Another Lost Soul

Chapter 21

As we walked back toward town, I felt a sense of loss. "Are you afraid?" I asked him carefully, watching as he stared deeply into the dirt.

"Yes. I fear it was more than just a warning. If my master is afraid, shouldn't I be? He came looking for me."

"Will he get worried when he finds out we left?"

"He knows where I am. He's just afraid Han will get to me before he does." He began to fidget.

"If he's going to protect you then why didn't we go look for him?"

"He'll be home when we arrive." He swallowed roughly, hands shaking. Rain began to patter against his shoulders, soaking his hair in cold water. He slowly unwrapped his braid, allowing pale yellow hair to fall down his back.

"I fear for your safety, Atticus. We should hurry."

"I'm safe enough."

"Why are you being so careless? I was warned of your death. It's not something to take lightly."

"I don't want to die, but warnings like that could only be delivered once someone's fate has been set in stone. It was warning you of loss, not danger. That's why I'm so afraid."

"How did she know so much about us?"

"They're just like that. They break into your mind and find what they can to draw you closer."

"Maybe she wasn't being honest. Maybe she just wanted to scare us."

"I wish that was the case, but I've been listening to footsteps following me all night. I can feel them getting closer. I'm really going to die."

"No you're not." I grabbed his hand and pulled him closer to my side. Rain seeped between our fingers, my head scrambled. "You're just a kid, none of us are going to let you die. Fate can be changed."

"It can't." He shook his head.

"It can."

"You've proven the opposite. Your fate is Alenor, you've never been able to avoid that." He laughed a bit, but didn't seem very amused. "My fate must be insanity."

"Insanity?"

"It's the only way I can think to escape death. Id have to be crazy to do this." He took a deep breath and pulled a small knife from his ankle. It had been attached to his sock, but I'd never noticed. He stopped in place, letting go of my hand and shakily placing the tip of the knife against my neck. I froze. "I'm sorry for what I'm about to do to you."

I slowly got down on my knees, holding my hands up so he could see them. "Killing me wont keep you alive."

"On the contrary. I'm not going to kill you."

"Then why would you-"

"Han, take him away." He closed his eyes for a moment and spoke clearly, a familiar face forming in the darkness. Atticus refuses to look me in the eyes, looking down to the ground again.

My eyes widened in fear, heart pounding in my chest as Han stepped closer. "I must say, I wasn't expecting to hear from you so soon."

"You said it yourself, fate can't be changed!" I glared at the blonde teen, watching him flinch at my words. "Don't do this to me!"

"Don't hate me." He tried to hold his hand steady. "Believe me, I am sorry. I don't want to die."

"You fucking coward!" My voice rose in fear and anger.

"Im sorry." He repeated himself, tears welling in his eyes. "Im sorry, Amir."

"I trusted you!" I screamed at his face, but his eyes remained in the grass.