Once Upon a Midnight: Wanted

Chapter Nineteen

"Doesn't this feel like before?"

Raleigh and Aeryn were sitting in the small garden that grew the food for the village.

Aeryn knew exactly what Raleigh meant. Though it wasn't the exact same as the clearing they'd found near Aeryn's old settlement, it was nice to be able to just sit and talk to each other again.

It'd been nearly a week since Aeryn had been brought to this village. And while the guilt and worry never went away, she was happy for this small reprieve.

Aeryn leaned back on the grass next to Raleigh, looking up at the clouds. It almost felt as if she didn't deserve this small moment of rest, considering everything that had happened. She sighed.

"It's nice, not being mobile constantly. And not worrying about you." She added the last part, bumping Raleigh's arm.

"But you're still worrying."

Aeryn nodded, looking at the Fox-Shifter. "Two of the Rahktar I was with was taken by the Council before you guys found me. If they aren't yet, they will probably be put to death for helping me. I can't let that happen."

"What will you do?"

"I don't know." Aeryn turned onto her side, folding her arm under her head. "I don't know what I can do. But I have to try something. I can't let them die for me."

"Well whatever you decide, I'm with you one hundred percent."

Aeryn laughed, sitting up on her elbow and shaking her head. "Raleigh, what are you gonna do with one good leg?"

"Hey! I can be plenty help!" Raleigh said, trying to look serious. She was laughing too much to actually accomplish that though.

"No. I'd rather you stay here where I know you'd be safe. I couldn't ask you to do something so dangerous for me and risk you getting killed as well."

Raleigh rolled her eyes. "What are best friends for, if not risking their lives for each other?"

"That's asking too much. You already got hurt for me. I'm not going to ask you to sacrifice your life as well."

"You wouldn't be asking me." Raleigh pushed herself onto her feet, folding her arms behind her back. "C'mon, let's go see if they have anything to eat."

Aeryn sighed as she watched Raleigh walk away, pushing herself to her feet and following after her friend.

-----

"So, Aeryn." Artemis started. They were standing in line for food. Raleigh had already gone to find a spot for the three of them to sit at, it seemed the Fox-Shifter had taken a liking to Artemis, though Aeryn couldn't tell if the other girl had a crush on him or if she was attached to him because he was the one who'd found her.

"You are half Shifter, yes?" He waited for her to nod before continuing. "Do you know what your other half is?"

"No. I didn't even know I wasn't completely human until recently." She placed a handful of berries and a piece of bread on her plate, shuffling down the line behind Artemis. "I mean, I guess a part of me always knew I wasn't normal. Most humans don't have yellow eyes like mine, or enhanced senses. But I would have never imagined I would be half Shifter."

"Hm, interesting." Artemis grabbed a cup of water, handing it to Aeryn before taking one for himself and heading to where Raleigh was waiting for them. "There is a way to find out what you are, however that would require getting you back into Jyn and I'm not entirely sure that conversation would go over very well." He chuckled a bit, lowering himself next to Raleigh and ruffling her hair.

Raleigh giggled, smiling up at Artemis before looking at the two curiously. "What are you guys talking about?"

"My wonky heritage." Instead of sitting Aeryn decided to lean against the tree, taking a sip of her water. "Artemis thinks there might be a way to figure out exactly what I am."

"Maybe." He murmured. "There is an experiment the Council used...or still uses on halflings that aren't lucky enough to make it out of the City. They use it to try and learn exactly what went wrong to cause those like us to be born half human. Even though that was their intent, from what I've seen, bloodwork can show exactly what is in your genes too."

"From what you've seen?"

"Artemis worked as a doctor before he left Jyn." Raleigh quipped, the smile back on her face.

"Yes, more or less. I was more of a caretaker for those halflings that Council had gotten their claws into. It is part of the reason why I left." He scratched the back of his head, sighing lightly. "It is not a fun procedure though, even less so when the participant is unwilling, as most are. And I fear for what would happen to you should you venture into the heart of the Council and try for yourself."

Aeryn hummed lightly but said nothing else. While she was curious about what she was, it wouldn't do anyone any good if she went and got herself captured or killed before she could help Claudia and Kristianna.

"Don't worry," she said, popping a berry into her mouth. "I'm not curious enough to go and get myself killed."

Artemis nodded slowly. "That is what I'm hoping."

-----

"You're going to go back, aren't you?"

Yet another three days passed before Aeryn was asked this question. She looked at Raleigh before pulling her shirt over her head, letting if fall past her hips.

"Aeryn."

"I have to. I already told you I wanted to try to help them." She pulled her boots on before straightening to look at the other girl. "Don't worry. I'm not leaving yet. I don't even know how to get back into Jyn, or what to do if I were to get back in. I'm not just going to dive in there head first without a plan if that's what you're worried about."

"But you finally have a place where you belong, right? I mean, you don't have to worry about humans or anyone else trying to kill you here. Why would you want to ruin that?"

"It's not like I want to, Raleigh." Aeryn frowned, unsure of where all of this was coming from. It wasn't as if this was brand new. Going back to help Claudia and Kristianna was something Aeryn had talked about since she'd gotten there. Aeryn sighed. "Claudia and Kristianna helped me, a lot."

"Yeah, I know."

"So you know I can't let them be killed without trying to help. Especially if it's my fault."

"But you didn't ask them too."

"No, I didn't. Which is even more of a reason to try to help them." Aeryn placed a hand on her hip. It was true she had no idea where to start, or how to go about helping her friends. But she had to at least try. She owed them that much.

"Aeryn?"

"Don't worry Raleigh." Aeryn smiled lightly, hugging her friend. Raleigh hugged her back, tightly, and Aeryn's smile faltered a bit. Why was Raleigh so worried? "Raleigh I'll be fine. Honestly, if I can't get to them, I'll try to get away as fast as possible. I promise I'll come back."