The Reflecting Pool Part 2

Canti’s eyes grew wide at her words.  Yet, she did have a good idea.  One that would have to be put into action quickly.  He scribbled on his pad once again.  How?

“I . . . don’t know,” Zoe answered helplessly.  But then inspiration struck.  “I do know where we can hide out for a while, though.”

She helped him to his feet again and together they stole away into the night.  It was nearly dawn when they reached Zoe’s reflecting pool.  Halfway there, Zoe had had to lift Canti onto her back and piggyback him the rest of the way.  They watched as sunlight broke through the trees and bounced off the surface of the water, giving a breathtaking image.

Canti struggled out of her grasp and sat down on a rock near the water.  He took out his pad and wrote, Is this where you come at night?

Zoe blinked.  “I didn’t know you knew I left.”

Canti smiled knowingly and Zoe had the feeling that despite, or possibly because of, this little boy’s muteness, his other senses were that of a God’s.

Zoe looked around, attempting to spy a place they could sleep during the night.  Intuition told her it was best not to move Canti any further until his ankle had more of a chance to heal.  But tiredness was taking her and all she could do was stretch out in the tall grass.  Moments later, she was asleep.

*~*~*~*

Zoe was violently shaken awake that evening.  She almost swatted Canti’s hand away, but realized that he didn’t have that kind of strength in his stick-like arms.  She sat up quickly, looking for the boy, but only saw a woman, her entire face hidden except for two piercing blue eyes.

“Are you Zoe?” she asked sharply.

“Y-yes . . .” she answered in a small voice.

“Good.  You and the boy must come with me.”  She stood, beginning to walk briskly away when Zoe gave a small cry.

“What is it, child?  We must make haste.”

“But Ca– but he can’t walk right now.  He sprained his ankle.”

The woman sighed.  “Very well.  I shall carry him.  But you must come.  Quickly now.”  She knelt and picked up the sleeping Canti, gave a last glance at Zoe, and started walking again.

Zoe had no choice but to follow.  She wouldn’t let anyone go anywhere with Canti without her.

(More coming, possibly.  Assuming I think of any.)