𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐯𝐞𝐬𝐭

Chapter Thirteen

Victoria, unlike the others who were chosen, didn't feel like a victory or pride; to her, she felt trapped and lonely.

She sat in one of her usually favorite classes but couldn't hear what the mentor was talking about; she felt like she was in her own little world; this mystery person could help them escape, but to where? She was sure that Ironlight would find them in a matter of days. What if Holton didn't want to go with them? She'd known the boy for so long that she didn't think she would live without him.

She was lost, to say the least. She couldn't speak to him or Oberion on this subject, knowing each would have their own reactions to her feelings. As the class came to a close, she walked out feeling dazed.

At least the group meeting would be tonight, and she would have an answer from every one of her closest people in her life.

So at dinner time, she only pecked at her food, moving her food around her plate. Oberion noticed that she wasn't the usual Victoria but kept quiet and didn't try to mention knowing he would find out tonight.

So they all met at her aunt's bedroom once again. Even after years of its welcomed discovery, it still had a feeling of her spirit locked in it; it still hasn't changed after all these years, and Victoria wondered if Ironlight had forgotten of the previously owned rooms of the previous chosen children or if they'd just let their spirit rest in peace; the place always still looked clean. Would that be Victoria's future after she'd gone to the land of fire and ash?

"So what do we do now?" Octavia asked. Oberion had already told them about the letter, not telling her how it was left for me but instead telling her that he had found it in his room.

"Do we think this is a good idea to trust someone who wouldn't even reveal their identity?" Elric asked, to which Holton threw his hands up in the air. "Finally!" he sighed. "Finally someone who thinks about the danger in this plan." Oberion gave a look to everyone in the circle.

"Well, we're going to have to make a decision," he responded. After a moment of silence, Imogene spoke up. "I think it's a good idea." Victoria's ears perked up at hearing this: "I mean, what have we to show of our years spent in Ironlight? Yes, we have a chance at having higher education, but we lost our childhood to this place, and what happens if we're on this mission and something happens to us? We'd have nothing to show."

Octavia followed with, "Yeah, none of the people here want to share any information on why this mission is dangerous; we don't know what's out there."

"So what is it going to be?" Holton asked, looking at Victoria, who hasn't spoken the entire time. She took a breath before speaking. "I think we should go for it; the individual who left the letter probably has everything figured out if he wants to help us escape."

To which Holton sighed once again, "Great, so we're making decisions on the account of the person probably having any idea of helping us escape and hiding us from Ironlight; what good would it even be if we have to change our identity and can't even see the people we had no choice but to leave behind?"

The last few words he spoke hurt Victoria; the friends he sat with were not good enough to leave the past. Was she not good enough?

The disagreement ended when Oberion told everyone to raise their hand if they thought it was a good enough plan to escape, to which everyone besides Elric and Holton raised their hands; they all waited for Victoria. Holton gave her what looked like a pleading look, but she hesitantly raised her hand.

Oberion smiled. "So we have a vote; does that mean you two are staying or going?" He pointed towards Holton and Elric. Holton kept looking at Victoria; would it be selfish of her to beg him to go with them?

He sighed and nodded his head, saying that he would go, and Victoria then realized that it felt like her breathing finally came back at that moment. "From nine years old, I've known you all; you guys are the closest thing I have to family, but I can't come with you guys to this escape; it's not a good enough reason, and I want to know the mystery of the land of fire and ash, even if it means that I wouldn't make it back alive; it's an itch." Elric responded.

Their decision was made to escape with the unknown individual, hopefully to a place away from Ironlight. After their quick discussion, Imogene wanted everyone to make a list of supplies to gather before Saturday morning; Imogene herself would try to gather a map, flashlights, and batteries; Victoria and Holton would get non-perishable food, water, and blankets or sleeping bags; and Oberion and Octavia were left with any antibiotics and medical supplies.

Elric excused himself, saying that he needed to be up early the next day, and left with saying goodnight. After talking about where they would meet each other before leaving to the abandoned laboratory, Victoria was the next to leave, saying that she wanted to see Olive before tomorrow. When she reached the hall, Holton gently gripped her wrist. He turned to look around them before speaking. "Are you sure about this?" he asked.

Victoria wasn't sure about this; staying and leaving had its pros and cons, but she only smiled halfheartedly. "Yeah, I really am."

At this Holton only shook his head, a faint smile etching his lips, "I hope you are; I'm only going for you," and with that he left Victoria alone in the halls; she felt her cheeks rise in temperature. What did he mean by that, and how could he leave without giving an explanation? However confused, she turned and made her way to the medical hall. Seeing Olive, she made her way to her. Olive looked up from her desk, confused.

"Victoria? Why are you here this late? Are you alright, you seem flushed?" she asked.

Victoria shook her head and looked away. "Yes, I'm alright. But I wanted to hear something from you: "

Olive nodded. "Go on."

"I've been having reoccurring nightmares of one particular dream; I wanted to ask you if you could let it stop." she asked.

Olive nodded and indicated that she should take a seat. She stood up and locked a medicine cabinet open behind her, searching for something and then finding it. "Drink this before bed; no dreams or nightmares will come to you." Victoria took the bottle of pills, examining it. "How could pills work?"

Olive looked at Victoria with a look she couldn't describe: "There were three chosen children who made it back from the land of fire and ash, with nightmares and trauma of their mission. It somehow worked for them."

To that Victoria was shocked, there were survivors! "Nobody told us this."

 Olive gave a nod. "I think you'll keep my secret safe then." Olive grinned and asked, "Will that be all then?" as Victoria nodded.

Standing up, Victoria nodded and said, "Yeah, Olive, thank you."

Olive said, "Oh Victoria," before she could grab for the door. When she turned around, Olive was grasping the door behind the handle of her desk. "When I tell you not to try to escape on Saturday, please believe me." Olive only left with a knowing look.

Author’s Note:

Hello readers! I hope you're enjoying this story. Please let me know in the comments or by voting.