Pieces of Time

Piece 4- Cobwebs of Time

Alissida, aged 8

There's no light here. The darkness prevails along with the cold. But, as I listen to the chatter of my teeth and the screech of the owls, I pray that tomorrow will be better. That I will sleep with a stomach full of food instead of fear, and listen to the sound of snoring instead of scuttling. I nestle closer to my sister, twigs poking me uncomfortably in the back. Her warmth is a comfort, one I could not live without. Even if all else has been taken from me. She mumbles in her sleep, indistinguishable words of worry. Every now and again, she breathes my name. I press my arms tighter around her shivering form, and tuck my small head under her chin. At last, my eyes begin to close, and I fall asleep under the light of the moon and stars, my dreams full of crackling fires, warm food, and loving arms.

That was the last time I would see the night sky in 10 years.

Alissida, present

Watching dawn break over the rolling hills, I wipe away the tears trickling down my cheek. It's been 10 years since that peaceful night. 10 years since I watched the golden sunrise through the cobwebs and leaves of the bush we slept beneath. Just hours before hell came crashing down upon us.

I rest my arms on the windowsill and observe the sun glowing over the hills; streaks of fiery reds and golds igniting the cool dawn sky. Light sparkles off frosty grass, sending crystals of light dancing into the forest. Only the ache of my bones and the throbbing of my face reminds me that I stumbled through there last night. But now I'm free. Beaten and violated, but free. I inhale deeply, breathing in the crisp morning air.

Sophie would have loved this, I think wistfully.

The soft patter of steps behind shakes me from my reverie. I turn around curiously, only to be greeted by a wet nose shoving itself roughly into my loosely curled hand. The nose appears to be attached to a fluffy, rather scruffy looking dog. And it's utterly, disgustingly adorable. I kneel carefully down, grinning from ear to ear as the dog flops directly on my feet, paws waving in the air.

"Who's a good boy?" I ruffle the dogs ears, running my hands through it's thick, dark fur. "Who's a gorgeous doggy?" More ruffling.

"That would be Max," calls a voice from outside, "and he's an even bigger attention-seeker than I am." My rescuer- Sebastian- steps out from the shadows, a smirk on his irritatingly beautiful face. He looks around the same age as me, maybe a year older. Again, that feeling of recognition. I know him, I'm sure of it. But how?

"Good morning, Ali." His smirk fades as he takes in the visible bruises adorning my face, arms, and legs. The pain in my ribs comes flooding back, and I wince as I stand up.

"Do I really look that bad?" I ask, raising my eyebrows. "I mean, I know my morning look isn't the best, but..." My voice trails off as he strides over and places his hands gently on my shoulders. I lift my chin and look him in the eyes, in an attempt to not seem as weak as I look. He runs his eyes over me in assessment, and I feel blood rush to my face. Dammit.

"I'm going to kill her," he says quietly, hands tightening on my shoulders. "You don't deserve this. No one deserves this."His eyes darken, and a shiver runs through my body. Who is this man, and more importantly, why did he save me? I open my mouth to ask, but he turns abruptly and prowls to the kitchen. I release the breath I was unknowingly holding and crouch down once more, gently stroking Max. His tail thumps happily on the stone floor.

Sebastian's head pokes round comically from the doorway, his dark expression vanished. "Breakfast?" He chuckles as my stomach rumbles in answer.

Sebastian

My hands shake as I stir the pancake mixture, rage still coursing through my veins. I glance over at Ali, her hands clutching a mug of coffee, and I try to relax. You found her in time, I remind myself. You didn't lose her again. She catches my eye, and offers a small smile. But she doesn't recognise you. She's forgotten you.

"Oh, do stop glowering," mutters Ali, "It's giving me a headache." I snort, and pour the mixture into even circles in the frying pan. They sizzle away, filling the room with a pleasantly sweet smell. I slide them onto 2 plates, then claim a chair opposite Ali and shove a plate and spoon across to her. Without the distraction of cooking, an awkward silence settles between us. I clear my throat, unsure of how to begin.

"Do you recog..." I start to say, just as she begins to talk. We both stop, try again, and fail. We sit in silence for a moment. Ali cracks first, her voice strong and clear.

"How did you find me." Not a question, but a demand. "How did you know I was kicked out and left in the forest to die?" Her eyes flicker as she recalls the details of the previous night.

"I, um, went up to your room after the Dance," I mumble, sheepishly. "I found the note." I wince as a smile plays on her lips. "I wanted to see, er, you." Smooth, Seb, real smooth. I never was good at lying, but how might she react if I tell her the truth?

"So I'm sharing a house with my own personal stalker/saviour and eating pancakes with a spoon while 2 of my ribs are broken and my face bruised beyond recognition." She ticks the mental list off on her fingers. "Oh, and you have a cute Border-Collie named Max." She raises an eyebrow pointedly at me. "Are you sure I didn't die in that forest and this is some weird sort of in-between-heaven-and-hell-place?"

"Look, it's a long story." I sigh, and stretch my arms out in preparation. She settles down, silently willing me to go on.

"The last time I saw you, you were walking into the Academy of Light with tears running down your face. You were holding hands with your sister. With Sophie."

The blood drains from Ali's face just a moment before she faints, plunging head first towards the stone floor.