The Dragons' Crystal

Chapter Six

"There isn't enough time tonight to tell that story." His face relaxed into a grin. I couldn't help but relax, knowing that he hadn't taken it wrongly when we were talking about him. I was merely curious. "Perhaps another time. For now, let us just enjoy this fire and relax for the evening." Darius sat down beside Finn, casually talking with him once our eyes were off of him.

"Is he sensitive on the subject?" I whispered to Dove, keeping my eyes locked on Darius. He was laughing now with Finn, waving to anyone who passed by. It surprised me. Judging by how outgoing and helpful Darius was, I would have thought him to be more open about sharing his own story. 

"Something like that." Dove whispered back. "He isn't fond of bringing the subject up unless he has to. I figure it's only because of how many bad memories his past is tied to." She shrugged. "I'll tell you another time though, if he doesn't tell you first."

I hesitated. "No, it's quite alright. If he doesn't want me to know right now, then surely there's a reason." I didn't want to cross any boundaries with my new friends. They were my second plan after my first was finished. I didn't want to get on anyone's bad side. 

Though, it made me wonder even more so than I had before. What was so wrong about Darius' past that he didn't want to share? When I had first arrived, the first thing anyone had told me was how they had come here; even the ones, like Genevieve, who still struggled with it. I had been under the assumption that Darius was the reason they were able to cope and admit their past. If he was able to do that for others, why couldn't he do it for himself?

I watched the other people joke, eat, and drink around the bonfire. Everyone looked so happy here; so content. If I hadn't been introduced properly, I might have thought I had died in the snow and Darius was an angel that led me to Heaven. This place was drastically unlike my previous home that it felt nearly unbelievable. With a place like this, why was there still trouble stirring from within? Especially within the founder?

I glanced from person to person, noticing how carefree each held themselves. The only person who felt stiff in this relaxed environment was Darius. I began to pick apart the situation, determined to understand why this was. 

As far as I knew, they had plenty of supplies to last through the winter. Darius couldn't be worried about that. There was a large water supply, with a lake nearby, I had been told, that they were still able to salvage water from. Each hut looked to be in perfect shape, perhaps a few broken pieces here and there but nothing worth getting stressed over. Maybe I was over thinking it, though. Maybe Darius simply didn't want to talk about his past because he was here to enjoy the night, not worry about things he couldn't change.

Unless?

I found my eyes wandering back over to the two men, who had now been joined by a few other men I hadn't met yet. 

Everyone that was here came here because their past was unchangeable. They came here because their future was nonexistent due to the horrors they had faced. Everyone was carefree here because this life they were able to live was the opposite of the life they had. Here, everyone was separated from their problems and past. Here, people were people. Everyone was accepted and loved, no matter their background. However, what if Darius wasn't quite the same as everyone else here? What if his future didn't involve this camp, or his past was changeable? 

As I narrowed my eyes in on him, I felt comfort within. That felt like my own personal best answer. Either Darius had the ability to change his past and allow him to live where his heart most desired, or his future was unlike anyone else that lived here. I wanted to find out more, to question him endlessly, but began attempting to leave my discovery at that. Perhaps Darius would tell me in his own time.