• Dew clung to her lashes and made her face appear moist. This small detail made Aaron wonder if the girl had been out in the field all night.

    It had been a strange ordeal to come across the girl. Aaron had just been moping around the empty land. He had noticed someone lying on the ground and hesitantly wandered towards the motionless body. At first, he'd thought the girl was dead but as he came closer, he found with mild relief that she was breathing.

    Her long wavy brown hair spread around her like liquid. Wild flowers caressed her face and various petals had scattered over her thin white dress. It all seemed so surreal. It was too beautiful a scene for real life.

    Aaron sat in awe of the girl for minutes, deciding whether or not to disturb the sleeping angel. "If she wakes to see a strange guy standing over her, it's sure to put her through a great deal of discomfort." He mused quietly to himself. The noise was enough to disrupt the serene calmness around the girl.

    Her lashes fluttered before looking up at Aaron with wide, bluish-lavender eyes. "Oh! I-I . . " He spluttered. The girl sat up in a rush, causing the petals on her dress to fly up around her. "M-miss? Are you okay? I found you just, lying here. . . You . . . haven't been out here all night have you?"

    The girl was looking around at her surroundings with a look of dazed bewilderment. Not seeming to acknowledge Aaron, she yawned and rubbed the remaining dew from her eyes.
    "Miss?"
    The girl's eyes locked onto Aaron's as a smile tugged at the corner of her lips. "Chicory."
    "huh?"
    "My name, call me Chicory."
    Aaron's eyebrows furrowed, it was a strange reaction on her part, wasn't it? To seem so nonchalant about waking up in a field of flowers. 'Is this normal for her?' he wondered quietly. "Okay then, Chicory, is it? Might I ask you a question?" Chicory took no notice of Aaron any longer. Her eyes wandered around her curiously.

    Pulling her to her feet, Aaron continued with his question, " Is there a particular reason you were asleep here?" Chicory wobbled on her legs, as if she hadn't stood in a while.She grabbed for Aaron as if she might fall. "I was waiting for someone to find me." She answered with a matter-of=fact tone. At this, Aaron's eyebrows raised. "And did he find you?" She focused her bright periwinkle eyes on Aaron's face and then cocked her head in a manner that reminded Aaron of a bird. "I think so. . ." She grinned, grabbing Aaron by the arm and began to run through the grass.

    The two came upon a forest of trees and without hesitation, Chicory dashed in, leaving Aaron standing before the ominous trees. He knew he should probably go after her. It's probably what she expected but something made him pause for a moment. He didn't even know this strange girl. Why should he go gallivanting into a bunch of tall trees with her? Whatever conclusion his mind came to, Aaron took a step forward and went in after her.

    "Chicory?"
    "Yes?"

    The voice came from a low branch on a nearby tree. She sat, kicking her legs back and forth, her long brown waves swinging behind her. She reminded Aaron of a child. Innocent. Playful. But the girl looked about 18 which, coincidentally was the same age of Aaron.

    "Shouldn't we go and find who ever is looking for you?" She shook her head violently. "I want to stay with you !" She announced. For the first time, Aaron noticed the girl was barefoot. 'perhaps . . . she's homeless? or maybe a runaway. . .'

    "But won't they miss you?" He spoke carefully, not quite sure what to do or say.
    Chicory pondered this but answered with a mumbled "I wonder. . ." Jumping down from her branch, Chicory took Aaron by the hand. "You're sad aren't you?" He was taken by surprise and consequently made no motion of an answer. She cradled his hand and pulled it close to her face, rubbing it on her cheek. "H-how would you--?" Aaron stuttered but abruptly stopped as he noticed a wet quality in Chicory's eyes. She was crying.

    "I can feel it . . .your pain. . . you love her, don't you?"
    "What-- what are you talking about . . ? "
    "Veronica."

    Aaron staggered back. Was this girl from the village? Surely he would have noticed this peculiar girl . . . 'How does she know about me and Veronica...?'

    "I can help her if you'd like . . . " She said with a hint of hesitation. "What do you mean 'you can help her'"

    Impatiently, Chicory dropped Aaron's hand and pivoted on her heel. "Come on! there's no time!" She had disappeared in the thick trees. Aaron collected his sense and stumbled after her.

    Arriving at a dirt path that lead to town, Aaron was panting. He'd caught up with Chicory, at long last. He heard he mumbling something under her breath, it sounded like verses to a poem. They walked together towards Veronica's house. Along they way, Aaron thought to keep asking Chicory questions, which she did not answer at all.

    They stopped in front of a large white, Victorian styled house with curtained windows. Veronica's house. "Well go on! Knock on the door!" Chicory urged. Aaron did just that. After a commotion of footsteps pounding down stairs, Marie, Veronica's house maid answered the door.

    "Yes, mister Belmount? Is there something I can help you with, sir?" Her accent was thick. Marie looked tired. Circles were beginning to darken her eyes to show the hours she wasn't sleeping. "Yes, ma'am, we've come to see Veronica. . . "
    "My lady has only jus' gone to bed."
    "Oh . . we should be back later, then . . " Aaron began. But Chicory stepped forward.
    "May we see her anyway? It's urgent!" Her voice was on the edge of being playful but somehow held firm to the serious manner she was attempting to convey.

    Marie eyed her with curiosity, obviously trying to place if she had seen her before. With a sigh and a humble curtsy, Marie led the two to Veronica's bedroom.

    Seeing Veronica in the tangle of sheets she'd been confined to was a jab to the chest for Aaron. To think, they would've been married by now, had she not gotten ill . . .

    "Veronica..." Chicory whispered. Her voice caressing the name as if she were a long lost friend. Aaron blinked at Chicory with a mixture of wonder and doubt. The doctors had already deemed Veronica as a lost cause, what could this strange girl,this, flower child, do for his dear Veronica?

    Chicory stepped quietly to Veronica's side and layed a hand atop the sleeping girl's forehead. The girl closed her eyes and began to hum a repetitive little tune.

    Aaron almost couldn't watch. Veronica was pale as the sheets that encased her. her eyelids were tinted a slight blue,as if she were not sleeping well. Beads of sweat laced her forehead. He could not stand the pained expression printed upon her face. . .

    After a few moments, Aaron felt his last bit of hope for Veronica snuff out. "Listen . . . Chicory, there's no saving her . . . the doctors--" He broke off as a short gasp escaped Veronica's colorless lips. All at once, color was flooding her cheeks. Her dark circles, seeming to fade away. She sat up. "Aaron. . . ? "

    "Veronica!" He was at her side in an instant. "How are you feeling?" He whispered feverishly. Veronica looked at her trembling hands in confusion. "I don't know, it's like, I've woken from a dream. . . I feel fine . . .well, even!"

    Exhilarated, Aaron turned to face Chicory . "Chicory! you-- I can't thank you enough--!"
    "Chicory...?"

    Chicory was on her knees, clutching her stomach . "I'm so happy for . . you" She looked up at Aaron and Veronica and offered a grin. But, for an instant, he swore he saw the same white pallor that had overtaken Veronica on Chicory's face. Standing up, Chicory wobbled a bit before steadying herself. "I'm glad to have helped. . . " She whispered before walking away.