Sometimes, Anarchy Is Best ~~ Shadows

13.) Rune

If Rune could be sure of anything, it was that she didn't know anything about these people. That had been cemented in her mind yesterday, when she'd decided to make that bold move of offering to lead them to Dio. Alastair's reaction had done nothing less than shock her, and she certainly had questions for her uncle when she saw him.

Even Gray, who was undoubtedly the most neutral towards Rune, had regarded her differently when she spoke to him later. There was a sense of questioning in everything he said, as if she was a puzzle he was dying to solve. It was infuriating, but she'd just stuck near Archer most of the night. He was the only one who seemed to not see her differently, and she wasn't sure if that was because he was less concerned than the others or if he simply saw through her.

This whole situation felt like a mess spiraling out of Rune's control, and it sent her brain into a fuss. Sure, maybe she shouldn't feel like she should have a hold on how she's being seen or the situation. Maybe it was bad to wish she could grasp that rapidly fleeting feeling of control over herself, her surroundings, her life. In her cell, it had been just that. It was tangible there; Toby could help her escape at any time. It was in her control. She was the one holding the power. The agony she went through every day was hers, and she could end it at any time. Perhaps it was that she'd been back in there for so little time, or that Nightmare had shown her the mercy of not hurting her during that time, but the empty feeling she'd had there hadn't left, and she was set entirely on the notion that it was because she lacked control.

You don't have control because you're not solving the problems. These people would've been perfectly safe if not for you, you idiot. And the worst part is that they're entirely fooled twice. They think they've figured out why I was kept captive so long, and they're wondering how I'm locked onto uncle Dio and grandpa's house. Wait... do they know grandpa lives there? Probably not... meh, they'll figure it out along with all the other messed up things.

She was currently in Archer's room, "sleeping" in his bed. In truth, she hadn't slept a wink. Her mind had been racing with the thoughts until she'd felt Archer get up and leave. Sure, she was sad to be left alone, but she understood. The things that were going on were somehow all her business and none of her business at the same time. As in, everyone thought she held the key to "fixing" things but didn't want her to get involved in the details. Like yeah, sure, I'm just gonna give everyone the location of my uncle and all of a sudden everyone's problems are solved! It can't be that simple.

She let out a small huff, shifting to lay on her stomach so her wings were in a more comfortable sprawled-out position. Nothing is that simple. There was a reason Linus came to vent to me – even if he thought I was asleep. There was a reason Nightmare didn't hurt me more than he had to. There was...

Rune had to force her expression to stay in the neutral pretending-to-sleep position. Archer talked to Nightmare, but he said it was because Nightmare gave him the key. But... he didn't. So was the talk made up? Or... did he just lie about what they talked about? If he lied, than what did they talk about?

Is Archer secretly keeping tabs on me for Nightmare? What if this was all planned? What if I'm leading an enemy to my family?

The thought was an unsettling one, but Archer couldn't have known that Nightmare was looking for Dio, or that Rune would make that offer to keep them all safe. Or did he? All includes me. The decision to lead them there was mine because I don't want to die or be tortured.

There was a soft knock on the door, before it opened and soft footsteps approached the side of the bed. A careful hand shook her shoulder slightly, and it was only when Rune heard Gray speak that she opened her eyes. "Come on, kid; time to wake up. I need to give you something before we go."