Ending Paradise

Intermission - Blood Keys

Soon we all sat together at our long log table. Tonight dinner was roasted fish, potatoes, and greens scavenged from the forest.

There was a bit of talk but no conversation stuck out more than the others. I could barely stomach my own rations without the feeling of guilt swirling within my gut.

I wish Vex never suggested giving Zane a blood key because now the solstice is all I can think about. In all fairness I already knew who the keys belonged to, since around the time I started the search.

Trevor was the first to be discovered. Then Kendra,  Charlie, and I made our attempt. Lastly, Wynter got his just recently from Charlie.

From what it seems Charlie is all for the blood keys, just like Vex. Although from Kendra's perspective that's a lot of responsibility to give to someone. How am I even supposed to approach that?

Hey you have choice to either help me fight something, most people don't believe exist or let everyone die?

Yeah no. I can't do this. Even if I could communicate that to them, everyone is too young to be fighting wars. Although, I'm about the same age as everyone else, why don't I have a problem with it? Why does Charlie or Kendra want to help in the first place?

In my l hesitance I had dropped my fork but once I reached down to grabbed it spotted something I never thought I would.

A large scar on Kendra's ankle. It had a similar shaped as if she had been poisoned. If I had to guess, that's her curse.

In deciding to leave it alone I also noticed something strange about Charlie's leg as well. Xyr feet would rotate strangely in moments the conversation got to dark or uncomfortable. Like xe wanted to get up and run away.

Why would they ever get hurt for someone like me? They can only help me because they can understand my perspective. They see me from another perspective than everyone else.

There it was the answer in front of me and I had to do was look at from a different angle. If I want to convince them I have to meet them at their level.

Okay then I can do this.

"Tempest? Are you alright?" Kendra asked placing an unexpectedly warm hand onto my arm.

I jumped a little before fumbling to regain my composure, "Uh, umm I... good... yes?" My hands flailed about before I just decided to pocket them away.

Nope. Nope. Nope. Not a chance. I hate this. That was awful. I told myself I wasn't gonna talk to people again. Goddamnit that was as smooth as gravel. Fuck me!

Kendra just laughed at me, "What's got you so anxious?"

I sat up a little, "The solstice. I mean it's coming up and anything could happen you know but I don't want to freak anyone out. Then again not saying anything at all could be really bad,"

She nodded along. "I see. I'll handle this," She said standing up from her spot.

I pulled a little on the lower half of her dress, "No! Please! Keke!" I whispered screamed at her.

"I have a serious conversation for everyone here," She started up and everyone stopped their conversation to look our way.

"Who where believes in the dark age?" She asked with a sly smirk.

She was planing something and I don't have the skills to understand what she's gonna do.

"Oh god," Trevor groaned with a small roll of his eyes.