AbandonHopeChapter 1

Running. All I remember. Was Running. To the heart of the grand woods where no one went to. Through the trees that threaten to catch hold on me, to the uneven ground as it tried to swallow me up into the earth; to the black abyss. I remember the sun beating down on my bare skin as sweat trickled down my back soaking through my clothes. I remember the beauty of the moon as it lighten my way during the dark black night.

I don't remember stopping but I remember tripping. And cool liquid soaking my front and knees. I remember not being able to move, it hurt to much. My side ached with agony from running for so long. My eyelids threaten to close. My feet burned from opened blisters and sores, but I could feel nothing. Only the heaviness on my shoulders as I tried to stay awake. I remember no noise. Just my heavy breathing and my pounding rapidly heart.

I remember looking at the person in front of me. The person who had long dark hair tangled into knots. The pale dead-like face with two dark circles sticking out. Her piercing blue hues stuck out, but as bright her hue was, it was very dull. Many emotions played across her pale light face, but then came to a blank emotionless one.

I lifted up my hand to swiped a piece of fallen hair out of my eyes, but my attention grew back to the girl. She seemed to be coping me. I stared at her for a long time, but I could not read anything from her. She seemed to try to read me as well; I immediately put up my wall, shutting her out. I looked at her eyes and dared her to try again. She gave the look right back. We stayed like for many moments until my energy gave away.

I fell face forward not able to hold myself. But I don't believe I even tried to help myself. Maybe I finally gave up. I do not quite remember. Though, remembering the feeling of relieved when the cool liquid splash and covered my face. I relaxed not caring no more. I could feel the liquid running quickly through my nose and into my mouth. I drank it greedily, feeling into go through my throat and not entering my lungs but to my stomach. Water.

I turned my face to the side with the energy I had left. The wind kissed lightly across my showing face. The water that had enter my nose now escaped out the way it entered and left a burning sensation. I did not care. My guard dropped and my eyes closed before I knew it.

I remember the world swarm before my seeing eyes. I remember the muffling voices, the warmth when someone pick me up from my spot. From my grave that is not my grave for I am not dead. At least I thought. I remember the vibrates of red and golden; black and white. The blur of a face that appeared and disappeared from site. The dampness of some sort of cloth as it cooled my forehead.

I remember darkness then light.

Dreaming of nothing but the moon, as it lit up the dark sky. Waking to the brightness of the sun as it spilled warmth into the area. I remember two crimson eyes that not only looked at me but looked inside. I remember its muffled voice as it soothed me back to my dark dreams. I remember the softness of its touch, its voice. Deep yet soft, Quiet yet comforting, Honey-sweet voice it had.

I remember the darkness of their hair as it bounced slightly as they moved. I remember the broad shoulders that shifted me up right to eat. The softness of their breath as they slept near by. Though I could not recall their face; I have not, yet, discovered it.

Another night has gone by as has many others, I lost track long ago; and I feel my strength return. My eyes fluttered open to the site of the area. It appears to be a room; a big one in fact. The only light in the room, came from the fire that burned so bright, radiating off heat. Most of which I could not make out. A chestnut dresser clear from everything, sat in one of the dark corners; eight drawers accounted for. Near the other corner was a wardrobe, looking as if not touched in ages. The walls were plain, as with the floor with a large circular simple rug covering the middle of the room.

The bed was made for two though only one was in it. Following the trail of my hidden body by the blankets; I come to look at my hands that laid still on my lap. Lifting them slightly, observing them. Tracing the small scars on my palms, I follow down my forearm seeing some sort of a sign laying there. Tearing my eyes away from it I continue up looking over my right shoulder spotting my birthmark. A half crescent moon.

A clicking noise came from within the room. Reacting quickly, I glance around the room seeing light spill in from a door I had not see. A dark figure appear within the doorway. Lingering there for a few moments, taking notice of my full wakefulness. Watching from my spot he moved from the door way coming towards the bed. Still I could not see his face. Not noticing till now, I see he had brought a tray with him. Coming closer he sets it down on the stand beside me.

Never tearing my eyes away from his form, I stare at his face for I have not seen such a handsome one. His dark shaggy hair hung in front of his eyes slightly, giving off a mysterious look. His skin looked flawless. His crimson eyes would not look at me in the eye but were shy and nervous. He sat down in a wooden chair before the bed, collecting his thoughts. After some time of waiting for him to speak; he looked up at me in the eyes with a blank like expression, then glancing at the food as if saying eat.

