Don't Go

Faélin

It's really dark. I can't see anything, which is both good and bad. Connor’s soft breathing calms me, but he's shaking too. We're both on edge. But he said neither of them die. So we won't die- in theory. But if I do die…

I guess I wouldn't really care. It'd be what I've wanted since I was seven years old. Connor can be the one who lives and gets to go back home. I know he would hate it, but I wouldn't be able to carry on knowing I only got out of this place because he died. I won't leave him though. I'll be there, just it'll be harder to tell.
I'll always be with you, no matter what.
That's my silent promise to Connor. I know some people's philosophies are that promises are just made to be broken. That's not how I work. I'll make a promise and I'll stick to it, no matter what it might be. Some are easier to keep than others. Everyone knows that.

I don't know if I should tell Connor. Part of me thinks he doesn't need to be told. He just knows. He always knows. How is it that he always knows? I frown, and, despite the pain it brings to the cut on my face, I speak. “Connor, how do you always know things about me? Like-” I stop for a moment to steady my voice. “Like before I tell you something important… how do you know?”

Connor doesn't respond for a moment. “Your eyes give away everything,” he whispers.

×××

The lights flicker on and I'm blinded by the sudden brightness. Connor sits up quickly and glances around before grabbing me. He struggles to move us away from the center of the room, but eventually we reach one of the walls. I hear him curse quietly under his breath. I blink a few times as my eyes adjust to the blaring white light. There are a few objects here and there, none of which I can really make out the details of. There had to be something that Connor didn't like though, otherwise we wouldn't have moved.

He stands up and pushes me again the wall, then sits next to me. I was fine being in front of him, but I suppose he wasn't. I pull my knees closer to my chest and hug them. I know being in a position like this isn't exactly the best plan if we have to escape or any number of things involving moving. It's more important Connor gets away. I close my eyes tightly, wishing we could be back in the dark. I hadn't realized being in such bright light could feel so horrible. Something hits the ground with a loud noise. Connor shifts his sitting position only slightly, as if preparing. I open my eyes again, but don't bother trying to see where the noise came from. I don't move either. There's no point. Connors breathing is quick, and I can tell there's something I don't know. I'm not going to look though. He didn't have to either. Maybe that's the whole challenge. To not look.