Firebird

Chapter 21- Future Plans

For Punk_rock_author because she wanted me to update :P This is unedited

Chapter 21- Future Plans

   I didn’t remember much after falling. It was blurry in my mind. I believe I was in and out of consciousness. Astley had carried me back while Gallagher, Hasan and three others dragged Nauru to his cage. Fargus followed Astley and I holding the bloodied stain on his shirt.

   I remember Miriam setting my mutilated leg where it should be. I suppose it hurt but I can’t remember that either. I was only awake for a moment when she did it. I did scream. I know that.

   I was alone when I woke. The flap of my tent was closed but grey light came in through every crack in the canvas. I struggled to sit upright then uncovered my aching leg.

   It was wrapped with many rolls of bandages and splinted between two boards to hold it in place. It was broken at about my knee but I couldn’t tell where exactly because it hurt from my ankle to my thigh.

   I took the feather from under my pillow. Astley must have put it there. It had been in my hair when I fell. I normally tucked it under my braid. The gold seemed dulled and didn’t feel quite as soft as it used to. I’d had it for so long, it was growing old.

   The flap of my tent burst open and Hyun came in. Rage enveloped his chiseled face, reddening his normally pale skin. It reminded me of when Ryo had been injured and he’d blamed me for it.

   “I can’t believe you!” he yelled.

   I held my glare. It wasn’t like he was going to do anything but yell. “It was an accident. Nothing more.”

   “No. You did it on purpose so you wouldn’t have to perform! Chalavar’s not happy you know.”

   “Well I’m sorry.” My voice rose slightly to match his tone. “Sorry for being such an idiot. It’s not like I was escaping a deranged tiger or anything.”

   He came dangerously close. I could feel his warm breath from his flared nostrils. “Don’t you get smart with me! You’ll be out of the show for who knows how long. That means I will too.”

   “So? The shows better off without you anyway!” I hadn’t meant to say something so horrible. I despised the way Hyun acted but that didn’t mean I had to be so hateful. That made me just like him.

   He clenched his teeth and swung his open hand at me. His knuckles collided with my cheekbone, the force throwing my head sideways. Tears welled in my eyes but didn’t fall. My head throbbed and I could feel the bruise already start to swell.

   For a moment, we just stared at each other. The anger in him hadn’t subsided but I saw a flash of guilt if only for an instant.

   Light poured in as Fargus entered my tent. His shirt hung loosely unbuttoned where his bandages covered. His eyes were surrounded by dark rings. His gaze skipped from me to Hyun. Hyun froze, tense before him. Astley was right behind and he didn’t stay near as calm. He got right up on Hyun, shoving him backwards.

   “What’d you do to her?”

   Hyun regained his balance but backed away. “Nothing. Simply stated the truth.”

   Astley saw my bruise and smiled, completely un-amused. “That so?”

   “Astley.” Fargus warned in his deep voice.

   “Stay back, Rickett. Listen to Fargus.”

   Astley unclenched his fists and took a step back as if he wasn’t going to do anything more. “Sorry, Fargus.”