"So, Ash, what are your thoughts on what our first day will be like? I'm on pins and needles thinking about seeing Leah again. I'm crossing my fingers we land in the same classes," Alex said, his grin stretching from ear to ear, practically lighting up the path as we made our way home.
"Yeah, me too," I replied, my voice laden with a thick layer of sarcasm, unable to keep the eye-roll at bay. My response earned me a playful elbow to the arm from Alex, who burst into a fit of chuckles at my feigned enthusiasm... But then, that scent—smoke—cut through the moment.
I immediately snapped my gaze upwards, scanning the skies in an attempt to pinpoint the source, but it seemed Alex was a step ahead, already locked onto whatever was causing the smoky scent.
"Hey, Ash, d-don't we live down that road?" Alex's voice trembled, his words breaking through the thickening air as his eyes began to well up with tears. The panic in his voice was palpable, a stark contrast to the laughter we shared just moments ago.
No, this can't be happening, not again. I can't—I won't let Alex go through the pain I endured, not when he's clinging to the last threads of family he has left. With a fierce resolve fueling my steps, we took off towards the house, our pace quickening with urgency.
Living outside the walls meant isolation, not often brushing shoulders with many, but those who did venture our way wielded power, some royals. Some wizards with great abilities. It's not like we could avoid them, we lived near the entrance gates of the kingdom. Therefore they would have to pass by our tiny town we moved to. But we quick learned that They'd come with demands, sometimes outrageous, and the threat hanging over us, it was always the same—if we didn't comply, we'd be forced to leave and we had nowhere to go and no money to make it anywhere else, so we'd bow our heads and listen. Compliance wasn't a choice; it was a means of survival. Basically what I mean is, things never changed from our old village to our new home here in the capital/ kingdom. The rich and almighty will always look down upon those they deem weak or useless. Not caring what they do, or who they affect.
We have to move faster, much faster. Our feet pounded the ground with a sense of urgency, each stride fueled by desperation. As we dashed forward, I could barely catch the hushed, anxious words spilling from Alex's lips, "Mom, please be okay."
The sight that greeted us was a cruel echo of the past—our home was engulfed in flames, the fire's glow illuminating the faces of the onlookers who encircled it, their laughter a sinister soundtrack to our nightmare. They stood there, dressed as if attending a grand ball, their finery a stark contrast to the destruction they found so amusing. What kind of malice lurked in the hearts of these so-called royals from afar?
"Ash, please, we have to save my mom," Alex's voice cracked with a mix of fear and plea.
"I'm already on it, Alex... already on it," I assured him, my mind racing for a plan. "Try to keep the flames at bay, okay? Can you control it enough for me to slip inside and look for your mom?" I asked, ready to brave the inferno.
With a determined nod from Alex, I knew what I had to do. It was time to act.
Alex's gaze was fierce, a reflection of the fire he was about to confront. His hands, glowing with an almost supernatural heat, reached out towards the raging inferno that was once a home. As he pressed his palm against the charred exterior, the flames seemed to recognize their master and began to subside, albeit reluctantly. But the beads of sweat forming on his brow and the visible tension in his muscles betrayed the effort it took; the fire was a beast too wild to tame for long.
"A-ash, go q-quick," Alex stammered, his voice laced with exertion and urgency.
With his encouragement, I didn't hesitate. I charged into the blaze, the heat enveloping me like a suffocating blanket. Memories of a similar horror flashed through my mind, threatening to paralyze me with fear.
'Get out,' a voice hissed in the back of my consciousness, a ghostly whisper that should have sent chills down my spine.
'Hurry, get out,' it persisted, yet I found myself strangely unfazed by its warnings. I pushed the voice aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. I needed to find Alex's mom, to ensure his family didn't suffer the same fate as mine. The house groaned and crackled around me, but I pressed on, searching desperately for any sign of life amidst the destruction.
The urgency in my voice couldn't be masked as I called out for Alex's mom, "M-mom!" Memories threatened to cloud my judgment, but they were abruptly interrupted by the sound of faint, muffled cries. There she was, lying on the floor, each breath a struggle against the thick smoke that filled the room.
