Alone, we can do so little. Together we can do so much. — Helen Keller

A pale and weakened sun caressed Paloma as she ran into the cool shadow of the woods. The dark green foliage of El bosque curativo enveloped her as she raced further in. The pounding of her feet on the grassy ground rang in her ears.    

I suggest you all should spend the next few days in your beloved forest.  Because in exactly a week, you can kiss it goodbye forever.

Her pace picked up as the words of Sebastian Aleric flooded her mind. Tears blurred her vision and she tripped over a protruding trunk. 

A groan escaped her lips as she felt a sting on her left knee and a throb on her right palm. She blinked away the tears and her sight became clear. Her eyes took in the situation. She was sprawled on the floor beside the huge trunk of a fallen tree. Her eyes flickered to her knee and a cut with blood trickling out glared at her. 

Bile rose to her throat and she swallowed a lump. Paloma might be an expert at cleaning the blood of others but she couldn't tolerate the sight of her own blood.  

The day just keeps getting worse. She thought with a scowl. 

After getting a check on her urges, she ripped a strip of cloth from the seams of her skirt and bound It around her bleeding knee. She checked for more injuries and was glad there was no other serious injury except for some minimal scratches on her palm and elbow. 

With a groan, she struggled to her feet and winced as a pain slit through the lower part of her left leg.  She bit her cheek to withhold a shout. Her heartbeats raced and she took steady breaths. Finally, the pain subsided much to Paloma's relief.  

She hobbled forward and her legs shook. Her hand grasped the body of a nearby tree to keep herself from falling. 

The wise thing to do is return home, said a small voice. 

No!  I can't face them.  

The sorrowful faces of Paloma's parents and siblings flashed before her eyes and gave a renewed energy to continue her journey no matter the circumstances. 

I can't face them without getting a solution.

 Her resolution heightened and she limped past more fallen trees and maneuvered through thorny plants and protruding branches. Tears gathered in her eyes as herbal plants and trees came into view.  She plucked a leaf from a tulip tree and rolled it between her fingers. 

A few steps later, she stalled and rubbed her uninjured hand on the rough surface of a birch tree.  The thought of not being able to touch, smell and use the herbs to heal people made her heart constrict. She blinked back tears and looked heavenward. 

Lord, you have to do something. We can't lose this forest. 

Tears rushed forward as she recounted her various trips to the forest to pick herbs, climb the trees with her siblings, and most of all, to think and meditate.  

Finally, she found herself on a familiar path—a path that led to her safe haven. A place where she could cry without worrying about anything also. 

The soothing burbling sound of the lake filled her senses as she drew closer. She broke through the denseness of the forest and into an open clearing. The brightness of the area was a contrast to the dimness of the cluster of evergreen trees.  

Grass the color of moss-covered the large expanse of land and wildflowers of different kinds dotted the edges.  The red bell-shaped flowers of the foxglove plant and the white petals adorning the oxeye daisy brightened the atmosphere. 

Paloma traced her steps to the edge of the lake and dropped to the ground. And true to its name —Lago de Paz, a peaceful sensation washed over her as she stared at the calm and perfectly transparent water. 

She pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around her knees and looked beyond the lake to the orange and violet hues of the setting sun. 

The tension that weighed on her body and mind eased over time. Troubles of the past weeks and more faded and a smile touched her lips. 

How marvelous are your works, oh Lord! She thought and her smile increased. The serenity of the silvery blue lake and the beauty of the wildflowers caressed her and soothed her aching heart. 

Happy memories flashed before her. Images of numerous family picnics by the lakeside floated in her head. Countless fishing trips with her father and sometimes by herself flooded her mind.  Pictures of herself wading through the water to take a swim during the summer widened her smile and caused joy to well within her.

So lost in her tranquility, she didn't hear the approaching footsteps. 

"Hello," said a voice a few steps away from her. 

Her ears perked up and her head swung up. Her eyes lit up with recognition as she stared at the person who supported her when everyone shunned her. 

"Gael!" She exclaimed and a grin split on her lips. 

