Written in Blood

XXVII . Up against a wall

The world is heavy and lethargic as I pull myself from my sleep, blinking in the dim room. A headache flares up under my eyes, slow and dull like an unsharpened knife.

After the sunlit room yesterday at Stockpot, the dark is almost a surprise. But what did I really expect? I'm in a basement for Farore's sake. Yesterday is still filtering in as my tired brain begins to comprehend what led to being basement bunk mates with Zelda, since that's the only person I'd guess would be the one I can hear quietly snoring next to me.

Oh yeah.

After the wary introductions with Pamela and her father, there were the equally wary explanations of the circumstances that led us to Termina, and then to Ikana. It got even deeper into the unholy hours of the night, and I barely remember when they found us a spot to sleep down in the basement. I had been beyond groggy at that point.

One good thing about my exhaustion was that there was no trouble falling or staying asleep. No nightmares either. It was a dreamless sleep. Something I haven't had much of in my life. You'd think my nightmares would return in full here, this is the birthplace of most of mine, where the dead has come to life.

I start to sit myself up gingerly, minding the stiffness of the bandages and the dried blood, shedding off the layers of blankets that are strewn over me. It'd only be fitting for me to be haunted by my past regrets in this place, like all the other wandering spirits. Although I was too tired last night to even think to brace against the nightmares I thought for sure would come, the very real possibility still was in my mind. But the world loves to prove me wrong I guess. Goody.

The room's about the same as it was last time, although there seems to be even more research thrown all about the room, on walls, on tables, even inside that old cabinet. The only source of light is from the room above, which spills down the stairwell.

As for what to do, it's undecided.

I want to go back to Hyrule as soon as possible, the war could already be over and done at this rate, but what I'm expecting is for the Hylians to be in dire straits at least.

The Gerudo might have seen us leave town though, and I don't want to leave too soon so they expect us and we walk right into their trap.

So the best thing to do is play sitting tektites for at least another day, as much as I'd rather get back to Hyrule today, we need a day. A day to rest and come up with a course of action.

I push my back up against the wall and glance down at the princess. She's still out like a light, bundled up in her own set of blankets. I can't even see her face, she has a mask of blonde hair on over her whole head, picking up glints of gold from the light above.

I wonder what she'd do to me if I woke her up. Might as well risk finding out. If anything, it'll be as worse as when Malon landed that blow on my nose. But... who knows? There's one thing I know for certain about Zelda, she's unpredictable.

I inch away from my spot by the wall, getting as close to her sleeping form as I dare. I'm taking serious chances here.

I lean a bit closer, getting both hands out to shake her by the shoulders. It's awkward from behind, but this is impulsive and quick enough.

She jolts awake. I can feel her shoulder muscles tense beneath my fingers, and she begins to thrash in my grip. She's fighting hard, just woken up and her breath is already coming in sharp gasps under a curtain of hair.

"Let-" She strains further," me- go!"

I don't even bother to hold back my laughter as I struggle against her panicked and desperate movements.