I dashed to her side, lifting her in my arms in a bridal carry. The house seemed to moan in protest, and a foreboding creaking sound filled the air. I glanced up just in time to see the ceiling buckling under the strain – it was going to collapse.
With no time to spare, I bolted towards the exit. I could see the doorway, the threshold to safety, when suddenly, the world came crashing down. The room gave way, and Alex, who had been my pillar of strength, crumpled to the ground, succumbing to the smoke and heat.
In a desperate attempt to save his mother, I hurled her through the doorway. The force of my throw threw me back, and in that split second, the burning timbers from the ceiling descended upon me. Pinned under the scorching weight, all that filled my ears was the terrifying sizzle and hiss as the flames began to consume my flesh.
A raw, anguished "F-fuck" escaped my lips, shattering the brief amusement that had captivated the onlookers. Their laughter died down, replaced by a chilling silence. Their eyes, once filled with morbid curiosity, now held nothing but contempt as they observed our plight. With a dismissive air, they mounted their carriages, the clatter of hooves on cobblestone marking their departure, leaving us to our fate.
Desperation clawed at my throat as I pleaded for assistance, "Please, I need to get to Alex and ma, they need help, someone, please help them!" My voice cracked, echoing through the emptying streets. But my cries were met with indifference; the silence that followed was deafening.
How could they be so cold, so devoid of empathy? Aren't we all the same underneath, sharing the same lifeblood, breathing the same air into our lungs? I couldn't fathom their apathy. Why were they here in the first place? And how could they leave so suddenly after seeing what happened?? And amidst the chaos of my thoughts, a nagging question persisted, gnawing at the edges of my mind – how did this cursed fire ignite? What sparked such devastation? The answers eluded me, lost in the smoke and the indifference of the crowd.
The anger inside me was like a cauldron on the verge of boiling over. I refused to let it consume me; instead, I transformed it into a surge of energy. With my body on the brink of exhaustion, I dug deep, channeling what little reserves I had into my limbs. My arms, trembling with the effort, suddenly surged with a strength I knew came from the very essence of my ability.
In a defiant act of self-preservation, I shocked myself into action, the jolt acting as a catalyst to my muscles, now thrumming with forced vitality. Grasping the blistering coals of the debris pinning me down, I pushed with all the might that my ability afforded me. The pain of the burns was intense, searing my skin, but I pushed it to the back of my mind, focusing solely on the task at hand.
With a grunt of exertion, the boards gave way, and I was able to shove them aside. Ignoring the sharp sting of burnt flesh, I pulled myself to my feet, each step unsteady and laborious. I emerged into the open, the cool night air a balm to my scorched skin. The danger was far from over, but for now, I had overcome an immediate threat to my survival.
Alex lay sprawled on the ground, his body wracked with a fever that raged like an inferno within him, a clear toll of pushing his abilities too far. Beside him, his mother's breath came in shallow, ragged gasps, each one a fragile thread holding her to life. Panic clawed at my chest; our financial constraints were a chasm that separated us from the medical attention they so desperately needed.
My own energy was waning, ebbing away with the relentless tick of the clock, and with it, our options dwindled to nearly none. But then, a sliver of hope flickered through the haze of despair as I thought of Rose and Leah's place. I could almost hear Rose's voice, warm and sincere, offering help if ever the need arose. It was a faint lifeline, but it was all we had.
The decision was made. We had to take the chance. And then there was Nate, the timid boy who walked with them, whose affinity with water marked him as a healer in our desperate eyes. Water types are known for their restorative abilities, their potential to soothe and mend what's broken. A surge of adrenaline-fueled optimism washed over me. "Yes! That's it!" I thought, a half-laugh, half-sob escaping me. "Hell yes, Nate could be our saving grace!"
With a newfound determination, I prepared to make the journey, to seek out the help that could save Alex and his mom. It was a gamble, but one we had to take. It was time to find out if the promise of aid was as real as the need we faced.
