R.E.M.: The Hidden World (13 page)

             
Ethan clearly picked up on the vibe.  “Would you like to see my favorite part of this mall?”  His eyes sparkled with a secret trying to scream its way through.

             
Emily hesitated a moment.  She was not yet sure which side of her mind’s war would be victorious. 
Well it’s just a mall after all….how bad could the place be? Remember to play it cool though girl….you still need more answers…
“Sure, but I doubt it can compare to these other shops.”  Emily smiled proudly as she yet again gripped his hand to exit the designer store.

             
“Oh it can compare, you’ll see.” 

             
Ethan lead them down the main passageway of the mall.  Looking ahead the way to the upper levels struck Emily as odd.  Instead of escalators or a massive staircase, there was a giant twirling ramp that led to every floor.  It was composed of solid concrete and reminded her of a parking garage ramp.  From one side to the other, it expanded at least ten feet wide. 
Wow they certainly account for massive shopping traffic here. 
She pictured rows and rows of shoppers crowding the ramp, each one rushing to their destination.  To her pleasant surprise, the ramp was not crowded at all and there was plenty of room to spread out.  Despite this fact, Ethan remained extremely close, walking less than six inches from her, his hand accidently bumming into her backside more than once.  Though Emily still did not trust the man, she found the action rather flattering. 
Yea….he knows I’m hot…wait….what am I thinking…
Emily was not feeling like her typical logical, defensive self at all.  Something was changing within her and she liked it.  Perhaps she enjoyed it too much.

             
They were about halfway up the ramp before Emily started to feel tired.  She would not let this show of course and instead simply decided to inquire about their destination.  “So are we going all the way to the top or what?”  She giggled at the ironically metaphorical representation.  The name brand purse, fresh hairstyle, and designer clothes were clearly going to her head.

             
Ethan raised a brow and smiled.  “Yes, actually…”

             
As they passed the 6
th
floor, Emily’s nose was tickled by an incredible array of scents.  “Wow that smells amazing….”  She continued to sniff the air, pausing in place as she did so.

             
“It’s a perfume shop.  Would you like to go take a peek?”  Ethan stopped beside her now, bumping his hand into hers.  He clearly wanted another opportunity to grasp it.

             
“Well we can always come back, right?  I’m curious to see what your favorite place is…”  For once, Emily was telling him the absolute truth.  Ethan simply smiled and continued onward up the ramp.

             
They were now crossing the 9
th
level and the path narrowed drastically.  It stretched only three feet wide here, and Ethan’s closeness was suddenly a blatant necessity.  As they reached the top floor, Emily realized everything was different here.  She only saw one person walking along the halls and in place of the shops were entirely different structures.  Tinted glass covered every section where the storefronts rested below.  It suddenly looked more like a hotel or an apartment complex than a mall at all.  There were doors spaced at least twenty feet apart that appeared to require some kind of card swipe to grant entry.  Not unlike those one would see in a high security office building. 

             
Emily remembered a time when her and her father visited one of his Army friends on post.  The man was of a significant rank and his office door employed a similar locking system.  As they approached the third door down, Ethan produced such a key card from his pocket and paused just before scanning it.  As though for dramatic effect, he remained there a moment.  Then, smiling brilliantly, he finally opened the doorway and spoke.  “Welcome to my lounge.” 

             
Return to contents

20. THE MYTHICAL TREE

Ren
ee and Sam played on the rope swing for some time.  Then, Renee’s attention was drawn to the waterfall slide gurgling above.  “How do we get up there?”  She pointed to the top of it.

             
“Oh boy….it’s a bit of a climb…sure you’re up for it?”  Sam was teasing her again.  She took it as a direct challenge, something she almost never turned down.

             
“Let’s do it.”  She laughed wildly at her own dramatic tone.

             
“Ok, follow me.”  Sam returned to the shore where the rope swing rested.  He then looked back to the shoreline on the opposing side.  Renee followed his eyes to the bench where Miria had been waiting for them.  She was gone.

             
“Hmm, where’d she go?”  Renee allowed the wondering thought to be expressed aloud.

             
“Eh who knows, she’ll be back though….she tends to do this sort of thing….let’s go.”  Sam pushed her onward.  Looking at the sight in front of her, Renee knew Sam meant business about the climb.  It was not unlike the opposite side she and Miria recently ventured down.  Trees stretched upward across a sharply angled hillside.  Only this time, they were making their way up instead of down.  As challenging as her previous climb was, it did not even compare to this.  She and Sam both moved at a snail’s pace, slowly resting one foot against a tree then following with the other.  It was certainly a tedious task.

             
“Whew, you meant it about this climb, huh?”  Renee was nearly out of breath. 
That’s odd…I didn’t even feel out of breath when I was running before…hmm…

             
“Yea, it’s intense.  We’re getting close to the top though….and I promise it’s worth every second.”  Sam smiled brightly, almost slipping as he did so.  He stopped talking after that and watched his feet very cautiously.  Renee followed suit, staring toward the ground.

