We are all entitled to be beautiful

Chapter Eight- Indecision

The eerie calmness continued to exude from the boy before me he took another step forward arms still raised in what seemed like surrender. My breaths heaved loudly as my arm shook wildly with the glass now cutting deeper in my palm. A sharp twinge of pain followed by a hiss filled the thick air.

"I know you won't hurt me," he whispered ever so quietly in a way that made it seem like he was convincing himself instead of me, "You don't have a killer's heart," with every word he took another step forward.

And with each of his steps I assessed the severity of the situation, with great difficulty I steadied my breath and in turn my hand shook less. My weapon now more poised.

He was too close now I could see the dark hues of grey and black in his eyes now and I was scared of the conviction in them. He truly believed I was incapable of hurting him. The easiest solution would be to drive the shard right through his stomach it would incapacitate him but would likely kill him and as much as my mind denied it I didn't have a killer's heart. So despite my better judgement I took the next best course of action.

My voice quivering slightly, "You're right Kayden," his demeanor relaxed a little his arms resting by his sides the knuckles still raw and splintered. His guard was down, "I don't have a killer's heart," with that I swiped the glass across his arm. He moved quickly so the glass scathed his palm instead.

In one fluid moment, we were both grasping onto the glass fighting for leverage. He visibly gritted his teeth against the pain and now the glass was stained with both our blood. Deep red trailed across it leaving a pink sheen in its wake.

Fear and shock ignited in those melancholy irises as I let go of the glass now firmly wedged into the flesh of his palm, "Please," he gasped his grip faltering as he fell to his knees. His impending height now cut in half as his manner untamed by desperation, "Please you don't know what he'll do to me if you escape,"

I didn't have to ask who he referred to and I didn't doubt that his father would release his wrath on Kayden if I was not there to take the brunt of it. My expression of hatred faltered as I saw the sheen of moisture, "I'm sorry," my voice cracked slightly a sob lodged in the back of my throat for this boy so utterly broken and just as trapped as I was but I couldn't forget my purpose. I didn't know him well enough and I needed to get back to my brother. As heartless as it was I pulled from his grip so his arm lay limp and injured on the floor amongst the sprinkling of glass an marble.

In another time I may have helped in other circumstances my cold heart may have thawed at the sight of another person enslaved to the great game of power but today was not a day I could afford kindness.

"I'm sorry I really am Kayden, I hope you find your way out of this," tears never fell from him instead his head fell to concentrate on the ground, utterly defeated. He made no move to rise, he made no move to remove the shard from his palm, he made no move to stop me. As I ran from the scene my heart hammering and my stomach twisting itself into tight knot of guilt, I felt sick at my decision.

Despite my heart willing me to turn back to help someone I had harmed it was not enough to convince me otherwise. I was not Rose I could not afford to sacrifice myself.

I was selfish because I needed to be and though guilt festered like a disease and would eventually consume me, I was prepared for it.

I continued to run making sure I always turned right so that I could eventually find my way out of this wretched place. Each time I heard a rustle I would hide in the shadows of the corridors behind doors but there was still no system in place so guards were few and far between. I finally found a grand staircase that led straight to the courtyard at the front of the castle where I had been dragged in previously. The gates were open and the large doors swung wide to allow the warm air to escape into the damp outside.

I sprinted down the stairs trying to rub the blood from my hand on the my leg to stop a trail of blood from flowing behind me but the blood continued to flow thick and dark.

Once I got outside I realised that the final gates were still guarded by the boy I had smiled at before. I hoped he would let me out maybe if he smiled at me before maybe he would pity me enough to assist my escape. I must've looked a mess deranged even as I rushed up to the glass cage that was the operating unit for the gates. It was the same boy who looked bored out of his mind but became bewildered at the sight of me slamming my bloody hand on the window and begging for help.

After collecting himself from the surprise he acted quickly, swinging the door open.

As soon as the compartment opened I pushed myself and the boy back inside having heard the loud cries and commotion of my escape presumably.

"What the-" I pressed my fingers to my lips as I crouched down out of sight of the large window my breathing heavy and my face hot with anger.

The boy didn't seem to remember how to move anymore as he stood stock still gawking at me, "Don't just stand their you'll draw attention to yourself,"

He opened his mouth to say something but complied and sat down fidling with some controls, "You better not be calling anyone cause if you do I'm going to tell them you aided my escape,"

"Chill I'm not calling anyone I'm just pretending.I'm working like you told me to what are you even doing here? What happened to your hand?" he rushed out his words hitting each other in a hurried mess of sentences.

I shuffled over to the other side of the cramped room Spotting some bottled water, I wrenched on of the caps off with my uninjured hand and took a large gulp before resting my head on the cool metal of the control panel.

"I can't stay here," I mumbled to myself.

He heard, "You're right about that I'm already in hot water I'm surprised they haven't killed me yet," he laughed a little darkly.

"What do you mean?"

"Well Eleanor," my breath hitched at the sound of my name knowing full well that I hadn't uttered it to anyone here, "I used to be Xavier's personal guard," he turned with a flourish at his work station," He gave me this job a little before the world collapsed around us and they still don't know where my allegiance lies but I know who you are and I'll help you because I know you're in league with the rightful King and Queen," he saw the disgusted look on my face for I had thought he was referring to Xavier's parents but he only laughed more and confirmed, "By rightful King and Queen I mean Prince Xavier and Rose,"

I was speechless so he just threw a grin over his shoulder, "The names Dexter by the way,"

Finally composing myself from the onslaught of I formation that had just lucked its way into my hands I made a move to say something but was cut off.

A tortured shout echoed through the coutyard, "FATHER PLEASE," followed by sickening crack and thud.

Then silence.