UNEDITED-
Neutral POV-
Annabelle grabbed the towel and slung it around herself, it clung to her still soaking body.
She made it back to her room, luckily not bumping into anyone along the way, leaving wet footprints on the cold stone as she walked.
Once inside she crunched at her hair with the towel drying it some. Then she threw on an oversized grey buttoned up shirt, alongside some black skinny trousers. She laced up her black boots, threw on a baggy black jumper and left the room, shutting the door behind her.
After a relaxing soak Annabelle knew she could put this off no longer.. she left the cave in search of the men. It didn't take long, they were sitting around right outside the cave.. She could see the crimson stains in the mud around them but no bodies.. they must have taken them away.
The man who helped her from before was amongst them, she began to walk over to him. All of them stopped talking and fumbling around to look at her, quickly drawing the man's attention aswell. When he see her coming he immediately got to his feet. When she finally arrived infront of him a few moments later, he bowed as a sign of respect.
"Why are you still here?" She asked coldly.. although she would never admit it, some of Annabelles most useful traits come from her mother. The man looked up clearly surprised by her question but not showing any fear.
"We have no-where else to go.." he replied solemnly. He looked to be in his late twenties, his hair was short light brown, he had a scruffy beard and was lean built but still muscular.
"How long have you been with the King?" Annabelle asked in the same tone as before.
"Since I was seventeen mam." he replied with sincerity still keeping eyecontact with Annabelle. In this moment she really does see herself in him.. this could have been her.. she too was seventeen when she was taken.
"Please don't call me that.. My name is Anna" She spoke neutrally still keeping some distance in her voice.
"Anna." He repeated to himself inwards.. "Got it" He said to Annabelle. She almost smiled but didn't.
"What made you help me?" Was her next important question..
"Well ma'. Anna... Since they first heard of your arrival the people have gone crazy.. even in the Kingdom." he said as though that was the most shocking thing "They believe you were sent by the Gods to help us. And.. I believe that too. My mother" he paused the pain evident in his face at the mention of his mother.. "she believed that someone with great power would come here, from a place far away. She would tell me stories of a young girl that would save us all... and I can't shake the feeling she was talking about you.." He answered. Anna wondered if this was a coincidence, or if the Gods really did have a grand plan in place after all.
It seemed throughout the generations a prophecy had travelled down.. it wasn't the only one, and not all of them had been correct, having been changed to suit each family that shared them over the years. Many families told it to their children as a story of hope. This king was not the first tyrant to come along, trying to bend this world to his will.. some say his father was even worse.. just not as intelligent or cunning, he had far less reach and a much smaller mind.
The people had to hope for something to change but until now it never had the chance too.
Although shocked at the sudden revelation of him being an avid believer in her she had to ask, "What if it isn't me?"..
Without hesitation he answered.. "I saw you.. I saw what you became. How powerful you are.." He stopped in awe once more, re-calling that image in his mind. "The stories aren't what matter anymore.. it's clear to see you have been blessed by the Gods. They brought you to us for a reason.. I won't fight the will of the Gods" he said simply. "..And neither will they" he added gesturing to the men still sitting and listening to the conversation.
Annabelle looked around at them then back to the man infront of her. She can't argue that there is a great power inside of her. One that could surely win wars.. but what will it cost?.
"I won't argue with you.. in fact I could do with some more people I can trust. If you stay truthful long enough that could be you.." she raised her eyebrows in pause.. "but if I learn I can't trust you.. I'll have to kill you." she spoke as honestly as she could making sure they all heard.. they need to know she is not playing games. There will be no threats. Only promises.
"I wouldn't have believed you if you'd said otherwise.." he smiled..
"Good." Annabelle gave him a small smile back before asking "What is your name?"..
"Anders.." He replied..
"Just Anders?" Anna asked confusedly..
"Just Anders" he repeated with a nod.
"Okay Anders.. you all can stay.. later we will have a real talk, until then.. you and your men need to find a way to clean up this mess.. we can't have the scent drawing anyone to us". . "And just keep in mind we will have to be on the move soon so don't get comfortable". Annabelles top priority right now is to stay hidden. They need to form a real plan and perhaps these men could play big part in it.
Anders had already shown loyalty in slaying one of the men he had fought alongside.. all to protect Annabelle. This didn't go unnoticed.
"Of course.." he humbly replied to Annabelle. After that he began ordering the men about, having heard the conversation some of them had already started digging the bloodied dirt out and filling up sheilds to move it.
Annabelle glanced around noticing the doctor about to get to his feet.. "Not you" she ordered in a demanding tone as she began taking long strides over to him. He stayed seated.. this annoyed Annabelle since she only meant for him not to walk off before she speaks to him.
Even before she was infront of him she could smell his fear. This only added to her rage, she grabbed the scruff of his jacket pulling him up with one hand, forcing him to stand. When he was stood up he didn't dare even look Annabelles way, keeping his eyes to the ground. You could almost feel pity for the weasel.
