial arrival. Renee loved to swim and she was quite good at it.  Of course, she admittedly owed her father for that one. 

             
When she was only six years old, she almost drowned.  It was at a pool party in front of her entire school.  One of the teachers jumped in and saved Renee.  She was humiliated and swore to never go into the water again.  Her father's intentions were different.  He forced her to take swimming lessons, starting with beginner classes until she eventually joined a swim team.  At the time, she hated him for it, loathed his choice in the matter.  Now, looking at this beautiful pool up ahead, she wanted to sincerely thank him for doing something right. 

             
As though she picked up on Renee’s trance, the woman presented an idea.  “Would you like to take a swim before our discussion?”

             
Oh, I want to swim so badly, that would be so much fun….no, the sooner we get this chat over with, the sooner I can see Sam…
“Well….”  Renee did not need to struggle with the words any further.  They were now almost to the water’s edge and she saw a sight that overjoyed her far more than any amount of water.  “SAM!” 

             
There, in the middle of the pool-like lake was the blonde-haired boy.  Renee did not hesitate another second.  She rushed into the water, full clothing and all, and ran straight toward him.  To Renee’s surprise, the water was not cold at all.  In fact, she just now realized despite the autumn season, Neveah was not chilly in the least.  It was a perfect temperature here.  Renee did not allow her mind to focus on this interesting fact any longer.  Sam was alive and well! 

             
The boy barely had a chance to turn around before she was at his side.  She slung her freshly soaked arms around him in an instant embrace.  “Sam, I’m so glad you’re ok. I was so worried.  I woke up in the woods and you were just gone. I didn’t know what to think; but you’re here now and you’re ok…oh Sam!”  She released him mid-speech, but re-grasped the boy.  Realizing how brash she was, she freed him from her grip and awaited a response.  Sam just chuckled as a giant, embarrassed smile crossed his face.  Renee blushed in response, somewhat regretting the dramatic embrace.