With every ounce of strength I could muster, I staggered toward his mother, her form so frail and delicate in the dim light. Gritting my teeth against the strain, I hoisted her over my shoulder, feeling her weight settle like an anchor against my back. I then turned to Alex, whose fevered state left him barely conscious. Slipping one arm securely around his waist, I felt his feet scuff the ground, their feeble movements lending me just enough assistance to inch forward.
I tried to tune out the throbbing pain that was blossoming across my back and searing through my hands, a stark reminder of the physical toll this ordeal was taking.
Before we had embarked on this precarious journey, I had committed the address Rose had given me to memory. It was etched in my mind, a beacon of hope that I clung to as we made our way through the uncertain night. I knew the address, if not the path, and with each labored step, I drew us closer to that sanctuary.
As we trudged forward, as if god was answering a pray, a release of rain cascaded down with relentless vigor. The downpour, though sudden and fierce, brought with it a strange sense of relief. The cool raindrops kissed my inflamed skin, soothing the fiery sting that had taken residence along my back, offering a brief respite from the pain.
With each step, I could feel the curious gazes of the townspeople, their eyes following our odd procession with a mixture of concern and bewilderment. One could tell they might have thought about helping us but quickly rejected the idea, there's a reason we were in this state.
Their stares bore into us, but I kept my focus forward, concentrating on the sanctuary that awaited.
Finally, we arrived at the house, a modest yet charming abode with four bedrooms and two bathrooms. It stood there, proud and inviting, the embodiment of the address I had memorized. This had to be the place, the home where help and hope resided. My heart pounded with anticipation and a hint of anxiety — the possibility of being turned away loomed over us, and the presence of Nate, the boy with the healing touch of water, was crucial. He just had to be there.
With both my hands occupied, one supporting Alex and the other ensuring his mother's safety on my shoulder, I approached the door. A sense of urgency gripped me, and with a gentle nudge of my foot, I tapped on the door, hoping that the sound would be enough to alert the inhabitants of our desperate presence.
From within the depths of the house, a voice pierced the sound of the rain, a voice I recognized instantly — it was Leah's. Her words were like a lifeline thrown into the stormy sea that had become our reality. As the door swung open, Leah's eyes found ours, and I could see the shock etched onto her face, her breath hitching in a silent gasp at the sight of our drenched and weary figures huddled at her doorstep.
"Rose, come here quick, it's Alex and Ashton," Leah called out, urgency lacing her voice as she stepped forward. She moved with swift concern, her hands reaching out to gently relieve me of the burden I had carried for so long, my mother's frail form. As Leah guided her inside, away from the harsh elements, Rose appeared, her own expression mirroring Leah's as she took in the sight of us — a sight that undoubtedly told a story of struggle and desperation.
And then there was Nate, emerging behind them, his presence bringing a surge of hope. His arrival felt like the final piece of a puzzle, the missing element we had so desperately needed. With his arrival, the promise of healing seemed tangible, almost within reach, as if the very air around him could wash away the pain and exhaustion that clung to us like the rain-soaked clothes on our backs.
"What the hell happened?" Rose's voice was sharp with alarm as she took in the sight of us, her eyes scanning over our battered appearances. Nate moved towards Alex, his arms reaching out to lift his large, unconscious form. The effort made him stumble, his feet struggling to find purchase on the wet ground, a testament to Alex's solid build and Nate's determination to help.
"It's... it's a long story," I managed to say, my voice barely more than a rasp. The smoke had taken its toll, leaving my throat raw and my voice a shadow of its usual self. At the sound of my strained words, Rose's eyes widened, a shadow of understanding crossing her features as she began to piece together the harrowing events that must have unfolded.
My legs, which had carried me this far, finally betrayed me, buckling beneath the weight of exhaustion and pain. I felt myself falling, the ground rushing up to meet me, but before the impact, I was caught by surprisingly small hands. A sense of relief washed over me, even as darkness tugged at the edges of my consciousness. I felt my body being lifted, dragged ever so slightly across the threshold and into the sanctuary of the home.
