Burnt Wick

Deadly Everything

"So you nearly falling off the side of the Parapet wasn't trying to kill me off?" For the past 10 minutes, Phillip has had me whisper questioning him and his actions up until... 10 minutes ago. "No plan? Just jump for it with the probability I'll follow?" I gestured to all of him, my hands waving in small distress movements. "And you tune me like a violin, to the 'T', waiting till we get across and have a little bonding moment." I emphasise my syllables with a growl, Phillip stayed quiet the entire time while I've blocked him from the rest of the quadrants view. "To bring up, oh by the way I knew who you are and know the shit I could put us both in, but I'm not trying to kill you like the rest of the Tyrr lot." My face is so close I can feel his shaking breaths on my cheek. I'm trying to keep my control. Not even the first day over and I risked my life for a scheming little fu-

"It wasn't intentional! I really don't want to make an enemy of you. Or kill you!" He tried to shove me back, his arms not having enough strength to move me much, so I just step back myself. I scowl at him, it hurt knowing how much danger this kid could've put us both in, from not mentioning one. Tiny. Fact. Of course it wasn't entirely his fault, I'm General Melgren's daughter and that's all I'll ever be to anyone, I should've been expecting this kind of things to happen. "You helped me, you took interest in my family, my life! My literal life! You took that into your hands to save me." His eyes started to well with tears, but I could see how hard he was fighting them back. After what happened on the Parapet if he cried now he would paint an even bigger target on his back. "What I said about the General and his burd-"

"I know what you said! Don't recite your little poem back to me." I snap at him, teeth clicking together. "Stay away from me Phillip unless you want an even bigger target on your back. Wouldn't want a Tyrr hanging around a Melgren, would give you a bad start." As if it hadn't already.

Literally any other person and he would've been fine, I would've been fine. But the fact he wears a rebellion relic is bad news as basically the whole Quadrant saw that act. Someone will be waiting to report back to my father, more than likely anyone that wants to see me suffer a consequence. So everyone basically. I look Phillip in the eye once more. "Get strong enough to survive , but leave me out of your routine here." There was a look of shattered glass in his eyes as I start to turn away from him. "But what you said about loyalty I-" "You're alive aren't you? I've given you advice haven't I?" Shitty advice but sticking around any longer and you can basically call Phillip the next gym punching bag. I tuck my head into my shoulder, closing my eyes as I take a deep breath. My voice stays at a harsh whisper. "If I knew sooner, you would live longer. We are putting a target on your back and not a friendly practice one. A deadly one." 

I look back up to him, seeing the understanding slowly start to filter through his brain. "You want to see your sisters? Hit me." Phillips head shoots up, surprise overcomes his features and his body starts to shake. He gets the idea I'm trying. "Hit me. For your life. For your sisters." I get closer, closer to the point I'm uncomfortably invading his space. If there are people watching good. If I need to make a scene good. My fingers cramp, turning white from how hard they're bawled into fists. I tower over Phillip and walk him into the stone wall we were just leaning on moments ago.

 I'm hurt but it is no fault but my own. I should've realised sooner. I've yet again put another Tyrr child in danger. "No! I won't. You've given me your advice right? That doesn't mean I have to take it." 

For the first time, I see steely determination in his eyes. He side steps me, pushing his body to try and shoulder me on his way past but knocks himself instead, stumbling slightly, giving me a sorry look before walking off into the crowd. Another ring of the bell tells me that the last person has finally crossed the parapet- or fallen- and we can finally proceed. I shake my head, annoyed at the situation I've got myself in, wiping my hands over my eyes and down my face, my free arm propped on my hip.