I stare at him for a few moments accepting the invite. Taking the hot soup off the tray I began to eat. It was quiet as I ate and I could feel his eyes burning holes in me. "What is your name?" he questioned quietly, breaking the silence of the room. I paused in eating before beginning to eat once more. I have no intention to speak now. He waited for some time for an answer and when he received none; he'd ask another. "Where have you come from?" he asked in his gentle soft voice once again. No noise came from me only the sound of the soup as I dipped my spoon in.

Realizing he would not be getting answers, he cleared his throat before speaking. "I have found you by the river. You was greatly ill; a very high fever you had. You would have been dead if I had not found you in time." he informs me pausing briefly before going on. "My lord, who I serve, wants to meet you once you are well enough to get up. In days time he shall return back to the castle, and in that time you shall be well enough." I had lowered down my spoon as I stare over at him with a blank expression as I thought of this. Blinking I go back to my food enjoying what freedom I had at that moment.

The room quiet once again; Me finishing off my food and him as he watched me curiously. Placing the bowl on the tray, he moved as if to take it back down or up to where ever he had came from. "My lord will ask you the same questions I have asked... if you don't answer them he will not tolerate with it and he will get that information out of you, one way or another..." he whispers not threaten me but warning me. I looked at his eyes as they shown some worriment. I would not respond.

Picking up the tray he went forth towards the door. "Being stubborn will be the end of you.." he says out loud in his quiet voice not facing me. "Do not waste your life just like that." glancing back me he turned to shut the door but before shutting it, he told me to sleep for now. I watched the wooden door not expecting anything but just watching. I did as I was told and fell into a deep sleep once more for it was going to be the last good sleep I would have for a long while.

I woke to the screaming of someone. Someone from above from where I was at. More screams pitched in; a crackling sound came from the same area. Footsteps ran across the floorboards where I laid beneath. Dust sprinkled down on the room like snow. Another crash was heard. The room shook for a moment then still. Shouts and orders where thrown out into the air; though I could not hear properly through the floorboards. "Fire!!" someone called out as I caught onto to it. An explosion erupted sending some boards down into the room. I wanted to scream but I could not.

Rapid footsteps came from above then, towards the wall. I could hear the creaking of the steps as they made their way down launching themselves into the room. I clutched the blanket as I curled in my legs, afraid. The figure lingered in the doorway and let out a loud sigh or relief. Quickly coming forth he yanked back the blankets from my small hands. I shook with fear not knowing what was going on. Grabbing hold on my wrist he pull me off the bed. The room spinned before my eyes as I was not well enough and the force made it worse.

Feeling light headed he threw my legs up into his arms. My vision came in and out of focus. A crackling noise came from above as the floorboards split apart; barely hanging on. Glancing up panicky, he glided across the room with in 10 steps. The house shook again. Hitting into the wall trying to maintain balance he glance at the steps as they crumbled and cracked from the great shake. There was no exit there as it turn into ruins within minutes. The dust increases at more bangs, bums, cracks were heard. I began coughing uncontrollability, finding it hard to breath. I clutched onto this being as he held me close.

Suddenly the floorboards above broke through sending a rain of splinters of wood into the entire room. As we sat curled against each other for protection from the explosion; I opened my eyes and looked up upon the floor that had laid there before. Mass of destruction has happened only with in moments. Still coughing out my lungs, he picked me up once again looking for a way out. Another massive explosion came forth knocking us to the ground once more. I could see stars before me as I fell. Groaning I lifted myself up partly off the floor. Looking behind me I see the man who had been protecting me throughout this time, laying beneath a pile of wood. Out cold he laid, not moving.

I shook his hand to wake him but nothing. Another shook came once more making me duck low as more floorboards came crashing down. Once decreased I sat up once more not knowing what to do. Many thoughts rushed through my mind as I tried to figure out where to escape. Looking around the once plain room, that lay wood in massive rumble from the upper part of the house; I saw that the fireplace was still in contact. Quickly I crawl towards the man as I pushed most of the wreckage off him but finding it a hard task to do so. I steadily get upon my feet finding balance between shakes, I tried with all my new regained strength to pull him through the mess that laid up top of him.

One hard tug, thrown back on my back I had pulled him free of the rumble; but at the same time more and more came down like rain drops in a storm. Which looked exactly like a storm came through this room. Getting up as fast as I could; I crawled towards him, I put one of his arms around my neck as I tried to lift him. For being weak already, we fell back down on the floor. Panting and coughing from the lack of clean air, I called forth for my inner strength to help us through. I do not know if I was answered but I grabbed each of his hands pulling him through the mess. A great snapping sound that was deathing and the sound of shattering glass was heard as the whole house came down upon us. We were trap beneath for our faith to come...

Check out Chapter 2!