Dark New World || Sebastian Sallow

Freedom at a cost

Dawn stood at the top of the stairs that zigzagged down to the boathouse, he stared out over the large body of water below as he rested his arms on the stone railing in front of him. The night was chilled and the snow fluttered around him swiftly as he thought about everything that had just happened and what was to come.

He was glad that he fought for his freedom but there was still a part of him that was fearful. He knew the power that his father held and that he would eventually get to him, it was only a matter of time but until then he was glad to be able to fight for the greater good. His mind drifted to the memory of his mother that Sebastian and him saw and it pained him, he missed her deeply. He couldn't help but wonder what she would say or do if she was there.

He knew he was not an important part of his fathers life since his mother passed but he couldn't help cling to that small feeling of hope that maybe his father would have eventually changed but that was entirely gone now. He had to accept the reality that his father was gone forever, he was consumed by darkness and he lost himself entirely.

Dawn closed his eyes as he began to picture some of the horrific things he had seen and gone through over the years, he clenched his jaw and fought the tears that formed in the corner of his eyes as the memories flowed in. He clutched onto the collar of his shirt as he choked, the emotions of his freedom but also of his past pouring out of him.

"Dawn?"

A soft voice startled him, he glanced over his shoulder as he quickly wiped away his tears.

"Poppy?"

"Are you alright?" She asks, curling her fingers around her yellow and black patterned scarf as she looked up at him with her large amber eyes. He couldn't make eye contact with her though as he didn't want anyone to see him like that... especially not her.

"I'm sorry Poppy, now isn't the best time to talk..." He coughs, turning back towards the railing as he placed his hands on it to steady himself.

"Alright, we wont talk then... but you don't need to be alone." She whispered as she joined him, placing her hands on the snowy railing, looking out into the night.

It was silent for a moment as Dawn attempted to collect himself, he didn't mind Poppy being there, in fact it was a bit comforting but he didn't exactly know what to do when someone saw him express his emotions. It made him nervous as It wasn't exactly something he did much of...

"You should go inside, its cold out... you'll get sick." Dawn says as he clears his throat.

"I wont get sick, don't worry..." She assures.

"Shouldn't you at least be with Lena then?"

"She has gone to stay with Sebastian for the night... either way Dawn..." she whispers as she turns to look at him. "I'm choosing to be here for you right now."

"Fair enough." He mumbles, tugging at the collar of his long black cloak, his fingers slipping over the green silk that lined the inside of it.

"That was your family... wasn't it?" She asks.

"Uh... well..." he stammers, feeling his stomach flip at her words and for a moment he feared he had truly been caught.

"It's okay, I understand. I know you don't want to hurt Lena."

Dawn glanced down and stared at her for a long moment, entirely surprised and confused by how blindly she trusted him. She was obviously smart enough to put the pieces together but he wondered how she was so calm about it.

"Poppy, I don't think you understand..." Dawn stuttered, taking a step away from her. He wanted to be honest with her about his past but before he could begin to explain she took a step closer to him with a smile.