Loving the enemy

Chapter 11

I let out a sharp yelp as a stick whips across my face, cutting my flesh.

I run blindly through the forest, running from myself. Thinking maybe if I run I can numb the ache in my chest.

He can't remember me.

He's my entire world, and now I'm nothing to him

I let out a sob that rakes through my torso and rattles my bones. An uprooted tree root hooks over my foot and I fall to the ground with a agonising thud. The force of the impact pushes the air out of my lungs and leaves me gasping for breath on the ground. I grip my weapon in my hand and crawl into a sitting position, dirt and mud now all over my arms and legs. I gasp for breath, clutching my crossbow.

"Able." I gasp, closing my eyes weakly. Tears run down my face, leaving trails through the filth on my cheeks. I run my hand through my hair, and let out a shaky sigh.

God, what am I going to do? I can't seem to leave Shane but I know if I don't I will hurt him, my main reason for living can't even remember me, my home is destroyed and I'm weak.

I yell out in anger and pull my knife from my belt, throwing it hard at a tree in front of me. My knife lodges deep into the wood, birds fleeing from the tree.

I force myself to my feet. I can't achieve anything lying around feeling sorry for myself. I need to be honest with Shane. I need to speak to him and tell him everything. He won't be able to stop me, but the burden is too much.

I turn and run back to the shelter, leaving my blade in the tree.

•••••••

The door to the bomb shelter screeches open and I jump to my feet, shaking with mixed emotions. Now is the moment I tell him everything, this is everything.

My heart stops in my chest as the person who swings into the bomb shelter isn't Shane.

A female figure stands in front of me looking down at the ground in silence. She wears a long black cloak and hood, her features hidden under shadows and her skin concealed under the dark fabric. I stare at the woman in shock for a moment, an aura of wisdom and power radiating from her.

Her arm slowly raises, the sleeve of her cloak sliding down her arm to reveal a sickly pale hand with blood red nail polish. Silver rings lace her fingers and I can hear the slight rattle of chains beneath her cloak as she moves. Her hand reaches out to me and a German accented voice scrapes through the air.

"Come to me child."

I don't move, my eyes instinctively glancing over to my crossbow a few metres to my left beside the television. Before I can ever begin moving to it the woman is standing beside table, my weapon in her delicate looking hands. She slowly pulls out the pre-armed arrow, and presses it against her thumb. She lets out a small sigh as the arrow pierces her skin and a trickle of blood drips down her thumb. She lifts her thumb to her mouth, gently sucking the blood from her thumb. The main features of her face are still hidden under the shadows, curiosity overwhelming me as to who this woman is. She grips the arrow is both hands and snaps it easily, my chest pinching slightly as she does so. She tosses the broken arrow to the side as well as my crossbow.

"W-who are you?" I ask, cringing internally at how afraid and desperate my voice sounds.

"My name is Adelind." she says, her voice sounding almost hypnotising. "I prefect great things for you, child. I have heard rumours of your bravery, of the battles you have fought in."

Before I can comprehend what's happening she moves across to me with unimaginable speed, pressing me against the wall. Close up I can see her face.

She has flawless almost pure white skin. Her eyes are pure black, terrifying, dark and unfeeling. Strands of blonde hair fall from under her cloak, shaping her forlorn looking face.

She is beautiful and mysterious. Almost like an angel.

Her hand slowly drifts up to my face right temple, then drifts down my cheek.

"You are troubled, child." She says, tilting her head to the right as her eyes lock with mine. "Torn between love and vengeance." I suck in a short sharp breath. How is she able to know all of this?

"How do you-?" She hushes me softly.

"I have been watching you for a long time, child. Ever since you ran from home, after the loss of your parents. I have spent all this time protecting you from all I am able."

"So why are you only showing yourself now? If you've been watching me for all this time. Where were you when Able got hurt?" She smiles gently, soft in her features.

"My child, I did help your brother. Alas, I was late but I made his attackers leave your home." She pauses for a moment, slowly shifting her hand from my face to take my hand gently. "I have come bearing guidance, child. Shane may love you, but that does not mean he has the power to protect you. Just like your love for your brother was not enough to save him from hurt. Love isn't always enough. You must make a choice, love or vengeance. Then you must act tonight. Before the attack is commenced. For if you do not child, you will not survive the week." I stare into her face, shocked and desperately trying to intake the information.

"What attack? How can I trust you?" I feel something cold touch my hand and look down to see my knife. The knife I left in the tree. I look up expecting to see Adelind, but she is gone.

I grip the knife slightly tighter, feeling confused and more alone than ever.