Eclipse

Chapter 16

★Dayton★

The water lapped against my naked chest as I waded across the mist covered lake. An unfamiliar figure stood motionless on the other side of the body of water. I stared silently, contemplating whether or not I should approach it. I decided to go for it.

I lowered my body slightly, leaning forward and swimming toward the figure. As I got closer, an image became clearer behind the mist. They had long hair. That's all I could see.

I slowed my pace, feeling the water get colder. It suddenly became harder to swim. The mist around me thickened, clogging the air, depriving me of much needed oxygen. I tried my hardest to take gulps of air, though nothing worked.

I looked down at the feeling of something wrapping around my leg. A green, thorn-covered vine slithered and snaked around my ankle, trapping me, dragging me under. I tried my hardest to grasp for something, anything, but the only thing available was water. An endless amount of water.

I was dragged down, nothing to keep me afloat. I tried to free myself of the vine, but nothing worked. Soon enough, more vines appeared, trapping me under water, drowning me, killing me.

But as my hand searched for something to hold on to, something to rely on, I felt a hand. And that hand grabbed mine and lifted me effortlessly out of the water. Once I surfaced, I wiped the water from my eyes and looked forward at my savior, but they were gone, already swimming away. From the distance, all I could see were long braids and muscular, dark skin.

I would like to say that I woke up dramatically, but the most that happened was an extra blink or two. I turned my head, looking at the clock against the tent wall. I still had two hours until the wake-up call.

I looked back up at nothing and thought back to my dream. The person was Stanton. That's unmistakable. But why am I dreaming of them? I placed the heels of my palms against my eyes and pressed down, feeling frustrated. But the worst part about this was that I felt the urge to do something. Something that is probably worse than ignoring my duty. I wanted to see them. I wanted to go to the town and find them, wherever they were.

Before I knew it, I was getting dressed quickly, though instead of my on-duty uniform, I wore my civilian clothes with a black coat. I walked to the edge of the tent and grabbed a torch. I stepped outside of the tent before lighting it, as to not start a fire in the wrong place.

I carried the torch with me as I walked the dark streets, illuminated only by my portable fire. I kept my head low, watching for rocks or anything that could cause me to trip. Though, I also watched in alleys and on rooftops for any person that may sneak past. I say any person, though I really mean Stanton. They are the only person I am looking for, though I hate to admit it.

Not too far away from the lower-class West town, I stopped walking, realizing what I was doing. I had to stop. I had to go back before I made a stupid decision. I can't be doing this.

I turned on my heels. I focused my sight on what was once behind me, now in front of me. I quickened my pace, deciding that I would back to the tent and go back to sleep before anyone notices that I'm gone.

A knot formed in my chest as I walked, regret flooding every inch of my body. Not only regret, but shame. Images of the king flashed through my mind. Why would I do anything to go against him? After everything he had done for me!

A hand covered my mouth, and I was yanked into an alley before getting slammed into a wall. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust. I reached down for my sword before remembering that I didn't bring it with me. My hand grabbed nothing. The figure in front of me came into view.

My eyes met green ones, the color of emeralds. Massimo. At least, that's the name they go by. His face leaned close into mine, a scowl forming. "Why?"

I only stared at the boy in dumb confusion. At this point, I had given up on the she/they pronouns. It's too difficult for me to remember. Stanton removed his hand from my mouth and repeated his question, this time giving me more information to work with. "Why didn't you turn me in? Tell me!"

I gulped, not knowing what to say. Was this really happening? "I don't know." The words came out before I had expected them to, which is probably why they were almost indecipherable. Almost.

Massi- Stanton stared at me for a few more seconds before clicking his tongue in annoyance. "I don't understand you. All the other guards are so easy to read. So, why are you different?" He slowly stepped back, frowning as he did so.

I straightened my posture and stepped away from the wall. "I could arrest you right now, Stanton. You have some nerve approaching me!"

He only snickered, though it was more spite than humor. "I'd like to see you try." He glanced down to my hip. "I don't see a sword anywhere. If I were you, I would just leave before I embarrass myself anymore."

I could feel my cheeks heat up at his words. He was right. But before either of us had the chance to continue, the sounds of marching took over the two of us. Massimo-- no-- Stanton turned and ran the opposite way before climbing up to the rooftop in front of me. I pulled the hood of my coat over my head and stood flat against the wall as the soldiers marched past.

Once the sounds of their feet had gotten louder, and then quieter, I finally left the alley and went the opposite direction that they had gone, back to the barracks.

I still couldn't believe what I had done. Massimo was right there-- I cursed to myself under my breath. Stanton was right there, and I didn't do anything! I let him get away. Even worse, I hid from my own teammates as if I was doing something wrong. I was doing something wrong. I shook away the voice in my head. I'm not a horrible person. I'm not a criminal. I am not a rebel.