             
As they finally reached the top, Renee could see the truth in Sam’s words.  It really was magnificent.  There was a clearing just as they reached level ground.  It was a blank, lovely field with tall grass waving in the wind.  In the center rested one lone tree with bare branches. 

             
That’s odd….a bare tree…it’s only the beginning of fall…
All the other trees surrounding them displayed an array of colors.  Some of their leaves even clung to the remaining green tone.  Of course, the pine trees were an absolute exception and retained their normal status.  “What’s up with the dead tree?”  Renee pointed to the tree standing alone as Sam finished his final step toward the flat ground.  She had nearly yelled the words simply to be heard over the gurgling waterfall slide to her right.

             
“Oh it’s not dead…that’s the mythical tree of Neveah.  Look towards the top, do you see it?”  Sam was pointing towards the tree’s peak.  Renee’s eyes followed his guide as she attempted to focus.

             
“I don’t see anything special….”  Renee was confused.

             
“Come on let’s get closer.”  Sam bounded off towards the tree, seemingly without any effort at all.  Renee, being a bit thicker, struggled to keep up with him.  Finally they were only ten feet from the thing and Renee saw it.  Resting near the very top of the tree was one lone green bud.  It looked as though it was just ready to bloom, almost frozen there mid-process.

             
“How is that possible?  I thought trees only bloomed in the spring…”  Renee pushed her hair out of her face now, hoping for a better view without the stringy blockage.

             
“Like I said….it’s mythical….you see, this tree is the only one of its kind.  Miria explained to me that it never changes throughout all the seasons.  Forever, its other branches remain bare but the one bud remains.  She said it’s a symbol of hope for passing travelers….to show them that even in the darkest, coldest of winters, spring is always just around the corner.”  Sam smiled proudly as he finished the inspirational speech.

             
“Wow….that’s lovely….”  She suspected Sam enjoyed mocking it more than anything.  To Renee, though, it was incredible.  She often struggled to keep hope in life, constantly feeling as though defeat was immanent before even starting things.

             
“So you ready?”  Sam smiled eagerly.  His previously wet clothes were almost completely dry now.  Renee almost forgot their reason for climbing up here. 
Oh yea….duh…the freaking waterslide….

             
“Last one there is a cry baby…”  Renee sprinted off as she said the words with a considerable head start.  She barely made it to the shore’s edge before Sam.

             
“That so wasn’t fair…you had a head start…”  Sam was smiling despite the slight aggravation.  “Well here goes nothing…”  Without missing a beat, he stepped out into the current and was immediately pulled down the flowing slide.  “Woo!”  His head popped up out of the water as he screamed and slid down like it was nothing.

             
It was far higher up than Renee first thought; multiple stories up in fact.  She suddenly felt dizzy as she looked down the massive thing, doubting her decision to climb up here. 

             
Sam safely made it to the bottom and stepped to the side, making way for her.  “What’s the hold up?  Come on, it’s fun!”  He yelled the words loudly over the rushing water.

             
Crap….I don’t know if this is such a good idea…
Renee stepped away from the edge, turning back toward the path. 
Screw this…I’ll just walk back down…
At that moment, she realized she was once again facing the mysterious tree.  She stared at it for some time, contemplating Sam’s words. 
It’s a symbol of hope…its meant to push travelers onward when they feel like there is no way they can continue….aw crap…
She knew, in that second, she had to do it.  Without allowing another thought to pass through her mind, Renee spun towards the water and ran.  She leaped in like a gazelle, utter terror filling her at the last second.  It was too late, she was committed now.  Water rushed over her head. As she rose back up, sheer adrenaline rushed through her.  She screamed as her body was pulled down the massive slide.  Excitement filled her.  As she reached the bottom, an incredible sense of accomplishment swept over her.

             
“Oh yea!  Nicely done.”  Sam was waiting at the bottom, clearly proud she went through with it.  “You would’ve never done something like that back home….”  He smiled vividly. 

             
It reminded Renee of a time they went swimming back in their small town.  She climbed to the edge of a cliff where their friends were jumping.  Fear overtook her that time and she slowly made her way back down.  They all waited for her tedious, embarrassing climb of shame.  Not this time though. 
I did it!
  Renee felt proud of the accomplishment.  This was truly an incredible place.

             
“Back to the rope swing?”  Sam grinned wildly.  He rushed toward the edge and was splashing her before Renee could even move.  Bringing her out of her trance, she immediately flung water back at him.  The two giggled wildly as the water battle ensued.