"Paloma." His eyes sparkled.  "Nice to see you again." He sent her a smile. However, it didn't reach his eyes.  

She smiled in response. "Yeah, it's nice to meet you again. What are you doing here?" 

A pained look crossed his face and he heaved a sigh. "I just came to clear my head. What about you?" 

"Ah, that's understandable. You could say I  came to do the same thing." A scene from the government house flashed before her eyes and her lips thinned.  

"Ahh…fair enough." 

Paloma watched an indecipherable expression gleam in his eye before he looked away. 

Her eyes darted away as she wondered what to do next.  Should she get up and leave him to his thoughts or should she invite him to join her? 

The two options pushed her into confusion and a frown marred her forehead.  Finally, she made a decision and turned back to  Gael. 

"Your legs must be hurting from all that standing." She produced a humorous laugh. "Have a seat." She patted the spot beside her and waited for him to make a move. 

Gael stared down at the space with a slight frown and contemplation shining in his eyes. Finally, he shrugged and took his seat beside her. 

Paloma caught a whiff of his Cologne as he arranged his position to mirror hers. The duo sat in silence as their thoughts carried them away.  

The occasional chirping of birds heading home broke the stillness.  Paloma found herself turning to gaze at Gael. Curiosity welled within her as she watched his face morph into a scowl and the veins on his arm stick out as he clenched his fist. 

"Are you okay?" She whispered. "What makes you so angry?" 

He released a slow breath and looked at her briefly before turning back to face ahead. "I guess I am suffering the consequences of my decisions." 

Paloma's eyes clouded. "What do you mean?" 

He shook his head. "I really don't feel like talking about it. I hope you understand." He sent her an apologetic look. 

"I understand," she said in a soft voice. "However, remember that when you talk about your problems you will feel better and might even get a solution." A smile played on her lips. 

"I know. I guess if I talk about it, it will feel more real. I wish it was all a bad dream I could wake up from." His lips curled into a sad smile. 

"That's understandable. I have the same feelings.  I wish someone would tell me it's a fictional movie and not my story." Pain pricked at her heart. 

A hush fell over the duo as they returned to their thoughts. 

"You tell me, what caused you to be cocooned here at such late hours of the day?" He tilted his head and stared at her. 

Their eyes connected and Paloma produced a sad smile of her own. "You can say, I am suffering the consequences of my decisions." 

"Ah, gotcha." Understanding shimmered in his eyes. “Seems we’re in the same boat." He chuckled. 

Paloma nodded wordlessly and looked down.  Words threatened to spill out but she held them in. 

"Have you successfully submitted the petition?" He asked after a short silence. 

"Yeah…I have…" she drifted off as her throat clogged up and her troubles crept back. "However, it made no difference to the government." She shook her head and her eyes dimmed. 

Gael released a groan. "Ahh, that's terrible. I am sorry to hear that. What are you going to do next?" 

"Honestly, I don't know." Her shoulders slumped in defeat.  "But I do know I won't watch them ruin things for my family and other citizens." Her jaw hardened. 

"Me neither," he asserted in a cold voice. 

The hardness of his voice surprised Paloma and she turned to face him. Her brows furrowed as a deeper scowl returned to his face and his knuckles turned white from clenching it.  

"Are you okay? Did the government do something?" Her head tilted to the side as she waited for his response.   Her eyes bulged as a look of rage covered his face. 

"They want to commit a sin," he gritted out. "And I won't tolerate it." His eyes darkened.  

Paloma sucked in a breath.  "What did they do?" 

Gael whirled to face her and the expression shimmering in his eyes caused her stomach to flip. 

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Because you play a part in my misfortune."

"What?" Paloma rasped out as shock surged through her. "What did I do?" Her mouth parted and her eyes dilated. 

He scoffed and ran a hand through his hair. "My signature on your petition signed me up for trouble."  

Paloma released a gasp. 

What have I done? Horror erupted within her.  

