Treason

It's You

When I made my way down to the tunnels, I expected this to be quick, but they seemed to go on forever. The tunnels were empty and eery. I could see why none of the guards wanted to be down here. The entire place was just unsettling. I became so lost in thought that I ran into someone. I stumbled back a bit but kept my ground.

When I looked up to see who I ran into, their face seemed so familiar, but I couldn't put my finger on it. They seemed to also recognize me but couldn't figure it out. "Melissa?" he asked, hesitantly. I stared at him. I have to know him because he knows my name somehow.

"Your name starts with a T, right?" I asked. He nodded.

"Tristan, my name's Tristan," he said. Everything came flooding back to me. Tristan was my childhood friend, but what was he doing in the castle? I was about to ask him what he was doing here but he pulled me in for a hug before I could. "I missed you," he whispered.

"I miss you too," I said, "but what are you doing here? Last time I checked, you don't work here." We let go of each other as he began to fidget. "You're not supposed to be here, correct?" I said. He nodded. I was a bit disappointed this was how our reunion was going. "Then what are you doing here?" I inquired.

"I can trust you right?" he asked. I didn't know if he could trust me, but I nodded in response anyways. "I'm here to do a job for another kingdom," he whispered. "My family, we're still not doing okay. Mom still is unable to support our family after the divorce. We need a source of income, and this, this was the only job I could find that would pay well." Guilt rushed over me. His family still wasn't okay? I couldn't turn him in, even if he's a traitor. But I could get in trouble if I didn't turn him in. My thoughts rushed all over the place.

"What kind of Job is it?" I asked in a low voice. He stayed silent, almost seemed scared.

"Steal the king's crown," he responded, lip quivering.

"Are you joking? That's practically a suicide mission! The king's crown is one of the most heavily guarded possessions in the castle!" I yelled in a hushed voice. Tristen stared at the ground silently. Thoughts raced through my head. Should I turn him in? If I turn him in, I'll be a hero and Lei would be so proud, but he would be executed and his family has already been through a lot. If I didn't turn him in though, and we get caught, we'd be both be executed.

"Melissa, please. Please don't tell anyone. I can't-I don't want to die," he said, his voice cracking.

"Okay, I'll keep you secret," I whispered. I don't know why I said I'll keep him secret. I knew how much risk we were at. But for some reason, my mouth moved faster than my mind. He stared at me in shock. I could feel the pain of regret in my stomach. I shouldn't be doing this. Tristan thanked me and I just mindlessly shook my head in response. I felt so much regret but I couldn't do anything about it now. I need to think.