Wind above the trees
Just read this morning’s post and feel sick about it. Strike first! What lunacy! I must have been really, really paranoid. Or was I feverish? I certainly didn’t feel well. I felt much better after a few hours sleep. The sweating is gone and the ache in my legs has receded to a dull throbbing, like I’d just finished a long race.
Armbranch was sitting close to me when I awoke. He still behaved like he was annoyed. But I saw something else in his eyes. Despite his grumbling and restless behaviour, I saw a softness there that betrayed some other, deeper emotion. I don’t know what it was. Worry, perhaps? I’d like to think so. We talked for a while, about simple things. Yet, no matter how I tried to prise information from him, he says little about himself or his purpose in the Envelop.
I think his intentions are well meaning, though. Even if he does eventually do me harm, he’ll do it for a genuine, practical reason, and not out of spite. He’s as much a part of this Envelop as the trees, the traps, and whatever else is in here. That’s the way things work here. Impersonal. Anonymous. None of it is personal.
When I asked if he’d like to see closer into the laptop, there was a real spark of interest in his eyes. He declined. But that spark is still there. I see it every time I open up the laptop.
As regular as clockwork, the wind above the trees came again today. Lying here I got a better look at it. Well, I didn’t actually see anything. Apart from the branches shaking over and back there was nothing to see. But I sensed something there, something… dare I say it, alive. Armbranch climbed higher into the tree shortly before it arrived.
Perhaps it was simply a touch of fever, but I’d swear I heard him talk to it.
Categories: The Envelop
2 Comments »
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August 23rd, 2010 at 15:01
Keep it up, Fox, you’ve got me coming back for my dose every day.
But a few question marks; is time passing in a normal way? Does a day seem like a day? Can you
ever glimpse the sun? Moon? Do they look the same as they do in normal life?
What are using to charge your laptop batteries? What are you eating / drinking?
Feel free to delete this post if it cramps your style, but I had to ask.
August 25th, 2010 at 12:23
Hi Bootes,
Thanks for the queries. Yes, a day passes like any other day although sometimes it’s hard to see the sun or the moon due to the thickness of the forest canopy.
I’m using a Brunton Solar roll to charge the batteries. It’s a great solar powered charger, but sometimes it’s hard to find a place to charge it up. Foodwise, I’ve got cans of stew and soup and lots and lots of noodles. I’ve also got high energy sports bars and some Mountain House dried meals and desserts.
Cheers
Fox