When I finally got back to the village, I managed to sneak around so it didn’t look like I just came out of where I wasn’t supposed to be. I gathered with everyone in the center of the village to see what the ceremony was.
“Village people!” Unther called. “Marksmurk here has an announcement!”
The best jewelry maker, Marksmurk came up on the platform and started announcing. I didn’t hear because my parents showed up.
“Kate! Oh thank goodness!” My mom exclaimed, rushing at me.
“Where have you been?!” My dad inquired.
“Okay, if you want the complete and whole truth…” I started.
“Yes, of course we want the truth! We’ve been looking for you! Even Anne didn’t know where you were!” My dad fumed.
I backed away a little bit, also thanking Anne in my mind.
“I went into the forest.” I answered. Looking at my parents’ horrified faces, I quickly added, “Not that far! Barely in, really!”
My parents looked more terrified than angry now. They started whispering to each other, but I could only hear parts.
“......she didn’t know…….maybe it’s time to tell her…….what if they got her…...I guess….”
“Um...would someone like to include me in the conversation?” I complained.
“Okay, I guess you deserve to know…”
“Well, yeah, I think I deserve...wait, why does everyone look so sad?” I looked around in wonder. People were frowning, and some were even crying.
“What’s going on?” I asked the tall girl with light brown hair next to me. She turned to look at me. It was Eloise.
“Oh...hi Eloise...um, what’s happening?” I asked.
“Marksmurk's retiring.” She replied stiffly. I gasped. Retiring?
“But he’s the best jewelry maker in the whole village!” I sputtered. Eloise turned around again, glaring.
“Well, there are other good jewelry makers too! Like, oh, I don’t know, my dad!” She snapped.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean it like that. I’m just surprised. Really.”
“Well why don’t you just be more careful who you insult!”
“I wasn’t trying to insult you!” I huffed, starting to get angry.
“No, you are just as oblivious as ever!” She shot back.
“What happened to you? We used to be best friends!” Tears started to fill my eyes.
“Used to! Used to! Not anymore! You and Anne seem to be doing fine!”
“But..why? I miss you, Eloise! I miss hanging out with you, exploring with you! Yes, I am friends with Anne, but you were my friend too!”
“Not anymore!” She repeated, then gave me one last glare before stalking away. And I was left in the middle of a crowd, wondering what had happened to my other best friend. Not anymore. Those words haunted my mind that night, so I failed to fall asleep. Not anymore? Why not? We got along fine until...ohhhh. The reason she got mad the first time was because she didn’t want Anne to go in the forest. She must’ve seen me-oh my god, she must have seen me go in the forest! What if she knew I went in kind of far! I told my parents I didn’t go that far! But now she was mad at me again, so she might tell my parents! I had to find her!