Eçłípsė

3

Gavriel sat, completely exhausted, on the floor of the training hall. One week had passed since he got to know about his mission, and every day since then had been crammed with training and other preparations.

The physical training actually faded in comparison to all the thick books he had to read, and the never ending lessons on everything that he needed to know about Ibex and its members.

He knew all he did was in order to survive. But still. So, fucking, tired!

Hour after hour spent in a dusty room full of books and professor Buckleburys overwhelmingly boring voice. The physical and mental exhaustion made him all worn out. But even more exhausting was the creeping feeling that followed him everywhere he went, and haunted his dreams. The feeling of being hunted down, knowing you could do nothing to escape.

He wasn't entirely sure what made him so worked up, despite the obvious possibility of death, it was something else that bothered him. Was it fear of pain? Well, probably not, he was aware of the pain that awaited him, but it wasn't his biggest problem.

- Elrades!

A loud shout woke him up from his thoughts.

- Yes Sir.

- Run ten more laps before you go to Bucklebury to collect your reading material.

Gavriel groaned before getting up and starting to jog around the massive training field. The trainers voice drowned all his thoughts except running.

Later, when he sat reading one of the never-ending books he was assigned, he returned to his earlier thoughts (instead of studying like he should). What was it that made him afraid?
The people he would leave behind. He felt a sharp pain in his chest. The people he would have to say goodbye to, maybe to never meet them again.
To know how much pain they would suffer if he didn't make it, if he died a violent death without them knowing. Mom, dad and... Malia. Their smiling faces hovered in his mind, but of all hers was the clearest, the brightest and most important one, his little sun.

Malia, to never see her again felt like a harder punishment than death. To cause her any sort of pain would be unbearable. But, he shouldn't worry about her, despite her doll-looking appearance she was as strong as a lion.

A memory came to mind, the day he told her he would participate in the tests to enter The Organisation.

She had tilted her head, a movement that was so characteristic for her. Her gold-shimmering hair shone in the strong sun. Her deep blue eyes, so much alike his own, sparkling with her unmatchable spirit.

- Don't worry about me Gavriel. I know how you're always saying you shouldn't  mourn the dead, but the ones who loved the person but still were left behind. But, if you are stupid enough to die...

Gavriel couldn't help but frown at the light tone she used while talking about his death.

- Well, you won't have to worry about me if you do. I know you wouldn't want to see me sad, and I know it's warm and cosy where you are.

- You evil little thing!

He grabbed her by the waist and tickled her until she screamed for mercy between her uncontrollable laughs.

He could see it clearly, her hair that got in her face and tangled her arms when she tried to get away and the missing tooth that could be seen whenever she smiled.

She'd grown a lot since then, but she was still all smiles and sunshine. Maybe he shouldn't worry about her. He put the thick book on the nightstand and blew out the light. Just as he was about to fall asleep, he heard light footsteps outside his door. A blonde head popped in. Malias soft voice reached him from the doorway.

- Can I sleep with you Bambino?

He lifted the covers and she slipped in. Her cold feet touched his ankles and he hissed. She snickered, an evil little laugh. With her small, warm body in his embrace he fell asleep to the sound of her breathing.