             
The joy and laughter of the evening seemed to last forever.  Renee had not had this much fun with her friend, or any friend for that matter, in years.  Finally, the sun was just starting to disappear over the hills and the voice of Miria rang out.  “Perhaps it is time to get dried off now.”  She was standing along the water’s edge, lifting two extremely fluffy towels. 
Oh, that’s where she went…

             
It was just now Renee considered the fact Miria did not join them in the water.  As she and Sam approached closer to the shore, she brought this matter to attention.  “Why didn’t you get in the water too?”  As she asked this, Renee still bore the massive smile etched across her face.  Miria’s face bore a different expression on it.  Her features still aglow, her expression was far more serious and reserved.  “What’s wrong?”  Renee’s curiosity never ceased.  With her inquiry voiced, she then drew her attention to the fresh towel in her hands.  She scanned over its fluffy surface several times to ensure it contained no unwanted pests.

             
Miria looked up and managed a weak smile.  “I am sorry, my dear, if I do not seem myself.  There are simply some very serious matters I must discuss with our leader.” 

             
Sam rushed up behind Renee.  His curiosity was also noticeably sparked.  “You mean with The Protector?”  He smiled as he stated the unique title.

             
“Yes.  Would you mind showing Renee the lines and taking her to April for some dry clothes?”  Sam’s response was less than enthusiastic as he rolled his eyes.  Miria continued, “After, you may introduce her to Ellhion if you so prefer.”  She smiled brightly at this and Sam’s face was immediately reignited.

             
“Who’s Ellhion?”  Renee felt completely lost again.  It seemed Sam and Miria spent quite some time together and she was starting to feel like the odd one out.

             
“Oh, you’ll see.”  Sam stated as he smiled brightly.  Once they both dried off as much as possible, Sam rushed off.  He started running toward the beams that supported Neveah’s dock and was directly underneath them in no time.  He then rounded the corner, assumedly headed toward the unfamiliar section of the woods.

             
“Hey, wait up.”  Renee hurried to follow him.  Looking back at Miria, she noticed her very somber, serious expression once more. 
Hmm…what is worrying her so much?....
The thought must wait; Sam was leaving her in the dust.  Rushing forward, she finally caught up to him.  “Shesh Sam…you run…like a…freaking cheetah.”  Her words were broken up between heavy breaths as they continued to run deeper into the woods.

             
“Or like a tiger.”  Sam laughed loudly. 
Huh?....tigers are slower than cheetahs, aren’t they?....oh well, whatever…
His pace slowed as they approached a wide opening in the trees.  The field here was not unlike the one by the water slide.  Only here line after line stretched across it’s opening, each one running at least fifty feet across from one tree on the edge to another.  Several of the lines grasped dangling clothes tossing about in the wind.  “Think you can wear boy’s clothes?”  Sam asked as he hurried over to a specific area amongst the lines.  He unclipped the clothes pins holding the pants and shirt in place.

             
“Um I guess…weren’t we supposed to go see someone about getting me dry clothes?”  Renee needed clarification here.

             
“Oh, April? Yea, well I really want you to meet Ellhion; so this will save us on time.  Plus I have three sets of clothes total, and two of them have been here overnight.  One dry set for you, one dry set for me and then we can both hang up our wet clothes.”

             
“So we’re just bypassing seeing this April person and getting me girl’s clothes to save on time?”  Renee was irritated.  Despite her recent decision to run away from home, she generally liked following directions. 
Then again, you are in this strange place after dragging him into running away….it’s kinda your own fault….oh shut up brain…

             
As Renee was having her mental battle, Sam handed her a dry set of clothes.  “You can go over there to change.”  He pointed to a grouping of trees some ways off.

             
“You want me to change in the middle of the woods?!”  Renee certainly did not like that idea.

             
“Whoa, where’s your sense of adventure?”  Sam grabbed his own set and scrambled off in another direction.  Turning his head back towards her as he rushed off, he added, “Trust me, when you meet Ellhion, you’ll know it’s all worth it.”  Sam smiled vividly before redirecting his focus toward the trees ahead of him.

             
Renee hesitantly made her way to the other side of the woods.  Looking around, the trees that appeared so lovely before now seemed daunting in their existence.  Renee cautiously removed her wet skirt and replaced it with the oddly sized pants.  They hung down far too low in the center, with loose cloth dangling in the crotch area, yet squeezed too tightly on her rounded stomach.  “Ugh.”  Renee could not contain her irritation.  As she changed her shirt, she pleasantly found it was a better fit, but the pants were bothering her already. 

             
Walking back into the clearing, she pulled down on the clothing around her thighs then lifted the waist up higher again.  No matter what she tried, she could not get comfortable.  Sam was already changed and back in place by the clothes line, hanging up his drenched apparel.

             
“This Ellhion character had better be all you say he is.” 

             
Sam laughed wildly at the comment and at her struggle with the awkward fitting pants.  Renee glared at him.  “Sorry….uhm….you look great….and he is all that.  Trust me, you’ll see.”  Sam reached out for the damp clothes in her hand.  “Here, I’ll put those up for you.”  His effort seemed like a genuine attempt to make amends.  Renee handed them over, glad to not have to deal with the drenched clothing.  She always hated dealing with laundry.  Sam hung up the items efficiently, clearly on a mission.  “Come on, let’s go….I hope he’s not sleeping right now…..he likes to sleep a lot....”