Shadow (a Graceling fan-fiction)

Chapter 4

I know it has been a REALLY long time since I updated, and there's really no excuse.  I just hadn't felt the drive to write.  Then out of nowhere, BOOM! I wanted to update.  I'm gonna try to have another chapter out really soon, but don't hold me to that.  I've got school and stuff, so if it doesn't happen, don't hit me :(

Please let me know what you think, and any errors, or bad writing.  This is a good way for me to strengthen my skills, but only if I have critiques :)

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                Aiden looked around the tavern.  His head pounded as memories of all the patrons crashed into his mind.  He saw the birth of a son, a scratched knee, the death of one’s father, kisses stolen in the night…. And then he saw a girl.  And when he looked at her the memories he saw changed and he saw not her memories, but his own.  Him on a busy street, a girl in a cloak passed by, his mind cleared and he saw only her, her shocked and confused look as she turned and saw that he watched her, and he had begun after her.  It was as if his feet were moved on their own.  She ran.  He followed after her, and then, she was gone.  As the minutes passed, he had forgotten why he was there, and the familiar wave of memories came again. 

                As the flashes of memories faded he noticed that the girl had dropped the drinks she carried.  He seemed to be the only one that noticed.  He watched her as she began to clean up her mess.  He wanted to assist her, as was the gentleman thing to do, he was slightly intimidated, which was not a thing he said often.  He had no idea who this woman was and why he made his head clear, unlike any herb or potion ever could.  She glanced up at him and they’re eyes met for a second.  She then scurried away into another room.

                As soon as he lost sight of her, the image of her began to blur.  Within moments, she was gone.  Greggoff punched him lightly on the arm.  “I wonder where the hell our waitress is, I’m starved!”

                “You’re always hungry.  And you’ve already helped yourself to so much beer, you might have scared her off.”  Greggoff took a swig out of his mug in defiance to Aiden’s statement.  Aiden laughed at the gesture.  “Just please try and contain yourself, I’d rather not be kicked out of this place.”  Aiden glanced up towards the direction of the kitchen.  He saw a dark haired girl who looked slightly familiar.  He looked at her curiously, then he felt a familiar pull, after a quick flash of memories he remembered her.

                She stopped.  He smiled at her.  She seemed to compose herself, and continued her approach.  The look on her face puzzled Aiden.  It appeared as if some kind of battle raged inside of her.  For the first time in his life, he wished he could see her memorizes and understand what her turmoil.  This just made his desire to understand why he saw his own memorizes even more.  He wanted, he needed to know who this woman was.  He needed to know everything about her.

                When she reached the table she wore a look of pride.  This made Aiden smile even more.  “Hello.”  She had a very small voice.  It was quiet and shy, like it was almost unfamiliar to her from lack of use.  “What shall I get for you today?”

                “What is your name?”  Aiden was surprised to hear his own voice.  He hadn’t meant to be so outright, but he couldn’t help it.  A look that was mixed of anger and annoyance flashed across her face.

                “My name is none of your concern.  What shall I get for you sir?” 

The way she said “sir” stung a bit, it was obvious that she was uninterested in anything he had to say.   He wanted to ask her so many things, but he didn’t want to cause trouble for her.  “I’ll just have a drink… Anything.”

“And for your friend?”  She looked like she was ready to bolt, was he that much of a pain to be around?

He turned to his drunken companion.  “Greggoff, tell the lady what you want.”

Greggoff turned and looked at her, “Sorry miss, I didn’t even notice you had walked up.  Now where is that waitress?”  He looked around.

Aiden felt his face redden, he hated when Greggoff drank, which was often.  Greggoff was the reason Aiden refused to drink.  “This is our waitress, Greggoff.  Honestly, what’s wrong with you?  “I think you’ve had quite enough to drink for the day.” 

                “What do you mean Aiden?  She is our waitress?  How can you be a waitress?  I didn’t even know you had walked up!  A waitress should make herself known when she walks up.  And they should be a fine sight to look at.”

                Aiden saw the look on the girls face, there was no way to miss the hurt look.  She turned and walked away from the table, picked up some things in the corner of the room and walked out the front door.  The moment the door closed behind her, he felt her fade from his mind.  Before he realized it, he was out of his seat and he headed toward the door.