chapter 12

“Xavier.”

Alex’s voice was frail and quiet, almost near a whisper. His body shook vigorously, his head pounding violently. There was a slight ring in his ear from bashing his head so hard that he could barely make out what Xavier said.

Relief still washed over him; he couldn’t help but cry into Xavier’s shirt. Xavier picked him off the ground and into his arms, Alex still shaking like a wet puppy. 

Starting at a gradual pace, Xavier began running, slowly the pace picking up till the surroundings were all but a blur.

Suddenly Xavier leaped into the air, landing onto a sturdy branch of the treetops. Clenching his eyes shut, Alex refused to acknowledge the fact that they were feet above the ground and that his supposed savior leaped into the air like he was about to set off for flight.

Alex held on tight as they moved from tree to tree, the ride not a very comfortable one, especially with his leg feeling like someone