Crumbled

Conflicts

Bram sat on the floor, reading. He flipped absently through the pages. After a moment of aimless scanning he set it aside. Bramstone flopped to the floor unceremoniously. Scraping his unruly hair back, he started thinking.

I'm a disgrace to the throne. Sure, it's a broken monarchy anyways, but who cares? Anything would be better than this! Walz almost died for the sake of what, some secrets? What kind of a broken system allows a messed up teenage boy to be their "justice system" anyways? I'm sixteen, with barely a clue of how to take care of myself, and I'm endangering the lives of dozens of kids! What the hell am I doing?

Bramstone sat up, a plan already brewing. Silently, he gathered his books, and swept them into his bag deftly. He glanced at his notebook, but decided against grabbing it. There was no sense leaving a note. Walz would never understand what he was about to do.

Bram found Markel sitting in a bedroom across the hall. She was skimming through the small pile of papers in her lap.

"Markel, hey. I need you to, uh. Markel, I need you to-to make sure everyone is, um, taken care of," Bram mumbled, words tumbling out in an uncertain manner. Bramstone silently cursed himself. It had been years since his stuttering had been a problem; His father had him taken to a vocal specialist to help get rid of it.

Markel swept the papers aside, glancing at her watch. She looked up at Bramstone quizzically.

"Bram, what do you mean? I'm not in charge, no one is! I can't take care of anyone!" Markel said, peering at Bram inquisitively. The boy shook his head, scuffing his shoe in the dust coating the old floorboards.

"Well, you see, I was going to just-I have to do something. It's, um, personal!" Bram finished lamely.

Markel gave Bramstone a sharp look.

"What in the actual hell are you trying to say Bram? Are you running away? You, the one who decided we all come on this little "vacation"? If that's what you're telling me right now, then get out. I can't have a coward on my team," Markel said icily. Bramstone dropped his backpack with a thud.

"Yes, well no. Ugh, Markel I don't know! I changed my mind, okay? We're all just kids. We don't have to get involved in our parent's battles anymore. You can't tell me you've never wanted to drop all of this shit and just go back home! I only did this because I was told I had to find Walz and kill him. As it turns out, he's not the bad guy! I can't go home now unless I have Walz with me. I don't really have a plan." Bram rushed, his cheeks coloring. Markel stood quickly, dusting off her hands. Bram wasn't done.

"What am I supposed to do Markel? If I go back home without Walz my father will be out for my head! He won't listen to any of us, thinks we're too mad to know anything! He'd never believe that Walz hasn't done anything that warrants death, especially by my hand."

Markel chuckled. The sound grated against Bramstone's ears.

"What's so funny?" Bram asked, an angry tear sliding down his cheek. He swiped at it with a sleeve.

"Nothing, just that you were going to run away because you were confused." Markel smirked, laughing again. Bram scowled at her.

"Bramstone, buddy, we all have conflictions because of what we do. It's in the job description. Suck it up, you royal pain in the ass!" Markel cracked. Bram smiled ruefully.

"Another thing, princess. Those kids out there aren't your responsibility. They're mine. So lay off the mom vibes, alright? You're creeping me out!" Markel said, snatching Bram's backpack and shoving it into his arms. Before he could respond, she pushed him into the hallway and shut the door.

Bram sighed deeply. He tossed his bag into his room and flopped onto the floor. He presumed Markel was right, but he didn't want to believe it. He was a little busy feeling sorry for himself.

"Bram? You awake? It's Walz." Someone, evidently Walz, called from the hallway. Bram shoved his face further into his pillow and groaned. Walz stepped into the room, shutting the door softly behind him.

"Okay, I know you're moping around, but we have to move on. Amiyah says that the princess is set on signing off on the Alliance. We're changing course, Bram. I have to go home," Walz said.

*************************************
A/N: Well...that was interesting! Hope you all are having a good summer! I'm off to high school next fall, and I have one thing to say: *Screams loudly*
Yeah, I'm a little nervous.
Take care of yourselves, hydrate, all of that fun stuff!
Love you humans!
(Hi Julia And Jillian)