Remember Me

Chapter 14

Chapter 14

                ‘’Shhh.’’ Waverly rocked the baby in her arms, desperately trying to calm him down. Tears flowed down his cheeks, soaking the cloths she had wrapped him in to keep warm. She let out an exasperated sigh. Darius walked by their side, bruised and bloody. His legs could barely keep him upright, his ribs sore and aching. As soon as he found Waverly, he reached into the pocket to find the herbs, but most were damp and scattered, having no use anymore.

                The defeated look on his face spoke enough. His efforts to make peace with people holding Arthur were in vain, just like trying to find where Rosalie was taken. The image of her closing her eyes to relieve herself from the pain crossed his mind. Two men came up behind him, pushing him down on his knees and holding him captive. He saw red when one of them thrust a dagger into her stomach, but she was already unconscious. His scream echoed. Nothing he had taught her helped at that moment. Her lifeless body had been dragged through the mud ungracefully and slumped over the man’s shoulder.

                ‘’Darius?’’ Waverly’s concerned gaze reminded him he had zoned out, stunned by everything that had happened. He looked down at the sleeping child. Careful not to wake him, he bent to kiss Waverly on her cheek to convince himself all of this was real. She was here, right beside him and that moment, he swore he’d never leave her side. She melted into his touch, a tear escaping her swollen red eyes.

                ‘’What are we going to do, love? We can’t just leave her with those cruel men, what if she’s still alive?’’ Darius was grateful Rosalie talked Waverly into staying away by the river. If she had come… she could’ve been killed. Or worse.

                ‘’Both of us need rest, I didn’t see where they’d taken her. We’ll start a search part at first rays of sun in the morning.’’

                The night was stormy, making it harder to walk through the mud. Lightning flashed all around them, but it was far enough not to be heard. Waverly clutched the child, bringing him closer to her chest to protect him from the weather. Darius pushed her to go behind him as he cleared the path, seeing the village. They passed a water stream, stepping on rocks that stood out. Darius kept glancing behind to ensure Waverly wouldn’t slip. It was harder to keep balance with a child. Arthur woke at some point, but stayed quiet, closing his sensitive eyes when a lightning struck.

                They emerged from the trees, stumbling into the village itself. A look of relief flashed on both of their faces. They picked up their pace, almost running to their home. A few of the villagers still outside stood up, startled by the view. They must have looked terrifying, most of their clothes ripped and stained. The door of Catherine’s house slammed open as Andrew got outside with a grin.

                ‘’You made it!’’ Catherine followed him, confused until she saw her baby in Waverly’s arms. She froze halfway, her lips parted in surprise. Waverly gave her an encouraging smile and took a step forward, offering Arthur. She took him with ease, cradling him against her chest. Catherine kissed him on the forehead, closing her eyes.

                ‘’Thank you so much. I…-‘’

                ‘’Love him and keep him safe, Catherine, nothing else matters.’’ She nodded, her eyes shining with happiness. Andrew looked behind Waverly and Darius, but his eyes found nothing. The grin faded from his face that now laced with worry.

                ‘’Where’s Rose?’’ A cold unsettling feeling clouded his senses. Darius and Waverly exchanged glances. How to say his sister is stabbed? Broken? Left alone? Beaten? Dead?