Shadow Beings

45. The Defender

My hand clutched my head, trying to stop the flow of the pain, but my legs ran faster than the grating wind.

There's only fear and hatred.

Run faster. Run Away.

Fear and hatred.

Peace, a distant and hoarse voice whispered. A voice in pain. A voice that was within me for my entire life.

Run.

For that's all you can do.

No!

I took a deep breath, shaking my head to stop the tears from falling. Aurelia turned towards me, her clear eyes widened with worry. I gave her a smile of reassurance, massaging my head gently. I closed my eyes, wishing to not see the pained sight, but it was all that filled the view.

A young girl sat on the ground, her face only slightly turning in my direction. She had long blonde hair that almost reflected the flames raging by the walls. They hadn't been combed for days, as one of her thin hands sat in the web of those strands. A small nose was placed beneath her eyes, a faint cyan holding a shine of deep sorrow.

She wore a thin and simple blue dress. The fabric was clear and rich, returning the images of everything around it. Silent tears travelled down her composed expression, her forehead wrinkled as if she didn't understand why they fell. Her head slowly turned towards us, a look of shock appearing on her face.

The girl beside me suddenly grabbed my hand, squeezing it for support. Both of us stooped, the air around me growing thicker and heavy for my breathing. She leaned forward, taking in a slow, deep breath, before whispering a single name.

"Ariana..."

Letting go of my hand, Aurelia ran towards her sister, immediately gathering her in her embrace. The reunion of the two sisters blurred from my sight. I wanted to be happy for them, but I couldn't.

Not like this. Not with that colour reflecting on the innocent being's dress.

Pained gold.

The battle around me faded away. The noise faded away. Everything simply... faded away.

Everything except the people in front of me.

Aurelia's shoulder flinched, releasing Ariana from her grasp. Her eyes widened and she clutched her chest, shifting to his right. She rested her palm on the man's wound, letting warmth move into his circuit with a lost hope in her gaze.

Evelyn sat opposite to her, gently holding his hand. The tears rolled down her face and Conrad squeezed her shoulder, desperately trying to control his chokes. All the others - Jay, Galen, Trina, Theo and Jack - stood alert, keeping their strength, protecting him and us beside him.

Here I stood, paralysed.

"Take a step forward slowly, Audrey. Do not let your mind take over you."

A sweet voice from my memories echoed in my brain. I saw the silhouette of a small child as she struggled on her two feet, a beautiful woman encouraging her from a small distance away.

"Slowly, my little raven. Time matters, dear. But never make haste.

"Never make haste, for that only makes you late."

As the voice faded away, my leg staggered and I hesitantly took a step forward. Nothing blurred my vision and I wished they did, but a disquieted nonchalance was all that rested on my face. My steps were now faster and faster, but steady.