Eclipse

Chapter 14

★Aruna★

The world was different. No, not the whole world. But only the town. Women walked around freely, hair flowing in the wind. Some women had short hair. Men minded their own business, and the royal guard was nowhere to be seen.

I couldn't control my body, but I could experience everything in my own eyes. I was a woman with wavy, raven black hair. I kept my hands clasped in front of me as I walked forward. People hung their heads low when I walked past, seemingly from fear. I didn't pay attention to them, though.

I made my way to a seemingly normal home. The house was small and wooden. I opened the door and stepped inside, closing it behind me. The house was dusty and dark. I walked down the small hallway before stopping in front of a door. I knocked slowly, dust falling from the chipped wood. I leaned my forehead to the door. "Dad? Are you okay?"

A faint cough came from the other side of the door, but no answer. I sighed and turned from the door and walked away.

I opened my eyes, nothing but darkness coming into sight. I rolled onto my side. I glanced at my door across the room. I knew it was locked. The window was boarded up. Rya still did not trust me. I could easily break through, but I hadn't yet. I was ashamed. I could hear my sister's sobs from the other side of the cabin. The walls were thin. I knew she was thinking about mom. I knew she wanted to see the sun again.

It made me wonder, sometimes, if I should just give her that gift. If I should just end it all for her. Just so she could be happy. But then she may blame herself for both mom's and my death. I couldn't have that.

I turned to my side, a tear slipping down my cheek. I hated living like this.

My thoughts were interrupted by something ripping at the wooden boards where the window once was. I jolted upright and looked at the window, my feet dangling next to the bed. Massimo was on the other side of the window. He made it look so easy to just rip those boards away. Maybe it was. I hadn't actually tried.

As quickly as it had started, the boards were gone, and Massimo stood in the opening with a wide grin. I couldn't help but smile at the sight of him. "What are you doing here?" I could hear the surprise in my own voice.

Massimo rested his arms on the windowsill, crossed. "I thought I would save a damsel in distress."

I snorted. "I am not in distress. I could break out any time I want."

Massimo looked at the boards that now lay at his feet. "Then why haven't you?"

I looked down, and then looked at the locked door. "Because of my sister. I hate seeing her upset."

Massimo gave me a lopsided grin. "Well, you wanna go on a walk?"

I stared at him for a few seconds before shrugging. "Sure, why not?"

★★★

The leaves crunched below our feet as we walked. Neither of us spoke, but I couldn't help but notice that we weren't walking toward the walls of the kingdom. Finally, I turned to the man at my side. "Why aren't we going to the kingdom?"

Massimo stopped walking and looked up at the dark sky. "I was almost caught."

My eyes widened. "Really? What happened?"

He looked down at me, eyes glistening. "Well, I was caught. I don't remember the name of the guard, but he saw me and let me go. He lied to his patrol group and told him that it was all clear, directly after seeing me."