Rescued: A Nyssara Story

Chapter 16

SARA: I've moved into a living quarters along with the a couple of new members. Ra's put me in a room by myself because I was the only woman. So here I am, laying in my small bed, staring at the ceiling.

I hate this. For once since the Gambit I haven't felt alone because of Nyssa but now I am alone again. I hate it.

It's time for me to sleep but I can't seem to. Just then my door opens and shuts quietly. I sit up abruptly to look at who it is. It's Nyssa.

I whisper. "Nyssa?"

She walks to my bed and I stand to meet her face to face (well, not quite face to face. She's a few inches taller).

"What are you doing here?" I ask smiling and looking up at her.

"I wanted to see how you've taken to your new room," she says quietly.

I look around. "It's...lonely."

She strokes my face. "It is meant to feel that way. Assassins take no companionships."

"Except you..."

"Well, yes. I am an exception, for I am the heir. I am not influenced by League rituals."

"Rituals?"

She looks down then back to my eyes. "The rituals all members must endure to ensure all true emotions and memories are cleansed from the mind. The rituals you must start tomorrow."

"Woah what? I'm gonna be like brainwashed? I didn't sign up for that?" I say as I become worried.

"That is why I've come," she says pulling out a vial that was stashed in her cleavage.

"What's that?"

"This is a concoction that you must ingest before your ritual. It will neutralize all things that you consume after it for a couple of hours. Therefore, the potions used in the rituals used to cleanse your mind should not take effect, rather your body should reject them and anything you consume thereafter. With that in mind, you must be convincing during the rituals. The ritual's potions are meant to cleanse your mind and make you very suggestive. So, you'll have to play along with what they say and do with you."

I take the vial and stare at it. I exhale nervously. "What if I can't do it?"

She takes my hands and stares into my eyes with such dismay. "Sara, you must...please...I cannot lose you. I will not lose you to my father and his mind tricks. I will be right there in the room with you and you may even get a glimpse of the ritual done for another member so please...you must try."

I stare at the clear liquid again. "You said I will puke after?"

She strokes my hair and down my chin. "I'll take care of you. I'll do everything in my power to keep you safe," she says softly. "You won't purge until a while after the rituals. I will be here to care for you. I promise," she says kissing me once on the forehead.

I take a deep breath again and stare at the vial in my hand. "Is this all I need?"

"Yes. The whole vial is a dose. I will provide you with more upon the approaching of future rituals. Keep it hidden between your breasts. I find that it makes for a perfect hiding spot."

I continue to stare at it then I slide it into my cleavage.

She sees my worried expression so she takes my hand in hers. "You'll do great. This will work, Sara. You're strong," she says and then kisses my lips once softly.

"I hope you're right..." I say.

"I am right," she strokes my hair once more. "Now, you must rest, Ta-er al-Sahfer."

I rest my hand on top of hers as it strokes my hair. "Can you stay here with me?"

She sighs. "Sara--"

"--Just until I fall asleep."

She sighs again and thinks about my offer. "Very well."

I smile as she lays on my bed. She lifts the covers and I enter them while she remains on the outside of them. I stare at her through the dim light.

"Thank you, Nyssa."

"No need for thanks, my love. Just rest now."

I kiss her quick once on the lips, then I turn over and pull her arm around my waist so she becomes the big spoon.

I just try to focus on Nyssa and not about tomorrow until I finally drift to sleep...

NYSSA: Her pulse has slowed and her breath is steady. I can only assume that she is finally asleep. I slowly remove my arm from around her waist and rise from her bed. I look at her serene slumber and smile to myself a bit.

I finally bring myself to leave her so I sneak out of her room and slip back into mine unnoticed.

Sara will be fine tomorrow. She is a smart girl. She managed to survive on Lian Yu for a year so I have total faith that she can pull this off tomorrow.

I have retired to my bed a bit later than usual because of Sara but I do not mind sacrificing a bit of sleep for her.

As I lay in bed I feel the deafening silence of my room. I'm all alone. I had Sara living in here for several weeks and it feels odd to me that I am alone here again. I don't hear her breathing steadily next to me, or her voice, her laugh. I crave her, but I cannot indulge any more. Our relationship will be plagued with dozens of obstacles to come, and it will no longer be easy.

Our love will be challenged and I will do what ever it takes to keep her the way she is. She has darkness within her already, but it's up to me to try to keep it from festering. She is too precious to have her soul lost within the League. I won't have it.

Sara is the only thing I hold dear in this world, and I will do anything to keep her safe.