Darker The Forbidden Berry

Aja frowned at the thought, her heart aching for little Finn. She’d convinced herself that he had the best childhood because he practically had everything he could ever want. His family did not have to worry about how they were going to pay for food or clothes. Her mother had very many struggles with this, but she also took them out to the woods, showed them the world and allowed them the freedom one would need to build independence and confidence. No one had guided Finn in that. All of his independence was self-taught, and even with all of his privileges, there were still gaps. Aja intended to fill those.

They walked along the path and she pointed out native flowers and small critters that they ran across as they walked. The sun dotted their skin through the thick branches and danced across their skin like fairies. They passed a lake full of Canadian geese and Aja relayed just how mean they could be.

Every time Aja told him something, he nodded emphatically and asked her follow-up questions. He was obviously enjoying their impromptu hike and so was she.

She was enjoying it so much, in fact, that she did not realize they were about five miles in until her breathing was coming a bit harder. Aja was not much for going to the gym, but she liked getting out and walking. She knew she should not be this worn out, so she pushed on. Another mile in and Finn stopped her, his hand on her shoulders and his brow furrowed.

“Are you alright, Aja?”

Her breathing was coming hard now and she wavered a little. Finn wrapped his arms around her tightly and helped her to the closest bench. They’d been laid out along the path and had names of people who’d passed away engraved in them to honor their memories.

“I’m fine,” she said, even as she wheezed and her vision started to go blurry.

“You are not fine,” he murmured, rubbing her back.

“I really am,” she grunted, waving her hand as he worried over her. “I just haven’t been out much since I started following you around.”

Sure they’d gone to parties, but she had not been walking around the city like she was used to. She just needed to rest. Her mind was repeating the sentiment over and over again as if it were a mantra meant to comfort. She started to say it out loud again, but instead a forceful gasp pushed past her lips as pain wracked her lower abdomen.

It was sharp, like a hot knife jabbing into her twisting. Her insides squirmed and turned as she pitched forward and brought her legs up to try and ease the pain with pressure. Sweat beaded her forehead and her breaths came out and desperate pants as little stars appeared in her vision.

“AJA?!”

“I-I’m okay,” she whimpered, even as the tears burned her eyes and started to roll down her cheeks.

Finn was ignoring her now. He pulled out her cell phone and dialed the emergency number she’d showed him at the beginning of the hike. She could hear him talking to the ranger, but she could not make out any of the words through her pain. Her eyes were growing heavy and the last thing she remembered was Finn’s panicked tone as she pitched forward and hit the cold ground.