8 Chapter 8 Toads (1/2)
”Giavanna!” declared her mother, gaping at her in shock. ”I understand this woman has done some things that are wrong, but that doesn't give you an excuse to act that way!”
Gia took a step back, her face flushed in anger and shame. Her mother hadn't yelled at her like that in years, but the same urge to run and hide washed over her. She glanced at her father, and saw his normal look of amusement gone. He looked just as upset as her mom.
”Gia, please, just calm down,” implored Mikey, tugging on her shirt.
”I'll be fine, Gia. Let's get going. Truffle said there was a village up ahead. Maybe we can rest there a bit?” suggested Vonn, moving towards her and wrapping his arms around her waist.
She buried her face in his chest, fighting the sudden sobs that threatened to overcome her. The beat of his heart calmed her anger, as she remembered he rolled away from that girl the moment he was able, even though it probably hurt his shoulders horribly to do so.
”I'm sorry, Vonn. I guess, it's just been hard traveling so much. I miss the sky,” she whispered.
”There might be healers who can help with your injuries,” said the mushroom girl, Fungee. ”I'll pay for the medicine, if there is. I don't know what we'll do about your cart. I can have someone bring it to the village, to get fixed, but it'll be a bit as my helpers are all out doing other stuff at the moment.”
”That would be best,” said Truffle, nodding his head seriously. ”Don't let it take too long. We need to get past the blue mushrooms before they spore. The king doesn't want any more people living down here. You're already more than he can handle.”
She blew a kiss at Truffle who squirmed in disgust. Fungee laughed at his reaction and turned to finish chopping the tree up into smaller pieces.
The moment her parents were past the tree, Gia inspected the cart. They may not be able to take the cart pieces themselves, but she was not about to leave their belongings. As far as she was concerned, this floozy was going to steal it all.
”Gia, what is it?” asked Carla, turning to look at what she was doing.
Gia was shoving things into her already overstuffed backpack.
”Mikey, come here,” she said, holding up his backpack.
He sighed, but came and got it, slipping the straps over his shoulders.
Grabbing the almost empty chest, and the extra blankets, Gia turned to start following Truffle again.
”Do you need me to carry some of that?” asked Vonn, worry evident on his face.
”Actually,” said Gia, stopping to glance down at the things she was trying to carry.
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A few minutes later, everyone was sporting a blanket around their shoulders, and she was only having to carry the chest with her backpack. It was still heavy, but easier than it had been.
”How much longer before we get to the village?” asked Tom, several hours later.
”Quite a way. Do we need to stop and let you rest?” asked Truffle, noting that the two older people were starting to lag further and further behind.
Gia was worried about her mother's legs. It was probably time for her to drink her next batch of tea. Setting the chest down, for her mother to sit on, she pulled the water bag of tea out of her backpack. With a frown, she jiggled it a little. There didn't seem to be as much as there should have been.
Dripping liquid drew her eyes to a small hole on the side of the bag. When the cart was destroyed, it must have punctured the bag!
”It's been steeping a long time,” said Vonn, noting her distress. ”I'm sure it will still be alright.”
Carla took the bag, and took a drink carefully, to keep from losing more. Wincing, she nodded. ”It's plenty strong! I could probably get away with drinking only half of this.”