Slayer [revised]

Chapter Four

            I'm half awake the whole night, sleeping but still rather conscience. I wake ungodly exhausted but work all day long, only to return to bed and restart the same cycle for the next week. Dad changes the day  of the contest starting ceremony for a week from the first reconstruction day. The town is pretty well back on its feet, thanks to Gloria and Ophelia's magical powers, and the buildings are going up well. I haven't seen much of Lemming or Mom lately, which is fine by me. Grant and I have a rather strong friendship, although Dad refuses to let me on the soldier's side because it's too risky with the contest going on and all. Grant is a lot like me, except without people holding him down from his accomplishments. He wants to help people and picked the soldier's duty to obtain that goal. He also hates Lemming because of his cowardly actions although he always manages to take the glory and makes himself look like the hero.

            We become so close that we soon can read each other's looks without having to say a word. I tell him about fishing and my bow and arrow skills and in return he tells me secret duties that Dad assigns them for certain criteria. It isn't until today while we are walking around the town talking that I remember my promise to myself about Alex. A part of me feels awful for not checking up on him sooner. What if something happened to him? Could I have saved him from whatever crisis he was in? But another part of me is afraid to leave Grant's side. What if he is psycho and tries to kill me, or Lemming decides to follow me again and I'm not as lucky this time? I almost tell Grant about Alex, but a pit in my stomach tells me it isn't safe. 

            "I think I'm going to go fish for a little while, I'm feeling restless and I need something to do." Grant grins and lets out a chuckle.

            "You constantly have to be going don't you? Can't you just sit down and enjoy the summer sun?" I look up at him and roll my eyes.

            "I would if I didn't have just a few days left to be myself before one crazy man slays the dragon and I become their slave." Grant laughs in a way of levity, although it isn't much. Both of us are dreading the contest that seems to be drawing nearer every second. For me it’s the whole "man taking over and controlling me" issue, for Grant it's losing his best friend and a good leader. He knows that I could be better than Dad, but if I get married, the man will take the position of ruler, and we both know Lemming will kill for the position.  

            We say our good-byes then I walk towards the river. A large seed of fear plants itself into my stomach, and the closer I get to the river, the more it sinks its needles into my skin and wraps itself around my organs. I make my way across the river over large stones protruding out of the water, then head straight for my bow. I feel the fear plant grow tighter and I try to breath normally as I wander through the forest. I get to the little clearing where I hid from Lemming and look around. "Hey Alex, Alex." I call but nothing comes back in return.

            I walk around the edges, although I steer clear of the cave just in case, with my hand on my bow. After about fifteen minutes I give up. There is no way I'm staying out here alone when I have a dragon and a Lemming trying to kill me. I turn around and take quick steps toward the river, telling my conscience that there is nothing I could do. Brushes in a nearby apple tree shudder and I turn quickly, my bow raised and loaded. 

            Alex's head and torso pop out of the top and I near let the arrow fly, almost killing him. He hangs upside down from the tree, an apple in his hand. His shaggy black hair is away from his face, making him look not as dark, and kind of cute. I blush a little, putting my bow away and glare at him. "Was this your funny way of scaring me because you nearly got an arrow in the throat." His impish grin appears and he pulls himself up into the tree. "Seriously Alex." He drops down and tosses an apple at me. I catch it and eye cautiously. It is huge and bright red without any blemishes. I take a bite of it and juice runs down my mouth. I munch on it happily as Alex makes himself comfortable at the bottom of the tree.