The Knights and the Princess

Chapter 10

How many days have passed... four, maybe five? I wasn't sure. My phone had died on me a while back, so it was completely useless to keep track of the days (and no internet, so it wasn't like I could call anybody), and it was hard keeping track of time on a watch when you could barely even see in the darkness. If it wasn't for the constant ringing of Blue's bell whenever he moved I almost wouldn't know he was there most of the time. His footsteps were quiet, like a mouse, and when he ran he was fast and oddly graceful, almost like a cat. It was a rather funny comparison now that I think about it. He even had a few funny quirks.

One time, Akito had accidentally startled him, sneaking up on him from behind and caused him to slip and fall into the stream where he brushed his teeth with a rough cloth (something that was apparently completely normal?) took baths, got drinking water, and did his laundry. According to him, clean water rushes through every day so the stream he uses never gets polluted. It would be nice if that was how it was back where I was from, but water and air was polluted everywhere and I'm not even sure how much clean water there actually is outside of what we drink and take showers with. But anyway, he had fallen in the stream and his jacket (being as it was made out of leather) seemed to not want to dry. Thankfully he had changed out of his clothes in a different room so I wasn't traumatized, but when he came out he had the fur from his mask wrapped around him to keep him warm.

When he sat down he had promptly curled into a fur ball of some sort with his head and feet sticking out. I don't think I've laughed that hard since the band-lock in a month or two ago. Blue had me in tears-whether from it just being that funny or because my ribs really hurt I didn't know. It seemed I wasn't the only one who absolutely dreaded and despised the cold.

I still retained quite a few reminders of the attack that happened a while back- I had bruises and swelling on my face (which was mostly healed by this point, thankfully) a concussion, and bruised ribs. My side was still pretty bad, but I barely noticed it.

I've also been having nightmares, something that was odd for me. I normally never had nightmares, but... after everything that happened I understand that it's pretty normal. Who wouldn't have nightmares after being in a crash, waking up some place new, and then getting the utter life beat out of you and watching said abuser get stabbed to death?

...Don't answer that. It's just... this isn't something I ever really thought would happen. I'm still having trouble processing that this is reality sometimes. It just... doesn't really seem real, you know? But... I know it is. Especially after the attack...

I'm fine. I resisted the urge to curl up into a ball, knowing that I would only hurt myself further if I did so. I pulled the fur that was covering me like a blanket over my face, biting my lip as I fought against tears. I'm fine. I'm okay. Blue saved me. I'm fine. But what about him? How long has he been doing this-fighting off all these bad guys that popped up because of some supposed "curse"? What if there are too many and he actually gets hurt? I remembered how the man had grabbed my hair, kneeing me in the stomach and slamming my head against the earthen walls. His sick words and disgusting gaze... I... I've never been so scared in my life. I quickly wiped at the tears streaming down my face, sniffling loudly as I tried to hold back the sob that was beginning to bubble up my throat. I closed my eyes, taking a deep breath. But... Blue is here. Blue is strong, isn't he? He... killed that man.

My eyes opened, staring blankly into the darkness. I had lost my glasses-I think the man had knocked them off with one of his hits, I'm not sure. I don't really remember much. I do remember Blue's words before I passed out though.

"When you're better... you should leave to someplace safe."

He wanted me gone. He didn't want me here. I'm a nuisance. A bother. A useless girl who can't even protect herself.

"Besides, now that I think about it, I can even use ya for a hostage." Ignoring the pain in my side and chest, I rolled onto my front with a grunt and flinch. My nails dug into the ground as I slowly balled my hands into fists, forcefully pushing myself up onto my knees. My head pounded loudly, the world going blurry from the sudden movement. "He isn't gonna hurt his little bitch, now is he?" I'm not... his freaking... bitch! Vulgar bastard. As horrible as I felt for thinking it, and as sick as it made me just remembering how his blood splattered everywhere as Blue's sword pierced him, I was glad he was dead. But... even though Blue had saved me... he doesn't want me here.

I was stupid for thinking we were friends. This is what I get for getting so easily attached to people. Even still... if someone else comes... they might try and use me to ambush him. He was nice, but... we weren't friends. He's not going to care if he has to run me through with a sword to get to the "enemy". I'm just worthless baggage...

But a part of me thought that maybe he'd stop- that he'd care enough to find a way to get me out of being a hostage before attacking the bad guy. I doubted it though. It was just good timing that he had arrived when the man had thrown me, allowing Blue to stab the man without harming me in the process. If the man had still be holding me... who knows what Blue would have done? It's not like I know him that well... for even if he was kind, I wasn't his friend. I thought of him as mine, but... I was wrong. He wanted me to leave. Who would try to save someone that they didn't really care that much about? I doubt anyone is that selfless.

The fur fell to the ground as I shakily stood, my breathing growing irregular rather quickly. My lungs felt as though they were constricting and I gasped, wheezing painfully as I wobbled towards the exit. I didn't think about grabbing my jackets for once, too dizzy and too sick to even remember I wasn't wearing them. Blue doesn't... want me here. Darkness danced in my vision as I neared the cavern doorway, so close to the exit of the room. My eyelids began to droop, the throbbing in my head only growing more and more constant and painful, my body beginning to sway. My legs began to go numb, feeling similar to jelly. My eyes stung, but I didn't know why. My heart hurt. He hates me and doesn't want me here. I know that, but...

I reached a hand out, vision blurry as my eyes began to burn. Something cold fell down my cheeks. It was hard to breathe. I heard the tinkling of bells as the world began to spin. My eyes slid closed just as I caught sight of blue and white, and I felt a rush of wind hit me as my legs gave out.

I want to stay here with him.

~~