Outcasts

Chapter 2: Idris

"Wait up Idris!" A small teenaged boy of 17 shouts as he sprints down a busy city street.

A tall slim girl of 19 with short raven black hair and startling grey eyes, running a few feet ahead of him yells, "Hurry up Caleb! Aaron said to meet him there in 5 minutes." All the sudden she stops in front of the door of a busy inn. Caleb shuffles up to her, panting.

"You run too fast," he complains.

"I must've forgot to mention that Lily's there too," she replies.

"What? She is?" Caleb freaks out. "How do I look?" He runs his hand through his dark hair, even though it is in a buzz cut.

She rolls her eyes, "Let's go in." They enter through the open door.

"Do I look okay? Is there something in my teeth or-"

"There they are." She points at a table in a corner. Sitting at the table in the corner is Aaron, a 20 year old with curly dark brown hair and a tan complexion. Next to him sits Lily, an 18 year old with red hair and dark green eyes. Jason, Lily's younger brother of 16, with a small frame, brown hair, and hazel eyes stands next to the table, talking with Aaron. Idris walks through the crowded room to get to the table.

"Hey Summers," greets Aaron.

"Hey Moon," she replies, grinning as she does every time she says his surname. "How are you?"

"I'm good, and you," he asks.

"I'm fine," she replies. All the sudden there is shouting outside the door. "Do you know what's going on?"

"I have no idea," he says matter-of-factly.

Idris being curious, needs to know the answer. "I'll be right back." She walks outside.

Idris hears a voice screaming in the middle of the crowd. "Leave me alone." Idris starts to push through the now sizable crowd. She gets elbowed in the face, but continues on, wanting to see who is at the center of the crowd.

"Feel our pain you spoiled bitch," a woman shouts. Idris continues to push through the crowd. Idris makes it to the center where she sees a girl with her eyes full of fear. She gets knocked to the ground and she is tries desperately to get away. Idris pushes the people closest to the victim out of her way and stands in front of the trembling figure.

"Stop it," Idris yells, "Have you all lost your minds?"

"Go away," yells a person in the crowd.

"I won't go away and let you injure an innocent person."

"She's Lemaire's daughter," retorts one.

"Do you know what sort of penalty you'd face if it was found you attacked an advisor's child?" A few in the crowd look slightly concerned. "Or are you all just too thick-headed to think about how you're throwing away your lives?"

"Get out of the way," screams a woman.

"I am not going to let you harm her."

"You're nothing but a little girl, get out of our way," sneers a man. The man tries to shove Idris away. Idris swings at him, socking him in the jaw. He hits her across the face, leaving a red mark on her right cheek. Idris stands defensively in front of the girl, her hands in fists, not dazed one bit.

"If you do so much as touch me or her I will break every bone in your body," she replies, her voice terribly quiet.

"A soldier is coming down the street," someone shouts, undoubtedly Aaron. The man's face turns pale.

"Go away," Idris pauses, "Now," she growls at the man. The crowd disperses quickly and Aaron disappears back into the inn.

"Thank you," the girl whispers. She is quite beautiful, with blonde hair pulled back in a braid and kind brown eyes. Idris considers this, but pushes the thought away.

Idris, who isn't really listening replies, "Welcome. Let me help you up." Idris reaches out her hand. The girl takes it.

"I should probably get you back to your house," states Idris. "I could walk you back."

"That would be asking too much of you."

"It's nothing-" Idris pauses, "Sorry I don't know your name."

"Avery," the girl replies.

"I'll walk you back Avery, it's nothing."

"It's down this street," Avery states, pointing to the road she came down. "What's yours," she asks as they walk.

"What?"

"Your name, sorry I wasn't very clear with my question."

"Idris."

"What a pretty name. It's fun to say," Avery rambles, "Idris. Sorry am I annoying you?"

"Not at all." Idris looks at her, slightly confused by how she all the sudden went from pleading for her life to smiling. She must be optimistic... or just insane, Idris thinks. They walk in silence the rest of the way till the approach the gate to Avery's house. "Goodbye," Idris, says turning around.

"Wait!"

Idris turns on her heel. "What?"

"I just wanted to thank you one more time."

"You're welcome," she acknowledges, not knowing what else to say.

Idris lays on her bed, wearing a black tank top and grey leggings, staring at the ceiling. She is in her apartment, a small bedroom and bathroom, a block away from the inn. The only pieces of furniture are a plain dresser and next to it a bed with sheets made of a canvas-like material. The only light in the room comes from a candle on the dresser. Also on her dresser sits a small glass bird, a gift from Caleb for her 18th birthday. The candle casts shadows of it on the beige-colored walls. There is a soft knock at the door. "Who is it," she asks, her voice rough from not having spoken in a few hours.

"Aaron."

"It's unlocked." He opens the door and Idris sits up and rubs her eyes. "What do you want?"

Aaron is caught off-guard by her response. "Your light was on and I was worried."

"I'm fine, good night."

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing."

"If you're breaking your promise-"

"I'm not, I'm clean."

"You promise?"

"I swear."

"You're not getting back into the habit, are you?"

"Why do you care," she asks angrily.

"You almost died Idris and it was the worst ordeal have ever been through."

"Do you think I would want to go back to that," she asks quietly.

"No."

"You have your answer. Goodnight."

"Goodnight," Aaron mumbles, exiting. She gets up and locks the door. She sighs and places her hand on the nape of her neck, resting her head against the door. What's wrong with me? Idris kneels on the bed, leaning over and blowing out the candle, leaving the room in utter darkness.