The Red Robin

Chapter 5

I wake, and realise with a start that I'm still on Felix's bed. I quickly move to my own bed and act like I've woken up there. Adam is standing nearby, talking to Lexi - presumably about Skylark. Apparently, they had some trouble getting her to sleep last night, so I'm not surprised when I look over and see she's still sleeping peacefully. When they've finished talking, Adam leaves the tent along with Katya, Oscar and Aimee, and Lexi goes over to check on Skylark. I'm about to get up to go to the training arena when Felix stops me. I didn't think he would have wanted to talk to me after last night. He looks me straight in the eye and says, "What was that last night? I told you all of that and all you said was thank you." I don't think he's angry, but I also don't think he's going to pass off my reaction lightly.

" I left you alone because that was a lot of weight off your shoulders. I can't imagine how hard it is to lose all of your family at such a young age, and I wasn't sure whether you wanted some time alone. You could have told me if you wanted me to stay. I would have stayed. You know that." I reply, and his expression softens.

"You're right. I'm sorry I got angry at you, but you're right. That confession has been gnawing at my brain ever since it happened, trying to force me to tell someone. Thank you for listening. Plus, I didn't lose all my family. I've still got you, Katya, Aimee, Oscar and Adam, as well as Lexi and Skylark. How is Skylark, by the way?"

Before I can respond, Lexi comes over, looking neutral as always, but with concern in her eyes.

"Is everything okay, Felix?" She asks.

"Yes thank you, I'm fine." He replies, but he moves to stand next to me, so close our shoulders are touching. He laces his fingers through mine as he asks, "How's Skylark?"

Lexi hesitates, then motions for us to follow her. When we enter Skylark's tent, my legs threaten to buckle under me. Felix catches me under the arms, holding me up as he says, "Oh. Will she be okay?"

"It's hard to tell yet," says Lexi, "but as she's not awake, I haven't had the chance to talk to her."

I can feel the tears and anger building up inside me, so I pull away from Felix's grasp and run, unsteadily, back to my bed, which I sit down on and put my head in my hands. Felix runs after me, shouting my name, but I don't respond. The bed shifts under me, and I can tell Felix has sat down beside me. I ignore him - I don't want to talk to anyone right now. He peels my arms away from my face and hesitates before asking me, "Jamie. Look at me. What happened?" I raise my head to face him, and his eyes widen when he realises I've been crying.

"What do you mean 'what happened?'!? This is all my fault, Felix. If I had noticed earlier, we might have been able to rescue her quicker, and she wouldn't be in such a bad state. Now, there's nothing Lexi can do but hope that she recovers. Maybe it would just be better if I wasn't here."

Felix tries to wrap his arms around me, but I pull away before he gets a chance.

"I don't deserve your sympathy." I snap before getting up, and hurrying out of the tent. I walk past Lexi and Skylark, without even acknowledging them, which I know is rude but I'm not in the mood to be polite right now. I round the corner of the tent and find myself in the middle of a dark forest, different to the one we were in yesterday. It's cold and dank in here, and smells of burnt wood and smoke. I turn around to go back, but I find the way I came through is no longer there.

I don't know how long I spend standing there, staring at what was the entrance, but by the time I remember what I'm supposed to be doing, I've lost the tiny spark of hope that was hiding in my heart. I doubt anyone cares, back at the tent. It's clear that what happened to Skylark is my fault. They're probably already deciding who should be the next Red Robin.

a/n

hmm yeah okay not rlly sure what happened here but there we go - switching perspectives next chapter tho !!