Heart of a Berserker: Hope (School of Dragons)

Chapter 8

"I wanna roll up, I'm gonna roll up my sleeve
I'm gonna fight for you, I'm gonna fight 'til I bleed

So, listen to me now
I'm not gonna stand here when my friend's down and out
I'm not gonna run when it's hard to figure it all out
If there's anything I'd say, I will tell you right now

You're not alone, you're not alone, you're not alone
You're not alone, you're not alone, you're not alone"

- "You're Not Alone" by Marie Miller

Chapter 8

Eret set sail for Eruptodon Island while Valka flew beside the ship on Cloudjumper. Harald and I stood together at the back of the ship under Eret's direction. Apparently, he thought he was doing me a favor by 'giving us time to talk.' Maybe we did need to talk, but... I did not know what to say.

"This has turned into quite the adventure, wouldn't you say?" Harald said casually.

I looked straight ahead so as to not let him get to me. "Adventures are fun, Harald, which this is not. This is serious. And it's all your fault."

"That's not true. I didn't cause the fog. In fact, if it weren't for me, you would have never discovered its source."

I glanced at him, noting the smug look on his face. If he wanted a 'thank you,' he wasn't getting it. I crossed my arms and stared ahead again.

"I'm sensing some hostility, Brennda. Are you still mad at me?"

My eyes tightened. "Of course I'm still mad at you." Maybe it was more complicated than that, but I didn't feel like explaining.

"I told you it was just-"

"-business, I know." I let out a sigh. "See? You don't even know why I'm mad."

"It would help if you enlightened me."

I felt my coldness slip away as I looked at him. He was concealing his emotions again, but at least he wasn't trying to play some stupid role. And he did have a point. I could not expect him to read my mind all the time. It might make me feel better if I let it all out. I took in a deep breath. "You were wrong."

Harald scoffed. "That's hardly likely. I'm never wrong."

I rolled my eyes. "Then you lied."

"That is much more likely, but would you care to be specific?"

I could have taken the easy way out and told him I was mad about all his lies, but... I needed to tell him the truth. I could not let him turn me into a liar. "You lied about us... about me. You said I'd forget about you and move on. You said I'd find someone better. You said these feelings would go away. But they haven't, and I can't forget." I could not hide the emotion in my voice, though I willed the tears to not fall. "You left, Harald. Do you have any idea what it's been like for me this past year without you? I'm mad because you showed me something amazing and told me it's everything I can't have."

Harald was not quick enough to hide the surprise and then guilt in his eyes. "I didn't lie about any of that," he said quietly. "You should have moved on."

I gave him a bitter smile. "You don't know much about love, do you?"

"I should say not, considering everyone who has claimed to love me has abandoned me."

His sincere confession surprised me. He still attempted to hold back his emotions, but enough leaked through that I could see the truth. And just like that, my anger made way for compassion. I could not help but want to reach out to him and comfort him. "I won't." I took a step closer to him, feeling pleased when he did not back away. "I told you once before, didn't I? I will never abandon you, Harald, but you have to stay."