Crumbling Down

Chapter 20

Kert

We made it in time, Robert using his abilities one last time for the night. Checked in, and we put our bags beside the door. The motel had two floors, along with rooms that was located outside. The place was decent but not the fanciest. Since Nan didn't want us to use technological currency since it'll track her, we used paper money. It worked. 

I jammed the key in, and it turned. The room had two made-up beds, an ajar door to the bathroom. A singular TV and a nightstand. The lights were dim, and the windows opposite to our beds showed the houses below.

Robert plopped heavily on the bed and sighed.

"I'll sleep like a baby," his words slurred.

"Are you going to sleep with those clothes on?", I asked, my face contorted. His hand waved away.

"It took a lot in me. I might as well rest for tomorrow". He wasn't wrong. Abilities wear people out as much as exercise. Something you can improve for years, but you'll still have your limits.

"Wait, at least tell me how you'll keep up with your ability tomorrow," I sat the bed next to him. He grumbled.

"I'll figure it out," he said finally and drifted off to slumber. I heaved breath and took a pair of shorts and headed to the bathroom.

A tub fitted in the corner, connected with the sink and the toilet. A body mirror reflected the bath, as I stared at myself. I took off my jacket, and the knife clinked against the tiles. I felt meek without it. But we never needed it anyway. I slid into the hot waters, my worries, doubts and bad memories melted in that moment of time.

With only shorts on, I glided into the comfy sheets and rested against the pillow. Memories of Natasha spilled in, including her being in the cell, running away, I wanted to scream.

I was at the palace again. The same throne room where Mother sat. Voices echoed the halls, and I ran into the corridors to find an opened door with the moonlight flooding in. The courtyard appeared, with Mother and Avery speaking. Their voices became clear as I hid behind the bushes. Can they see me?

"Your work has become lazy throughout these months. You're no longer welcome here", Mother's usual sharpness in her voice now felt like daggers.

"Y-Your Majesty, give me one m-more chance. I swear I'll work double the amount", Avery trembled, his white coat glistened in the night.

"You're no use to the court or me. Resign your medical license and leave this country", Mother hissed. Avery trembled more.

"Anything but leaving...".

"I have a proposal. You get your punishment, and if you show your loyalty, I will maybe I will assign you as a guard in the palace. Aren't I merciful?", Mother raised her eyebrow.

"Yes, Your Majesty".

"Good. Your punishment is to get whipped publicly early dawn tomorrow. We, the Royals don't take procrastination as an excuse. Deny this, and I'll have you exiled. Don't think you'll step foot here if you deny this, or you'll meet your worst fate. What will it be?", Mother's finger drummed against her dress. Avery looked in my direction, but I wasn't so sure if he saw me.

"I'll accept your punishment, Your Highness", Avery stood straighter and his confidence arosed, but I knew deep down he was still uneased.

"Thats what true loyalty of Soto looks like. Report to the throne room, at dawn", Mother walked past me, not noticing and went back inside. Avery sighed and ventured deep into the woods.

The soften soil turned to icicles. A burning frost covered me, and Mother stared at me with her souless eyes. Natasha's screams, cries, and every haunting memory flashed and then the void.

I gasped for air, desperately looked around. Relief flooded in, it was only a nightmare. Rovert was still snoring and the night was still out.

A hardened , pressuring feeling lingered but I pushed it away. It was only a dream.