Nate, with a healer's haste, moved to tend to my wounds.
"I'm not as bad as them, please, Nate... Don't make me regret this, begging you," the words tumbled out of me in between harsh, ragged coughs. "You have to fix them... Please, help them. Alex, he's pushed his limits using his powers, and his mom—she's struggling to breathe. The smoke, it was too much for her lungs, I know you don't know me and I was rude to you but please Nate," I gasped, the desperation in my voice mirroring the urgency of the situation.
Nate's response was a silent nod; his expression set into a mask of concentration as he quickly moved to utilize his healing abilities. I watched, a mix of hope and anxiety churning within me. I had only guessed that he might know how to properly wield the healing aspect of his powers, but as I observed him work, a wave of relief washed over me. He had learned, and just in time.
While Nate was focused on them, Rose turned her attention to me. "Let's get you to our guest room and out of those smoke-filled clothes," she said, her voice a soothing contrast to the chaos that had just unfolded outside. She guided me to a room painted a calming shade of light grey, complete with a neatly made bed, a closet ready to receive worn garments, and a door that led to a private bathroom.
Before I could fully grasp the situation, Rose began to peel my smoke-scented shirt from my body. "Ngh, what are you doing, Rose?" I protested, my hands moving instinctively to shove my shirt back down. Confusion mixed with the lingering adrenaline, making it hard to process anything but the need for safety.
"I'm taking it off because I don't want you getting sick, and look here, some of the fabric on your back is gone meaning you got hurt, you Idiot ... Let me see," Rose insisted, her voice firm yet laced with concern as she skillfully lifted my shirt over my head, freeing me from the smoke-infused fabric.
"I can do it myself, you know," I retorted, a hint of stubborn independence in my tone. But before I could protest further, she nudged me gently but firmly onto the bed, coaxing me to lie on my stomach so she could get a better look at my back.
"No, you can't. You could barely stand on your own just a moment ago... Plus, you're already running a fever; your body is burning up, and—" Her words halted abruptly, the room falling into a tense silence as she caught sight of my back. There, amidst a tapestry of old and new scars, was the latest addition—a severe burn marring the skin, a stark reminder of the peril we had just faced. Rose's fingers hovered over the damaged area, her touch careful not to cause further pain, as a mix of worry and resolve settled over her features.
The mattress dipped gently as she settled her weight beside me, her presence a comforting warmth. Her fingers, delicate and soft, began their tender exploration of the scars that crisscrossed my back. A flush of warmth crept up my neck, a reaction to her unexpected touch. My body was a landscape of tension and feverish heat, yet she seemed unfazed, her curiosity about my past etched in the gentle tracing of each line and mark.
As she continued her silent examination, a sharp intake of breath from the living room sliced through the quiet—Leah had caught a glimpse of Alex's back, his own canvas of healed wounds. The sound was a stark reminder that I wasn't alone in my experiences, that each of us bore the weight of our own stories. But Rose, ever focused, allowed no distractions. She pushed aside any thoughts of Leah and Alex, her attention solely on the task at hand.
With a practiced ease, she reached for the disinfectant, her movements both careful and decisive. The cool liquid stung as it touched the raw, angry burn, a hiss escaping my lips despite my resolve. But Rose was gentle, her touch soothing as she cleaned the wound with the utmost care. Once satisfied with the disinfection, she began the process of bandaging, wrapping the gauze with an expertise that spoke of a familiarity with injury. Through it all, she was a quiet force, her actions speaking louder than words
"hm your different...usually people would be all over with questions", The silence hung heavy in the air after my question, a thick blanket that seemed to muffle the world around us. I was genuinely puzzled, thrown off by her lack of prying—a rarity in my life where most people would leap at the chance to unravel the mysteries of my past. Her voice, when it finally broke the quiet, was gentle, a soft whisper that seemed to respect the sanctity of the moment. "I am different," she acknowledged, her words laced with an understanding that felt both profound and comforting. "But your story isn't mine to demand. When you're ready, when the time feels right for you, you'll share it. I can see the tension coiled in your muscles, the discomfort in your eyes when you glance at your scars—it's clear you're not ready."
