Cruel Fates

(5) Ashton

       "I can sense that you are still awake, Ashton," Ace spoke, probably directing his cold gaze on my now stiff figure. It had been about an hour or so since everyone settled in and as much as I would like to continue to pretend to sleep, mainly so I can personally make sure Serena won't do anything to any of us, I knew that I couldn't fool him. Groaning, I sat up while stretching out my limbs. Stretching really is the best thing ever. "I can assume you can not sleep with Serena here." It wasn't a question or anything, it was a statement. A very correct statement.

       "Yea, so what?" I grumbled questionably, rising to my feet and made my way over to him so I wouldn't disrupt my sister's sleep when I talk. Thinking about Angel, I honestly don't know how she can forgive her— Serena— so easily. That damn girl tried to chop off her head and now she's cool with her and wants to be her friend? Nice one, Angel.

       "You should not let what happened rule your mind, little one," was Ace's response. It seemed that I gave him some sort of face because he then added, "What is done is done. You can not change that. Constantly thinking about it will not do you or anyone any good. If I had been Serena, I would have done the same. She was merely securing her safety. Anyhow, even if she dares try to do that now, you and I can just go after her and end her. Do not worry as much, I am keeping my eyes on her."

       "I guess you're right, but I am not gonna let my guard down. Not until... not until I can make sure she is truly trustworthy," I replied, running a calloused hand through my blond, short hair. He, in response, only nodded at me and poked his head out the door, I guess to see if anything or if anyone was out there. I released another sigh, out of pure boredom, and let my gaze skim across the small cabin, or what I can see of it. It wasn't a large cabin, but it wasn't too small, so I guess it can be labeled as cozy. The walls, drawers and cabinets were still perfectly intact. The wooden floorboards were slightly dusty and creaky, but not enough to really bother me nor my sister. Can't say the same for Serena, but seeing as she slept in those ruins, she probably isn't bothered by it either.

         Serena...

         Gods, I can't forget what she did. It's like an instant flashback that occurs basically every hour that's on the clock. When I saw that sword up against Angel's neck and that dagger pointed at her stomach, I was terrified that I was going to lose my sister. She's the only person that truly cares about me in this damn world. If it weren't for her, I would of either succumbed to the corruption or died to some Wimlins or probably a Nérais. Plus, without her, I can't exist in this world. We both need each other to exist. She is the light and I, the dark. One can't exist without the other. So, I'll be damned if I let her go to her death bed earlier than necessary, for both of our sakes. At the thought, I made my hands into fists.

       "...ton," I heard the faint voice of Ace speaking to me. I mentally shook off any remnants of my previous thoughts and turned my head to Ace, who's face was still as stoic as ever. I guess he finished scanning the area, not that I can really bet that he can see anything out there in the woods. It is the middle of the night, after all.

       "Sorry, I didn't catch that. My head was in the clouds," I smiled apologetically at him. I can hear him mumble something under his breath but I decided to ignore it. Knowing him for a very long time, it was probably some form of insult or empty threat.

        "I said go back to sleep, Ashton. I hope you caught that, otherwise I would be forced to teach you a little lesson for ignoring me once more," He stared at me with a hard expression on his face. I can feel a bit of sweat forming as I smiled nervously at him.

         "Yea, I caught it this time," I replied, wringing my hands together. He nodded, satisfied with my answer, and poked his head back outside. I stared at him for a few moments and shook my head with a small, eased smile. He is very strange. But, a good type of strange as far as I can tell. For as long as I known him, probably a year by now, he has always been the type to stay distant, even from my sister and I. Never once had he ever let down that mask of his, but lately, there was a different vibe coming off of him. One that became more obvious since Serena joined our group. Maybe he's just interested in her, or there was something about her that he was interested about, maybe it was both. Brushing it off as that, I walked back over to where my pillow laid on the floor. I sat back down on the floor and allowed my head to fall on my pillow. I threw my my right arm across my stomach and moved my left arm to lay limp on the floor. Before I closed my eyes, I glanced one last time around the cabin. Ace still had his head poked out the door. My eyes drifted to Serena, who laid still in her corner but I can make the faint whispers she was producing. Great, a sleep talker. I sighed and looked to my other side where Angel laid snoring the night away. Content with what I saw, I shut my eyes and let sleep finally take a hold of me and take me to a wonderful, green field filled with the people of my past.