This Is What's Left

Chapter 4, That Time of Night

"Love knows not its own depth until the hour of separation."

Arthur Golden

-Jacob-

"Let her go, please!" I stood, several feet from her. My Jian trembles in my hands. Bailey was in her chair, tears streaming down her face as he walked around her, blade in hand. On the ground near them, I could see Amber, blood still leaving from her head. Her skin was pale, but I could still see her chest lifting and dropping with each breath. He kept pacing, staying close enough he could strike Bailey before I could make a move. After a silence that felt like It wouldn't end, he looked up at me, "Welcome home, did you find what you were looking for?"

My hand gripped my sword harder, anger beginning to bubble up inside of me. His head cocked at me, a soft smile on his face. I shook my head, "You meant for me to find that? To see what sick monster you were?" As if I told a joke, He started laughing, a hearty, full-bellied laugh. His smile grew, "I'm proud that your morals from the old world are so strong, but you aren't seeing the picture boy. Those kids, they'll never have to miss their parents, never worry for food, or shelter. They get to be together!" His voice became erratic as he swung his sword in the air.

"Because you killed them!" I roared at him. His face contorted for a moment, "They aren't better now! They are dead, gone!"

"Don't you dare talk to me like that!" He yelled, taking a step toward me. He was leaned forward, his posture demanding to be in charge, "Don't you wish you could be with your mother? God knows she misses you. Bailey, don't you want to see her again?" His head turned, looking at her.

This was my moment. He was farther from her than earlier, and he wasn't looking at me. I dived at him, my blade aimed forward as I lunged. He leapt to the right, farther from Bailey, nimbly dodging my thrust. His blade came down toward me, aiming for my wrists. Cocking the blade upward, he glanced off of my Jian, giving me a moment to step back, putting myself between him and Bailey.

He leaned his body back, coiling before he struck forward with his sword, a thrust aimed for my shoulder. I dropped all the weight in my knee, twisting my body as the blade missed by mere inches. Curving my wrist, my blade moved upward in a crescent motion, aiming to slash up his shoulder. His free hand shot down, grabbing my wrist before the blade's arch could hit him. Quickly, I countered by grabbing his sword arm as well, leaving us in a sort of clinch. He swung his arms outward, leaving both of our blades facing up and on either side of us. I went to throw a knee at him, but moved faster, kicking me on the only leg I had planted, knocking me clean off my feet. As I fell back, I extended my knee, landing a kick on his rib cage. He let go of my sword arm, and as I crashed to the ground, his arm slipped my grip. I hit the ground, and as I landed his heel stomped on my wrist, so hard I could hear and feel the crunch of bone.

I screamed out in pain, my Jian falling out of my hand. He swung his blade downward, intentionally making the cut shallow. The blade struck just under my ribcage, less than 2 inches into my flesh. With my free hand, I grabbed his blade directly, trying to stop his swords from traveling across my chest. He grabbed his blade with both hands, forcing it farther, I slammed my head back, tears forming and streaming down my face as I failed to stop the blade. I screamed, my eyes forced open from the pain. That's when they met another set. Amber must have regained consciousness. In her hand, my black combat knife. Once our eyes were locked, enough information had been conveyed.

She slid the knife at me, and I let go of the sword, letting it slash across my stomach. I grabbed the knife, stabbing it into the leg that was holding my arm down, right under the knee. At the same time, I bucked with my legs, kicking him square in the crotch, while getting my legs under him in the motion. I exploded, both legs sending him flying backwards. With my good arm, I covered my slash, rolling over and forcing myself to my feet. Amber, bless her, had already grabbed Bailey, running for the door. I scrambled, sprinting for the locked door, and throwing my shoulder into it, light blinding me-