The Aureate Crook

Bumpy Road

I woke from the wagon shaking due to the rocky road we were on, I got up slowly to see the sun was beginning to set. How long was I out? I looked over to my left to see the aureate crook sitting still looking at the floor, their eyes open but empty looking. I awkwardly moved over to the seat across from them, the silence of being alone with my 7 year long enemy was eating me up. I sat down and began to think of everything that just occurred. Why was I arrested when I was just trying to stop the person stealing from the fruit market. It didn't make any sense at all, I glanced up to the aureate crook and we made eye contact for a second. Quickly I brought my gaze down to the floor, before I was thrown in the wagon the officer did mention we were part of an 'organized crime?' I couldn't understand what they had meant by that, and by the looks of it the aureate crook didn't either. I sat there with my thoughts, still trying to process everything that had happened. Thinking of anything that could help me understand why that happened, but also the people who are going to be affected by this. Mama must know by now she's probably freaking out. Dr. Blanche and Holly also seemed to be concerned. And also the new guy, Robin, he had tried to help but for me for the aureate crook. He had called them his 'sister' meaning the aureate crook was a girl. I sat there surprised since for all these years I had neer known the gender of the aureate crook and had referred to them as "they" . It was kind of exciting learning new things about them. But at the same time I was mad at the aureate crook, they had terrorized me, and the village for 7 years. And I tried to stop them and look where it got me, when trying to follow my fathers advice it always made me end up in a bad place. Either in a lake, being crushed by a log, or now in a wagon on my way to jail. And while my life might be ruined for doing nothing wrong, the aureate crook just sat there expressionless and most likely didn't care. Frustration, and my overwhelmed feelings made me blurt out fiercely at the aureate crook.

"Why did you get me wrapped into this!" I stared at them, but they didn't even give me any expression. Anger flooded my senses; they deserved to be sent to jail, not me. I didn't do anything. They didn't even look up at me when I talked which increased my anger I stood up.

"Answer me! Why won't you answer me damn it?" I yelled sweat trickling down my head due to how hot the inside of the wagon was. I stood there for a couple of seconds before for the first time I heard their voice.

"I'm sorry." She muttered slowly, raising her head to make eye contact with me. Through her hood, and mask I saw her gold colored eyes, they were shiny and beautiful. I began to slow down my angry breathing before bending down back into my seat trying to maintain my cool. It took me a second to realize the aureate crook was apologizing? Their tone was sincere, and I didn't expect her voice to sound so raspy and strong. I calmed down and looked back at the aureate crook. It was time for questioning.