The Shadress (MCD x Reader)

Ch. 34- Old Friends: Two

This chapter attempts an examination of abandonment and betrayal with a side of PTSD. I tried my hardest to touch on the subject with extreme care while avoiding potentially triggering language. It is, however, still an argument, so it will be heated. If anyone has any tips, please tell me! <3

Stay safe reading, friends, and don't feel pressured to read if you don't feel confident in my attempts at warnings here. :,) <3

Lucinda and Jace have benched me from helping with any of the physical labor. Both for their own, strikingly similar reasons, but Jace just can't fully put the pieces of the puzzle together. He understands that something is wrong – that I'm ill and acting stranger than I have for a long time – but what that means about my overall condition is absolutely nothing to him.

His ability to completely miss obvious facts amazes me every other time it isn't frustrating me.

All their refusal means is that I can't help load the boat, which would upset me more if I wasn't so dizzy when I stand today.

The guards, on the other hand, are frustrating me because they aren't here and ready to go. No one else seems to have the urgency that I do. Jace even told me that I'm acting like this trip is life or death. I couldn't get him to understand that's how this feels.

I told everyone that we're locating a spot to fully establish the Phoenix Alliance. Then told them that I know of a very good island for this to take place on. What I didn't tell anyone is that there will almost certainly be a pit stop on the way, which will have so many positive outcomes for Aphmau's journey in self-discovery.

That line of thinking puts a pit in my stomach.

Since a few of our people are taking forever, and I don't really want to sit and watch labor I cannot help with, I choose to sneak away when no one is paying attention to me.

I keep my head down, too deep in thought to pay attention to any sound around me as I make my way outside of Phoenix Drop proper – back to my house.

Other than the sounds of nature, my footsteps are the only noise beyond the inner wall. If I close my eyes, it's like I'm back to the time of extremely small villages, where people were separated, and trade was almost non-existent.

Without noticing, I make it back to my home, the garden buzzing with insects and wildlife, all of which scatter at the sight of me. Zemi is nowhere to be found, but that's the norm these days; she doesn't seem to be very fond of Jace for whatever reason.

The door opens with a soft creak, and I find the house dark. Jace must be out somewhere, helping prepare for the trip. I wonder what he's doing, given he's not even joining us. Then again, Jace has always been one to help out without a clear reason. We differ in that way.

My thoughts get cut short as I realize I'm not alone. Someone sits in the far chair of my living room, draped in shadow as the sun sets on the windowless side of the house. Despite this, I can see her clearly.

"I can't say I'm that surprised that you are here..." I start, side-stepping toward my kitchen. Salem stares at me, unamused and with a glare. "But I think your timing could use a little work."

"You all seem to be busy?" Her remark comes with a head tilt, causing her white hair to catch a bit of light.

I position myself on the other side of my island, a considerable amount of distance between us. Other than the head tilt, Salem makes absolutely no movement to indicate what she is here for. As quietly as I can, so I don't draw her attention too closely, I pull one of the drawers open, blindly feeling around for the handle of a sizable knife. "It's always busy here," I deflect.