"I'm sorry." he whispered..
"That's not enough!" she raised her voice slamming him against the side of the mountain he'd been leaning against. The memories of his face blurring as he drugged her hundreds.. thousands of times.. And he knows what the king did to her.. he knew what was going to happen.
"I had no choice" he began to cry clearly feeling guilt.. it seems this won't be the last time we hear this.
"Fuuck!!" Annabelle screamed in his face before easily throwing him to the ground next to her.
No matter how much she wants it she can't give in.. she can't kill him. She had seen the discomfort in his face almost everytime but.. he still did it, he was still compliant. She would never be able to trust him. Look how easily he gave up their location.. thinking of this Annabelle asked.
"How did you know I was here?" her tone was firm. He stayed quiet for too long, so Annabelle asked again.. "How did you know?!" she raised her voice as she stood over him.
His whole arm shaking he pointed to Bea, who was watching from the sidelines.. it seems she had heard the commotion and come out to see what it was..
"What the fuck?" Anna raised her hand in complete confusion as she looked over to Beatrix.. why would Bea tell him?.
"He told me where you were.. that's how we got you out.." Bea interjected quickly holding both hands up, before any other possibilities could run through Anna's mind. She's much more volatile than before.. much more unpredictable. "I just told him which way we were going.. In retrospect, I probably shouldn't have but here we are.." Bea opened her arms gesturing to the situation in an akward joking manner.
"He knew it was me.. I don't know how he just knew." the doctor sighed.. still laying on the floor tears rolling down his face.
"Get up.." Annabelle ordered.. offering the man her hand. After the initial surprise at Annabelles sudden change in mood he takes her hand and clumsily makes his way to his feet. "There will not be a next time.. understood?" Anna cringed inside at how much she sounded like her mother.
"Yes.. understood." The doctor bowed his head.. Annabelle just turned away.. she can't bare to look at him anymore. The memories alone are enough, now she has a constant living reminder.
After turning away Annabelle noticed Florence now standing near Bea.. she approached them confidently.
"Feel better?" Bea asked sarcastically.
"Yes.. much better" Annabelle smiled in response, finally feeling like she is getting a grip on whats going on, to some extent anyway. "Your a fool for thinking he would keep his mouth shut.. a man like that will only look out for himself" Anna sighed looking back over to him.. he'd began helping the other men dig out the dirt. She quickly looked away as more flashbacks flew through her mind.
"I'm sorry Anna.. I wasn't thinking" Bea apologised with sincerity in her voice.
"Does your father know you helped me?" Annabelle asked. Glancing to Bea then back to two men who were carrying a shield off to the nearby stream.
"He does now.. o'l doc told him everything.. he knows it was me and your mate.." she said quietly as she glanced to Florence and back to Anna.
"I'm sorry Bea.. I can't imagine what this is like for you.." Anna replied in a solemn tone..
Bea gave her a knowing smile.. though hard to tell by people who don't know Beatrix well, cracks of pain showed through her cool shell.."My Father.. The king.." she corrected herself "He brings pain.. and suffering.. I've seen it so many times but until now, I didn't have the will to try and stop him.. like so many others.." she sighed looking around the men who had chosen to stay by Anna's side. "I tried to shut myself away, somewhere he couldn't reach me.. and it worked for awhile.. but I'm done hiding.. the people deserve better.. I'm just greatful I get the chance to help put things right." she said with conviction.. She truly believes in this goal, that's all Annabelle could ask for.. a real friend who invisions the same world as she does.. where people can be free to live and cultivate on their own if they choose. Where taxes are a thing of the past and slavery is abolished for good.
Annabelle nodded her head polightly in agreement and respect. Silence was between them until Anna spoke "We need to get out of here today.. who knows how many people will follow.. they will reach us eventually" Anna sighed at the thought. This place is nice.. she will miss it but their lives are more important.
Florence gently placed her hand on Anna's shoulder, Annabelle reached up to hold her hand there for a moment, closing her eyes and leaning into it.. "We will be alright.." she turned to face them both, Florence's hand slid down Anna's arm as she turned.. Anna took Florence's hand with one hand and Beas arm with the other "We all will", Then she simply let go of them both and strolled back into the cave.. These past couple of days had been eventful to say the least.. now they need to pack and go God knows where.
For now they are safe and together but how long could that really last?.
---
Anna's POV-
I had almost packed everything I needed when I heard a knock at my bedroom door.. it's Bea.. I've come to tell their knocks apart.
"Come in" I called..
Bea opened the door, I didn't look until she called to my attention.. "Hey, I thought you might want this.".. I looked over to see my sword.. the sword Jax had made for me. I almost ran over to her, but held in my excitement to respectfully take it from her hands..
"Aw Bea.. thank you for picking this up for me.. I never thought I was going to see it again." I beamed taking a few steps backwards to draw the sword from the sheith.
