Seesaw (1)

(Ophelia)

***

Our break didn't last very long, and the sweet relief of a meal made it seem even shorter. Like bears before winter, we munched down the food and drank an endless stream of water from a metal device attached to something called a "cinema" that people flocked out of with blue and red glasses—not knowing when we would easily be able to find something to nourish us again.

Growing up in the lavish vicinity of the castle, necessities were always guaranteed, but wandering in the vast fields along towering roads left me uncertain about how to react to a deficit.

*What if we aren't lucky tomorrow?*

Hallisville wasn't far from Magnarb, even by foot. I knew this because there was still a sliver of daylight when a green metal sign greeted me with the town's name. It told us we were a mile away—turn in two exits. Maybe those instructions only applied to the bulls on the road, but we followed them anyway, lost as children hidden amidst a ballroom dance.

"Stop." Koharu placed her hand in front of me a little after the indicator to exit for Hallisville.

I walked through it, bending her wrist back. "We need to get to the next town quickly. We still have to find somewhere to sleep."

"And you completely ignore what's after that? I bet Orbis is right there on the horizon." With a grin, she closed one eye and positioned her arms like an archer. "And right behind Orbis is the sun, moving before our eyes. Why don't you aim yourself that way? When was the last time you watched the sun descend?"

*That's usually so charming, but this isn't the time!*

"Long time ago,"—I exhaled—"but we need to get going, Koko."

That vague emotion she had in the morning came back, manifesting itself in a bleak longing masked in excitement. "What's the rush? We won't ever get another opportunity to spend time together like this. You know,"—she plopped onto the ground as my eye practically twitched—"if we go back, everything will be the same—*if* my dad doesn't make us break up over this. Why not make this count? The sun stays in one place where we live, but here, things are constantly moving."

*Moving too fast and leaving us behind!*

I was frustrated, aching, and tired to the point I couldn't imagine arguing over such ideas for several days. There weren't any people outside their vehicles to bother us, so I acted as if we were unseen.

"What are you going on about?" I sighed. "Have you not considered they're all worried back at the castle? We need to get back as soon as possible. Please stand up, love."

I extended my hand towards her. We were in this together. There was no time for delays or disagreements.

She tilted her head with a slight giggle, trailing her eyes up the bend of my arm to my weary face.

"I'll take it if you watch the sunrise with me at Flor tomorrow. You rush past some of the small things, Lia. Do it at least for me." She pouted, and it seemed she guilt-tripped me.

As weak as ever, I bit my lip before releasing it.

"Fine, fine." I shook my head. "I'll do it if we get there early enough."

*Who am I kidding? I'll probably do it regardless.*

She smiled and took my hand as leverage to stand, bouncing to her feet with an abundance of energy. I wished she could give some of it to me, but a metal wire wouldn't even do the trick to transfer that electricity between us. In that case, I hoped she would carry me forward, but I couldn't guarantee she would head in the right direction.