“Come on! This is the Tulian berry bush. That’s were I get the Tulian berries. They are not ripe right now.” Kali explained to Drakeon. He looked at the budding leafs and red flowers.
“When they are berries they are REALLY good!” She pulled 4 dried berries out of her pouch.
“Taste them! These are from last year.”
Obediently Drakeon ate them, and raised an eyebrow.
“They are sweet!”
“I know! Even when dried!” Kali happily ate her berries.
“Were shall I take you next?” She asked. Drakeon shrugged. Suddenly Kali’s Emerald green eyes lit up.
“I know how bout the Village!”
“No!”
Kali looked at him with puzzlement in her eyes.
“What? Why?”
Drakeon shook his head at her.
“Kali, how many times MUST I tell you? I’m dangerous! The only reason YOU are alive today is the fact that I know you. We have been friends since last summer! I am a Half Darkling Kali. I kill others to survive.”
“But, you haven’t killed me! And I know that you won’t!”
“Kali!” Drakeon’s black eye’s flashed.
“I COULD KILL YOU NOW! I Could kill you by accident! Why Can’t you see that!!!! And I don’t want to kill you that’s the hole point. I know that I can do it. But it’s hard right now to fight it back!”
“Why?!?”
“Because I think I’m falling in love with you.” Drakeon said quietly.
Kali felt like she had been hit. He LOVED HER? She had asked self he loved her so many times before and Now she knew! He did!
“I would never forgive my self if I killed you. But you must under stand. If I were to kiss you or even hug you! I could kill you like that! I’m 15 right now I’m having to deal with, as you humans call it: Puberty. But for a Darkling It’s when they go hungry for peoples souls, and blood. That’s when we get more powerful than ever. I had it starting when you came to me. But I could deal with it then! Now it’s in full swing. And I’m having to fight every second not to kill you!” He looked into Kali’s shocked eyes and added.
“I think it was time you and I separated. It will be for both you and my good. I wont have to fight as much. And you don’t have to die.”
“You don’t want to be my friend any more…” Kali said it so quietly that Drakeon nearly missed it.
“I want to be your friend. But I don’t think it’s safe for you to be with me. It was NEVER safe for you to be with me. But this is the true time for me to stay away from you. I don’t want to come to me one day. And I loose control, then you would be dead.” He shuddered at the word ‘Dead’. Tears came out of Kali’s eyes. She was looking at the ground. She was hurt, yet she knew she had to do as he asked. After all, it was for her own good. But the hurt did not leave, and the tears kept coming.
Drakeon wanted to hold her. To tell her that it would be alright. But his mind kept saying to him. ‘ If you do that then she’ll die! Go do that! Eat her soul!’ Drakeon mentally punched them in the face and touched Kali’s shoulder gently. She did not flinch, so he gently wrapped his arms around her shoulders, and held her. He had not held her like that for a longtime. Kali cried into his shoulder, her arms pushing his shoulder blades gently. A silver tear came down Drakeon’s cheek. He knew that Darkling tears were healing. But no one had ever seen a Darkling cry before. The tear dropped onto Kali’s shoulder, and she suddenly felt peace. But she still cried. Drakeon pulled him self gently away, put his hand gently on her face, and looked into her eyes. They were saying. ‘Don’t go please!’
“I’m sorry Kali, I love to much to let die. Because of me.” Her hand came on his, she gripped it her knuckles turning white. With his thumb Drakeon wiped a tear away from her face. Then pulled his hand away.
“When can I come back to the forest?” She asked.
Drakeon closed his eyes in thought then said.
“Beginning of Fall. Come then.”
Kali felt crushed. Drakeon wanted to kiss her, but that was asking for her to die.
“I’m sorry.” Drakeon turned and sped away to the Dark Forest. Kali watched him disappear into the woods.