"Stop looking so nervous!"
Nathan glared up at his older brother until he, smiling, looked away. He cursed himself for letting his guard down, and busied himself reworking his facial expression to that of mild boredom.
"What did I just tell you?" His brother teased with a widening grin.
Nathan felt a brief wave of self resentment, realizing that he had lasted barely ten seconds before he had allowed himself to be consumed with worry once more.
"Come on, Nick, you can hardly say that you weren't nervous your first day," said Nathan, hoping to improve his position. Nick only raised an eyebrow.
Nathan bit his lip in frustration. His brother always won the word games that they fought against one another. He could beat Nathan down with a phrase, discredit anything he said with a look. Nathan himself had never quite mastered the art of comebacks.
But he didn't allow himself to dwell on the subject too long. He had more pressing matters to think about. This was his day. His time to shine, he supposed- his time to become a member of society. For nearly 16 years now, he had been cooped up inside Dumonsville, never stepping foot outside it's walls unless accompanied by an adult. It was a rough existence, of course, for any child. Being held almost a prisoner in the town was frustrating enough. Even more so was the fact that he was protected for good reason.
Nathan knew, in his heart, that it couldn't be any other way. His parents were raised in a similar fashion, as had their parents before them. It was simply a necessary precaution. The dangers of the world were widespread and numerous- they had been for as long as time. Luckily, humans are wonderful adaptors. Likewise, the people of Antegria and all surrounding nations had learned to live with the dangers of the night. To survive was tough, to remind yourself that there was more to the world then danger, tougher. But they persevered.
All of these thoughts zipped through Nathans head as the duo approached the town gates. Fear crept around the edges of all his thoughts, despite his attempts to counteract it. He had been, for 16 years, sheltered from the horrors of the outside world. Now it was his turn to do the sheltering.
Nathans heart only beat faster as the town gate came into view. This was the only break in the great wall surrounding the town, and as imposing as the wall itself. The solid gate, both ornately carved and impenetrable, now lay open to the sun streaming in from the east. Two guards leaned leisurely against the doors.
The gap between Nathan and the door close, and he felt sweat break out on his brow, his breathing quicken. 100 meters to go. 75. Now 50.
Suddenly, a hand on Nathans shoulder shocked him out from his thoughts and brought him to a standstill. He whipped his head around to see his brother looking at him, his earlier casual grin now replaced by a look of complete seriousness. Nathan stood looking at his brothers brown eyes, slowly feeling his heart rate slow to normal.
"Hey," said Nick. "Honestly, don't worry. You'll be fine."
Nathan gave a curt nod, breaking eye contact. He didn't feel that anything could be expressed properly through words at that moment. Slowly, they continued towards the gate.
"It's alright, Nathan," Nick said quietly a they approached the gaurds, who nodded in recognition at Nicks approach. "You'll have plenty of people around to watch your back. Mr. Berringer's a great teacher, besides."
Nathan could hardly digest a word of what was being said, as the fear tore through him once more.
Nick stopped just inside the gates.
"I've got work to do down at the armoury, before my shift at the farm starts," Said Nick. Nathan nodded, lips pursed.
Nick began to turn away, then, with some hesitation, turned back. "Nathan…" said Nick. "I'm proud of you."
With that, he turned quickly away, and walked with purpose down the street he had just come. Nathan drew in a deep breath. He swallowed. Then, heart beating wildly, he gave a nod to the guards and took his first step alone outside the wall.