Vermin

Home Wrecked

Abandoned. Dilapidated. Ruined. Words to describe the mess the cottage was in. As the sun rose over the wall, it pulsed against the cobwebs, recently spun by the spider sat in the corner. There had been a struggle. Serena, my mother had gone down fighting, and it had not been clean. I traced a finger down the side of the door, where the dried blood was flaking off. I doubted it was Tiyrin blood. My throat bobbled. I ran my fingers through my hair, taking deep breaths. In through my nose, out through my mouth. Calm. Collected. I would not be broken. The small dining table had been smashed in two by a great weight, dried blood leaking through it. I clenched my teeth together, trying block out the thought of my mother being thrown through it, the knife in her chest, as Elfie cowered in the corner.
In through my nose, out through my mouth.
Half hoping someone would come, someone who would hold me, comfort me, tell me everything would be all right. But when I opened my eyes, all there was in front of me were the little chalk drawings.
I didn't hesitate meeting Asha that night.

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

I crouched in the bushes, legs going numb from the being in the same position too long. But I didn't want to risk moving, I was caught in the woods once. And it would not happen again.
A twig snapped. I jumped, but it was only Asha, trying too be quiet but failing miserably. I fought the smile that tugged on my lips as she arrived.
"Anivana." She said, dipping her head.
"Just Ani." I blurted, jolting up straight. She loosed a sigh, relieved. I curled a finger round my hair, unsure what to say.
"Elfie's safe, and healthy." She said breaking the silence. Elfie. Guilt tugged in my gut, I hadn't even been thinking about him.
"Good. I'm glad." I said biting my lip. I glanced at her lips, wondering for a second what it would be like to feel them against mine. I looked away quickly blushing.
"You've got something in your hair." Said Asha, pointing. She hesitated a moment before stepping forward. She was so close I could feel her warm breath on my cheek.
"Here." She whispered, plucking a twig from my hair. I bit down on my lip, until my teeth pierced the skin, fighting to keep my blush down. For a moment our eyes met, and this time I couldn't help the smile that formed on my lips.

*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*•*

"What's it like? Being a villager?" Asha asked, leaning her head on my shoulder. In the past week the princess had managed to work way through my icy wall of fear, and now she had me wrapped round her finger. I couldn't of been happier. I sighed pushing my back into the wall.
"Shit. There's a couple of stalls that sell food and clothes, but other wise you have too hunt for food and make things out of their hide." I yawned, a week of meeting Asha at night had exhausted me. "My mother made me these." I said pointing to my rabbit skin boots.
"I'm sorry. About what happened to her." She whispered.
"It's not your fault." I said with equal quiet. "She's not the only one they took from me." She gave me a sad smile, pulling me into a hug. Only to almost immediately push me away.
"Wait a moment. They killed her first didn't they?" She said, excitement shining in her eyes.
"Yes." I said slowly.
"That would make her the payment!" She jumped up, grinning broadly. I shot to my feet beside her.
"Which means the dept has been payed, and Elfie doesn't belong to the king!" I wanted to drop to the ground and weep with relief, to pray to the Breaker and thank her for showing mercy.
"Only thing is, my father won't likely be keen to return him. I'll have to smuggle him out." Said Asha, bitting her lip. I dropped down to the floor, crossing my legs.
"How on earth will you do that?"
"Same way I smuggle myself out." She winked. I chuckled, the idea of Elfie back with me sent light through my veins.
"Thinking like a warrior." I smiled. She faulted, shuffling her feet.
"Entælay."
"What?"
"Entælay, my mother used to call me that. It means Masked Warrior." She whispered, but no fear sounded in her voice. I stepped forward half a step. And looked he right in the eyes. Really looked, past the deep blue ocean of paradise, and dived in. Swimming lower, the sea getting darker every moment. So many secrets here, so deep and dangerous. So many voices begging to escape. I looked round, looked at her.
And realised I loved every bit.