Abyssal Reverie

Chapter 25: High Water

"For the time being, I will still avoid my own questions, And we will both bury that history deep. But, You know I can hold my breath forever."

The room was spinning all around me; I couldn't catch my breath. The conversation I overheard from Sleep and Vessel was turning over again and again in my mind. This couldn't be true. I didn't think I had it in me to kill another living human being. The Guardians had been something different, something no longer living on this plain. The very existence of them on this Earth was a Sin, but people... souls who were lost among the crowd of voices just searching for something to believe in... I couldn't have been responsible for taking them from their families. Not after having just lost my own in such a violent way.

The thoughts flitted around my head, my eyes refusing to look in the direction of Vessel. I could feel the edges of my magic teasing to leave my body. To surround me in such a powerful cyclone, they would have no choice but to leave me here to rot.

"Your anger, the storm I see brewing behind your eyes, isn't unwarranted, Selah." I felt the air around me change as the storm grew more volatile outside the chambers, the waves once again causing the ship to topple under its weight. "But, if you just let me explain, we may be able to move past this."

I took a deep breath in, the exhale scraping against my throat like a scream being snuffed out. Now was as good a time as any to pry for more information. I needed to find out what I needed to protect Cecil from becoming an undead pawn in the fight against Insomnus.

"You have my ears or my mind, whichever you decide would be best for the conversation. However, you and I both know the clock is ticking, Vessel. And we still have to discuss what to do with..." I stopped myself, holding Simons's name in my mouth like a gulp of water. I held it to keep myself from spilling over, from revealing everything that was still living within the hallways of my mind. Thoughts of their talk raced around every corner.

"II, IV, I need you to collect Simon. Take him to the kitchens and ensure that he is kept busy. Do you both understand me?" Both boys just nodded, leaving the room quickly. "III. We are going to have one of those conversations you hate. Ones where you can tell we are speaking with each other and you aren't allowed to hear anything we are saying... If that is going to bother you, then now is the time to leave. Either way, I need you to stand guard. Not a single soul enters this room... and no one leaves it."

I could feel his eyes bore into me- the anticipation of our conversation digging so deeply into my core that I could feel the waves of nausea pushing their way past my stomach into my chest.

"I will stay..." III said, the somberness in his tone causing my eyes to prickle with tears. His eyes met mine in a plea for me to listen, the hopefulness shining just in the corners. I smiled at him, the weight of our future hanging heavy on my shoulders. I knew that they needed me; I hoped he knew that I wasn't going to stop now. Not when Cecil still needed me so desperately. I wanted him to know that no matter the outcome of this conversation, I was still going to finish what I started. My eyes spoke to his, softening as if to say, 'Don't Worry.'. I felt as his body language changed, the uneasiness shifting to pride. He gave a soft nod as he walked from us over to the door.

How long were you there? Vessel's voice was soft, not accusing me, simply needing to know what I had heard... How much I had heard.

Long enough. I folded my arms over myself. A defiant child pushing the boundaries of what I was allowed to do.

What did you hear? His voice remained soft, the edges begging to buckle under the frustration growing between us.

Are you afraid there is still more you need to hide from me, Vessel? I moved to him, my face inches from his. I could feel the backs of my arms grazing against the coarse fabric of his robe.