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Never once have he ever seen this tree in the Entity’s woods. Behind all the trials, Joey always walked every inch of the woods.
‘How have I missed this part of the woods?’ He thought.
The tree wasn’t the only thing he has never seen before. He has never this woman in his entire time here. Joey studies the tree as he quietly made his way over with caution.
The tree was tall, ancient looking. Full red apples barely keeping their grip on the stems. The wave of the smell of earth and freshness filled his sense. The woods always felt cold, lonely with the whimpers and screams of the campers. Here was different. It was warm. The moans of pain didn’t flow in the wind. Joey never felt comfort or warmth anywhere in the realm. It’s months, years, maybe forever since he felt a slither of warmth. Of being human.
His eyes shifted to the woman who stood on the roots of the apple tree. Strands of her hair fell on her face from the soft wind. His grip on his knife loosen before putting it away. He took another step closer, trying not to disturb the woman. He couldn’t help but realize how peaceful she looked. So well and nicely dressed, her hair in a somewhat messy bun, the smile of pure joy. He envy it. Maybe out of spite, just ruin this moment for her. How could she be so..happy? Why couldn’t feel such joy like that? He reached for his knife, his hand stopped. It hovered above his pocket.
The thought of his knife slicing through her soft skin made him ache. He couldn’t think straight anymore. He wants to ruin her moment, but the feeling of warmth just by watching her have her moment fought against it. Lost in the rabbit hole of his thoughts took control before something pulled him out of it. A woman’s touch, lightly pressed on his cheek. When did he make it to roots of the tree? When did he take his mask off? When did she spot him?
When did tears roll down his cheek?
He never realized how cold he felt. Until this moment. He never felt warmth, until this moment. Joey looked up. He couldn’t tell if his heart was shattering or exploding with euphoria. Her thumb gently wiping the tears away as she gave him a gentle smile. He just stared. How could she be nice to someone like him? A man who killed others by his bare hands. He stared back at the woman. She raised her hand under an apple. It fell perfectly in her hand.
“Why so blue?”
Gosh, that made everything worse. Not only was the looks of the woman was sweet, so angelic, but her voice matched perfectly. His word was caught in his throat. The woman sat on the tree’s roots, patting beside her. Almost too eagerly he sat next to her. She grabbed a knife and split it open.
“Take a slice, you deserve it. You always have.”
Joey was confused
‘What does that mean?’
The apple stayed in his hand. He hoped this wasn’t an Entity’s trick. Gosh did he hope. He took a bite. It wasn’t bitter. It was sweet. He understood what she meant.
Happiness.
He deserves happiness.
Joey looked back at her. Her hands resting on his cheeks, ready to wipe any tears away again.
“It’s time to go back. She’ll notice you’re gone.”
She handed him the other slice. Joey quickly got up. Before walking into the fog, he turned around to see her smile once more.
“I’m Joey, by the way.”
He stepped back into the fog. The only thing he could think of was her and the apple tree,
and how much he missed her already.