In the End, I Found Us

Chapter 3: Oh!

I can't sleep. Lying on my straw mattress in the dark, I stare up at the ceiling thinking about how my life is about to completely change. The slow breathing around me tells me everyone is asleep so I quietly pull back the covers and step barefoot onto the ground. I creep as silently as I can past everyone sleeping in my hut and step into the cool early morning air. It's about 4 am but the sun is already starting to rise through the heavy mist that blankets the village. I shiver and head to the forest. I find the 5th tree to the left and dig a hole with a shovel hidden by the stump. I scoop dirt and the long familiar box comes into view. I reach down, pick it up, and place it on the stump nearby. The familiar click opens and I pull out my sword. It glistens in the misty air and I wipe it off with the cloth it was wrapped in.

I sit and lean against the stump. Everything is about to change. My whole life is going to change and honestly, I'm not that scared. I think I'm ready for a change like this, it's for the better.

* * *

I grab another canvas bag for food and stuff it with corn and apples. I spin around, admiring the organized bags all stuffed into my backpack. I could be on my death bed but everything I owned would still be perfectly sorted in order. I slide my sword into my baldric just as Elder Iris walks in.

"You must leave tonight, my dear," She says persistently, "you can't lose the thief, I can cover for you for a little while, but they'll still look for you eventually,"

I nod. Elder Iris is old, I don't want to leave her alone but I'll have to and I'll miss her. I shove my equipment underneath my bed and get ready for the day's chores.

The morning flies by, and all I think about is my adventure coming tonight. Penelope and I barely talk. I catch wind of the "man" Kyriaku is sending out; a small 15-year-old boy who is definitely not the brightest.

Before I know it, twilight greets our little village. Stars soon pop up and dot the mauve sky. I say goodnight -more like goodbye- to Penelope. Not too sad about leaving her. Always brings me down and makes me feel like shit. I retreat to Elder Iris' room feeling lighter than I did before. Looking around at everything I'm taking, a flood of adrenaline flows through me and I can't help but be excited. Elder Iris walks in and sits down in the chair by the foot of the bed.

"Goodbye," I say.

She doesn't hear me right away.

"Goodbye," I say a little louder.

She finally turns to me and smiles a sad little smile. "Goodbye, my Cassandra. I'll always love you."

"I'm not going away forever," I say hugging her. "I'll come back,"

She stays silent and hugs me back. She eventually turns away and gets a flower from a vase and puts it in my hair, "Don't be away for a short time, you should experience life outside the village. Don't come back because of me."

"Ok..." I pause, not knowing what to say, "I love you." I stand tall and walk out looking back to see her small figure against the darkening sky. I turn away from her and the village I've known my whole life and begin my journey.

I start heading towards the chamber to look for the thief's camp. I draw my sword and walk around the back of the old building. Before long, I stumble onto some faint footprints. They're almost washed away, but I can still see them. I start following them. Soon they lead into a dark clearing, and jagged black rocks stab up through the ground surrounding the clearing with ominous shadows. With a jolt, I spot a shadow racing away into the thick trees. I start into a run, racing after the figure, but then skid to a stop at a sudden realization.