Merlett: The BloodFairy Romance

Unexpected Trip To Wonderland, part 1

"She is watching." - echoed the words of the old woman in Zachary's mind, as he exited the strange room. He was definitely not prepared for this revelation. Knowing that everything he did up to this point, and even the future, is like an open book to that godforsaken woman. And now he lives with this forbidden knowledge. That everything he knows, she knows. Everything he does, he thinks...
He feels...
...can be used against him. Well, another reason to end her reign of terror. But is it possible?
As he stepped outside to the streets, he suddenly got hit by another thought: Maybe, unkowingly, he doomed the team as well.
She definitely knows about them, and the mission. Maybe she will try to stop them? Search for them, even if she is far away right now, she is very powerful. She could ambush them. Kill them. Use them as puppets...
She can take everything away from Zachary that he cares for.
Again.
But he remembered another part of the monologue. That she fears him. Suddenly, he got hit by a sense of primordial rage. He was not sure, why, but he could feel it flow through his veins, slowly eating up his mind, until he could only think about one sentence only:

"You are right to fear me, mother."

He stopped for a second. Indeed, feeling anger, fear, and sadness at the same time can do strange things to a person's mind. Zachary was no exception. To some go-byer, it could've seemed he was analyzing the clouds. But it was his mind that was clouded, not the sky. In the first time in many years, he felt like he was important to people. This team of lonely wanderers, all with their own skill, stories to tell, and motivations, united by a common cause. And he is a part of it. Part of something huge. But...
...could this be it?
Just together to escort Sevrik, and then all of them will depart to go their separate ways?
After all, he met them by accident. Just because of Gerda.
He stayed with them, because the city got attacked.
The queen hired them, but they were not a real team.
And then somehow they got into this escort mission. That's all.
Mevrik got Gaylord. They are a sight to behold, for sure, but they got each other. Thia came together with Scarlett, Sevrik will surely welcome them back to the palace.
But he is alone. Now more than ever. Is this all he is? A useful tool, to be cast aside once this is over? He is used to being treated like shit. Why does it hurt so much now?
What is this rooted pain, bonded together with a sense of warmth, plagueing his soul since... he cannot remember. It is just there. He never ever felt like this. What causes it? Why?

Why no one can help? Why no one wants to?
Why has no one ever tried...

He could've screamed, but no sound left his throat. No tears rolled down on his face. He was just standing there, motionless, as some melancholic statue, gazing into the abyss forever.
"The person no one loved." - could be engraved onto it...

At that moment, something gently bit his shoulder. It was Jeremy. He was sitting there the entire time; as always. He looked concerned. But even in the animal kingdom, living beside someone for nearly 15 years makes you know that person like your palm. Or beak, in this instance. Jeremy then showed aside some of Zachary's hair, that was blocking the man's view. His eyes were bloodshot now, starting to get wet with tears. They gazed into each other's eyes for a second. Jeremy let out a sound, almost as if asking: "Are you okay?"
Zachary just looked at his companion.
"No, friend. No, I'm not."
Jeremy showed his head onto Zachary's hair.
"Don't worry. It will be fine."
Zachary closed his eyes. One, lonely tear finally rolled down on the scars on his weared down face. It hit the ground. And with it, a part of the sadness was gone as well. He sighed. And stratched his friend's beak.
"Thank you."
Jeremy probably felt relieved as well. His owner... no. His friend was back.
Zachary opened up his eyes. His vision felt a bit more clear.
Yes. Yes, he do has a friend.
He still has Jeremy. And no one can take this loyal raven away from him.
So the two just stood there. Calming down.

Until Mevrik came up to them, high as hell from the szipuá he bought earlier that day...
[tbc, nem a betegség, hanem a 'to be continued', csak hajnal 2 van xdddd]