(revised) The harsh rays of sun beamed against my face. The bark from the sturdy branch that I was sitting on scratched at my skin, making sure to leave a mark later. I was only a few feet up the ground, yet I couldn't ignore the unpleasant urges of tumbling down. Not just falling, but somehow sharp branche piercing into my eye. Sure, it was highly unlikely, but my mind ran wild. The tranquil singing of birds contradicted my untame thoughts. Then I suggested, "Movie? Tomorrow?" and then proceeded to adjust my position so that I was now leaning against the brawny tree, legs rested crossed on the broad branch. My words caught the attention of my two friends and brother, who were apparently very deep in conversation. "Sunday? Sorry, but I don't think I can. School starts on Monday and I need to prepare." chirped Sorrel, who was an absolute sweetheart. Right. I forgot today was Saturday. Disregarding that, I've known her since fifth grade, and we were now entering high school. Everyone was sitting or lying on a large tree branch, each of us lower than another. I remember this tree being here since my family and I moved to this house. After no one said anything for a while, it was decided to scrap that plan. The semi-awkward silence created a thick and heavy atmosphere. Not like mostbof us cared, anyways. We were familiar with silence. Too familiar. The "tension" was broken when Hydrangea, the eldest of our friend group spike up. "I have to go home soon, but let's go to a museum tomorrow. I'm sure we'll all have plenty of time to browse around." "No! That sounds boring." replied my brother, Strelitzia. "I don't care... as long as I don't have to stay imprisoned at home... " murmured Rye faintly, his black medium-length hair swaying due to the wind. "Sure, I think I have time to spare! How much are the tickets? I'll pay!" chirped Sorrel. To which Hydrangea told her, "You'll do no such thing! It's free, but thanks anyways." the mentioned girl gleamed at the mother-like figure, sitting up from her horizontal lying position and looking up at who said those words. Sorrel said nothing, only gleaming at Hydrangea and thanking her silently. I smiled at this wholesome interaction. After talking a little more on the upcoming school year, my friends all had to go home. Carefully, we helped each other descend from the tanky branches and waved each other goodbye. Now it was just me and my brother. "It's 7 PM already?" whined Strelitzia, trudging back to the house while shivering. I, too, started to feel the cold biting at my skin. My teeth chattered as I rushed past my sibling and into the house. Easing my way in the door, I instantly felt relief wash over me as I let my hands drop from where the originally were, which was them clenching on the opposite elbow. "Hurry in," I called to Strelitzia. The difference in temperature took a while to adjust to. When we were both inside,
(unrevised) I hastily shut the door, relishing the warm and comforting scent of all different kinds of pastries. I couldn’t wait to snag a macaron that I made with my mother as dessert. At the sound of the door opening and closing, my mom peeked her head out of the kitchen. She said, “Welcome home! I’ve already prepared some food for you dears,” and then I immediately kicked off my shoes to make my way over. We both gave her a small “thank you,” and began to eat dinner as if we would never again. Later, once I finished eating everything, I ran upstairs and into my room to text my friends. I slammed the door and crashed onto my bed, pulling out my phone. For the next few hours, I sat, texting them and smiling wearily. Today was the day of going to the museum with my friends. Of course, I was already ready, waiting by the front door. My brother Strelitzia, who was older than me by only a few months, was also anxiously waiting next to me. We paced back and forth, conversing and debating on what we wanted to look at first. At last, the doorbell rang. He stopped in his tracks and hastily reached his hand out, ready to unlock the door. That was until I slapped it away and opened it instead. There I saw everyone: Sorrel, who was the one who rang the doorbell, Hydrangea, who was next to her and absentmindedly sucking on a popsicle, and Rye, who looked like he always did. Hydrangea almost towered over his short-ish figure. “Hi!” waved Sorrel, to which my other friends waved at us. “Hey,” Strelitzia waved back. He was probably mentally jumping wildly for joy. Poor guy doesn’t get to go out often. “Let’s go now. We already told our parents.” I said, relaxed. Rye offered me one of his rare soft smiles, turning back around to the car. So we all followed, Hydranga’s mother driving towards the direction of the museum. She directed us into small talk before we all conversed loudly in the car. The music was turned from blasting to almost mute, allowing us to talk quieter as well. Along the way, I might have hit my head a few times due to how bumpy the roads were. It was about twelve minutes later and we arrived. Everyone visibly looked excited, even though it was just a museum. It was rare that we could spend time like this together. It made me feel complete, for I know that everyone genuinely cared about each other. No facades. No using others. No lying. Just a friendly space where we understand each other. I liked it like that; everyone liked it like that. Our group continued to walk along the ancient fossils in the dinosaur section, talking about completely irrelevant subjects. It was so calm, and I wished that I could feel this way forever. “Hey, look at this fossil. Touch it!” Rye dared me, pointing at some small fossil. “No way,” I shuddered. “That thing looks gnarly. Even if it’s interactive, it’s probably really unsanitary.” Rye then gave me a deadpan expression. Afterward, everyone was urging me to touch it for $1 each. Peer pressure, am I right? Naturally, I gave in; free money. “That’s disgusting!” Hydrangea fake gagged when I pretended to smear my hand on her. Sorrel excused herself to look at something else. We didn’t mind and continued to horse around. Suddenly, ten officers marched up to us and restricted us from proceeding. “Halt!” said one, gripping my arms and holding them behind my back. We each shared a confused and alarmed look, pleading to be let free. “What are you doing?” cried Sorrel, coming in to check on the noise. There were four of us and 10 guards. Wait, 10 guards? Oh. Soon after, multiple guards rushed over to restrict Sorrel from fully entering the room. “Are you associated with the suspects?” said one. “What did we do?” Hydrangea mumbled. The atmosphere was tense and heavy as I looked around cautiously. Well, that wasn’t too good; they looked like Leader Henbit’s guards. Definitely not good. If they thought that we stole one of his precious articles, then that would be the truth. To them, at least. “Empty your pockets and give us the stolen artifact.” said one of the guards who tightened their hold on me. “What? My friends don’t have it!” I hissed, not moving a muscle. “I’m not talking about them. It’s you. Either way, you’ll be executed!” he barked, using his free hand to claw its way into the pocket of my sweater. “This is outrageous. I told you, I don’t have it!” I yelled, discomfort clouding my senses. I looked to my friends for assistance, and my gaze told them everything. Help. “Then, what is this?” he replied, finally pulling out his hand with… with… one of the Leader’s most well-known artifacts. The Moribund. If you have this artifact in your possession when you die, you’ll get a second chance at life if you have unfinished business. But, how? How did I have it? Frick. this is published on watt pad. user= @tyranine
