I'm Sorry
We were hiking through a mountain trail. Wayzz was leading our group through until we got to a suitable spot to camp for the night. All I heard out of the group were moans and complaints about aching backs and feet or being hungry. If I was being honest with myself, I was absolutely famished. But I knew complaining wasn't going to get me anywhere, so I kept my mouth shut.
Trixx didn't seem at all phased by the fact that we would probably be walking for another several hours before we took a break. He was happily skipping down the trail, close by my side he carried not only his own backpack but Pollen's and Sprinkle's backpacks, too. I always wondered how he could stay so energetic and positive all the time. I really wished I had that kind of spirit.
"Ohohohoh!Didyouguysseethatdeerrunthroughthetrees?Itwassocute- ohmygodisthataredfox? CanIstopandtakeapicturepleasepleaseplease-"
"Slow down," we all said at once, cutting Trixx short from his statement.
Trixx blushed and looked down at the ground as he began to walk again. I observed him carefully. He didn't look too upset, but it was clear he had been hurt, even if just a little. I decided to brush it off for now and keep up with the group.
Tikki and Plagg were in front of Trixx and I, Duusu in front of them, Cupcake and Sprinkles in front of Duusu, Wayzz leading us all, and Pollen behind us.
"Waaaayyyyyyyyzzzzzzzzz," fussed Dussu as she trudged closer to Wayzz.
"Yes, Duusu?"
"Are we there yeeettt...?"
"No,"
She groaned in misery as we continued to follow Wayzz. We began to reach the end of the forest and we approached a cliffside. Wayzz stopped and peered over the edge.
I absolutely hated heights, so I mentally pleaded for him to turn us around. To my misfortune, he did not turn us around but had us keep going. We carefully inched our way across the cliff. I took deep breaths, trying to remain calm and collected.
"Are you ok?" Trixx asked me, noticing my breathing was abnormal.
"Mhm," I was beginning to feel nauseous.
Trixx put a hand on my shoulder, "don't be afraid. Just look into my eyes. Don't look down, just at me,"
He held my hands and walked backwards, not breaking eye contact. I walked forward, looking into his wonderful purple eyes. I gripped his warm hands tightly in my own cold ones.
Trixx continued to talk me through it, smiling and maintaining eye contact the entire time. At last, we were almost across.
"You're ok, Nooroo," Trixx soothed, smiling sweetly.
That smile... I loved that smile. I smiled slightly just as Trixx slipped off the narrow ledge we were standing on.
"Trixx?!" I peered over the edge, hyperventilating. He was still gripping my hands.
"I'm ok... don't let go," Trixx grunted as he tried to pull himself up.
My shout had drawn attention from the others, who were already across.
"Trixx! Oh my god!" Tikki gasped.
"You two, don't move. Nooroo, whatever you do... do NOT let go. I'm coming," Plagg said, inching back onto the narrow cliffside.
"My hands are sweaty," I got out through my heavy breathing of fear.
"Don't let go," Trixx looked up at me with tears in his eyes and a positive smile still plastered across his face, "please,"
Plagg inched closer, "Nooroo, try to pull him up,"
I tried and couldn't. I was trembling like a leaf in the breeze. Tears were pouring down my face. I was sweating bullets.
"I can't,"
"I'm coming. Hang in there," Plagg muttered.
"I'll be ok... I know I will. No matter what happens," Trixx muttered. I looked down at him. He was crying.
"I'm sorry, Trixx," He was beginning to slip from my hands.
"Don't let go! Please, Nooroo... please," Trixx's smile faded as he was sobbing.
"Don't you dare let go, Nooroo," Plagg scolded.
The pressure was all upon my shoulders. Someone's life was literally in my hands. And not just someone. My best friends life was in my hands. I tried to grip tighter. We looked at each other, both trying to keep a grip. Plagg finally reached us.
"Ok, please try to pull again," He softly told me.
"I can't..." I cried, just as Trixx slipped from my hands.
"TRIXX!" We all shouted as he fell God knows how far down.
"NO!" I screamed through my heavy tears, "TRIXX! NO!" I hugged Plagg and cried into his shoulder.
Plagg sighed and picked up my small form and carried me onto safer ground.
Several hours later we had set up our tents for the night. Most of us were asleep, but I couldn’t get myself to. While I normally sleep very little, I didn’t often have trouble sleeping such as I did tonight. Instead, I sat by the cliffside, having no more tears to cry as I looked over the edge.
“Nooroo?” Muttered a voice.
I ignored the voice I knew was Tikki as she came and sat beside me.
“Nooroo, you know it wasn’t your fault, right?” She gently placed her warm, pale hand on my face and made me look at her.
“I know,” I whispered, locking my purple eyes with her blue ones.
Tikki brushed my lavender hair out of my face and wiped the single tear that remained on my reddened face.
“Plagg wanted me to ask you if you want to stay with him tonight. I can always sleep with Duusu or Pollen tonight if you wanted,”
“I probably won’t end up sleeping,” I muttered, glancing back over the dreaded cli!.
“Mmmm... ok. Goodnight then,” she stood and gently kissed my forehead as she walked back into her tent.
I glanced up at the starry sky. I made a mental promise to Trixx that I would find him, whether he was dead or alive.
I felt a warmth fall over my shoulders. I looked to my right and standing beside me was Plagg with Tikki, who I had put a blanket over my shoulders.
“Hey...?”
“Nooroo, if you aren’t going to sleep tonight, it doesn’t feel right for me to,” Plagg said.
“I agree,” Tikki added.
I was in shock but allowed them to join me nonetheless. Plagg immediately hugged me and muttered a series of “I’m sorry’s”. Tikki combed her fingers through my thick, shaggy hair.
“You guys really don’t have t-“
“Nooroo, don’t say that. Trixx is our friend too,” Plagg scolded.
I took note he said is and not was.
“I have a rope. Wanna sneak away and f-“ I cut Tikki o!.
“YES.”
Plagg and Tikki laughed softly, “ok...” Plagg tied a rope to a tree and we prepared to leave. Before we could leave, we heard a rustle in the bushes and saw a pair of eyes glaring at us through the darkness.