The Last Beacon

XVI

When Sascha woke, she found Lion fast asleep, half sprawled across her lap. She smiled down at him, but her smile faded when she recalled the conversation from the night before.

She was well aware that Lion was the only enfield left, and that when he passed, the species would cease to exist, all because of people and their greed. The thought angered her, and she wanted to yell, fight, and try to change how the situation had ended up. She knew she couldn't do anything, though, and that's what upset her the most.

"Ah, you're awake," Laurenz said, pulling her from her thoughts. Sascha had not noticed any signs of him being awake, so his sudden presence had slightly startled her.

"Yes," she responded. "It appears that I am."

Laurenz chuckled at her comment, but his expression quickly slipped into a more serious one. "Sascha, I know something is wrong, and I've known it since we left the Hall of Fears. I'm the problem, aren't I?"

Sascha looked down, not wanting to answer his question.

"Please, I just want the truth," he begged.

"Go on," Decius suddenly chimed in, his voice echoing in her mind, "turn the whole thing around. Make him tell you what he's been keeping from you.

Sascha didn't respond to Decius, but his words quickly registered with her. She lifted her gaze and shot Laurenz an accusing glare.

"You want the truth? What about what I want, huh? What happened in the Hall of Fears just compounded things. I'm off on this crazy quest of yours based solely on your word. You know so much about me and I know almost nothing of you. I just get snippets, and mostly not from you. You never told me what you used to do for a living, and you definitely never explained to me why Decius said that you've killed people. Did you really not stop to think about the fact that this could be the reason I don't fully trust you?" Sascha spat.

"You're really still going on about what Decius, of all people, has said? You can't trust him, so why do you keep going on about something he said while he was trying to weasel himself out of trouble?" Laurenz countered.

"It wouldn't be as much of an issue to me if you hadn't reacted the way you did! You were the one that went on to completely evade his question. I saw the look that passed through your eyes when he brought it up. For God's sake, Laurenz, you can't pretend to be oblivious anymore. If you want me on this journey, it's time to start talking"

As she spoke, she felt Lion stir on her lap. He quickly realised that the two humans were arguing, so he quickly got up and backed away a little, giving them space.

"Fine, but before I tell you, I need you to know that it's not who I am anymore." Laurenz sighed.

Sascha nodded once, her glare remaining firm and harsh.

"Sascha, I was a bounty hunter," he admitted, dropping his gaze. "A damn good one, too. That's why Decius said what he did. Not only did I kill people, but I got paid to do it."

Sascha furrowed her eyebrows. "I thought that bounty hunters only capture people and bring them back to their boss, not kill them."

"Some do, but most of us were just hired to kill. As I said, it a long time ago; I've changed, and I don't want you to think of me any differently. I really hope this doesn't cause you to trust me less." he appealed.

Sascha thought for a moment, unsure how to respond.

"Thank you," she responded more calmly, "I appreciate your honesty. What I still don't understand, though, is how you were able to bring yourself to commit murder. Surely it wasn't just the money, because being rich doesn't always equal being happy." Did you .... enjoy it?