She clutched her chest as panic welled within her.  "Oh my God, I am so sorry!" Tears of remorse gathered in her eyes. 

"No need to apologize." Guilt flickered in Gael's eyes.  "It's not your fault. And besides, I don't regret signing it." His lips curled into a half-smile. 

Paloma stared at him with doubt. "Are you sure?" 

"I'm positive." He produced a full smile. 

Paloma felt a little relief.  Her eyes darted away and she replayed his words in her head. Distress swelled within her. 

What's going on, Lord?  

Things are getting worse. 

Hot tears stung her eyes and she withheld a sob.  

You are only causing trouble for yourself and your family.

A tremor shook Paloma as the words of the nurse from the retirement home slammed into her. 

You were warned, said a voice.  

You have put everyone in trouble. 

Things are going wrong and it's all your fault. The voice taunted her.  

Guilt racked Paloma's body and she buried her face in her palms.  She choked out a wail and let her tears fall without restriction. 

Her shoulders trembled as waves of tears rushed forward. "It's all my fault!" She repeatedly murmured through tears. 

"No, not at all—I’m so sorry for making you feel bad," Gael's voice was thick with remorse. "I just wanted to be honest with you, that's why I spoke without thinking. Please forgive me." His voice lowered.  

Paloma raised her head and turned to face him with teary eyes. "It's okay." She managed a smile. "Thank you for being honest with me." 

He nodded and sent her a weak smile. "Are you sure you’re okay?" Doubt clouded his voice.

Paloma released a rueful chuckle. "I'm not now. But I will be." She wiped away her tears. 

Gael nodded in understanding. 

The duo sat in silence as their emotions consumed them.    

"So what are we going to do?" Paloma whispered several minutes later.  

"We? What do you mean?" 

Paloma felt his eyes on her and she turned to him and saw confusion shimmer in his eyes. 

Paloma exhaled and angled her body to face him. "Look, I don't know exactly what the problem is, but the fact remains that the government is after both of us so why don't we team up to stop them and protect what we hold dear?" Her eyes dimmed and she tilted her head. 

A thoughtful look appeared on Gael's face but it was replaced with a frown. "You have a point.  However, what's the guarantee our collaboration won't cause more trouble?" His frown deepened. 

Paloma heaved another sigh. "You are right. However, what if we are victorious? Haven't you heard two is better than one?" A smile played on her lips. 

Gael hummed as the thoughtful look returned. "I will think about it and get back to you."

"Okay!" Paloma said in an upbeat voice and with a smile. She rose to her feet and groaned as she felt a throb on her injured knee. Her hands wiped off the damp sand from the back of her dress. Her eyes darted to Gael and a mischievous glint gleamed in her eyes. 

"You have five minutes to decide," she announced and almost doubled over in laughter at the terrified look on his face. "I will be picking some flowers in the meantime." She sent him one more smile and marched off. 

I hope he agrees. She inwardly prayed and sent a look heavenward. Somewhere within her, a belief bloomed that if they join hands their purpose will be successful. 

She pushed the thought to the back of her mind and bent to pluck the flowers off their branches. Every now and then, she spied a look at Gael and found him at the same spot with deep creases on his forehead.  

Her hands became full of flowers in different hues.  She stalled in front of the last row of flowers and was about to bend when a figure fell beside her.  

"I have decided!" Gael announced without looking at her. 

Paloma's heart raced and her hands became clammy. She slowly turned to him with anticipation burning in her eyes. "What did you decide?" 

He turned to face her and stretched out his hand. "Let's rock, partner!"
A huge grin spread on his face.

Paloma released a squeal and bounced on her feet. Joy radiated all over her.  She grasped his hand and grinned. "Let's rock!" 

    
                          ★★★★

Ooh la la la la! 🎶💃

Who has been looking forward to Paloma and Gael coming closer?

I have been looking forward to it because I am eager to write this part of the story 😂

I hope you will love and enjoy what happens next.

One more question before we go...
How do you think their partnership will play out?

I look forward to all your comments.

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Until next time, collaborate with someone to accomplish something.