Guardian's Redemption

Chapter Fourteen

Those words slamming her in the face like a fist out of nowhere. Ashley couldn't help but think about the home of the cannibals and all of the people that Ben had frozen just days ago. There had been no remorse in his attitude when he had done that.

Ashley's chair creaking as she sat back in her chair. There was proof of Sonya's words. Ben traveling alone for years. The man known as the Element frightened at the sight of Ben. Ashley has been walking side by side with her brother in law. The man that had killed her oldest sister. Though it was only through marriage, Ashley had thought of Ben as a brother; and yet she couldn't help but think it was true. The man was the same as before yet so different. There was a cold thick layer of ice around his heart.

Ashley couldn't recall anything before the day she awoke except falling asleep in her fiance's arms. There was no recollection of memories in between. Ashley choking back her sudden urge to burst into tears. She was almost certain Sonya's words were true.

"Murder," the word a sickening tone that only felt like vomit in her mouth. This world was absolute shit. What would be the point of Ben searching for her then? He mind was starting to think logically, pushing those sudden emotions back. Was he going to kill her also or was this some sort of demonic trick?

It was then that an idea sprung into her mind. Ashley's eyes locking onto the Lord's. "Why didn't anyone else look for me?" Before believing what someone before you states, investigate their motive.

Sonya gave a sigh at the question. Her visage showing that she was regretting, no she had known that the question might have sprung up. "We lost you on that day, no one knows how. You were with us one moment and then gone the next. I suspect Ben had something to do with it. Not by choice. Most people did not survive that day. I'm so sorry that I gave up hope. I had men looking for you within the Sanctum's territories and yet from the reports you were just beyond our reach. There was nothing more I could do."

"And yet he found me beyond that reach?" Ashley stating softly. She hadn't meant to say it a loud. She was still torn. Here sat another loved one that tells her the other is a criminal and killer.

"Ashley, I know the pain you feel. He took my best friend away," Sonya said with tears in her eyes. "Surely you must remember what happened on that day, the day the world ended."

Ashley shook her head no. Nothing but a complete emptiness. To say that there was nothing would be an absolute inaccuracy for nothing is something. This was beyond the comprehension of the human mind. Ashley told Sonya the exact same thing that she had told Ben, about her engagement night and then waking to see a man and woman standing over her in the beating desert. Sonya took all the information in, finally leaning back in her own chair.

The woman gave a smile that was meant to comfort and yet Ashley took it as more of a visage of success. "Are you absolutely sure Ben killed ...." She couldn't say her sisters name as she choked on the name. "Maybe it was a demon that did it."

Sonya's eyes immediately igniting in pure rage. "He did it! He was the demon that killed her. He will pay." Sonya's quick rageful response made Ashley jump. The Lord taking a moment to calm herself. "It seems in his guilt that he lost you, so he began his lone search and in doing so people gave him the name 'The Hunter'. It is ironic that the man was born to a name so fitting his predatory nature, that people actually labeled him with it."

Ashley's brain was snapping at the inaccuracy of what Sonya was telling her. At least what Ashley thought was inaccurate. "He lost me? It doesn't make any sense."

Sonya's fist came slamming onto the table between the two women. Ashley jumping up out of her chair. "The man killed anyone who got in his way; innocent and guilty. He killed Ember."