Back When the Lights Shined

Chapter 13

Two more hours pass by, filled with silence. The survivors of the battle are all scattered around the city-state, so there are no sounds of war tonight. The only sign of battle is the soft glow in the sky, indicating the still burning structures in the distance.

            Soon, both Dolan and Drey have slipped underneath the Sandman’s spell. They have fallen into a deep sleep, and don’t seem to be waking any time soon. Carefully, I stand up and slip the knife from Drey’s pocket. I still cannot find the heart to kill a child, so I let him be, for now. But Dolan is one person I can’t let go. I approach him from behind, careful not to make a sound on the creaking wood. With my teeth gritted, I raise the blade above my head, and plunge it into his heart. He lets out a slight moan, then slumps over, dying. I dislodge the knife, hoping that will speed the process of him bleeding out. I shove him off the seat and take his place.

            I turn around, thinking maybe I can kill Drey, too. I’ll have to, eventually. But, when I see him sleeping so peacefully, I can’t find the heart. It reminds me of how I felt when I first began to trust Ashton. I can’t betray him by ending his life. He trusts me enough to fall asleep in front near my while I am still awake. How can I take advantage of a child’s foolishness? I can’t kill him. He’s so young, it would be tragic for his life to end so soon over something so silly. I can’t steal his bright future because of his lack of understanding.

            His freedom, however, is another story.

            I take the rope they bound me with earlier and go about trying to tie him up. Luckily¾and to my surprise¾he’s a very heavy sleeper. He never wakes up as I wrap the ropes tightly around him. I’m sure to tie my knots extra tight before moving to the next limb to be tied. I gag him to muffle any screaming he might try after waking up, and let him be.

            I decide to leave my knife and handgun in the back, since he’s tied up too tight to bother with them. I climb to the front again brush the dirt off the seat. I look down at Dolan’s corpse, feeling slightly remorseful. I remind myself that it had to be done, and there are no feelings to be shown at war. Why should I show kindness to the people in this world of war when there is no possibility that they could ever attempt to act kinder to me?

            I take the reins if the chestnut horse and take off. Now, I am a free, rebellious woman. I even have my own prisoner. For my first battle, I feel that I am doing surprisingly well. I’m back on track, and ready to make the next kill.

            I decide its useless trying to hide my hair now. There are only two others left on the white-coats’ side besides Drey, who’s useless to them, now, anyways. The chances of me finding them are slim to none. All I hope is that I can find Jaydon or that he can find me, which won’t happen if I look like a man.

            Finally, it’s morning. I’ve been able to watch the sun rise up over the horizon, but I’m completely drained of all energy now. There’s no way I could go on. Drey is still out cold in the back. I decide its safe enough for me to pull up behind some thick foliage and let myself get some shut-eye.

            Slowly, my eyes droop. Lower. Lower. Lower. Then, they are closed completely, letting me snooze. I can finally relax for the first time in days. I let wondrous dreams arouse in my head. Jaydon is safe, back home with Alix. The little girls are all grown up, living happy American lives. Free. Happy. Then, I dream of Ashton. I dream of being able to sleep next to him again. I dream of feeling his baby-soft lips caress mine, sweetly, gently.

            Then, abruptly, rudely, it’s taken away. Two voices jolt me awake. They have ripped through my dreams, interrupting them at its best. It’s my own label that ruins it all.