She paused, studying me with a thoughtful expression before continuing, "But these old wounds are not my immediate concern. What I really want to know, what's truly baffling me, is how on earth you ended up with a burn like this. It's not something you see every day. Were you and Alex going at it in a sparring session that escalated a bit too much?" Her attempt to inject a bit of humor was evident, a light-hearted prod to chase away the shadows of our conversation and to bring a momentary ease to the tension that had wrapped around us like a vice.
"Thank you... for not pressing me about the rest of that night's events…but it would be rude of me not to explain a little, I mean you are helping us after all," I began, shifting to sit up despite the sharp sting that hissed through my body. Rose's hands were gentle, offering a steadying support that I hadn't expected. In that moment, I caught myself reassessing her—damn, so Rose is indeed a girl. Here I was, half-convinced she was some kind of beast, lurking within a human's form, yet here she is showing such tenderness. It's surprising, you know? You've got this... sweetness about you. It's quite disarming.
I paused, a wry smile tugging at the corner of my mouth as I locked eyes with Rose. "But back to my tale, if you're willing to trade? answer one burning question of mine, and I'll explain a little?" I extended my hand, not just in agreement, but as an invitation to a deeper understanding between us, a bridge over the chasm. Alex needs people, he needs people who can help him, and currently I can't. I can barely help myself. He's gonna need allies.
"our house was caught aflame, as for the fire i dont know how it started...but when we got there some royals were laughing at the house as it was on fire,the laughter echoed, a chilling soundtrack to a scene of desperation and sacrifice. alex used his ability to try and calm it down long enough for me to get in and search for his mom but when i found her and began to leave it was already to late i threw her out and some of the roof fell on me… then we came here." I said softly my cold facade faltering, after i said this her eyes softened but quickly looked confused.
"can i ask a question if you dont mind", which caused me to let out a pained chuckle which caught her by surprise. "shoot away"..
Confusion clouded her eyes as she tried to piece together the fragmented story I had laid before her. "I'm just struggling to understand," she said, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "When you mentioned 'his mom' and then you showing up here... it doesn't quite add up. You should have gone straight to the hospital unless..." Her voice trailed off as she waded through her thoughts, trying to make sense of the incomplete puzzle.
I could see the gears turning in her head, and I knew she was close to the truth. "Whatever you're thinking, I'm pretty sure you're on the right track," I said, my voice steady despite the weight of the revelations I was about to unload. I lifted my gaze, locking eyes with her as I continued, "My mom's not with us anymore. Alex and I, we've been dealt a tough hand in life, growing up without much in terms of money. So, no, a hospital visit wasn't just a skipped step; it was never an option for us."
Her mouth opened to form an apology, the words ready to pour out in a cascade of sympathy, but I couldn't let her finish. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to—" she began, but I quickly interrupted her. I didn't need her pity; what I needed was for her to understand that this was our reality, harsh and unyielding.
"It's all good, you big goof," I sighed, the words slipping out with a mix of warmth and teasing. Without even thinking, my hand found its way to her head, gently ruffling her hair in a comforting gesture. It was something I'd done countless times before, a small act of kindness that I'd shared with my little sister whenever she'd been overwhelmed by guilt or drowned in sadness. It had become an instinct, a part of me as natural as breathing.
She hesitated for a moment, her eyes darting away before locking back onto mine. "Leah and I... we're orphans," she stammered, the words heavy with a history I could only begin to imagine. She continued, a fragile thread of determination weaving through her voice, "We're juggling a part-time job at the moment... but one day, we're going to hit it big." A tentative, hopeful smile played on her lips, a stark contrast to the gravity of her confession. It puzzled me, the openness of her admission. I couldn't fathom why she felt compelled to lay bare her struggles to me. I was the one in her debt, the one she had graciously taken in without asking for anything in return. So why did she feel the need to share her story?
