Cloud Riders(55)

Cassie felt his sincerity and it gave her confidence that she got it all wrong. ‘Is that what you had, someone who understood?’

He grinned. ‘My whole life I was being prepared for greatness. My grandma always told me that a power like mine was not given to just anyone. I was selected from millions to one day do something that would be beyond any of my wildest dreams. I just wish she were still around to see how great my life is now. You too have been selected from millions to carry a gift that is so incredibly special and I want you to feel as happy as I do, Cassie but until we can open up all the wounds of the past and then heal them, the future will stay foggy for you. Come, walk with me, we’ll have a bit of a stretch,’ he said, pulling her to her feet. Taking her arm, he put it through his like the old-time gentleman she felt he was. ‘When you were in your room and used to move things around, did you have to be angry to do that?’

‘No, I just did it for something to do.’

‘And you say you were around eleven years old when you stopped practicing.’

‘About then. I just felt really upset that everyone hated me so I stopped experimenting.’

They had come to another big tree that was lovely and shady, with a mat of grass beneath it. Woody stopped and pulled Cassie down. She giggled at his quick movement. He laughed with her, saying it was all part of his plan to clear her head. He asked her to trust him; by now Cassie found trusting this sweet man very easy.

‘On your back, woman,’ he joked as he laid her down onto the grass.

They rested quietly on the soft ground. Woody leaned on his elbow, watching her. Finally when he began to speak, the soft of his voice made her feel dizzy. She closed her eyes as she concentrated on the words he spoke, already knowing he was using strong magic to calm her.

‘Cassie, I have to see what this session has uncovered and need you to work with me. Open your eyes, sweetie and look directly up towards the sky through the trees and tell me what you see.’

‘Nothing. Mainly just leaves are in the way,’ she answered, looking from the leaves back to him.

He smiled. ‘Relax your mind and look again. Move the leaves out of the way and feel the sun on your face.’

Cassie frowned, looking again. She thought about how nice it would be to have a little sun on her skin. She closed her eyes again and could almost feel the heat. She blinked against the blinding light. Her eyes popped open and she wanted that image in front of her, so using the determination of that thought, she parted the leaves slightly, feeling a little of the sunshine. Excited that her old gift was returning with ease, she moved the whole branch. The rays shone down and the sun was so strong it stunned her. A little blinded by the light and shocked that she had accomplished her task, she flipped the branch back.

She sat up, astounded, staring at Woody. ‘I did that, hey? I wasn’t just imagining it?’

He grinned. ‘Yes, you did it. Now lie back down, I haven’t finished with you yet.’

Cassie lay back down but was breathing heavily, still thrilled with her efforts. Woody could feel her emotions drum through him and stroked her head gently to relax her. ‘This time I want you to look up at the sky and seek out the joy of the sun. How nice it would be for both of us. Try to softly float us both out into the sunlight. Lay us where we can both relax and enjoy it together.’

She closed her eyes as she imagined the sun. Her face twitched with the effort of moving them into the warmth. This time when she snapped her eyes open the shade covered them like a dark cloud and she used everything she had to take them from within it. As if in a dream, both of their bodies lifted and floated gracefully as if they were held together on a feather-down bed, light and comfortable. She relaxed, feeling the air flowing under her. Then there was the sensation of slowing and settling when the earth met their bodies again. The ground was warm and the bright glare made her squint. She looked into Woody’s kind green eyes. It was only when his red locks caught her attention, glistening in the sunshine, that she realised she had definitely completed her task. She ginned and he smiled back.

‘You have exceeded all my expectations, little one. No more for today. Just relax now and enjoy the sun that you have just worked so hard to get us into.’ He bent and kissed her forehead before closing her eyes by placing his hand over them. As if by magic she felt herself going into a world of peace as she drifted off to sleep. When she woke, he was still watching her and grinned. ‘Feel better now?’

Cassie nodded. ‘How did you do that? I feel like I’ve just had my batteries recharged; that I could get up and run home.’