AT THE SAME TIME
ZAVIER
The forest had stopped pretending, it wasn't subtle anymore. It was watching, I crouched near the cluster of red spider lilies, fingers brushing over the petals. They were warm not physically, but wrongly alive.
"Don't touch random forest things." Ben said immediately.
"I already did." I replied.
"Of course you did." Leo added.
"I SUPPORT BAD DECISIONS-" Riko started.
"No." Everyone said.
I picked one carefully and then tucked it behind my ear.
"Why did you do that?" Ben asked slowly.
I didn't answer immediately. I flipped the notebook open, scanned a page, then pointed at the photo. It was information about protection to those people who wear red spider lilies in hair.
"Traditional marking." I said. "Old text says wearing it shows you are 'not prey'."
"NOT PREY?" Riko shouted. "WHAT ARE WE OTHERWISE-"
"Very edible." Leo said.
"I REFUSE EDIBILITY." Riko snapped.
Clare stepped closer, eyes narrowing slightly.