Catching the quizzical tilt of my brow, she let out a light, self-aware laugh. "You're probably wondering why I spilled all that, right?" Her laughter was a soothing melody, a sound that seemed to make the room a little brighter. I nodded, my expression still laced with suspicion.
"Hey, ease up on the intense vibes, you moody oddball," she teased, her finger flicking against my arm yet again, a playful spark in her eyes. "I opened up to you because I felt it was something you ought to know... Besides, I've got this hunch that we're all going to be crossing paths way more often than we expect. So, why not lay the foundation of trust from the get-go?" The word 'trust' echoed in my mind, a concept that always seemed to carry a shadow of misfortune with it.
I pondered for a moment, the weight of her words settling in. "Hmm, I'm not quite sure yet... but... in due time, we'll figure it out," I admitted, my response steeped in cautious optimism. She nodded, a silent understanding passing between us that agreement doesn't always require immediate certainty.
The commotion was like a thunderclap, "ASHTON!" echoed through the corridors, a cry that seemed to carry the weight of the world. I was on my feet in an instant, propelled by a mix of fear and urgency, darting towards the source of the outcry. Rose's voice trailed after me, tinged with concern for the burn on my back, but her words were lost in the rush of blood in my ears.
I skidded into the living room, heart pounding, only to be met by the sight of Alex, his posture tense, breaths coming in rapid succession. His eyes were searching, desperate until they landed on me. "Ashton, where's Ashto—ngh, Ash," he stumbled over his words, the relief palpable as he realized I was right there.
In a heartbeat, he was upon me, his arms enveloping me in an embrace that was meant to be reassuring but instead sent a jolt of pain lancing through my back. The burn seared with vigor, and I winced, a small sound of distress escaping my lips.
"Hey, hey, hey, easy now, big guy," Rose interjected sharply, her hands wedging themselves between us to ease Alex's grip. Her protective instincts were flaring, her eyes softening only when they met mine. "He's got a bad burn on his back," she explained, her voice a soothing balm in the tense room.
As her fingers began to cautiously circle the injury, avoiding the damaged skin with a tenderness that challenged her earlier sternness, I felt an unexpected sensation. The touch was light, barely there, yet it ignited a different kind of warmth within me, one that had nothing to do with the pain. My face heated up, a blush spreading rapidly, a silent testament to the strange and new emotions her gentle ministrations evoked.
"hm well yall sure got close", nate said while he studied us, causing all of them to smirk.
"ngh what hell no i still hate this asshole", we both said in usion causing them to laugh, she quickly removed her hand from my back and began to walk to the kitchen to get away from everyone.
"so do y'all have a place to stay", leah asked as if she was thinking something.
...she better not be thinking what i think she is.....
Alex slumped in his chair, a defeated look washing over his face as he muttered, "No like I said, our place is gone... shit." His hand propped up his head as the weight of the world seemed to press down on him, his stress palpable in the tense air.
"Ash, we moved to get away from people like that, goddamnit... yet wherever we go... they make sure we remember our errors in the past," he continued, his voice laced with desperation. He was talking about our old town, a place where animosity clung to us like a shadow. Those people, they couldn't stand us, and they made it known when they burned my house down. It was a brutal reminder of the hatred that followed us like a curse.
I learned later that the move was more than just a fresh start; it was a necessity. They had begun to threaten Alex's mom, demanding that she turn me over to them, but she refused. Alex, in his protective nature, convinced me that leaving was our only option. So, we packed up our lives and set out, hoping to escape the ghosts of our past, only to find that some specters are relentless, trailing us no matter how far we run.
Alex's voice trembled with a mixture of pain and bitter laughter as his words hung heavy in the air, catching the attention of everyone around us. "Cursed... monster... everything in between," he muttered, his voice laced with a sadness that seemed to seep into the very core of his being.
"I'm tired of this shit, Ash," Alex continued, his gaze shifting to his mother, a flicker of worry in his eyes. The weight of his words hit me like a punch to the gut, and my eyes widened in anticipation of what he was about to say. I knew where this was going, and it filled me with a sense of dread.
