Unfeeling

Twenty Six | The Panic

Amberley

My cloak is blood red, flowing behind me like a river of crimson. I'm running from something, I can feel and hear the presence behind me but I don't see anyone.

I try to take the cloak off as I flee but I find its part of my body, extending from my chest like an extra limb. I suck in a gasp as my endurance fades.

"If you stop, you die little princess," I recognize the familiar voices.

I keep running, my lungs burn and my legs cramp but I run and run and run. I feel my life slowing leaving my body.

"I can't run anymore, I'm too weak!" I sob. As if the earth responds to my plea, my foot catches on a rock.

I slam onto the ground and my head is bleeding. I yell in pain and roll over onto my back.

"You'll always be running, little princess. But one day you will stop, and then...you will die."

I see gold eyes and fair hair before a knife is lodged into my stomach.

"I'm so sorry Amberley," a familiar voice struggles out while I choke on my own blood.

~

I gasp when I wake, covered in sweat and shaking uncontrollably. I jump from Evan's bed and fall next to the garbage can next to his bed and empty my stomach. I retch and retch until there's nothing else.

I fall onto my back and suck in a breath. The cold stone feels nice against my back. I close my eyes before looking around the room. I am
completely naked and the room is empty.

Evan must have gone to training without me. The bastard.

I stand shakily and grudgingly pull on my grey jumper. I am sore all over and now I smell like horse manure. I pull on my shoes and make my way to the locker room to wash up

The room is thankfully empty when I get there and I greedily splashed cold water onto my face. I moan when I brush my hair into a ponytail. Even my arms were sore.

My trip the training room was a tedious one. I could barley stand and had to rest every few minutes. This was going to be great.

"Amberley, can we talk for a second?" I turn to find Derrick leaning against the stone wall.

I don't even have the energy to roll my eyes. "No." I walk away, ignoring his surprised eyes and attempts of calling me back.

"I know something you don't, Amberley. Something important."

This time I roll my eyes before entering the training room. I look around as the crowd does everything under the sun. Weapons fly, grunts echo and the smell of sweat greets my nostrils.

Before I find a station to help at, a rough hand grabs my arm. I hiss and get into a defensive position. Golden eyes meet mine.

"You scared me Evan!"

He only offers me a quirk of his lips. I frown. He isn't in a good mood but then again, neither am I.

"Sorry," he said before pulling the sleeve of my shirt that hangs past my wrist. He pulls me out of the room and into the quiet hallway. Since we started training for war, there was never anyone in the halls, everyone was always doing something.

"Where are we going?" I ask, letting Evan drag me away.

"Up," he says simply.