(y/n) P.O.V. 1st Person
I set out the blanket and things, the lantern being set to the side. Both Morgin and I stood guard as the boy rested there. He was quiet and content, smiling up at us. It seemed to make Morgin uncomfortable, but I thought the boy was quite sweet. Morgin was silent, you couldn't even hear his breath as he stood like a statue. Our empty facial expressions matched, but his eyes seemed more serious and focused than mine. I was feeling uneasy; I could feel my limbs shaking as I tried to stay still. My eyes wandered back towards the boy out of curiosity. Being with these two, even though there was a sense of duty keeping us quiet, I couldn't describe this feeling…
"Hi Miss! We meet again!" The Magi spoke up. My heart thudded in my chest. 'I knew it. He recognized me.' I had to ignore him though. I knew we weren't supposed to talk. If I did, something might slip. I was afraid of him. Magi or what, he was just a child so there was no need for me to obey this boy.
I closed my eyes, 'Deep breaths (y/n). In… and out.' But there was a strange noise coming from behind me. I dared not turn. I opened one (e/c) eye staring in Morgin's direction. His eyes were closed as well, and it truly was as if he was made of stone. As if he wasn't there which, to be honest, hurt. He let out a huff, interrupting my thoughts, before turning to face the boy. "Pfft..."
I turned to see the boy face me now, laying out with a hand on his hip and the other to rest under his face. His hair had been styled to imitate Jamil's as he let out, "Hohoho I am your Lord! Jamil! And I give you corn! Hohoho!" Morgin cupped his face when a laugh escaped.
"You laughed!" The boy exclaimed, jumping in Morgin's direction.
"I didn't!" He gasped out, suddenly frightened. Luckily, our Master wasn't around.
"Yeah, you did!"
"No, I did not!" He practically screamed. It was then I couldn't hold back anymore and burst into laughter. My throat felt coarse as I did so and my chest hurt. It really has been a long time since I laughed.
"Miss... you're pretty when you laugh..." the boy commented. I blushed. This child was kind. I guess it wasn't something I was used to. I know I definitely wasn't so as a child.
"His face is kinda different!" He then pointed to Morgin. "Is that because he's from the Dark Continent? What kind of country is that anyway?" He tugged on my skirt looking up at me with curious blue eyes.
"It's not a country," Morgin spoke up. "They call it the Dark Continent because it's the unexplored area to the south of the southern provinces of the Lehm Empire. It's derogatory for my homeland of Katarg." I didn't know that. I hadn't heard Morgin talk much about himself, even less of home. But his voice was as emotionless as ever. "Just be quiet now." He seemed bothered, even hurt. Had it been painful to process the idea of home? Of belonging? I guess it was always something I took for granted. Something I threw away.
"It's… unexplored?" The boy's eyes seemed to brighten up.
"No. It's not really unexplored. There are countries and villages. The land is vast with lots of animals and delicious fruit. And the sun... is beautiful..." A smile lit up on his face as he recalled it. Passion filled words tumbled from his lips. Before he paused, coming back to reality, and then shut up.
"That sounds nice! Your home sounds like a wonderful place!" I nodded, but I didn't want to interrupt his thoughts. I wondered if he could remember much of it. He was already a slave when Jamil bought me. Even I couldn't remember much of my home. "Wow! The world has lots of places I don't know!" I glanced over at the boy, feeling my eyes droop in sorrow. Somewhere in the world... people are happy, living carefree lives. But in others, they are suffering. "I wanna go there! Take me to the Dark Continent, Mister! And you Miss, you can come with us!" I dug my nails into my arm, letting off a scowl as I furrowed my brows.
"That's impossible," I spat out between clenched teeth. I caught Morgin's eyes.
"I can't," he replied bluntly. His words followed right after mine. Seems we were both thinking the same thing now.
"Why?" He asked. Wasn't it obvious? Didn't he already see these chains around our feet?
"Why?" Morgin hissed, "We can't run away, because we're slaves."
"Yes you can. Just break your chain like before!" The Magi exclaimed as if it was so obvious. Maybe he didn't understand. Or maybe, it wasn't as obvious as we thought. "Then you can return home on your own two feet." 'But I can never return home,' I thought.
"It's not that easy. I can't flee Jamil just by breaking these chains." The two turned to face me as I found my voice here. "He's terrifying. I can never run."
"Huh? Yes you can."
"No," I was getting frustrated. I glanced at Morgin to help me out.
"Why not?"
"No, because..." seems he was lost too as he grappled for words.
"Because? Because what?" 'We just can't! Just stop!' I wanted to scream, but I couldn't. Not at him.
"Because those who are completely powerless just can't." Morgin whispered, but his tone made him sound like he was yelling. He had to restrain himself from acting out. He was feeling just as frustrated as me. Hoping this would end things, we returned to the emotionless routine. There was no point in dwelling on foolish thoughts.
There was silence, and just when we thought he had given up the boy spoke, "I still think you can run. But I guess what you're saying is... Lord Jamil has invisible chains around you." And they were so very strong. They weren't something that anyone, any power, could simply break. If only I could tell him how right he was.
"Don't act like you understand," Morgin spat out. "You don't make any sense. If you cross Lord Jamil you'll end up like your friend." Then I knew he had misspoken. We weren't supposed to say anything about that. I looked at him, but it seems his irritation had made him forget. His actions showed no regret, just a need for justice. But this was just his childish revenge. Or maybe, he felt pity for the boy. How should I know though, I'm not him? But I didn't think this was the time to tell Aladdin.
"Huh? Do you mean… Alibaba?"
I interrupted Morgin when I noticed him going to reply. I wanted to tell him, I was more calm right now. I could be gentle with the news. But death isn't ever gentle. Loss can't be overcome by sugarcoating. "That boy who was with you... he..." I was having difficulty feeling the words on my tongue. Like they were stuck in my throat and couldn't come out. "Jamil used him on a trap." I watched as his blue eyes widened and his bottom lip dropped. Before it seemed he already knew the truth, though his reaction now was a mix of shock and denial.
"And your friend... your friend…" I didn't understand why the words were clogged in my lungs. Why my nose sniffled and eyes dripped. My face felt tight as I furrowed my brows and tightened my jaw. "He's dead!" I screamed it out so I wouldn't have to think about it anymore. It could escape, and maybe, just maybe, I would feel alright. Because I wanted to see these feelings free so that they weren't as trapped as me. But something was off. The boy was strangely silent. He didn't demand proof or try to contradict me. In fact, when I turned to face him again he seemed unsure more than sad. 'Why is he being so quiet?'