Monochromatic

Chapter 8

Freedom

Something happened to sister Azoria, but I knew she wouldn't tell what. For the rest of that evening, she was silent. She didn't sleep at all that night, and neither did I. We lied there, both of us aware that the other only pretended to sleep, neither daring to react. The next day, I didn't go outside. My body passed out from exhaustion, and when I woke up I only stared from the inside out for hours unknowingly until Azoria returned. Snapping out of it, I noticed how late it was for her to be coming back, but that wasn't what really caught my attention. A person was following Azoria back home, and Azoria didn't seem to notice at all. I ran into my room and shut the door, leaning my back against it to keep it shut. The sound of Azoria's footsteps as she walks into the house used to be such a pleasant melody, but now the song is bittersweet.

Creek~

I could hear the door open, but never close. Another set of footsteps followed after and the door finally shut.

Trembling, I listened in on Azoria's conversation. With every word the tension grew.

"So, this is where you live?" a deep, raspy voice asked

"Yes, are you satisfied?"

"No."

I could feel both Azoria and I jump at his answer. I was tempted to leave out then, but I knew that would cause more trouble than it was worth. Azoria wouldn't want me to leave the room, who am I to rebel? The conversation dragged on a little longer, and I stayed within the safety of my room.

"Then fight me"

My body tensed up.

"Okay."

I rushed out my room trembling as Azoria stared blankly at the man in front of her. She didn't even glance at me.

"Freedom, leave." Azoria commanded coldly, but I didn't budge.

"You can't control Azoria, you're too soft."

I glared at the man, standing my ground.

"Freedom, listen to Azoria here and leave. I'm sure she doesn't want you seeing her get beaten unconscious!"

I moved an inch closer and he already slapped my sister. My eyes widened, and I was instantly paralyzed. Azoria fell to the hardwood floors with a thud, but she got up unfazed.

"Freedom, run!" Azoria commanded in the same manner as before, but this time I obeyed.

I couldn't go outside, it was too dark for me alone, never again. I hid in a hole I found next to my room two weeks ago. Azoria built a ladder for me to go down into it and explore, which came in handy in this instance. I closed the top just enough for me to let myself out later and sat down impatiently. The conversation upstairs went on, mostly with the intruder pestering my sister, but for me it stopped when soon they went outside. My body itched nervously, I wanted to go and protect her but how? I froze and missed my shot, this was my fault!

Several minutes passed and I grew tired of waiting. I climbed out the hole and went out through the front door. No one was around, but I heard laughter from the back.

'Azoria!'

Rushing to her aid, the man passed by me with a big smile.

"You weren't built to fight, Azoria. Don't try again."

Azoria's nose was bleeding, she coughed up blood. Both of her eyes were damaged, and multiple other parts of her body were too. She didn't cry, even after all of that. Azoria just lay there on the floor trembling until she saw me. I tried to help her up, but she pushed me away and stood by herself. I watched as she proceeded into the front lawn, following soon after. The man was seemingly waiting for her arrival beside the porch,