Secrets on the Ground

Slight update/AN

hello all! My laptop broke and I am broke so I can't afford a new one right now. This is why I haven't been able to update. Please enjoy this little tidbit I wrote before my technology malfunctioned...

Kay's POV:

I walked slowly, trying to contrast my racing heart. What was that just now? The flow of blood to my body warms me, but the chill of the wind gives me goosebumps. I'm not crazy, right? The way he looked at me... I felt something. I know I did. He was warm and safe. I felt safe. How crazy is that? How can I feel safe in this barbaric world, yet I did all the same. I want to look back at him, but I can't. I can't let him know that I am thinking about him... Kay what is wrong with you? I need to be focusing on getting out of here and back to my people. I can't stay here.

I glance behind me to find Halvar following me. I can tell that he is careful to keep his distance.

Tonight. That is when I am getting out of here. He isn't telling me the whole story, and quite frankly I don't know if I want to know the whole story. If he can't trust me, then how am I supposed to trust him? I enter the cave, gliding my hand across the cool stone. I let the wall lead me deep into the cave until I can see the light of our shelter. I take a look at the disheveled bed and sit down. I wince as a sharp pain radiates across my back. I take a sharp breath in and lay down. Halvar enters not long after.

"I am impressed that you knew the way back." He says as he walks past me and towards his makeshift kitchen. I stay silent. "I see you have decided to not speak to me." I stick to my resolve and remain silent. He turns to look at me. His piercing eyes make me uncomfortable. I attempt to shift to a different position to get out of his line of vision, but the pain in my back comes shooting back. I try my best to hide the pain, but my eyebrows must have given it away. Halvar rushes over to me the moment he senses that I am experiencing discomfort. "What is wrong?" He asks gently. I turn my head away from him. "You still do not speak even when you're in pain?" I keep my head turned. "Why must you be such a stubborn woman? You do not let me heal you. You do not let me train you. You do not accept any of the help I am offering."

I snap my head towards him. "I didn't ask for your healing or your training or your help. The only thing I did ask of you, you seem to not be able to provide. I ask one thing and you tell me you can't tell me? Ha! This whole facade is a joke." I push Halvar aside and get up despite the pain in my back. I grab my things and start to walk out of the cave.

"Where are you venturing off to? The forest is dangerous in the night for a woman like you." Halvar calls after me. I ignore him as I continue forward.

"Anything is better than being here with you." I mumble. I hear footsteps coming closer to me. I feel a hand gently grab onto me.

"I beg you to come back. It is not safe out in the dark." He begs me softly.

"I want to go back to my people. I refuse to stay hostage any longer." I spit at him. He doesn't let go of my arm.

"You are not my hostage. You must believe me, I only want what is best for you." He says, hurt laced in his voice.

"Then prove it." I say bluntly. "If I am not your hostage then let me walk out of this cave. Let me go back to my people."

"It is dangerous at night. I can't let you do that." He urges me. I glare at him and try to rip my arm out of his grasp. I don't want to be here any longer. His eyes fall to the ground. "However, once morning light hits, then you may go." His eyes slowly move from the ground and to my eyes. "If this is the only way to prove to you that I only want your well-being, then I will take that risk." I stare blankly back at his face. I certainly wasn't expecting him to give in so quickly. He lets go of my arm. "Promise me that you will be careful." He whispers. His eyes are so vulnerable compared to his exterior. My breath catches in my throat and my heart starts to beat fast again. Tears spring to my eyes as emotions start to stir in the pit of my stomach. Instead of saying anything I walk past him and back to the bed. I lay down and close my eyes, but it takes awhile for my beating heart to calm down enough for me to go to sleep.