Mercy *Obi x OC* (COMPLETE)

As The World Caves In

As The World Caves In - Matt Maltese *Cover by Sarah Cothran

His door closes across the hall and that soft thud is enough to send every fiber of my being in a frenzy of just one thought.

Run.

I cast a final glance at the door to my room before slipping through the window, my bare feet landing on the plush grass below. Once Threil goes to bed he doesn't get back up until morning. I'll be back before he even knows I'm gone... I just need a bit of fresh air in my lungs. It won't hurt anything. I'm still his just as always but doing this will make me a happier and more obedient woman, that's all. Right? It'll be a good thing... as long as he doesn't find out. At the edge of the yard I look back at the cottage, then disappear into the treeline. There's a field just on the other side of the trees. I'll go there for my bit of freedom then I'll return home well before sunrise. No harm done. I found the field shortly after I was first allowed to go out on my own, but I never told Threil that it's where I go when I sit outside.

The field is empty as always, besides the doe and her fawn on the far edge. It just me, the tall grass, the full moon, and the wind blowing through my hair. A small smile crosses my face as I take a deep breath. This is exactly what I needed. I stand in the field with my eyes trained on the millions of stars hanging overhead as the breeze whips through my hair. As always, this leaves me with the same nostalgic feelings I don't understand but I'll gladly deal with those restless thoughts in exchange for this moment of peaceful bliss.

"Elydia?"

My body tenses and I open my mouth, prepared to begin a relentless series of apologies to Threil, but my gaze falls on a man standing just a few feet in front of me and he is definitely not Threil. I didn't get to bring any weaponry with me so if I have to fight for my life, it'll have to be hand to hand. Who is he and how does he know my name? I step back from the dark haired man and his golden eyes focus on me.

"What happened to you? I went out to take care of some things and I come back to you gone."

"I have no idea what you're talking about or who you are, so please leave me alone."

"It's me, Obi, remember?" He presses, taking a step forward. "I saved you here a few weeks ago from a man named Threil. I took care of you while you detoxed from the drugs he gave you."

"That's ridiculous... Threil loves me and wouldn't dare drug me."

"You and I both know that's not true. I don't know what he's done to you but you have to listen to me."

Why is he so insistent? Is he telling the truth? I have no idea and no way to prove his words. Something about him though is tugging at something in the back of my mind but whenever I try to pull those memories forward, everything goes foggy and my head hurts. I blink a few times and run a hand through my hair while I step backward to put more distance between us. I should just turn back and run home to safety but if this man is persistent enough, he could follow and end up alerting Threil to the fact I'd left.

"I can keep you safe from Threil, I promise. I don't know what he's done or what he could have threatened you with but I can handle it. You just have to come with me, Els, please?"

Him calling me Els brings that tugging feeling back stronger than before and it's enough to make my head pound as I stare him down.

I'm in a field of hay, dressed in my favorite light purple dress Mom had made for me. There's a young lanky dark haired boy standing in the middle of the field with his back toward me. It's just before sunset and I'm only allowed to stay out once the last of the sun's rays have disappeared for the night. I feel myself smile as I break into a run while the strong mid-spring breeze whips my hair around. I try to jump on his back but he turns last minute and catches me in a hug that ends with us falling into the grass.

"I was starting to wonder if you'd be coming, Els." He chokes out as he gasps for breath.

"I wouldn't miss it for the world..."

"Len?" I mumble out loud as I feel a tear start to roll down my cheek.

His eyes snap to mine, full of hope and excitement. "Yes, it's me. Do you remember now?"

"We were children, standing in a field like this one all those years ago... but that still doesn't change the fact that I don't know what you're talking about and I know he wouldn't do that to."

"I know, but I-" He steps forward but stops short and I tense as I hear something off in the trees behind me.

"Elydia!"

"I have to go." I tell Obi quietly but he steps forward as I move to turn and catches my forearm.

"Don't go with him. I'm telling the truth, I promise. Threil broke your ankle when you ran away and I saved you. If you go back to him you'll end up getting killed."

"Elydia! Get back here now!" Threil is getting closer. I need to go.

I look back at the tree line before refocusing on Obi's hopeful and concerned gaze.

"I-I can't, I have to go, I'm sorry."

I pull my arm from his grip and disappear into the forest as fast as my bare feet can carry me.

A/N: So I'm in quarantine until 9/12/21 unless something changes, so I will hopefully get a decent amount of writing done.