Another Lost Soul

Chapter 17

I met them at the center of town, the same apprentice from earlier hiding in the shadows as a taller red haired man glared at him. "Don't hide, Atticus."

Alenor stood beside him, eyeing me carefully. "You came."

"Of course I did." I looked aside, nervous to make eye contact wi to him. "Sorry I'm late, Han had the place guarded pretty well."

"I'm sure Atticus explained the situation to you, but I'll have you know that-"

"I'm not doing it." I held one of the soldiers swords at my side. "I'm sorry but, I can't. He won't listen no matter what I say."

"I knew you'd say that." Alenor smiled. "Which is exactly why it's not true. Atticus manipulated you by giving you an offer he knew you'd refuse. I knew you'd come all the way just to tell us you couldn't do it."

"Wha- but-!"

"We're taking you out of town. The way he made you hurt innocent people wasn't right, and I know you can't take much before you crack in that place. My friend said he'd help, but-"

"No." I stare at him, hurt. "I'm not going anywhere."

"Excuse me?"

"You know, for the amount of time we've spent together, you've done nothing but lie to me. Jalaiah risked everything to save my life and did you even say thank you? Are you even happy I'm still here or do you just plan to use me for your own selfish situations of entertainment?"

"Amir-"

"All of you are the same. All you do is lie!" I drew my sword and aimed the edge at Alenor. "You're no different than Han. Give me one reason I should go with you.

I'm so tired of holding everyone else on my shoulders.

"You can't beat me and I won't fight you."

I'm tired of trying to follow orders.

My hands grip the sword tightly, arms drawn back and shaking. I don't want to hurt him but after everything he's done, it's all I can think about. "You don't have a choice."

I'm tired of being lied to.

"I apologized. You know why I-"

I'm tired.

"Shut up! Stop talking to me, stop apologizing to me! I don't care. You lied!" I stepped forward, but he kept the distance equal by stepping back.

"Amir."

I'm tired.

My breath quickens, sword swinging out in front of me fast enough to chop his neck clean off. Due to our distance apart, I only sliced across the edge of his collar bones. As soon as he winced in pain, the sword hit the floor with a loud ring.

Im tired.

"Im so tired, Alenor." I pant softly, my knees hitting the dirt as I bow down in retreat. "When will this be over?"

"Amir." He carefully stepped closer to me and bent down to my level, resting one hand on my head. "I apologize for all of my lies. I know it's hard in you."

"You have no idea how I feel!" I smacked his hand away and grabbed my sword, shoving it through his stomach and forcing his back of the ground. I fell on top of him, holding my weight on the metal weapon and leaning close to his face. "Stop it! Stop trying to make me feel better! You're the one who put me here! None of this would be happening if it weren't for you! Everything you say goes straight to my head! Why?!" I shoved the blade deeper into his body, stabbing it into the ground and holding him in place. "Why do I have to listen to you when all you do is lie to me? Why does everybody lie to me?!"

"Amir-!" Atticus ran toward me but a single glare stopped him in place.

"I know you won't love me like you used to." Alenor pulled my face into his chest and took a deep breath. "But...don't hate me. I do everything I do because I care about you."

"I don't need you to." I relaxed into his body, his smell comforting. "I wish I had died and stayed dead....why did you let him bring me back?"

"I didn't know. I can't stomach the thought of my own best friend making deals with the devil but....he loved you too. Maybe even more than I did."

"It's not fair. It feels like everyone is against me."

A pale hand reached out to me, a comforting smile meeting my eyes as I sat up in Alenor's lap. "Even The Reaper needs a friend."

"You..." I panted softly, staring at his hand.

"I won't let you turn into a villain." The red haired magician softened his eyes. "No one deserves that fate."

I eyed the blonde at his side, who was staring wide eyed at me with a red face. "That was so cool! You have to teach me how to do that!"

I took the magicians hand and stood up, allowing him to turn to Alenor's aid. "Relax, this shouldn't take long, Al."

"Never does." He laughed softly. "Believe it or not, Amir...this isn't the first time you've stabbed me."

"Please!" Atticus grabbed my hands tightly. "Show me how you had the confidence to do that! I can never fight back! How did you do it?"

I stared at him, not expecting support from the man who lied to get me here. "I-...I just did, I don't know."

"Here. I want to show you something." He pulled me into the shadow he'd hidden in moments before, revealing a small mouse in the inner pocket of his coat. "This is Dennis."

"He's cute."

"Atticus has never been able to make any friends. He even plays with his food." The red haired man stepped toward us, a sad smile on his face. "I've tried to push through his anxiety, but I fear it might be too late for him to socialize with other kids."

"Kids?"

"Atticus is still a teenager."

"Oh-" I eyed his rose red braid, eyes trailing all the way down to his hip. His shirt was cropped, showing a large tattoo on his stomach.

"Where are you looking?" He eyed me with a small laugh. "Don't get nosy on me, Amir."

I glanced between his legs thoughtlessly, regretting it instantly and looking upwards. "Sorry!"

"I see why you like him. He's cute." He turned to Alenor, who weakly rose to his feet, wounds gone.

"Don't even think about it. We've gotta get him out of here before sunrise. You better keep up your end of the bargain."

"I am, don't worry. If we want to get a head start, we should head out."