The compass was securely around my neck, the ring on Lincoln's finger, and the key wrapped around Eden's wrist when we all sat down in a different clearing to talk about things. Night was just beginning to fall.
"It was a bright, sunny day when I was born--" Lincoln teased.
"Yes, and we're all human," Eden interrupted.
I punched him in the arm and he rolled his eyes. Lincoln's expression fell serious as he took a moment to prepare his story.
"My parents, Stefen, and myself," he started, not looking at anything in particular. "We moved a lot, since my parents had to travel for work. It was tough as kids, but we handled it.
"When I was sixteen, my parents sat Stefen and I down to tell us all about this 'other reality' stuff and what all the Elements did. We traveled so much so that they could get other people in on the plan. They worked with a man named Cassius, and his father, Concord."
"And my parents," Eden added. Lincoln nodded, then continued.
"Our parents' intention was to use the Elements for good. This reality was supposed to be a safe haven, a missionary field for these fortunate. We were brought up in faith, and all of us believed. But then--"
He stopped to regain his composure. Eden bit his lip, his own emotions playing across his face. It then occurred to me that Eden was somehow connected to Lincoln and the Elements themselves.
"I was asked to be the first to come here, so I did. It worked. Cassius came with me and eventually more and more people began to populate because of my parents' use of the compass. Cassius and his father were elected to govern the city; they had the ring with them. My parents had the compass."
"Mine had the key," Eden mumbled.
Eden clutched the key in his fist as hot tears started to roll down his cheeks. He wouldn't look at me.
"When my parents came to the reality, Cassius was furious," Lincoln continued. "They proclaimed God's love openly while he was absorbed in his power. He made them leave along with everyone who believed because he didn't like them speaking of Someone higher than him.
"Cassius' father had been working on this thing called the Antipode ever since the process of creating the Elements began. He claimed that we could use them if the people ever got out of hand, but he wouldn't tell us what they were. Eden and I found out about them.
"They harmed people severely. Cassius is after me particularly because I tried to stop it, but I was found out before I could," Lincoln explained. "That's why I try to catch people before they enter. So the Antipode doesn't have a chance to ruin them."
"What is it?" I asked.
"It does the opposite thing the Elements do," Eden answered, sounding angry.
"Which is..?" I prodded, still not grasping the subject.
Eden looked up at me, a dark look crossing his face.
"Your worst nightmare."
» « » «
I awoke to a soft rustling of the leaves beside me.
My bed was a cleared patch of dirt. Lincoln had fallen asleep as soon as he had laid down. We had eaten a little of the food he kept in his pack wordlessly. I had gone to sleep without a further explanation of anything.
I wrote the noise off as the wind and closed my eyes.
Someone's breath was close in my ear, tickling my neck.
"Rowin," Eden breathed. "I know you're probably sleeping, but I wanted to tell you something."
His hand brushed my hair back from my face. Deep down, I knew what he was going to do. It took everything in me not to move.
He took in a shaky breath before proceeding.
"I stole your compass back when you were with Stefen. Or Seth, whatever. Eventually you'll understand, but just know I trust you. I'm sorry I kept that from you for so long. I just wanted to protect you. But I don't think I can anymore."
He was close, and I was still.
"Cassius made me do it. He came to me wanting the key, but I wouldn't give it to him. So I stole your compass to satisfy him. It didn't. He used the Antipode against my father, and now..."
His voice trailed off and I listened intently. He didn't finish.
"Thanks for making it so hard to leave," he mumbled. He pressed his lips to my cheek, warming the spot with a kiss for a long moment. He pulled away and I was left cold.
When I opened my eyes after his footsteps had faded, I caught sight of his face-- his longing expression, sorrowful eyes, trembling hands.
He nodded to me, smiling weakly and meeting my eyes.
Then, Eden abandoned me.
<<<<<<<<<<
(a/n)
THIS CHAPTER MESSED WITH MY HEAD A LOT.
Alright alright alright. So now Eden's gone, Lincoln & Seth are brothers, and you kinda know what the Antipode is, which you will find out more about in the future. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask!
QUESTION: Do you think now that Rowin made the right choice in arguing to trust Lincoln?
Sorry this is so boring lol.
Thank you for reading, you are all wonderful! God bless.
-Abigail
{7.21.16}
>>>>>>>>>>
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The Maze of Existence
Adventure» She changed everything; even if no one knew it. « Four months have passed. And nothing. Rowin has finally started to come back to her senses of real life-- even if her past still haunts her in her dreams, her waking moments, and even in her frien...
