Sleep still hadn't come to me hours after I had gone to bed. After telling my parents what had happened, I could hear them pacing back and forth in the living room downstairs. My mother almost cried out of fear. No one had ever come to the community like this. Not bloody and nearly dead. Clovis said not to tell anyone but our parents what had happened, not that I'd really have anyone to tell. I wasn't exactly rolling in friends and Madi would do anything Clovis asked of her.

The tree outside my window swayed in the wind. I sat up and stared at the leaves that were dancing furiously. Focusing on one leaf, I willed it to fall off the branch. It still didn't move. I threw my pillow at the window angrily. Fall, you stupid leaf! I screamed in my head.

In one, loud movement, all the leaves fell from the tree, forming a pile at it's roots. I jumped back in surprise and nearly fell of my bed.

"I did that... I did that!" I laughed in delight. I bounced over to the window and opened it. Cold wind rushed at my face. I reached out towards the barren branch.

"Zuzanna!" My mother snapped behind me. "What are you doing?"

Before I had a chance to touch the tree, I whipped my hand back into my room and turned around. "Did you see that?! I knocked all the leaves off the tree!"

She ran over to the window and slammed it shut. "Now is not the time for your tricks. Keep the window closed, it's not safe right now."

"Why not?"

Stolen content alert: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Because of that Roamer. He's bad news,"

"He's just a boy," I protested.

"He's an outsider," She scolded. "And if he has the sickness with him, then we all have it. Hish should not have brought him in, he shouldn't have taken you to the gate."

"You sound like Madi," I said glumbly.

"Your sister is a smart girl."

My mother sat down on the bed next to me and cradled my face in her hands. The harsh look in her eyes soften as she looked at me.

"You care so much about everyone, my sweet Zuzanna." She gave me hug. "I just want you to be safe."

"I know."

"Promise me you'll stay away from this boy."

"I promise," I said, but we both knew that was a lie.

My mother kissed me on the head. "Get some sleep." She closed the door behind her and left me sitting on my bed. I waited two hours before I snuck out the window.