"So today we're going to teach you the art of tree dashing." Bradley said as he brought her to a clearing with a circle of trees surrounding them. Sarah looked up above and already saw at least a dozen youngsters laughing and having fun while jumping, swinging and climbing in the trees.
"They're already pretty good aren't they?" Bradley said. Sarah smiled and agreed.
The day Bradley had brought Sarah back to the camp he had explained the entire situation to her...that her friends were in danger being with Breanna, his sister.
"She's a ruthless killer and has a heart of the coldest ice." Bradley began, "Your friends are going to die in her hands unless we do something about it."
"What happened between the two of you that made you mortal enemies?" Sarah asked. He didn't respond but looked out the window instead trying to avoid the question. Sarah grew silent and understood that it probably wasn't an appropriate time to ask.
"Then how are we going to help them?"
Bradley explained that they had to infiltrate the camp and get her friends back. The survivors in his camp were excellent tree climbers and their agility were par none to anyone in Breanna's camp. They learned to move through the trees when they realized that zombies couldn't climb. It was essential for their survival.
"We will sneak in there in the middle of the night, find them and bring them back here. But by now, either their dead or Breanna has already brainwashed them to believe that you've been kidnapped by a horrible person. She's evil, that one. I can't even stand to look at her."
Sarah felt a pang of sympathy for Bradley. He had been nice to her the entire time and all he wanted was to help her get her friends back. He must have a good heart, she thought...he must be the knight in this story.
But now they were busy climbing trees. Sarah began to climb one with the assistance of vines that were wrapped around the trunk to help the younger children and new climbers up.
"Once you're up there, don't look down!" Bradley said as she began her ascent. "Just keep looking forward and above you. Pretend you're on the ground!"
Sarah gulped as she climbed, closing her eyes every time her foot missed a holding and she didn't feel any ground beneath her. "Easier said than done..." She thought. Taking a deep breath, she focused on looking up where a few children were giggling and whispering waiting for her to reach them.
"Hurry." A voice from above her said.
"How did you get up so fast?" Sarah asked Bradley who was already in a tree above her. He jumped from one branch to another, like a dance in mid air. He met her at the branch she climbed onto.
"Here grab my hand."
She grabbed it and felt a warm pulse run down her spine. Her face grew flushed and a her throat dry.
Bradley smiled back. "Come on, it's easy." And he showed her how to tree dash.
***
"Fuck I'm done for." David said trying to find anything to hide behind.
"Yeah I need a break." Rufus' booming voice yelled back at someone. The knob at the door began to turn...."I said put it over there!!" The knob stopped. "You idiot, let me take care of it. Follow me!!!" And his earth shaking foot steps began to dissipate.
David collapsed on the floor from relief but realized he needed to roll the rug back over the floor and get out of there.
He peaked his head out the door and quickly dashed out back to his cabin where it was safe to really collapse...he was supposed to be sick after all.
Moments later there was a knock on the door.
"Come in..." David said feigning weakness. Rufus entered.
"You think I'm an idiot don't you?"
David bolted up from the floor and backed up quickly to one side of the cabin as Rufus approached him.
"I know what you did." He got closer. Pinned to the wall, Rufus grabbed David by the shirt collar and without much effort lifted him up to his eye level. "Now you're coming with me."
"Wh...where?" David asked nervously.
"You want to pray?...Let's pray."
And Rufus led David back to his cabin where his screams for help were muffled by the hustle and bustle of the chores being done around camp.
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