Emeralds in October

Nightmares

I sat next to the small fire; poking it with a stick. The sky was growing darker and I knew I had to get some rest but I didn't want to leave before Toby got back. He was out on a trip right now in the town, Rythorn. Everyone was wary about him leaving but he was determined to go. A man there owed us money and Toby wasn't going to let him go.

Rythorn was my home. The thought of ever having to go back there gave me chills. So much has happened there... and none of it good.

"Come on Em. You've been out there for hours," Carm said quietly, sitting next to me. I let out a sad sigh and put the stick down.

"I said I'd meet him when he came back. I can't just go now," I replied. I remember how simple everything was when we first met. Toby and I would simply sit in the grass at night. It was just the two of us. I put my life in his hands and he knew I would do everything I could to protect him. We worked as one. He was the darkness and I... well, I wouldn't count myself as the light. Even now, I'm not the good girl. I may have more patience but I'm not kind.

I know what people have done to me. I refuse to just forgive them for killing my family and ruining my life. I know I don't hold as much rage as Toby but the anger still motivates me to fight. There's a reason people are scared of Black Noise. We don't want their money or power. We want them to pay for what they've done.

"I think he'll understand," Carm whispered as he got to his feet. He gave me a sad smile and started towards his tent. I let out a quiet sigh and slumped down in front of the fire.

The heat of the flames burned against my cheeks but I refused to move. This pain is nothing compared to what Toby's been through. Sometimes when I can't sleep at night, I go and sit outside. Toby's lantern is always on in his tent. It's kind of ironic. He thrives off of darkness, yet I rarely see him alone in the dark. Then again, there's a difference between the natural dark and his powers. See, our powers are sort of comforting. We rely on them as much as we do physical strength. To me, I think Toby finds relief in his powers. He can control them. It's the darkness of night that he has no control over and it leaves him helpless.

I think I'm one of the few people who has ever thought of October as helpless.

I let out a quiet sigh and got to my feet. Carm was right. I walked to my tent and shut the flap tight. Our tents were simple. We all had a thin pad and pillow from the market, a lantern on a small wooden table, and any extra objects that we wanted. We could rarely go to the market. Guards were always on the watch for rouge Magics and none of us could afford getting caught. We only sneak into Rythorn when we really need something.

I put my head agains the pillow and tried to relax. It's always hard to be calm out here. When everyone wants you dead, you always have to stay on high alert. Still, I managed to doze off pretty quickly.

"Emerald, you have been accused of going against Rythorn and practicing magic with other outlaws. Your punishment is death." A strong voice boomed. My eyes shot open. I was tied to a wooden pole in the middle of Rythorn town square. A crowd was gathered around me... and they looked angry.

"Burn her!" One shouted.

"Make her suffer!" Another yelled.

They started to get closer and my breathing sped up. A tall man dressed in black walked towards me. A plastic white mask with a smiley face painted on covered his face. He held up a torch and I shook my head.

"No, please, you can't do this! Please! You have to stop!" I screamed. I struggled against the ropes as the man got closer. He knelt down and pushed the torch against the wooden pole. It quickly caught fire. "Please!" I begged as he turned to leave. Tears started to blur my vision but I could still make out the crowd laughing as the fire rose.

A searing pain enveloped my feet and I let out a blood-curdling scream. I flailed my body as the pain started to rise. I could feel my skin melting down as the fire burned on. Soon, the smoke filled the air and my screams were cut off.

"Someone help!" I choked out.

"Emmie!" A familiar voice cried out. The burning pain started to fade automatically and I felt myself being pulled up. My eyes shot open and I let out a loud sob.

I was in my tent. The light was on and I scrambled back. I blinked quickly and struggled to make out the shape in front of me. It took a few seconds for my eyes to focus before I realized it was Toby.

"Emmie, love, what's wrong? Did it happen again?" He whispered, slowly walking towards me. I nodded quickly and Toby sat down next to me. He pulled me to his side and I buried my face in his shoulder. "It's alright. Nothing can hurt you when I'm here," he breathed, running a hand through my hair.

"What happens when you're not here?" I choked out. Toby took my shoulders and slowly pulled me to face him. We stared at each other for a few seconds.

"I will always be here for you, Emmie."

AN
So this chapter was short. I had to write it on my ipad because my laptop is freaking out. I wrote this one to show part of the relationship between Emerald and October. I'll explain more later on. So for now, read, vote, comment, enjoy!