The Archers Mark (on hold)

Never Close Your Eyes

Hindslys pov. 2 hours before dawn.

I came back from the back room where Jordan was laying peacefully and saw Star literally passed out on my table, and frowned.

That means I have to clean that table again. Again! It must be clean.

"Damnit! It's not enough that' I gotta clean up the blood that she left but now I gotta clean up her drool." I stated to myself. I stopped suddenly and looked around the bar. 

Seeing as the Tavern was completely empty despite the fact that I felt like I was being watched I blamed my momentary insanity on Star.

I cautiously looked towards my double doors, which had yet to be graced by the suns light which meant it was dawn,. I saw how the wind had blown the dust up and even heard a sad creaking from my locked doors but nothing other than nature's elements seemed to be at my door.

I saw Star flinch and gasp, as if something had hit her with incredible force, and sighed. That must be one of the nightmares she always has. I frowned and shook my head walking around to my Faucet and pulling the handle for water.

"She's bound to wake up soon. Might as well get a drink ready for her." I stated to myself.

I looked down at the glass cup in my hand and glanced at yet another almost empty bottle of booze and quickly. Filled up the cup with water.

 I smiled as I watched the ripples from the shaking of my hand. It was  something so simple it made me smile. 

But soon I started to feel body becoming heavy as I watched the ripples. I looked down at my bar with heavy eyes, It wouldn't be too bad to sleep. It would be fine. I moved the glass a tad and pushed my arm across the bar under my head and laying my head on my arm. I closed my eyes.

I was getting uncomfortable again and opened my eyes to see a better position, when I saw something dart across my taverns door.

"Oh fuck!" I yelped and hit the glass of water and caused it to spill on the counter.

Star instantly bolted up-right, her eyes watering and her arm already on the knife that lay on the bench of the booth. I stood up straight and stared at the door. Watching the opening for anything that moved. "Whats wrong?" Star asked me.

Concern filling her voice and wide but tired honey brown eyes.

They weren't her mother's eyes that's for sure those eyes where cold and harsh by birth. But Stars? No they were her fathers eyes caring and a sweet heart. But corrupted by the world they have been thrust in to. It saddened me even more to think this girl before me would end up the same as all of us would. 

I looked towards the door again.( dismissing my thoughts) She caught my gaze and turned around knife at the ready. She looked back at me and tilted her head. The water on the counter falling off in to the ground making a splattering sound, as I gathered my thoughts.

"You ok?" She asked. I looked at her then the door and stuttered.

"I thought.....I thought I saw..." I thought about my words and shook my head. "Its nothing." I stated. She nodded like she understood but still turned around and started walking towards the door.

"Star it was nothing." I stated again sounding more frantic then I meant to. Upon hearing the crack in my voice, She stopped walking for a second and nodded. But still continued to look for what I saw.

Her frizzy hair bouncing with her head as she started walking more cautious with every step. "I heard you the first time." She stated sternly. It scared me how cold her voice could sound, it hardly ever sounded like this before. But now it was different, if it didn't sound like this. It was forced. She had forced herself.