Revealing Eyes

V

{ Asa }

———

What the fuck just happened?

I lazily handed Cade his phone, almost dropping it in the process as I raised my other hand to my forehead. I anticipated hearing the crash of glass on cement in a few seconds. Thankfully, I was lucky this time.

What was happening?

I backed up a bit, leaning my body on the wall, shaking my head. My breathing began to slow.

"Look, can you just tell mom that my head hurts? I need some air." My voice was breathy. I glanced around the room before bringing my attention back to Cade, my eyes begging him to listen, eyebrows furrowed.

The probability of mom letting me outside of the bakery with Abdiel nowhere to be found was nearly zero. The search for the girl has started; a girl with no name. She was described only to be covered with a black cloak. They didn't even give us her hair color. We knew anyway.

We were supposed to get information out of her— perhaps bring her onto our side. Mother always had a feeling that going for the daughter would be the key to overthrowing the government.

"Children are meant to know best through right and wrong. Once she's out of their dreamland, she'll realize the life she lived was not one many can. They won't bring her back in if it's too long. Just seven days and we have her. Just seven days and the real hunt begins."

Mom wasn't entirely wrong, but still she held Abdiel hostage in his own house. Maybe she was always going to be one of them.

I have to escape.

With my eyes half shut, I saw Cade nod his head hesitantly in response.

He slipped away as my body slid down the wall, my body now hunched over forward on the floor. I let my eyes follow the straight lines which formed squares. It's as if I was possessed, my body not wanting to cooperate. My heart beats got slower as I felt a sense of overwhelming exhaustion deep through my bones.

A few minutes went by before people began to approach me with worried expressions.

All I could give them were weak smiles. I told them that Cade was getting me some medicine.

Perhaps they'd think that I'd be making a medical run if I disappeared. It wouldn't be the first time. They'd usually be at night, however, the only time which we were entrusted with help by prescribers. Most likely, half of the town was aware of our mission. This lifestyle wasn't a secret, and thus, we were able to survive based on maintaining trust and by promising to not put their family and work in danger.

I didn't have any patience to wait for Cade to come back.

Making my way into the kitchen while knowing that there was a big enough window which I could slip out of, I acted quickly.

The knob turned slowly, barely making a sound.

Fitting my legs through the hole, I twisted my body so that I could lean forward and jump.

After years of practice, I've mastered my escape.

I barely made a small thud as my shoes hit the cement.

I looked both ways before taking off my sweatshirt and leaving it next to the wall, behind a bush. Wearing a light shirt would be better than my dark maroon jumper. It was spring after all.

My brown orbs studied the faces of those around me, trying to figure out if anything was out of the ordinary. There were obviously more government officers stationed around than usual.

We'd still probably have to be careful for the next week too at the very least. The first week was quiet— they wanted to just slip her back in. No missing posters. Thankfully, Abdiel took her so far away from the headquarters that their people didn't reach her in time. The spy was good.

at least 10 miles more than what you initially thought.

I was surprised that I didn't see any missing posters for the girl. However, to not even put up a reward for bringing her in was strange.

Training my eyes on my shoes, I made a sharp turn out of the crowded square.

I surveyed my surroundings I could see on the ground, keeping my arms to my sides.

Then, a flood of red trailed up the walls. One poster.

Her face was plastered right on it, eyes closed. They must have taken this picture of her when she was asleep. Her skin had a pink tint to it, cheeks somehow flushed in the slightest over the warm sunset of her skin. Her eyelashes were long and curled. Her pale lips were pursed. She seemed to be calm in her black covering which was only not covering her face.

The most surprising aspect was the strands of dark blue that were framing her face. Did she really have to wear the wig to sleep? She wouldn't be wearing it now, right?

Finding her was worth a million dollars. Dead or alive.

Reporters appeared out of thin air, shoving cameras into blank stares. Bounty was on her now and survival was not necessary.

Also, I wasn't sure if going to Abdiel's house alone was the best idea since I was alone.

Then, the initial shock finally began to wear off as I came to my senses.

If anything -- I made the situation worse.

I had to act fast before they feel the need to send out a team.

For the first hour that I'm gone, I'm sure Cade will be able to keep mom calm and not call anyone. However, after...

Cade will crack for sure.

I just had to take my chances.

Letting a small sigh escape my lips, I started to jog. The girl wouldn't stay there if she was smart. We knew more about her than she possibly could ever know about us.

Still, I didn't know what to expect.

She completely disintegrated my confidence just with her harsh tone over the phone.

Also.. the slap and breaking glass.

The head governor wouldn't train his only daughter to be one of his soldiers...

She was basically royalty to the public, presumed to never have the need to get her hands dirty.

We once again, couldn't be more wrong.

{ Rowena }

———

I wiped the runny snot from my nose.

Sluggishly getting up, my arms frailed at my sides as I pulled my weight off the ground.

All the strength I harbored before seemed to have slipped out of tears I have just wept.

No decision has been made. Nobody is looking for me. I have only upset the person who stole me and left them to bleed. I refuse to go back. I can't roam.

All I want right now is information. I surely wouldn't get that from my father. Perhaps joining a rebel group would give me the answers I need. Sadly, they'd have to be the one finding me.

At my time back home, I was not given any intel on these matters. I've always known of the existence of rebel bases but it's hard enough for the professions to track them; furthermore, it's a hassle to waste their time by telling me.

The one thing I know is that they've been decreasing over the past few years. Either that or they're building up in numbers in specific places. The regular government officials that I had interacted with had recently told me that the threat has decreased and that they're closing in on them. I would have believed it was only for comfort; however, they've started to spend more time behind closed doors or in the lab then patrolling.

The sun's rays tangled themselves in my hair and flirted with my eyelids, beaconing them to rise. The bright blue that covered my head was like a fallen rosebud, now shining an aquamarine green.

Letting the number of trees diminish as I trudged out of the forest, I entered a new part of town. Higher up main city.