Another Word For Waiting

Death

I ignored Hana for two days straight, determined to show her that she had crossed the line. My village loved me, I knew it. Asa loved me, he had to. If they didn't love me...then I would cease to exist, I would be utterly broken beyond compare.

Despite all I said to myself, I could feel the cracks burying into me, the seeds of doubt planted and forcing their way through concrete. The thought had crossed my mind before, but I had always shut it down before it could really take hold. But now that I had the chance to see them all again, it really hit me. Maybe they left me because they didn't love me. Maybe they never want to see me again.

I hated feeling this way, and hopefully meeting with the rest of the Ageless could help distract my harrowing thoughts.

When Hana knocked on the door on the third day, I let her in. I really didn't have anything to say to her, and waited for the apology I just knew would flood out of her mouth in a frenzied hurry. She settled her dark gaze at me, which seemed to grow more and more like Felicis's that it scared me. Hana appeared to collect herself, and I could tell she was thinking through her words of apology.

"I'm not going to apologize for what I said," Her hand flew out to stop me from saying anything, and I realized my mouth had been open, ready so say words in spite. "I will not apologize, because I feel that you needed to hear it. You've been pining over a village of what, nine people? For goodness knows how long. They've never come back. They have showed any signs of returning. Asha, they didn't even leave a note for you. I truly believe that you need to move on. We, the people of Amkhalid, are your family now. There is no more Old and New. We are your family. Live for us. Live for the children that will come, and for those of us who are already here. Come down from this village of death, of this empty, desolate, lonely place. Live with us. Promise me you will, and then I will take you to meet the Ageless. Promise me, that you will let go of the family that disowned you.

Promise me that you'll give up on your old village,"

Surprisingly, I easily nodded in agreement to the promise, the fingers of my right hand crossing inside my pocket, unseen by Hana's eyes.

I think I hate her.

But, that seemed to appease her, as she gave me a soft smile, a weird sort of victorious gleam in her eye.

"Shall I take you to meet the Ageless now?" Finally. I literally do not have time for anything else. Doubts or not, I will help the Ageless rescue Life, and be reunited with Asa and my village in turn. I realized quickly that I hadn't said anything, so I nodded, and followed her out of the door.

. . . . . . .

We finally stopped in front of an aging building, the beams ancient and frail, barely holding up their heavy load. The door did not seem to be able to close properly, and some of the windows were shattered and destroyed. Was this truly the only place they had to accommodate the Ageless? Guards surrounded the perimeter, and I wondered why they even bothered. From what I had heard, the Ageless could easily kill them. Dark had said they were under constant surveillance, was it to ensure that the Ageless could not search for Life?

"Guards, we have come to let Lady Asha speak with the Ageless, as was her request, in order to determine whether or not to let them stay, or if they have over stayed their welcome. Asha's judgement will be final in this matter, as is her right as the town council," Everything Hana said had been full of a language she had never used around me. Her tone was mature, and it was clear that taking charge was easy for her.

I also realized why the Ageless specifically needed my help. One word and I could give them their ticket to freedom. Their leaving could cause enough distraction for me to find Life, and leave with her, or him. I might possibly be their only chance, and they were mine.

The guards let us into the decrepit building, staying outside its decaying walls. Hana led me through a maze of hallways, until we finally entered a large, central room. A room full of hooded, masked figures.

I noticed Dark in the back, my eyes watching her shoulders relax in what seemed to be relief. Clearly, she had been worried over whether or not I would come.

"Lady Asha, these are the Ageless. Once they leave, this building will be torn down in order to build you a new home. I hope you find what you came to look for. I will be here, if you need anything," Hana had reverted back to calling me by a title. I hate her more.

"I would prefer it if you went home. I can handle myself, and I will find you when I finish. This meeting might take a long while. Your cooperation will make it easier for me to reach a decision," The voice that crawled from my throat sounded as if it where laced in ice. Hana deserved all of it  I hated how she bowed and murmured "As you wish," before she left.

Silence echoed through the room for a few moments before we were certain she was gone. Dark killed the quiet when she cleared her throat, saying "I'm really glad you came Asha,".

"As am I. Clearly, you all probably know who I am, so I think it's fair that I should get the names you go by for now," Sitting down never felt so wonderful. Despite none of us having met, besides Dark and me, there was no awkward nor tense atmosphere clinging to the room.

An Ageless wearing a mask decorated with forget-me-nots stepped forward first.

"You may call me River. My partner," she said, gesturing to the Ageless slightly behind her, whose fingers were intertwined with hers,"is Kindling," I quickly noticed that River's mask was the only one decorated, the rest were plain white, except for one.

One by one, the Ageless introduced themselves, Nimbus, Igneous, Bastet, Tock, and Sun. Finally, it was the last Ageless ' s turn.

He seemed to be the leader who looked so tense the day they arrived. Now, his body was relaxed and at ease, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall. A single strand of long hair slipped from its confines inside the hood. His mask was black, unlike the rest who wore masks of white. Before I knew it, his voice was spilling out into the air, in a hushed, soft way, so full of melancholy my heart hurt. And he said,

"I am Death,"