Chosen

Traitor

My hand automatically drops down and touches the pommel of my sword. As I approach I am able to observe him closer. He is not wearing a weapon and he doesn't look like he has any intention in hurting me, therefore, I stop. The decision reflects my whole life and at the time I don't even realize it; I can only hope it was not a mistake.

"What are you doing here? It's dangerous out here, especially to you." I notice as I look him up and down, his pale green eyes seemed to glow in the dark while the rest of him remained hidden.

Who was this man? I've been out here thousands of times and have never run into any danger, at least anything more dangerous than a deer. "I can take care of myself."

Even in the dark, I think I see him smile a little... maybe I was just seeing things. "Running away I see. Why?"

"Because I don't belong here, I am a wonderer and I'm tired of living in that little town. My time has come to leave" I decide not to tell him that I am an orphan and that I am out looking for my father.

The man looks down at his feet and murmurs, "Nakita, go home... it's too dangerous for you to go wondering around like this." My mouth drops open in surprise as I hear him call me by name. I don't ask though... maybe I should have. "If they were to find out that you..."

"You don't understand, do you? I am not going back and you're not going to make me."

I go to push past him, but he reaches up and grabs my reins. "Don't be an idiot, Nakita. This is a warning that should not be ignored and if they discover you they could..."

"Let go." I say quietly, and he does. I push Quincy into a walk, looking back occasionally to see if he's following and each time find that he's not. Questions whirled around in my head, and now I would never be able to answer them. Maybe it's a good thing I left when I did... that man was strange, but familiar. I don't really understand why, I now I've seen him more than once. I had no idea what he was talking about, or how he knew my name; maybe I really have seen him before. I realize that maybe I regretted leaving because I'll probably never see him again to ask my questions.

I spend a cold night outside in the forest and the next morning I found myself wondering down an old path. The orphanage was a place of old memories for me. Actually, most were probably more bad than good. Things like how horrible the food tasted, how uncomfortable the beds were, how hard they worked us, and the fact that I had to resort to stealing in order to satisfy my hunger.

However, through all that, the best memories were of friends. We were all the same in this little orphanage, all left alone in the world with nothing to our name. One of those boys was named Grey and was the closest to family I had. When I first came, he helped me survive and became like a brother to me.

As kids we were trouble makers, always getting into mischief. All went well for us until I got adopted and left him behind. Not more than a month after that Lorsan closed down all the orphanages in Juvalin, leaving most of the kids to fend for themselves. I wasn't worried about Grey. I knew he could take care of himself, but could only wonder what happened to him. Now the orphanage was just a broken down building, abandoned and devoid of life except for a few mice.

The town was just as empty. The people must have left when they shut the orphanage down. These days, everyone was afraid to have anything to do with Lorsan because of what he may do to them.

I made my way around empty houses, more memories flooding into me. Swiftly, I was running away, a piece of burnt bread tucked away in my hands. I take a sharp turn left and find a small opening in the side of a wall. Inside was a tunnel leading underground. It was a meeting tool for Grey and me long ago. It was a good hideout and we'd work together to get food for everyone, then convene there.