Chapter Nine

That night I was so uncomfortable sleeping beside a Kumtauq after every terrifying things Sandy had told me. That I decided to elope with the wind for the time being until I decide what to do. 1

The leaves that were lying beneath me went crunch, crunch and crunch as it kept interrupting my thoughts. I wondered why I was even going through this. Why was I yet again alive in places that I never recognize? 2

If I were a Montegero than why was everyone afraid of them, was I dangerous and didn’t even know it? 3

I then suddenly remembered that article in the book written by Hematite, he clearly said that Montegeroes had the Shapeless Shift. At once my eyes darted downwards trying to get a glimpse at the weird shape on my neck… but it was utterly impossible without a mirror.4

I laughed at the thought that here I was in the year 2045 and no mirrors were to be seen anywhere, I fact even when I was living in Sandiola's house there were no mirrors.5

I gave a slight shrug as a cold breeze swept past me. I then snapped back into the cold reality and realized…6

I was lost.7

Every where I looked I saw nothing but big, black trees. 8

I panicked and started to run any way my feet took me, once in a while I'd feel a tug of the trees branches just hold me back for second or two scaring my soul out of me each time it did. I could feel my hair stand on end as yet another shiver rippled through my body due to another yet stronger breeze.9

'm-ma-r-i-rie?'10

I was struck with horror as I saw sandy crying, not tears but blood, tears that went on and on. She had deep, minor cuts that let out a lot of green , steamy liquid that looked like it was burning her. Her hair was cut hurriedly so now it was uneven and all messy. It looked like she escaped hell. Alive.11

After moments of horror stricken panic I ran to her rescue. I quickly ripped up my scarf and rolled it around Sandy's arm which was scratched and looked like it was badly infected.12

'What has happened Sandy?'13

'I-told-you-u-u he d-d-id-did t-h-his!' She tried to sound angry and frustrated but it gave too much pain and that's when I saw…14

Sandy's neck was covered in dry blood but that didn't hide what had happened to it, her shapeless shift had been cut off, leaving a large hole in her neck.15

I gasped loudly and started to cry myself, 16

'Oh, Sandy… why, why did they do this to you?' I wept as large tears dropped as puddles onto the ground 'please, please don’t leave me alone'17

'li-s-t-ten to-to me' she started as she left a lot of groans 'you-you a-a-are the one… th-tha-at he used, st-o-op him…….'18

I'm sure the whole forest heard my screams as sandy just would not answer me anymore.19

Words in English, can not, nor will it ever explain the horrible anger I felt, that anger, was to blame for Oregon's death, or so I thought as yet again courses changed.20

I stormed through the forest after I covered Sandiola in leaves and prayed that21

–al least- she had a good after life, or better than she had here.22

I don't know how or when but no sooner had I wept beside Sandy was I in the camp site turning it upside down though to others turning it 360 degrees everywhere.23

'OREGO!' 24

When I didn’t hear an answer it lead to a series of screams, shouts and curses.25

'madama?' I turned around to see that familiar kumtauq only this time I had no sympathy for him, all I saw was an ugly, murderous beast that I was dying to kill.26

'Where-were-you?' I asked trying to control my tone.27

'Collectinga berry' he said as he showed me a finger full of berries,28

'NO! YOU KILLED SANDY I KNOW YOU RUDDY WELL DID!' I screamed so hard that I had held the side of my head in pain.29

I then heard an evil, disturbing cackle, I looked up to see Oregon with his long nailed hands on his hips laughing showing those jagged, yellow teeth that tormented me.30

'You don't get it do you?' he said in perfect English 'she told you right before she died and you still don’t get do you?'31

'How?' I said suddenly feeling scared 'what do you mean?' Oregon seemed a lot scarier when he spoke in such way. In way like he was now the one powerful.32

'He used you!' babbled Oregon as he gave a few coughs here and there 'stop him…!'33

I felt bewildered, shocked and hurt. All those feelings just had to come out, yet here I was almost dying to get to the bathroom but I couldn't budge.34

'I-I K-iii…' I began wishing and wishing that I was back in the ground,35

'Yes you did, you loved it especially when you ripped out her useless shapeless shift'36

'NO! I DIDN’T YOU DID IT, YOU KILLED HER'37

'No, no, no…. you-did!' he laughed38

I felt like losing my own soul, to punish myself. I killed Sandy, she was like my sister… my very own sister… she was like Alex.39

*40

Moments later I was running anywhere. I was terrified, scared to my wits end. The air rushing past me felt flames; the floor I was running on felt like it would just about swallow me. My hands were dropping off, I fainted, as I saw one last blurred glimpse of the forest, I peacefully closed my eyes.41

'She has been through so much, poor girl' I heard a familiar voice say as it gave my bushy hair a stroke,42

'Where'd you find her?' said yet again another familiar voice,43

'Where you abandoned her!'44

'Yes but, I couldn’t stand that kumtauq…' I suddenly opened my eyes at once and…45

'DAD!' I cried all over again, that same cheerful smile, those warm and soft hands, I hugged him till I thought I would suffocate him.46

'Marie, how are you my dear?'47

'Dad' I said suddenly sounding angry 'What have you done to me?'48

I hopped off that very same bed that had tormented me in Sandiola's house when,49

'SANDIOLA!!' and yet again, I started to cry and hug her as well, 'Sandy, I thought I kill… he told me… I SAW YOU DIE!'50

'And I did, now I have used my moment's death'51

That is what it took to put on my rage once again,52

'WHAT DO YOU MEAN' and without waiting for her to answer I turned Dad 'Why did you leave me like this, why are you alive now, what has happened, WOULD YOU EXPLAIN THIS TO ME THIS ISNT A GAME!'53

They both sighed and slumped down on two chairs,54

'We wish we could tell you Marie,' started Dad 'but you need to find out on your very own.'55

'I can't Dad, look what happened to Sandiola because I didn’t listen to her and I ended up killing her! I trusted a kumtauq and I knew I shouldn’t and look what he has done to me! DAD, I have people against me, I know it.'56

Dad took the jug that was placed on a dresser next to him and poured glassy red liquid into a cup and then he slowly drunk it like as if it were to blow any second.57

'Marie, my dear, where is that book where you found out about the Shapeless shift?'58

'mmm, its in that suitcase bag, I left it in the forest…wait, how did you know?'59

'I know many things Marie, now you need to continue your journey to find Mr. Diphthong…'60

'Wait, no, no, no. I' m done with the forest, I' m not joking, I'm not going back there, There is no way on earth you can make me do such thing, na ah! That's the end of it'