The Last Beacon

XIII

They had fallen into an uncomfortable silence since Laurenz had attacked Sascha. Luckily somehow Lion had managed to break free from his episode and was quietly recovering himself.

The trio each had their own challenges pressing on their mind, shielding them from the whispers that threatened to arise again. Feeling a sense of responsibility however, Lion discreetly observed the others and quickly noted tension in the air.

Sascha's throat burned every time she swallowed, and she could almost feel Laurenz's fingers still wrapped around her neck, constricting the life from her. Her head was spinning, and she shivered every time she remembered the wild, terrifying look in his eyes when he lunged for her. Sascha let her hands tremble, but she would not allow herself to cry. As much as she was shaken by the event, she was deeply invested in the mission, and she had no idea how she would go about finding her way home.

I can't just leave now. What if Decius comes looking for me?

She inhaled deeply, pushing away the nagging anxieties that were swimming around in her mind.

We're still in this nightmare trap. For all I know, Laurenz could snap again. How am I sure I can trust him?

Sascha was pulled away from her thoughts when she heard Lion clear his throat beside her.

"Am I right in sensing something unpleasant has transpired between you, miss," he asked quietly.

Laurenz overheard, stopped and turned to her, causing Sascha and Lion to also halt.

"Sascha, I'm so sorry about what I did back there. I get it if you don't forgive me, but you have to believe that what I saw... well, it unearthed my worst memory that I've tried to bury. I can't come up with any excuses, because what I've done is unjustifiable. I can't be sorry enough-"

"Stop," Sascha interrupted, "I know you're sorry. Can we just get out of this awful place before anything else happens? I don't want you to start explaining yourself, trigger another memory and have you come at me again."

Laurenz looked down, hurt evident on his features. He couldn't stand to see the bruises from his hands forming on her neck, nor could he stand knowing that Sascha had lost her trust in him.

When Laurenz didn't make any movement, Sascha scoffed and pushed past him, bumping shoulders with him on the way. She walked on without looking back.

Lion sent a quick, pitiful glance at Laurenz, before quietly following behind her, leaving Laurenz to himself. It took a few moments for Laurenz to muster the courage to follow. He kicked up some dirt as he started, his hands enveloped in his large coat pockets and his head pounding.

Sascha could hear his footsteps, but she didn't dare to turn around. She planned to make him to explain what could have possibly triggered his actions, but not right now. Maybe then, she might be able to piece things together and satisfy her curiosity. It also struck her as odd how she was feeling less affected by the event as she should have been, and how the pain in her throat was slowly dulling into a background ache.

Is this the blue magic doing something to me? Maybe it's erasing my pain and dulling my brain, she thought to herself.

Or maybe I'm just crazy.

*

Before long, they had reached the end of the tunnel, and they breathed a simultaneous sigh of relief.

"The air feels so much fresher out here," Sascha exclaimed, spreading out her arms to feel the gentle breeze and bask in the open space.

"Indeed, it does, miss," Lion added, stretching out his wings and fluffing up his feathers.