When Blackbirds Fly

Chapter Twenty Eight

WARNING: Lots of sad stuff, possibly cringe writing (I honestly have no idea), and EMOTIONAL DAMAGE

He laughs. "Who am I? I'm Ian Axel. The same person you've been traveling with this whole time!" He states it as if it's an obvious fact. But right now, it couldn't seem further from the truth. It's almost like a switch flipped in his mind; his personality is completely different from his usual friendly and playful demeanor.

"No you're not," I say slowly. "You're different."

Ian's response is one of sarcasm. "Oh, really? Do I seem unlike the person I was before? Do you want a prize? Really, come on Merle, you're smarter than this. Put two and two together."

I gape at him. This Ian differs so greatly from the one I knew that it scares me. Put two and two together? What could he possibly mean? I try to pull things from my mind, things I can remember from before.

"So you're the raven."

As quickly as the words come to mind, other memories start piling up. This phrase was spoken to me when I found out about the Mark of the Birds. Ian has been acting strangely ever since then. His unnerving stare and indifference in those moments caused me to feel suspicious, but I shoved the thoughts away. And when we got to the Mithril Towers, the way he stared at the damage was odd. The glances he's occasionally given me were another clear indicator. What the heck is going on?

"But be warned. There is one who will betray and become betrayed, by friend and foe alike."

Understanding cuts through me like whiplash. Olek had given me a warning. I did not heed it. My eyes start filling with tears, quicker than I can stop them. Ian must notice the change in my face because he sneers at me.

"Finally figured it out, huh?" While he scoffs at me, I try to wipe away my tears, frustrated that I would still cry in front of Ian like this.

"Was it ever real?" I croak out.

"Nah, it was all an act." The disgusting smile never leaves his face.

"Really?" I demand, more distressed than angry. "Was it an act when you hugged me in the park by the water fountain? Was it an act when you joked around with me? When we tried to prank Audrey and Zero? Was it an act when you laughed with me and comforted me? Was it an act when-" my voice cracks and I stop for a second.

"Was it an act when you tried to make me feel better? Ian Axel, was it an act when you danced with me and held me close? Because I can't bring myself to think it was. You can't pretend to feel and be all these different things. Or are you just that amazing of an actor?"

My little rant is met with silence as thick as a blanket. I sniffle before leveling my gaze with Ian's. What I see makes my heart drop. I realize as I'm watching the boy in front of me that this is the first time I've ever seen him cry. His eyes are filled with desperation and sorrow.

"Most of it was." he whispers. "But there were times where my real emotions would leak through. I actually had fun." He laughs bitterly, his voice still soft. "For the first time in my life I had friends."

Had. This doesn't go unnoticed by me.

"I took up his offer because I thought it would be easy. I thought I would be able to do it without getting too attached. I was wrong. So wrong. I got attached to Audrey, who is like a sister to me. I got attached to Zero, who is practically my brother. But most of all, I got attached to you, Merle." He looks up at me again, his eyes burning with an emotion that makes my stomach churn. Once I would have openly told him the way I felt, but now that I know what side he's on I understand that I can't.

We stay like this for a while, staring into each other's eyes and listening to each other's breathing. For a moment I can see the boy I used to know. Kind, compassionate, and open to what others think. I don't know when we got so close together, only that I could reach out and touch him if I wanted to. And I really want to. If only we could stay this way for just a while longer...

Ian's voice breaks the silence. "Come with me."

"What?"

"Come with me," he says, louder this time. "We could do this together. You and me."

This makes me even more upset. "Ian, you know I can't."

"But you can," he protests, holding out a palm face up. "Take my hand. It's as simple as that."

The tears are in a free-fall now. I look behind me. What would Zero think? What would Audrey think?

"Hey." Ian puts a hand on my chin gently, guiding it back towards him. "Look at me. It's okay." I want to believe him. Oh, gosh I want to believe him. But a quick glance down to the scroll in my hand lets me know that isn't possible.

"I can't," I sob. "I was entrusted with this." I hold up the scroll. "I can't let it get anywhere bad. That would mean the destruction of all life!"

"Which is why we'll be careful."

I take Ian's hands in mine. "I can't." I breathe out. "I'm sorry."

Ian's left hand slowly drifts up to cup my cheek. His thumb wipes away my tears.

"Me too."

With that he yanks the scroll out of my hand and backs away. As quickly as it went, the mask on his face returns. His eyes go cold. That awful smirk comes back.

"Farewell, Merle Raven!" He bows low. "I have no doubt that I'll see you again soon!"

He takes a device out of his short's pocket and presses a button. Then he's gone.

I mourn the loss of the boy I liked.

Word Count: 1011

I got really upset when I was writing this TwT

What did you guys think? Was it the right amount of emotional? I'm also interested to see who figured out that it was Ian 😄

-RS <3