"They're gonna kill her if-" Alex's sentence trailed off, leaving a haunting silence in its wake. The room seemed to freeze as his words hung in the air, the gravity of the situation sinking in. My heart ached, knowing the danger that lurked in the shadows.
With a heavy sigh, I mustered the strength to speak up, my voice filled with empathy and understanding. "I understand, Alex. Don't feel guilty," I said, my words a small attempt to offer solace in the face of overwhelming despair. I walked over to him, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder, a silent show of support amidst the chaos.
"Thank you, Ash," he whispered, his voice filled with gratitude as he stood and made his way towards his mother. As he kissed her forehead, a heaviness settled in my chest. I sighed, feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders, and began to walk away, my steps heavy with the burden of uncertainty.
But just as I turned to leave, someone's hand wrapped around my arm, halting my retreat. I looked up to see Rose, her eyes filled with concern and determination, silently urging me to stay.
Rose's voice cut through the tension, her words laced with confusion. "what's going on?" she demanded, mirroring Leah's actions as she reached out to Alex in a desperate attempt to understand the chaos that surrounded us.
"I have business to finish," I replied, my voice dropping to a cold, detached tone as I shrugged off Rose's grip. I couldn't afford to be warm now, not when there was so much at stake.
"Ash, again I'm sorr-," Alex's apology started, but I cut him off sharply.
"I said it's fucking fine. Just... just take care of Ma and the girls," I insisted, my voice betraying a hint of warmth despite my best efforts. "I haven't known y'all for long, but I'll never forget what y'all did for us today. Oh, and Nate," I added, a wry smile briefly crossing my face, "take my place, you nerd."
With those final words, I turned and walked out the door, closing it slowly behind me as I stepped back into the rain. The downpour seemed to echo my resolve as I made my way towards our burned house on the outskirts of town, hidden behind the wall. But I couldn't look back—not now.
If you're wondering about the turmoil that just unfolded, let me unravel the tale for you. It's a stark reminder that not everyone who sets out to be a hero ends up wearing a cape—some, like myself, inadvertently become the villain in their own story.
Let me give you a brief of the events that led us here. My mother, she was the embodiment of kindness and love, until the day they branded her a witch. It's a cruel twist of fate that the very people from our past, those who sit on lofty thrones, now hunt me. They're convinced that I'm some sort of malevolent being, cursed from birth, all because they believed the lies spreaded about my mother.
Alex and I, we've pieced together the puzzle. The ones seeking my downfall are the same nobles my mother once served. She was a healer, a beacon of hope, but fate can be unforgiving. There was one she couldn't save—a noble's wife—and when she passed, grief turned to rage, and they pointed their fingers at my mother, accusing her of a murder she never committed. That's how the rumors ignited, spreading like wildfire until they consumed everything we had, including our home.
They set it ablaze, a beacon of their hatred, and now I'm left to navigate the aftermath of their actions. It's a heavy burden, knowing the legacy of your own bloodline is tainted by falsehoods and fear, and that your life is the price they've set for their misguided vengeance.
...they figured out i lived and is after my next family....alex and ma, and the only way to keep them safe is to break connections my ablilities aren't strong enough to protect...i didn't want to be a soilder anyway i was just going because of alex...and now even alex himself said i was to dangerous to be around cause of my past, which i get but where do i go from here....what do i do...who..who can i lean on??
i stopped soon as i arrived at the burnt house, the coals were still warm as i walked to where me and Alex's room use to be, i kept knifes under the bed and lucky for me they were still there, i picked up the hot metal and put them in my knife holders on my legs as i began to walk away from the town towards the cold mountains, it'll be a couple days walk but theres a house up there....its where me and my real mom use to live with my father before he disappeared and before me and her moved to the towns. im kinda familiar with the areas up there...but its a far far walk which i dont know if im ready for...i lost all my family and friends.
maybe im the villain in this damned story...who the hell knows, im fucking starving, im tired, and...i..i feel like crying but i wont, it wont solve anything.
and with this mindset my cold personality came back as i buried everything down in me not bothering to dig it up ever again, i began to walk the roads to the closest town.