Children of Blood ✔️

Chapter Five

I wake up and feel the weight of Izzy, James and Adam's livelihood resting on my chest and poking my face tauntingly.

Sitting up I look out my window to see couple elders and a few families roaming the street. The sun is just peering over the horizon as children roll in their beds dreaming about who  they'll become.

Sliding out of bed and snag my black jacket I watching James and Izzy sleep peacefully before tiptoeing out of the bedroom to find Adam sitting at the table again. I stop and look at him who's rubbing his eyes tiredly before looking up with tears running down his cheeks.

I feel a sense of guilt and frustration. I want to go over and hug him and tell him I'm sorry that he lost just as much as I did. His sister is gone and Roxy too. Now he's stuck in a place he wants to burn, and on top of that I add to the fire— which he probably wants to throw me into.

Quickly, he stands up and looks away before bumping his shoulder with mine as he walks back to the bedroom. "Just leave already, hopefully none of us will be here when you get back."

"What is your problem Adam?" I snap turning around my guilt fading just as fast as it came.

"You were right, if you had just died than Roxy would still be alive. You're life isn't good enough for the sacrifice of ours. Maybe you'll turn us in too, so you can save your own skin. Just because you made a mistake for loving Luke doesn't mean we should pay for it."

"You didn't have to come," I raise my voice before lowering it again. "This was your choice to help me out of jail and come with us."

Adam glares at me with heated blue eyes, "if I didn't come with you guys I would've been killed for associating with you. You're toxic and death follows wherever you go."

"You know what Adam?" I ask rhetorically walking to the door and opening it. "Maybe it would've been better if you died." I walk through the doorway and swing it shut walking down the path through the long grass and thick trees.

I walk to the only place I know as tears sting my eyes. I shouldn't care about Adam's approval or kindness— but I do miss his supportive friendship. I still miss him. I pull the hood over my head to hide my shame and loss as I trudge to the training park. I don't bring my bow, but my knife instead as Alaric will want to do some more hand to hand combat. As I reach the park I sit on a moss covered bench before deciding to climb a tree and laying on one of its branches. I let my eyes fall and suck in the sobs as I try to focus on the world around me.

"Ric," I here a low voice call, "who's the girl you had on your arm yesterday?"

My ears perk up as my tears begin to dry. I roll onto my stomach and move closer the the end of the branch to hear better.

"She wasn't on my arm. In fact if she had the choice she'd probably cut it off." Alaric's voice is filled with humour and warmth, "but she's an amazing archer so it'd be worth it."

"Have you even seen her yet?" the man asks suspiciously.

"I have, only a few times. She has potential and I can't wait to watch her improve," Alaric's voice warms up with pride with a teacher- like quality to it. "Just last night I helped her with her hand to hand combat and she'd improved so much she beat one of your boys."

"Wow, really?" The man asks with surprise, "she must be a smart one."

"She is," Alaric sighs as a pause raises goosebumps on my arm. Finally Alaric continues, "don't give me that look. Your son is good but he isn't going to get better with the attitude he has."

The man grunts but nods his head, "I suppose, but before I accept his fate I must see this angelic archer you speak so fondly of."

"I don't want to push her, but when she's ready we will."