My fingers are basically frozen by the time I make it up to the Shack. After my little breakdown, Shavanti basically fled. She can kill a man with no remorse but cannot watch me cry. I chuckle softly, walking through the doorway of my home, trying to keep my footsteps as light as possible.
Once again I'm astounded at my mood-swings.
I pad slowly over to my bunk. Fortunately I'm only the second bunk up and Hazels below me. She is still awake, golden eyes piecing through the dark. If Shavanti is the devil, Hazel would be an angel. I sigh, sliding down with my back against the wood of the bunk bed, careful not to rock the mattress where Luna lays sleeping. Hazel slides down next to me, rubbing heat into my hands. Then she notices the line of almost dried blood across my neck. With wide eyes, she traces the line with her finger, as if checking she's not imaging it, and I repress my shiver. What in hells name happened? Her eyes scream at me. And so I sigh again, deeper this time.
"Do you want the long story or the short story?" I mummer. She looks at me, then around at all the sleeping women, then to her daughter.
"Long story. Tomorrow." She says, equally as quiet. I nod once, whisper goodnight before climbing up and collapsing into my bed. Sleep comes easily tonight.
----
There's a wave of new girls on the morning so I spend from the moment I rise to the start of the work day organising them. It feels good to have something to concentrate on. I even manage to convince two of them to cover Hazel and I for the day. And so by early morning, Hazel and I are sitting on the dirt floor of the Shack, playing with Luna. I spill...everything. From Shavanti, to the King, to Ida. Some memories I hoard to myself but Hazel gets the gist of it and spends a good five minutes hugging me as I try to repress my tears. In the end we are both sobbing messes but I feel as if a shackle has been lifted. The weight of grief is still heavy but I don't think I'm about to repeat last night again. Which is infinitively good. Or at least as good I hope I can get. Even if I had to walk through hell and back for it. A massive payment for a small gain. But every small win is something to saviour. Hazel grabs my hand.
"I want to join," she says and the meaning of her words hit me like a train. The Rebels
"No," I say, glancing pointedly down at Luna who is clutching my thumb in her tiny fingers. But Hazel just straightens her spine.
"You can't leave her without a parent. I can't, you can't leave me too."
"Luna deserves a better life than this shit. And so I'd rather her life with a proper roof over her head and food on the table every night than a life with me holding her together." She replies, leaning over to cover Luna's ears with her hands. I sigh but nod. Luna giggles, sitting up then struggling to her feet.
"Yes! Come to mama sweets," Hazels says, holding her arms wide open as Luna takes her first step, then another. Hazels leaps to her feet, sweeping Luna up and spinning around, hugging her tightly. Grins take over all our faces and the world suddenly seems ten times as brighter. Hazel puts Luna on her feet.
"Come to Auntie Jay," I call out she wobbles slowly over to her and I hug her tightly as well. This is my world now. This moment is what fuels me. This is what I fight for.
I will not let them down this time.
----
She knew I would come back. She knew that I needed more answers. What she didn't know that Hazel is with me, eyes determined. Luna is also here and I truly wonder what Shavanti is going to think. I don't have to wait long. The look on her face is priceless. I can't help but crackle.
"Wha-it's a...baby," she whispers, shooting nervous glances at Luna who giggles. She waddles over to Shavanti, who practically freezes on the spot, and trips right before her. They both look at each other for a second and Luna bursts into tears.
"No, don't cry," Shavanti says, wringing out her hands and Hazels swoops in, covering her laugher as she picks up Luna. I don't bother to stifle my own hysterics as Shavanti glares at me. Who knew the almighty assassin becomes a nervous wreck in front of children. As Hazel coo's Luna, Shavanti finally regains her wits.
"So back after your little crying session are you?" She glances over to Hazel, as if I haven't already told her everything.
"Something like that. But I have another question," I reply smoothly, no hesitation at all.
"Ok, shoot," she says. I grin as Hazels ears practically perk up.
"How could you get into the palace?"
"I'm guess you don't want to say hello to the guards first."
"I've never been social." Her face finally cracks.
"Touché," she says. "But yes, I can...on one condition." Hazel rolls her eyes and I raise my eyebrows.
"What's with you and 'conditions'?" I complain but she just looks at me. "Oh ok."
"I want in on this then."
I went into the city today and it was amazinggg. I'm so so tired now though so sorry if this is shit. Anywaysss... yeah bye lol
YOU ARE READING
Trapped
Fantasy"I came here for one reason and one reason alone. To kill the king and take his kingdom for my own. " ------ Vreca has one mantra. Control. Over other countries, over food and its people. But especially over women. In a world where women are deemed...