I took my time examining the blade. It was still immensely sharp, but I could see some very slight damage to the tip. I'll fix that later. The craftsmanship must really be something if it stayed this prestine in that oafs clumsy grasp.
"How were Jax and Kya last you saw them?" I asked as I sheithed my sword and placed it on the bed.
"They were good.. worried for you of course, but they are in good health." she replied..
"Good.. are you all done packing?" I asked looking back to her.
"Almost.. there is something else.." Bea said in a serious tone catching my full attention.. is it bad?..
"I just wanted you to have this.." She pulled out her hand from her baggy jacket pocket clutching a fat pistol. She laid her hand flat with the pistol laid on top for me to take.. I don't know how to feel about this. I walked the few steps back over to her and slowly picked up the gun. Making sure my finger was not on the trigger, I turned it side to side in admiration.. it's black shiny surface with small purple components. It looked like a space gun the size of a desert Eagle.
"uhh.. I don't know what to say, don't you want it to protect yourself?" I asked confusedly.. she just grinned..
"Well Ronan had a little stash of guns hidden under the bed in my room, I found them when I was packing.. I have one.. you have one.. and I made Florence take one, told her she can't always rely on her arrows.".. she said as though she were Florence's doting mother..
"How did that go down?" I chuckled..
"She said that I was wrong, but she'll take it if I shut up about it.." she was unusually calm about this..
"And you didn't say anything else.." I stated almost showing how surprised I was that Bea would let that go.
"What?" she laughed.. "Why would I be angry when I got what I wanted?. Florence took it didn't she?" She grinned and raised her eyebrow slyly, unable to contain her happiness at her own small victory.
"It seems I had you all wrong.. you are cunning after all.." I smiled at my friend who smiled back knowingly.
In this moment a sudden thought crossed my mind.. more like a 'what if?'.. Ronan didn't sleep in Bea's room and yet he still hid guns in there.. maybe... I walked over to the bed standing by its side.. slowly I crouched down to take a peek.
To my amazement there it was.. a case.. hopefully a gun case.
I slid out the 3ft by 2ft case from under the bed, so I had just enough room to open it.. "Wow.." Bea said plainly.. "Why didn't I think of that.."
I flicked open the two latches at each end when I came across a problem. "Did yours have a lock?" I asked confused..
"No.. and it was half the size.." she spoke like a bitter child that came in second place.. I love this part of Bea.. it never fails to humour me.
I've decided I want to try something.. it may not work.. "Bea can you take a few steps back please." I ushered her further with my hand before looking back to the lock on the case.
I closed my eyes in concentration.. clearing my mind.. I tried my best to chanel my energy into my left hand.. I felt the heat for a moment but it dissipated just as quick. I tried again, and again but I couldn't quite hold the feeling for long enough. Whenever anybody has tried to help me in situations they always say.. "..Breathe.." I said outloud. I began steady, deep breaths focusing on what I could feel instead of what I was thinking.
After a minute of holding the feeling to my hand, imagining that I could feel the flames.. I felt them. I could hear them roaring.. I opened my eyes and there they were.. bright glowing embers lighting up the whole room.
I can't describe how I felt like I could do this.. it just felt right. I held my hand up to face me, admiring the beauty.. the cracks look like lightning, spliting through an orange sky.
After a few seconds more I slowly placed my hand flat over the lock, my hand immediately sank into the case.. the lock had melted away in seconds. I drew my hand back holding it infront of me again.. As soon I began to release the feeling from my hand the flames dissipated.. my skin began to form back over the fire. Like its healing.
Without another thought I opened the case.. I can't let the liquid metal fuse it shut before we collect our prize. Staring back at me was a beautiful Rifle.. Ronan must have been a good dog to get treats like these that's for sure.. but I can't say that to Bea.. maybe I'll tell my joke to Florence I'm sure she will laugh.. or maybe they all find it offensive.. I'll just keep that one to myself for now.
----
In total the case in my room held one rifle, a rifle holster.. two handguns, a double hand gun holster. A gun cleaning kit.. and a shit ton of ammunition. I calmly turned to Bea and held out the gun she'd given to me.. "You know Bea.. I think ill be alright.." I laughed..
She looked genuinly happy.. I don't know if it was because of the guns or because I have more control of myself but either way.. I smiled because she did.
I never liked guns before all this.. of course Gerald made me practice but that doesn't mean I liked it. Now though.. I feel like it will give us a new edge that we hadn't had before. And me harnessing my power into something other than chaos is a great help too.
NOTES-
Wow you made it to Chapter 45!! Congratulations on spending quite alot of time delving into my mind, I hope you see it as time well spent!
I always end up thinking that I can't do something.. for example finishing each chapter.. I see a quote today that really resonated with me.. "It always seems impossible until it's done - Nelson Mandela" And that is so true.
I just type, type, type away.. I get it done.
Most times I get lost in what I'm writing, sometimes it ends up alright and makes for an okay story. Other times I feel like it's utter garbage.. you be the judge :D