The steam from the dozens of pots brewing tea fills the cramped cęsh of Callary District as I sit anxiously on the edge of my cushioned seat. After the confrontation with Drax, Snojyn had declared she needed a stiff drink and more or less pulled me along through the crowded - oil-reeking - wide streets of Callary to one of the only uncrowded cęsh in the district. After slapping down some wrinkled notes, Snojyn grabbed our tea and plopped into a booth in the far corner of the small cafe.
"You're quiet," I say over the clatter of yardmen stomping in and out with their cups of tea.
The Nukarian native snorts and turns her gaze out the window the bustling streets.
"I've staked my reputation with Harden - for a guy I barely know." Sno snaps with a turn and locks gazes, causing me to inwardly squirm.
"But you've done this before, you eluded to it yourself," I counter softly, controlling my words so as to not cause an outburst.
Sno takes another sip of her tea, "I knew those people, Amsterdam. They were friends. I don't know you."
That word seemed to sting in my mind as I ponder her words. By all rights, Snojyn was correct. She didn't know me, therefore implying she had no skin in the gain. No reason to help
"What are you asking me, then?" I finally question, leaning forward as I lower my voice over the steady rhythm of the cęsh. "You've made it clear you don't like this one bit, so why are you still here?"
I stab a finger onto the table top, holding her gaze. Sno flinches at my accusation and a twinge of guilt pains my insides. I didn't want to be angry, not at her.
"I don't know," she whispers, "I don't know what I want. I'm just - still processing - everything."
Releasing an irritated sigh, I lean back in my booth, stretching out the ache I felt in my ribs. Instinctively I let my eyes wander around the cęsh, taking in every bit of detail. The air smelled musty of unused rooms, and the wall paint was old and peeling away, leaving light dust over every piece of material in the small brewery. The customers were more of the rough going type, all dressed for hard labour, yet each one waited patiently in line for their cup of dark brewed tea. Letting my gaze lead out the window, my breath comes short as my eyes lock with the ominous figure standing bright amongst the dimmed darkness of the outside. A sharp gasp escapes my lips as I leap to my feet, jumping out of the confines of the booth.
Wearing a white jumpsuit, with shoulder length brown, a stark pale complexion, and hollow blue eyes, the girl stares blankly at me as she raises a hand to rest against the window.
Come home...
Her eyes plead, their chasm staring blankly. I stare in horror at her unmoving lips.
"What's wrong with you?" Sno questions, looking up in alarm at my sudden action.
I glance from Snojyn and back to the window, swallowing the growing fear in my stomach.
The girl outside tilts her head every so slowly, her eyes still fixed on mine.
We miss you. Your brothers miss you. Come home...
The words ring in my head like drums in an echoing hall.
"You don't s-see her?" I nearly yelp, pointing sharply at the shadow glaring back at me.
Sno frowns and follows my gesture, an eyebrow rising quizically.
"Uh, no. I don't see anything - Amsterdam?"
Something cold slides up my spine and my eyes widen as I spin around to come face to face with the ghost, only this time, her out appearance was more normal. Instead of dead eyes, her blue irises shown brightly in the dim light of the cęsh, and her hair had a vibrant youth to it that was once nonexistent while she stood outside.
I back up into the table, jerking its surface. Sno shouts as our cups of tea clatter and spill over the table.
"Sheiża, Amsterdam!" She scolds.
YOU ARE READING
Grey Horizon
FantasyA ship has just arrived in the famous port city of Nukaro, the capital of Aegeus, and in its hull, is the last hope for all the realms of Valen. The only problem? He doesn't know it yet. Comments are welcome and encouraged!
