The King and his Hand

Chapter 5: Some Explaining

The forest sighs and moans, speaking all around me. Birds sing songs of sorrow and joy, the fall leaves crunch beneath my heel, and the wind whistles a sombre tune weaving in and out of the tree branches. I take a deep breath, smelling the poppies and lilacs around me. Flowers of death, how relevant. I grab my tablet from my satchel and check the map for the coordinates sent to me. Almost there. I slip the item back into my carry-on and close my eyes—a vivid replay of Scar's death dances behind my eyelids. My eyes flash open, and I stumble towards the nearest tree to lean on. It haunts me, knowing I might have caused it. I look down at my clothes, which are stained with blood. Everyone else already knows about the death. The chat announces whenever someone dies. That means Ren knows. But he doesn't know I caused it. What will he think of me?

I take my hand off the tree and try to wipe off the blood. It doesn't brush off too well, so I keep moving. I climb up the final hill. There it is. Off in the distance, sitting on a steep and narrow hill is a large wooden gazebo. After walking all night, I'm finally in the home stretch. My mind is flooded, once more, with images of yesterday's horrors, but this time, it feels more bearable, like hope welling up within me. I run down the hill, picking up speed with each step. I run like my life depends on it, like if I stop, my fears will catch up to me, and all will end. I keep running, not even noticing my exhaustion. That doesn't matter now. All that matters is getting home, back to safety, back to Ren. I'm almost at the entrance now, but my body gives in, and I fall to the floor, unconscious. 

*    *   *

Whispers. Whispers surround me. My whole body feels so heavy I can't even open my eyes. All I can do is listen and breathe. 

"Martyn? I think he's waking up! Quick, get him some water!" 

My head pounds like a thousand hammers are hitting my temples. What happened? 

"Martyn! Oh, Martyn, we were so worried, dude!" 

Ren? Did I make it? I gradually open my eyes. The sun shines so brightly on my face that I can't see a thing. I hear footsteps run into the room. The thud of their shoes echoes around like a ball bouncing off the walls. 

"Ren, I got the water." 

"Thanks Skizzle, ma dude."

My eyes adjust to the light, and I sit up to take in my surroundings. I'm sitting in a red bed in the pavilion I was running towards earlier. The walls are just crossed thin wood panels, leaving square gaps like a fence. So the room is very sunny and warm. Ren is kneeling on my right, with his ears lying back and his nails digging into my cover. He must have been scared. At the foot of my bed stands a tall, gentle-faced brunette covered in scars. I recognized Skizz, but at first, I thought Scar had cut his hair and decided to wear a sleeveless suit. They bear a striking resemblance for only being cousins. Skizz leans over and hands me a bottle of water. 

"We were worried for you there! Glad you're awake. Drink up."

He smiles kindly and sits down on my left. They both just sit there, watching me as I drink. The silence continues until I finish the water. Once the last sip is gone, Skizz removes the bottle gently from my grasp and places it in a chest next to me. Ren sighs, releasing what I imagine to be a lot of stress. Then he looks at me, his shades shimmering in the sunlight. 

"How ya feeling, dude? Better?" 

I nod. Ren smiles softly, but then it falls again. 

"Ok. Then care to explain why Scar exploded and you're covered in blood?" 

I admire Ren's straightforwardness. He was always the blunt type, but I was NOT ready for that question. I gulp, then smile sheepishly. 

"Could I have another bottle of water, please? I'll need to be ready for this."

Skizz hands me one, and I quickly gulp it down, wiping off stray droplets. 

"OK then. Here we go…"