Seeker (Completed)

Sink or Swim

Chapter 25

When I arrive at Sam's house I get the lecture of my life. It then escalates when Justin points out that my dress is blood stained. "It was just some guy in the alley way behind the Tavern," I mumble. "Probably just a drunk brawl but he had a bad wound so I just stitched it up."

"Layls, you should have called one of us. You have no idea how worried we were. I even tried to connect with you but you had blocks up." Did I? I didn't even notice. "Okay, okay. I'm sorry. I'm beat though so I'm heading off for bed."

Someone sneaks into my room at some ungodly hour. The door creaks open, I jump up; adrenaline coursing through my veins. I'd been jumpy for a while. A bad feeling had been creeping up on me making sleeping an impossible task.

A dark figure appears in the door way and I leap towards it, tackling it to the ground. Without a pause I pin the person, that's when I hear a grunt I couldn't mistake. "Zack?"

We spend the night talking. He talks me into coming outside with him and we watch the stars. It's these times: laying down next to him, him gently stroking the back of my hand, talking as though we don't have a care in the world. It's these times when I can't picture my life any different, my future with anyone else but when the sun raises it brings me back to the painful reality.

I'm staring at The Key again, there is just something about it that is bugging me. Maybe I'm just being paranoid because of the pentagon thing. Sam strides over. "You've been here a while." I nod.

"I just find this painting completely enchanting."

"Like I knew you would."

"Can I ask you for a favour."

"Depends..."

"This is going to seem odd, but may I look at the wall behind the painting?"

"May I inquire as to why?"

"Well..." I search for an excuse. It's not like I can say: well this painting seems rather coincidental and therefor I want to see if there is an actual plank of pentagon shaped wood behind it. I know the theory is a long shot but I still want to try. "Um...You see I just can't shake the feeling that something this mystical is hiding secrets..." Well, Layls, that was a pathetic attempt. I actually want to high-five myself in the face.

Sam actually looks like he is contemplating it. "Unfortunately I can't do that. These paintings are priceless but I will tell you a secret about this painting. I've always found it absolutely mesmerizing so I did some research into it and I'm 99 percent sure it was created by Donald Frey." Mmm...

"He died close by you say?"

"Yes, the bridge is just outside the town if you want me to show you."

"I would find that absolutely fascinating. Thank you Sam."

The strong, muddy water gushed beneath me. "To think 200 years ago a talented young man flung himself over the edge. Heartbroken and hopeless." Wow. Talk about going deep. "Strange, isn't it?" Was all is I say in reply. My necklace is warm, I have a particular feeling about this bridge. It's getting late, I can come and investigate tomorrow. As we are walking back my foot steps on a wooden plank that creaks beneath me and my necklace scorches my skin. Could the plank or stone be here?

There isn't time to think about it because an arrow imbeds itself into Sam's heart. He collapses and I rush over to him but it's too late. 'NICK I NEED YOU'RE HELP!' I think as I see about 15 people rush towards me with swords in hand. Where are you? 'Bridge outside the town. Hurry!' And with that I turn my attention towards the mini army charging at me.

I rush over to the soil and plunge my dagger into the ground. I want – no, NEED – a vine to run its' way under the earth and pop up behind that guy with the bow and arrows and snatch them for me. Sure enough the ground splits next to him and multiple vines wrestle his weapons from him and envelops them into the ground. Moments later the ground next to me splits to reveal a bow and arrows inside it. I take aim and fire. I do it again and again and again. There are five left when I run out of arrows. Sh*t.

 I grab my dagger and place it back in it's holder that's attached to my leg. I back down the bridge and cringe as I turn Sam to have access to his sword. I say a silent sorry although I know that will never be enough. I turn just in time for my sword to clash against another. Those extra training lessons paid off; a few blocks, some fancy footwork and BAM my sword slices into his chest. I pull it out and let the body slink onto the wooden boards. I'm ready for the next opponent when I hear a voice ring out "Wait!" Erik steps forward.

I see that Nick, Zack and Justin are stealthily approaching in the distance, all I have to do is buy time. "Hiya Erik. Beautiful weather we're having?" His eyebrows knot together. "You're rather strange."

"Like your face?" I couldn't help myself. He scowls at me.

"Well at least I have the pleasure of slicing you into tiny little pieces."

"Oh! Now it all makes sense."

"What does?"

"Don't worry. No judgment on my part at all. I understand and it's okay."

"What are you even going on about!?" To be honest I'm not sure, I'm just trying to buy myself time.  Well when in doubt: insult. "Well obviously with a sword that big you're trying to compensate for something. But hey modern medicine can work wonders now days!" There were a few snickers, ah chocolate...I shake my head: Layls focus! So there are a few snickers and Erik goes bright red, I could even see Thorn trying to hide a smile. To try mend his pride he swings the sword at me and the battle is on. I can faintly hear commotion starting around me as the boys arrived but I'm too busy trying not to die to rejoice.

 I hold longer than I thought I would but I make a miscalculation with my footing and get shoved over the edge and plunge into the ice-cold water. I grope for the planks and am able to stop myself long enough to see a pentagon engraving before I get swept away in the ferocious current.