Disclaimer: I don't own Eragon or anything associated with the Inheritance Cycle.
Claimer: I, SussieKitten, own this plot and the story. Borrow or steal my plot, my original characters (Aksel) or story and I will report you. I also own my version of Saphira/Thorn's human appearances.
Warnings: Male and female homosexuality. Heterosexuality. Swearing or strong language. Mentioned Character Death – Genuine (Paolini's) Character. Mild Gore and Blood. If any of this disturbs you, click on the "back" button. I won't tolerate any flames.
A/N A huge thanks to everyone who reviewed and to those that read this story. It really means a lot to hear from you.
This story is still unbeta'ed.
This is where Eragon makes his entrance. Now let's see how many like it. Hehe.
POISON
Part Three; Ricin
Murtagh came a little early for his next appointment. Angela had the door open and waved him inside another room. It had two armchairs half facing each other and a desk in the other end. There was a small table in-between the chairs and the rest of the room had an almost comfortable feel to it. Murtagh instantly disliked it.
"Just sit down. I'm sure Rider will be here at any moment," Angela said and smiled. "I promise I'll go easy on you this time. Actually, he's done this before, so I'll explain the procedures to you."
Murtagh winced.
"Basically you two are going to be talking. It will seem weird at first because you don't know one another, but that's the point. You're not here to judge; just to be a shoulder to lean on."
"If he's been through this before, why is he still coming to you?"
Angela looked terribly uncomfortable all of a sudden.
"I shouldn't have asked," Murtagh bowed his head.
Angela sighed. "It's alright, Murtagh. You're allowed to be curious. Oh, there he is."
Murtagh sighed, but didn't look up. He heard her exchange pleasantries with whoever it was. He only looked up when he heard his name being mentioned.
"This is Murtagh Morann," Angela said and smiled softly. "He's the one I told you about."
Murtagh instantly felt exposed. She had told this other guy about him but refused to return the favour? He sighed and stood.
"And this is Eragon Rider," Angela's smile widened ever so slightly.
Murtagh felt his eyes widen slightly. The boy in front of him was about a head shorter than him and obviously a few years younger. He had soft brown hair that looked overly messy, probably due to the wind. Sharp, dark brown eyes seemed to almost glow. Eragon smiled sheepishly and held out his hand. Murtagh shook it softly.
"Nice to meet you," Eragon said and let go.
"Likewise," Murtagh murmured and sat back down. He could almost not take his eyes off Eragon as the other did so as well.
"Now that you've met each other, start talking," Angela said sweetly. "I promise not to intervene unless it's absolutely necessary."
Eragon and Murtagh stared awkwardly at each other. Murtagh leaned back in his seat. He let his left arm rest on the armrest while his right lay partially on top of his thigh. His fingers drummed softly as the silence continued on.
Eragon's arms were crossed over his chest and he seemed almost awkward. If he had done this before, Murtagh didn't think it looked like it.
"So...I haven't seen you before," Eragon said sheepishly. "Are you, um, new here?"
"Yes," Murtagh said softly. "I just moved here a few months ago."
"Oh, cool," Eragon smiled. "I've lived here nearly all my life. It's awesome here."
Murtagh just gave a half-smile.
"It's not great or anything, but its home," the brunet smiled fondly. "Where did you move from?"
Murtagh's face hardened. "I'd rather not talk about that."
"I'm sorry," Eragon stuttered.
"Its fine, how could you know?" Murtagh shrugged.
Silence. Murtagh started to tap a melody with his fingers. He was very aware of Eragon's eyes following his fingers movement. He was tempted to stop.
"How long have you been coming here?" Murtagh asked gruffly, his voice changing without him meaning it to. He winced.
Eragon looked down. "For eight years," he muttered. "Ever since I turned twelve."
"I'm sorry."
Eragon looked up. Something flashed in his eyes. "How about you then?"
Murtagh pursed his lips. "Since I got here."
Something else lit up in the dark eyes. Recognition. His heart sped up.
"Oh, I see," Eragon bit his lip. "Prison?"
Murtagh was slightly intimidated by Eragon's insightfulness. He merely nodded.
"Yeah, for some it's a part of the rehabilitation program," Eragon let out a soft laugh.
Murtagh frowned. "Have you?"
Eragon blushed. "No! I mean, no," he rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. "But I know some people who had to see Angela after being away."
He nodded. That made sense. For some reason, Carvahall seemed like a haven for ex-cons. Murtagh nearly laughed at the irony. Quiet little Carvahall; ex-con central.
