Ark Kingdom: The Magic Within (Bellarke)

Chapter 29

Octavia’s POV

I hate that I have fought with Bellamy. I hate that he didn’t even listen. As I left camp I saw him go to her. He went to her even after I told him about seeing her with Finn. He’s an idiot. There is a flash of light and then they are both gone. I stare at the space that they were just in and can’t figure out what has happened.

“Tell me, where is my brother.” I say to the wind.

“He is with her. They will be safe if they are together.” The breeze whispers.

“But, she’s a liar. She’s using him.” I groan and kick a rock.

“No, that was not her you say. You should know better. Listen, see, pay attention.” The breeze dies after that warning.

“Great. Even the wind has left me.” I sigh and continue on the path that I was following.

“Octavia, we have news.” A bird chirps into my ear after landing on my shoulder.

“What is it?” I ask, not in the mood for animal gossip. Ever since I was little and found out that I could communicate with practically all living things that was the worst part of it.

“Danger is coming. Run!” It squawks before flying away.

“Run, Octavia.” A rabbit leaps towards a bush and disappears behind it.

I hear footsteps behind me as I start to run towards a place to hide. There is a large boulder ahead of me. If I can make it to it then I can hide. I grab the side of it to help swing my body to the back of it. The momentum is so strong that even when I see the man there I can’t stop. I slam into him and he twists me around. He is holding a dagger to my throat before I can even take a breath.

“Speak and you die.” He growls into my ear. He has a thick beard that chaffs against my neck. He starts to walk backwards dragging me along with him. I try to walk with him but he’s moving too fast causing me to stumble.

“Keep up.” He growls again. This time the dagger pierces the skin at my throat. I can feel a warm trail of blood ooze from the wound. I can’t hold back a whimper.

“I said to stay quiet!” The man hisses and drops me to the ground. I crumple at his feet. He raises his hand that holds the dagger and slams it hilt first against my head.

The next thing I know I wake suddenly strewn across his back. My head is pounding. I lift my head to look around but can’t see anything that helps me know where I am. It all looks the same. We could have been walking for hours or seconds.

“You’re awake. Walk.” The man growls before tossing me to the ground. I wasn’t expecting it and land badly. A sharp pain shoots up from my ankle. I yelp and grab it forgetting about my company.

“Quiet!” He slaps me across the face with such force that my entire body shakes. “Get up.”

I try to but as soon as my weight hits my injured ankle I crumple again. “I can’t.”

“Get up. Walk.” He leans down so I can smell his rotten breath and caresses my cheek with his dagger.

“I can’t. I’m hurt.” I look him in the eye. Just like with the bear I found in the forest you can’t show fear or they will win. I lift my chin and feel the blade dig into my cheek. I don’t care.

“Then I have no use for you.” He pulls the dagger back and I know that he is going to kill me.

I shuffle backwards as quick as I can, but don’t get far before he is on top of me. His weight holds me in my spot. I can barely breathe as his body covers mine. I scream and scratch my fingers across his face. He howls, groans, and then falls forward. I feel his last breath on my neck and then he is still. What happened? I know that my feeble slap couldn’t have hurt him that badly.

Then I hear someone running to us. From my position I can only see shoes and they are not ones I recognize. I stay completely still in an attempt of looking dead. The weight of the dead man on top of me is soon lifted. I take in a deep greedy breath forgetting that someone else is here. I look up to see a man with a dark complexion and warm eyes. He is kneeling over me holding a dagger that is dripping with blood.

“Please don’t kill me.” I whisper.

“You speak our language?” He looks baffled. “Come, we must go before the others find us.”

He lifts me into his arms and starts to run. I can hear people behind us but somehow I know that I am safe.

“What’s your name?” I ask him.

“Lincoln of the Veil.” He says in a rich voice. “Rest now. You are hurt.”

His footsteps and the pain in my head lull me to sleep.