Nameless [CURRENTLY BEING EDITED]

21. Shoreline

Nessa looked up sharply as Liz's truck pulled up in Finnian's driveway. She had been slumped against the window, making small circles with her fingers on the misted panes.

Ber had called Finnian's landline roughly half an hour ago and canceled their plans to meet up at the pond, instead, he told Finnian that he and his sisters would pick Nessa up and go to the state park shore. Finnian had been a bit dubious about the matter as it was already getting dark, but in the end all was settled and Nessa curled up by the window, waiting for them.

She had spent the majority of the Saturday helping Finnian clear up his yard and was exhausted from the weed-pulling and picking up the large limbs that littered the yard like broken fingers.

Nessa wondered vaguely if their destination was the same shore as the beach Finnian had found her on. The setting that had changed everything. A shudder rolled down her spine like a trickle of ice at the thought. She shook her head, getting rid of the thoughts that plagued her like a cloud of biting mosquitoes. But one remained, dragging itself to the forefront of her mind.

She visibly paled as the memory became clearer.

The elf-girl shivered uncontrollably as the guard pushed her out of the room... The floor seemed to rise and fall like the ocean waves, she fell to her knees, unable to keep her balance, her eyes burning.

The guard grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet, keeping a hand on her shoulder but she collapsed again, curling into a tight ball at the foot of the stairs. She couldn't stop shaking. She pressed her face against the cold tile, trying to stop the flashes of pain that left her gasping.

She did not notice the approach of the High Elder.

Voices droned in and out of her head.

"Should I carry her, sir?"

"....stairs... through the courtyard...make her walk."

"...courtyard...but sir..."

"Do as I say."

Arms wrapped around her and the tile was gone, replaced by empty air. She let out a small moan as black faded in and out of her vision.

Why can't I see?

The darkness was finally broken by a shaft of white sunlight that pulled her eyelids open. The guard dropped her unceremoniously back on the floor. She looked up at the half open double oak doors dubiously. A ray of sun peeped through and played on the wooden floor, casting golden shadows.

"Stand up." The guard said firmly.

Bile rose in her throat as she struggled to her feet, leaning heavily on the stone wall, her eyes darting between the guard and the doors.

"We're going through the courtyard." She whispered. It was a statement, not a question but the guard nodded briefly in confirmation.

All moisture drained from her mouth as if someone had stuffed it full of cotton. Blood rushed to her face and she looked away, trying to hide it. There were going to be other elves out there. Everyone would see.

Stars.

Her hands trembled and the palms were clammy but she steeled her shoulders and drew away from the wall.

I will not show fear. No matter what they throw at me.

The guard grabbed her arm with a gloved hand but left her hands unbound. A fact that would have annoyed the High Elder, to say the least. Then the guard opened the door and the sudden light burned the elf's eyes. She blinked rapidly in surprise.