Children of the Trees [OPEN]

Willow's hand was outstretched. She wants to know my name; they both do. The problem? Did I want to tell them? An unsual feeling settled in me; confirming my decision. Trust.

"I'm Ivy," I said, shaking her hand. Shade gave a small smile. Well no need for the unappealing hood, I guess. I tugged my hood off, releashing my wild purple hair.

There we were. Three Darklings. Exposed.

"Have you been chosen to go to the Inn?" Shade asked, glancing from me to Willow.

"Yes," we both answered almost simultaneously.

"We should travel together," Willow intervened.

"I'm in," I spoke, looking at Shade for her response. A wave of relief seemed to wash over her.

"I will," she breathed.

"Then it's settled," Willow finished happily, "We travel at dawn."

I don't sleep that night. My power hums within me as the Blood Moon beckons, and I feel the shadows press in on me. I have to fight with all my will to keep them at bay; to keep them from swallowing the world. I'm not fighting alone though, there are other guardians going through this with me at this very moment. But knowing this doesn't make me feel less alone, or overwhelmed. It's just one night, I tell myself. One night every cycle, I can do this.

I try to focus on what awaits me on the morrow. My eyes will be back to their original silver, and I will be set out to infiltrate the court of the most powerful man on this earth. There was so much that could go wrong, so many ways we could fail... I push the thoughts away as quickly as they come. No, we were not going to fail, I wouldn't let that happen.

I toss and turn, as my mind is continually tortured by these thoughts. What have I gotten myself into?

The other two may feel fine trying to sleep without a guardian, but I do not. I step up the the base of the closest tree and ask it, "Will you watch over us while we sleep?"

It's branches rustle though there is no wind. Why should I?

A teenage fay. Never thought I'd see the sight, or rather, hear the spooky and slightly whiny voice invade on my thoughts. I shudder. Was this what we would have become if not born with that special twist in our genes that made us Darklings? I glare at the tree, hands on my hips. "Remember what I did to your elder back there, the instantaneous wilting? I can do the same to you or I could make the water in your trunk swell until you burst. Or I could make sure that all the seedlings that compete with you for sunlight are held back by lack of water so you becaome taller than them. Your choice."

I'll do it. Doubt that any of you will get much rest tonight, though. A hint of malice crept into it's voice. Do you know what happens when you fall asleep the night after you've killed a tree? You get the brand of a blooded darkling. And we make sure you suffer for your treachery. Imagine the person you love the most in the world. Imagine them twisted beyond recognition until you hate them, until you'd kill them on sight.

His glee was sickening. I turn my back on the tree and say definitely, "There's no one I love that much anymore." His laughter invaded my mind until I mutter, "Wilting or explosion?" and then he finally shuts up. But I am resolved. I will not sleep tonight, not while the fay can watch me and laugh at my fears.