Stranded Star

Chapter 6

Astrid sat outside against a tree, her breath creating steam that rose up into the sky. She traced the raised ridges of the red scarred skin in her palm. Holding out her hand she closed her eyes and thought about a flame - it's warmth, color, weight. When nothing happened, her eyes squeezed tighter shut and she hoped something would suddenly appear.

"You're never going to make a flame like that," came Festus' voice from behind her.

She jumped at the sudden company - "Why do you always sneak around like that?!"

"If you were paying attention you would have heard my footsteps. But you were too busy doing...whatever this is," he gestured towards her still outstretched hand.

"Well how do you do it?" She asked snarkily. "I don't see you making any flames."

Festus scoffed and turned away, embarrassed that she was right.

"I'm sorry, I'm just frustrated," she said.

He sighed and looked back at her - "Me too." The wind howled through the trees as Festus stood awkwardly, hands in his pockets. "Is Cal inside?" He finally asked.

"Yeah, I'll go get him," Astrid stood up and headed towards the cabin. She was hopeful that they could work things out.

Festus pulled a cigarette from his pocket to calm his nerves. He had to win a round of cards with the guards just to get some more because Boras had taken his last one. The only perk of working for the shadows was that he got to request cigarettes be part of a shipment every once in a while. He lit it and took a puff, mesmerized by the smoke rising up into the dark sky.

He was interrupted by approaching footsteps coming from the house - it was Cal. He wore a black coat and a red scarf, his gray hair tied up haphazardly and falling onto his face.

Festus felt a sense of calm seeing Cal's face and he wanted nothing more than to wrap his arms around him, but he didn't. He stood stone-faced, taking another pull from his cigarette and watching the smoke. He had lost control last time, but needed Cal to know that he was sorry.

They stood face to face, Festus attempting to remain unmoved. If Cal had something to say he wanted to let him talk before he tried to apologize. When he suddenly reached out, Festus flinched thinking he might get hit - which he felt he deserved. Instead, Cal wrapped his arms around the other man, pulling him into a hug. "I'm sorry," Cal whispered, burying his face into his neck. At first Festus froze, unsure why Cal was the one apologizing. He held his arms out, afraid to embrace him in return. But when he felt tears on his neck, he dropped his cigarette onto the snowy ground and pulled him in closer. Tears threatened to leave his own eyes but he bit his lip to try and keep them inside. How could Cal forgive him so easily after everything he had done? At that moment Festus felt weak. He wanted to tell him everything - every secret he had been keeping, every rotten thing he had done. But all he was able to do was grasp onto Cal as tightly as he could, wishing this moment would never have to end. He tried not to think about all the shit he would have to face when this was over.

"Please don't leave me again," Cal whispered. "I need you."

Festus' chest grew tight and the tears he had attempted to hold back now fell heavily onto Cal's coat. He wanted to be strong. "Cal it's ok," he said softly. "I won't leave you again, I promise." He knew that wasn't a promise he could keep, but the lie was easier to handle than the truth.

"Let's go inside," Cal pulled away. "You must be freezing."

Festus didn't want to go inside. He would have much rather frozen to death outside than face everyone that trusted him so blindly. Cal grabbed his hand and they walked back to the cabin.