"How long were you in for?" Eragon asked softly, clearly a little intimidated by his earlier display of hostility.
"Six years," Murtagh sighed.
Eragon's eyes widened. "Wow."
"Hn."
Another pause. Murtagh crocked his head slightly, trying to hear if Angela was scribbling notes like he was so used to. He was surprised when he heard nothing from her side of the room.
"I'm sure you don't want to talk about why you were inside," Eragon trailed off. "So, um, how was it?"
Murtagh had to give it to him. The kid was actually courageous.
"It was alright," he replied. "Not nearly as bad as some make it to be. Then again, I wasn't harassed by the other inmates. They stayed clear of me and I stayed away from them."
Eragon's eyes widened, though this time Murtagh wasn't sure why. Murtagh saw him mouth something and instantly caught the words. He smirked.
"I'm not a serial killer if that's what you're worried about."
Eragon jumped. "Wha?"
"Just now, you were saying 'it's always the quiet ones'. I'm not a cold-blooded killer." His voice caught at the last word. He hoped Eragon hadn't noticed. Eragon must have though, for he tensed slightly. Murtagh fought the urge to look over and glare at Angela, just to tell her 'I told you so'.
"Then what were you in for?" Eragon whispered shakily.
"I'm not going to hurt you," Murtagh said calmly. "What I did in my past is just that; my past."
Murtagh heard Angela push her chair back, obviously getting ready to interfere if she felt that things got out of hand.
"I-I -" Eragon shook his head and stood up shakily. "What are you?"
"Eragon, that's enough!" Angela said firmly.
"No, I want to know! What if he's some kind of -"
"He's not!" Angela interrupted.
Murtagh's gaze was directed at the floor. Even if Angela had interrupted Eragon, he knew what the brunet had been about to say. Monster. He swallowed.
"I'll take my leave now," he said softly. He looked up and looked at Angela sadly. "I told you this was a mistake."
Angela opened her mouth, but it was too late. Before Eragon could even get out of his seat, Murtagh had stormed out of the room.
-:-
"Who was it? Tell me and I'll fucking kick him to the ground!" Thorn snarled.
Murtagh sighed. He had managed to avoid Thorn for three days before the redhead had almost literally broken into his apartment and demanded to know what had happened. Murtagh had tried to assure Thorn that nothing had happened, but apparently he was still a horrible liar.
"It's alright, Thorn," Murtagh said softly. He avoided looking at Thorn when he talked. He was sure he was an even worse liar if Thorn was looking him in the eye.
"It's not bloody alright!" Thorn growled. "No one calls my best friend a, a -!" he growled loudly and Murtagh winced when he heard the wall creak. He flashed a quick look in Thorn's direction.
"Could you try not to bring the whole building down?" Murtagh asked almost teasingly.
Thorn blinked. He pulled his fist back and laughed awkwardly at the small dent it had left behind. "Well, what do you know?" he shook his head. "Nu-uh, ain't working!" he narrowed his eyes. "Who was it?"
"Just some kid," Murtagh shrugged. "It's fine. It's not likely that I'll ever see him again, anyway."
"Nope, not good enough," Thorn pulled out his cell phone. "I'll need his full name, social security number, address and phone number."
"I have none of those," Murtagh said and started to massage his temples. He shouldn't be so surprised, and yet he was. He remembered how protective Thorn had been when they had been younger.
"Alright, just his name then," the redhead said sourly. "And description if you please."
"Thorn, no," Murtagh said firmly. "The kid was suspicious of me, something he had every right to be. I'm not going to let you beat his skull in just because he had some sense in his head."
"Che," Thorn snorted. "I've never seen you take cover like this before. He deserves to be told just what the saying 'don't judge a book by its cover' means."
"It doesn't matter to me, Thorn," Murtagh stood up and walked over to him. He gently gripped one of his shoulders. "It's not the first time and it won't be the last."
Thorn growled under his breath.
"It doesn't matter, alright?" Murtagh murmured. "I'm used to it. I won't be doing any shared sessions anymore, and that's more than fine with me."
"You-you're used to it?"
Murtagh rubbed a hand tiredly over his forehead. "You have to let this go. So what if one more person here is afraid of me? It's not a big deal."
The phone chose that moment to ring. Murtagh snorted.
"Aren't you going to get that?" Thorn nodded in the phone's general direction.
"No."
The redhead narrowed his eyes. He stalked towards the couch where the cordless lay.
"It's just Angela calling for another appointment," Murtagh said tiredly. "I don't want it."
Thorn snorted loudly and made a big show of pressed the button and putting the phone to his ear. "Thorn speaking."
