Run Away ✧ Sebastian Sallow

chapter twenty-eight

The next day went the same as the last. Deathly quiet.

Silently walking for hours on end among the three of them. Desmond was still distancing himself at every chance that he had, eyes stuck between the pages of the journal. Antheia was struggling to figure out why he was distancing himself from her. Her emotions felt as raw as ever, but her brain was in overdrive to get everything over with as soon as possible. 

Neither had seemed to find the words to actually speak with the other. 

By the time the group was approaching Hornwood, Antheia had been losing her patience, if she ever had any. They needed to get through her hometown fast and be on their way. Then they could find the relic and everything could be set back to normal. 

If normal was still a possibility at that point. Antheia wasn't even sure what normal was supposed to look like anymore. 

Antheia had considered what would happen if everything went as planned. Once they found the relic and destroyed it, then Sebastian Sallow would be back like before. It had been two years since everything changed. There were so many other factors to worry about with him returning that she hadn't considered yet. It would have to be a problem for another day.

"Remember, we are just going straight through," She ordered the two following behind her harshly, "Don't stop to look at anything. Don't talk to anyone. Eyes down and walk!"

"That's fine."

"If that's what you want."

Antheia wanted to get this over with. There was a lot that she wanted to do besides awkwardly walking through town like she hadn't known anyone there, but she held her tongue. 

The fresh smell of baked bread had been a reminder that it was Sunday. The town center was full of life as locals gathered to trade goods and stalls were decorated beautifully for the winter season. The holidays had already passed, not that they had anything to celebrate, but there had been plenty of red and green handcrafted gifts that hadn't found homes.

Even the local flower vendor was out. All of the beautiful plants made a colorful centerpiece to the market. That was always her favorite stall to visit each week. 

Antheia didn't stop for any of it. Keeping her nose to the ground and walking on the outer edge of the town square in an attempt to avoid anyone recognizing her.

"This town seems lovely," Ominis muttered to them, "Why in Merlin's name did you want to go around?"

No answer followed. There were many reasons for Antheia to avoid her hometown: There was a demon following them somewhere, it put people that she loved in danger, she was already homesick from missing the holiday, and even the fact that she was traveling with a Gaunt was reason enough to avoid coming home.

Before she could think of a lie to give the boy she ran headfirst into one of the very things that she was avoiding.

The one-eyed man covered in scars nearly fell when Antheia ran into his back, yet he had still turned around more concerned about the person who ran into him. His hand grabbed onto her shoulder before they had seen each other. 

The flowers that he had just purchased bounced off her head. The moment she noticed the flower cart, she knew that he was likely nearby. 

"Attie," Her father smiled, "What are you doing home?"

-✧-

It was dangerous enough for Antheia Wynters to be in her hometown, or the family's shop, let alone in her home on the second floor above the shop. None of this had been part of their plan when they left the castle. And she had taken careful steps to avoid this exact thing.