Remember Me

Chapter 20

      Chapter 20

                He should have kept his mouth shut.

                ‘’Say something,’’ he prompted. She raised her head, her gaze unfocused and distant. Thousand thoughts flashed, each worse than the previous one. The door rattled and gave out, hushed voices becoming clear. Alexander stormed inside, followed by three guards. None looked happy.

                Caleb and Rosalie froze, keeping still in spite of the disturbance. Alexander took a hesitant step forward, grimacing. His eyebrows squished together.

                ‘’Well?’’

                Caleb glimpsed at Rosalie one last time and stomped out of the room. Alex waved to the guards to let him pass and leave. They bowed and retreated, pulling the damaged door. He sat on the bed, facing his first love. He was curious about what Caleb said to make her silent. It wasn’t her usual reaction, she found a way to turn it against him or make an arrogant reply. His impatience heightened. Alexander clenched his hands against soft sheets to keep them from reaching out to her and offering a warm embrace. Even if she wanted it, she wouldn’t admit. Her bloodshot eyes were rimmed by a dark circle, her lips dry and cracked. The beauty he knew was damaged beyond repairing.

                ‘’Leave.’’ Her lips parted, thin, scratchy voice almost incoherent.

                ‘’No. Whatever you need to say, say it out loud. You’re killing me here.’’ She chuckled humorlessly, staring at him vacantly.

                ‘’I can’t help you if you don’t tell me what’s bothering you.’’ He leaned back on his elbows, getting too comfortable.

                ‘’You sold me.’’

                His mouth parted to defense him, but no words came out. Sooner or later, Caleb would’ve told her, he knew that already. Nothing prepared him for her reaction so he let her sort her feelings and get over it. Anything he tried to say seemed without sense. The armchair creaked as she shifted her weight, squirming in the seat. The emptiness inside her overpowered the numbness outside, her skin adapted to cold.

                ‘’How much?’’ she asked.

                ‘’I didn’t give him any coins,’’ Alexander rubbed the back of his neck, stuttering, ‘’but I promised he’d be my Champion and gave him a piece of land to use as he wished.’’ She bit the inside of her lip, drawing blood. It tasted bittersweet, running down her throat.

                ‘’That’s it? No more secrets?’’

                ‘’I guess not. People say you learn until you die. I’m no exception.’’

                He took her small hand and covered it with his, cold seeping into his hands. He rubbed it together, trying to transfer some of his heat both from body and heart. She finally gathered courage to look at him, not taking her hand away.

                ‘’But, I’m willing to try and change. Come with me, I have something to show you.’’

                He pulled her up, but she ripped herself away from him, her limbs shaking.

                ‘’Wait, I have to take a bath first and find something to wear. I can’t look at myself like this.’’

                He nodded, forgetting how long she stayed in the dungeon. It wasn’t his primary feint, he had her chamber ready for her arrival, but Caleb kept surprising with his behavior. Something was wrong.