Page 18 of Once Upon a Fable

Leave, Gem.

Go home.

Imagine what Joshua would say if he knew what you’re doing.

“Hello? Is anyone up there? My name’s Gem, and I would really love to chat.”

Great, you’ve truly gone nuts.

No voice replied. No hint that I wasn’t alone and talking to myself.

The house was empty. However, there was another level to explore before I could be certain.

No. Don’t be stupid. Think before you—

Too late.

I put one foot on the staircase and climbed.

CHAPTER SIX

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I’D RUN FOR MILES.

To the cave and back, through the western forest, and around the entire valley. Each time I tired and thought about resting, the unsettling sensation of sleepwalking and the unnerving prickle that something wasn’t quite right pushed me onward.

My lungs panted. My legs pumped. I pushed myself to the brink of exhaustion.

My bare feet were used to such abuse. My soles had long since turned to leather. Twigs didn’t hurt; pebbles didn’t matter. I flew over the ground and welcomed rivulets of sweat to run down my naked back.

Air rushed over my skin while the sunshine warmed and tanned. Being outside never failed to chase away my demons. It helped that I ran fast. I bolted. I wasn’t running for exercise but for sanity.

At least my mind was calmer than it had been this morning. Summer was my favorite time of the year. The season where food grew easy, the forest was alive with activity, and I could run without needing to bundle up in clothing.

Today, I just wore a pair of tight gray boxer briefs. I’d returned to the house after the birds spooked to dress. However, I wasn’t in the mood for clothing. I wasn’t in the mood to behuman. Briefs had been the only item I selected, purely for support purposes. I wouldn’t even wear those if it didn’t hurt. I’d tried running naked a few times. I’d cupped myself and done my best to prevent gravity from tugging on my balls, but I’d had to concede when I started getting hard.

I fuckinghatedgetting hard.

It filled me with self-disgust.

It made me ache for something I couldn’t have and hunger for things that were pure evil.

Touching myself to wash was one thing. Touching myself to rid that tangled heat in my blood was entirely another.

It was vile.

My teeth clenched together. I hadn’t meant to let my thoughts stray. They didn’t often go to forbidden territory, but today seemed to be intent on destroying me. First the sleepwalking and now the heavy ache inside me. If running wouldn’t stop such things, perhaps a swim would.

Veering off course, I ran away from the sweeping hillsides that led to the top of the valley and followed a narrow animal track to the river.

Bowling out from the trees, I didn’t stop.

The blue beckoned me.

The cleansing promise of the water summoned me faster.

I leaped off the edge and dived into the deep swimming hole that housed fish, eels, and the occasional crayfish that lived in the cave system.