My eyes widened as I saw a figure side-tackle Blaze. How did he not notice that? Quickly getting up I ran towards the two people struggling on the floor.
“Get off of me!” That was Blaze.
“You were going to kill her!”
Blaze twisted his body and was able to jerk the figure off. That’s where I stepped in with my still bloodied hands and yanked him by the back of the neck.
“What the hell are you do-” I stopped when I realized it was Leon.
This vampire again…
Blaze was up and had his face up inLeon’s. “You ass! Did you know what you just done?!”
“You were going to kill her.”Leonseethed.
Blaze shook his head, “She wasn’t going to die, and she had something planned.”
I took a sharp intake of air. By then we had guards rushing out to getLeon.
“How did you know?” I asked ignoring the guards as they took a strugglingLeonaway.
Blaze smirked and leaned in, “It’s obvious when you speak to your dragon. You had a far away look most of the time.”
I shrugged and that’s when I noticed the audience booing. I looked around and shrugged. Oh well, sorry to disappoint. Blaze cringed on the other hand and rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly.
“I’m sorry Mel…so so sorry.”
I looked at him confused, “What do you mean?”
Just then two guards were next to me. I took a cautionary step back, only to back up into another guard.
“What is this?” I asked.
“So sorry Mel…” Blaze continued.
I looked over to him with confusion written all over my face.
“What’s going on?” I asked.
“Melody Ryuu.” A voice boomed.
I looked around and realized that it was the MC. All the commotion instantly quieted down. Blaze cringed and walked away.
“For being assisted by an outside force, you automatically are disqualified.”
My heart dropped. Disqualified? I didn’t even want his damn help! Gasps rippled through the crowds as I hung my head in shame.
“Also,"
I looked up. There’s more?
“Being assisted during the trials is in violation of the rules. The penalty is death.”
“What?!” I half yelled in disbelief.
“You will have till tomorrow dusk to say goodbye to your beloved ones.” He finished with a firm voice and left as if nothing happened.
It took a few minutes for it to finally sink in…
I’m going to die…
Numbly, I walked off the arena. Once in the family waiting room the comments began.
“Are you insane?”
“Who is he?”
“Do you know him?”
“Oh our poor little Melody…”
Shrugging them all off, I continued walking, everything becoming a blur. I bumped into a lot of people and all I heard was murmurs. I kept walking. I didn’t want to run even though my legs begged me to do so. I just…walked.
Eventually I was up on this hill with a hug pink and purple stripped tree standing firmly at the top. The sun was golden and was slowly setting. I sighed and sat against the tree facing the setting sun.
What to do? I can’t go back to my family. They probably don’t want to see me. Can’t go back to the inn, I’d be humiliated there also. Placing my head in my hands, I gripped my hair in frustration.
That’s when I heard something off in the distance. I looked up and craned my neck to the side and noticed Ichabob running full speed at me. I gave a soft chuckle. This dog, I swear, he knows me too well.
Coming to a slow trot he stood in front of me and whined a little. I placed my hand on his snout before resting my head against him, “Hey Ichabob.”
He lied down next to me and I succumbed to the urge to use him as a pillow. Looking back to the now reddish-orange sun, I sighed once again.
“My life sucks.”
“Couldn’t agree more.” I turned around quickly to see my previous opponent.
“Why are you here?” I hissed. I’m not much of a welcoming committee.
He walked over and sat down next to me, resting his elbows on his knees he began to talk, “You know…you gave a pretty good fight out there.” He smiled and looked at me.
I scoffed and turned my head, “Well apparently it was so good thatLeoncame in to save me.”
“So that’s his name…Leon…huh. There must be a reason why he did that.”
I rolled my eyes, “Yeah I know perfectly why. He literally can’t live without me.”
Blaze tilted his head in a confused manner, “Literally eh? Why do you say that...” He trailed off and his eyes went wide. “No..you didn’t! You did, didn’t you! How can you do such a thing?”
I sat up fully and rubbed my temples. Ichabob growled lowly as if warning Blaze not to upset me. “Look I was forced okay? And what do you know? You weren’t there? I was…having a meltdown when he stepped in.” Suddenly, the vivid and haunting flashbacks of that night came crashing back into my mind. I brought my knees to my chest and rested my forehead on them as I wrapped my arms around my legs. I seriously need to just calm down. That was then. I can’t worry then. I need to worry about now.
Hearing Blaze shuffle, I felt him hesitantly wrap an arm around my shoulder. I froze. What do I do? Shrug him off? Actually, I did just that. Shrugging him off, I stood up and dusted myself. He looked at me with his intense eyes before asking, “What exactly happened.”
Crossing my arms I looked away, “Hmph, family issues. That’s all.”
He stood up and stood next to me, his features finally turning serious. “Melody…listen, you won’t die tomorrow. I promise that you won’t.”
I flinched slightly but remained my cool as I raised an eyebrow, “They sounded pretty serious about me dying.”
He smiled and took a step closer, raising his hand to cup my cheek. Every cell in my body told me to smack him, to move, to run away but for some reason I stayed. I was too mesmerized by his swirling irises to move. I just stood there.
He spoke so softly, “I promise you. You will not die. Trust me. I need you to.”
I blinked, “What are you implying? Are you going to do something?”
He just grinned and gave a small wink.
Oh Dragons, I have a bad feeling about this.
