Rangers Apprentice and BrotherBand

▪︎Gilan: Don't Shoot! Part 2▪︎

I found my way to my family's empty home. My parents passed a few years ago. It was a church fire.

I went inside. I didn't normally come here. Only when I needed to think.

Everything was tidy...but covered in a heavy layer of dust.

My heart felt heavy. I'd never see them again.

I shook my head and whiped my tears. I crossed the kitchen to the stairs and went up.

The stairs creaked as I put my weight on them. I smiled sadly when I remembered my father had ment to fix those when he got home from church.

I heaved a sigh and ventured into my old bedroom.

The door was open...

I hesitated.

Hadn't I closed it last time I was here? I clearly remember doing so...

Maybe Maria had come to collect something...

I slowly stepped into the room, my nerves on edge.

I jumped when I heard the door slam shut behind me.

"Don't move" said a voice.

I froze. How could this have happened?

"Who are you?" I asked. My back was still turned to whoever it was that slammed the door.

When he didn't answer I spoke again. More forcefully this time.

"Why are you here?" I tried to sound threatening. But my emotions betrayed me. Making me sound broken. This intruder was in my special place.

"Are you...ok?" He asked. It was definitely a he. And he sounded genuinely concerned.

"What kind of question is that?!? No, I'm not ok. You broke into my family's house. The one place that still has memories of them" I spat.

I spun around to see who had such insolence.

My eyes widened.

I took in his mottled cloak and long bow slung over his shoulder.

Was this Gilan?

I watched him closely as he flicked his hood off.

I was...stunned.

He was the most handsome person I'd ever seen.

"I'm sorry to intrude, but I had a report of an assassin sneaking around the area" he apologized.

Great.

Thankfully I had stashed my weapons in a closet downstairs. I had done so in case my sister dropped by.

I held back a sigh of relief.

"Oh..." I said with a bit of fear.

He stared at me with his dazzling brown eyes.

"Have you seen anyone suspicious recently?" He asked.

I shook my head. Not trusting my voice.

He sighed.

"Well you'll have to come with me then" he told me.

I shiver of fear ran through me.

"Your accusing me? How could I be an assassin?" I demanded.

He turned away from me and looked out the window.

"I'm not, but your the only suspect I have for now. So you'll be staying with me to help find the assassin" he said calmly.

My face flared. This can't be happening.

How am I supposed to kill him now?