Unable to stop myself, I placed my hand on top of his for a moment. “Yeah, I know.”
We held this touch for only a few more seconds until the intimacy became unbearable, and we had to let go.
After another day of practice, I could hold other people across dimensions for fifteen minutes. In addition to my endurance, constant sparring started to strengthen my body and wits. Mercury and I kept coming to a draw, but I beat Piranha easily. Sharp always got the upper hand somehow, but I didn’t let it bruise my ego. Willow didn’t fight anyone.
On the fifth day, the doctor’s expertise was needed to help Ivory discover a weakness in Obsidian’s power, so he left us to ourselves on the bottom floor, declaring Sharp to be in charge. Willow’s curiosity about my power outweighed the desire to leave his soul untouched, so he finally gave in.
“You aren't going to be able to read my thoughts or anything, right?” he mumbled, holding his arms close to his body. The diamond sun-lamps lighting the room washed out the yellow in his hair, making it look stark white.
I raised an eyebrow and smirked. “What's wrong Mountain Boy? Don't you trust me?”
“Of course, but that doesn't mean I want you all up in my subconscious.”
Piranha, shuffling cards at a short game table, made a kissy face. “Most people wait until marriage before doing that.”
My face heated. “Don’t make it weird, Fangs.”
“No promises.”
I pinched between my eyes and took a deep breath. “Look, I'm just going to go for it. Stay still and try not to be resistant.”
“If you would,” added Sharp, sitting cross-legged on the cushioned ground, “verbally process your feelings and any memories that come to mind.”
Willow saluted. “Right-o!”
I knew what to expect, but what I saw in the Unseen Dimension still took my breath away. His blue and gold soul hung suspended in the air like a small sun. The doctor theorized this mass was because Willow was well-traveled and social, creating a soul bright enough to affect the hue of everyone else. The misty light invoked a sudden urge to sing or dance or laugh. Basking in it, I forgot I was supposed to be influencing him.
I could have stayed there forever, but when I got closer to the center…something changed. I passed through something hot, untouchable, and guarded. A cacophonous mess of negative emotions assaulted me: fear, anger, pain, hatred.
An image came to mind, seen through Willow's eyes. A great cliffside overlooking a field of endless clouds under a cerulean sky. I could almost breathe the crisp mountain air. The sun was just rising. I took a step, to see it closer.
And then I was falling, falling towards a certain death, flooded now with thoughts that were not my own, but Willow’s. Why did I get so close to the edge? I can’t use my power yet. I’m going to die…
In the next instant, I was safe on a heap of fresh snow, eyes struggling to open after blacking out. In front of me, the face of a girl, flushed with fear and relief. She was fourteen, maybe fifteen, with cloud-white hair tied in two intricate braids.
Yousavedmylife.
A burning explosion of heat, and then Willow was yelling, “GET OUT!” I jumped backwards and reappeared to see a look of pain twisting his face. “I told you not to read my mind!” His teeth were clenched, eyes narrowed. For the first time ever, I thought he was about to fight me for real.
“I'm…sorry. That wasn’t—I didn't mean to.” I moved closer to sooth him. “Listen, please don't—”
A finger jabbed into my chest. “Don't you say a word!” He pushed past Gold-and-Silver coming down the staircase and spat back, “The rest of you leave me alone!”
If there had been a door, he would have slammed it. A ringing silence was left behind, everyone's eyes now on me.
“I can't leave you alone for five minutes without something going wrong.” The doctor fanned himself with his notebook. “What happened?”
“It's… I might have…” I would not break my friend's trust, not even with the others. He’d told me not to say a word, so I wouldn’t. I glanced at Sharp and Piranha, my eyes saying I'll explain later. “I kind of… read his thoughts on accident. He wasn't happy about it. I really should find him and apologize.”
I'm sure my friends would tease me about this later, but for now they encouraged me with silence. I headed up the stairway to the Meadow Blue. My stomach turned. The sensation of falling hadn’t subsided.
The Meadow was empty when I climbed into it. I looked at the sky.
“Willow!” I cupped my hands around my mouth. “Look, I'm sorry! Don't hide from me! Please come talk.” On most days he was quick to forgive, so I was certain I crossed a line.
“Come on Willow…” I sighed. No movement in the trees. “Okay, have it your way. I'm going to leave you alone. When you're ready to talk, come find me.”
Still nothing. I gave it another moment before turning back to the door. If he wanted space, he would get it. The image of the girl’s face was still behind my eyes, and a word buzzed in my head. Something told me it was a name. Her name.
Phoenix.
When I opened the hatch to leave, a strangled cry erupted from the trees.
“BADGER!”
I whipped around. “Willow? Willow, where are you?!”
No voice replied. but I heard people struggling through the branches. I couldn’t jump into the trees without a plan, so I stuck my head through the door and shouted, “I need help up here! I think we have an intruder!”
The rustling increased. The sound of two people fighting. I sprinted to the branches and struggled to climb. The bottom limbs were so thick and gnarled, I had no hope of seeing through them, unless I climbed to the middle of the canopy.
“Come back! You’re making a mistake!” I shouted with desperation. I wasn't fast enough, and I could only hope someone stronger was coming to my side.
“What's going on up here?” said a voice from the trapdoor.
“Mercury!” I cried with relief. “Someone has Willow! They took him this way through the canopy!”