Murtagh let out a groan. "It's my phone, moron."
Thorn smirked. "Yes, this is Mur – Eragon?" he laughed loudly.
Murtagh's heart stopped in his chest. What now? Wasn't insulting him to his face enough? Now people called to tell him just how big of a monster he was?
"What are you calling Murtagh for? He's hardly the social butterfly. I doubt he's handing out his number."
Murtagh gulped. "Thorn, hang up."
Thorn frowned. "Don't be such a bastard," he mouthed. "Hmm, what did you say? Yeah, he's here."
Murtagh shook his head.
"What now?" Thorn muttered. He was moving closer now. "Just hold on a sec, Eragon."
"Wait, you know him?" Murtagh asked quietly.
"Sure. He's Saphira's best friend," Thorn said and held out the phone. "C'mon."
His mouth fell open. He hadn't realised they could be the same person. He had barely registered the name when Saphira had mentioned him, but now that Murtagh thought back, he remembered it being Eragon.
Murtagh shook his head. "He's better off without talking to monsters like me," he said coldly.
Thorn frowned. "Hey now -" he cut himself off. "Monster?" his eyes widened. "The fuck? No, it can't – it was him?"
Murtagh smiled sadly. "He's a bright kid," he murmured. "Tell him to not call again, could you? I prefer not to be harassed in my own home."
Thorn lifted the phone back to his ear. Murtagh turned around and padded into the kitchen. He stared out of the small window and tried to ignore the wounded look he saw in the reflection of his eyes.
Thorn's voice was a mere buzzing from where he was standing. He hung his head and leaned onto the side of the fridge. His sweater rode up slightly and when his bare skin meeting the white surface, he instantly shuddered.
"Listen here, Eragon; Murtagh moved away from a lot of shit. He doesn't appreciate being judged for trying to escape from that."
Murtagh frowned. He'd rather that Thorn would stop telling his secrets to a perfect stranger he was never going to meet again.
"Oh," Thorn sounded surprised. "Well yes, that does sound like Murtagh."
Murtagh turned around and glared in Thorn's direction. To his surprise, he found himself staring into Thorn's eyes. He blinked and looked away.
"Hey, with someone like him, asking the wrong questions is a given," Thorn laughed. "It's the name-calling that really gets to him."
Murtagh smiled bitterly. He wondered how things were going to work out in the future. Going to the wedding didn't seem like such a good idea anymore.
"Um, I don't think that would be such a good idea."
Murtagh snorted.
"Could you wait a sec? Yeah, thanks." Murtagh could practically hear the smile in Thorn's voice. He turned around and crocked an eyebrow at the redhead. Thorn just smirked. "What were you saying again, Eragon?"
Murtagh could only widen his eyes before a new voice rung softly in the apartment.
"What, you want me to repeat it? I made a mistake. You know how I hate people for being too judgemental. Guess that came back to bite me in the ass."
Murtagh licked his lips. Thorn waved the phone he had put on speaker and smirked. "Yeah, that's a bitch isn't it?"
"Totally," Eragon sighed. "But there's no chance he'll forgive me, right?"
"Maybe not right now." Thorn winked. "But hey, who knows what the future might bring?"
"Are you kidding me? If someone had almost called me what I was about to call him, I'd never forgive them," Eragon snorted.
"Give Murtagh some credit. He's been called worse and lived through it."
Murtagh blinked. He narrowed his eyes at Thorn and made a motion for him to cut the conversation short. Thorn's smirk widened. "What was that?" he mouthed.
"Cut it off!" Murtagh mouthed back.
Thorn cupped his ear. "What?"
"Still, I feel bloody terrible," Eragon sighed loudly. "I don't blame him though. Tell him I'm sorry and that I won't be bothering him again?"
"I think you've done the work for me, kid," Thorn laughed.
"What?"
"You fuckhead!" Murtagh shouted and leaped at him.
"I'll call you later, Eragon," Thorn said and hung up. Murtagh was on him a second later. Thorn had no time to react. They fell to the floor with a loud crash, Murtagh on top of the other.
"What'd you do that for?" Murtagh growled.
"Well, I figured that since you wouldn't willingly talk to him, listening could just as easily work," Thorn shrugged. "You got his point, didn't you?"
Murtagh sneered.
"And I haven't seen you this worked up in nearly twelve years," Thorn said. "Something must have gotten through to you."
"Maybe I just like my privacy, the thing you were flaunting in a total stranger's face!" Murtagh hissed.
Thorn sighed. He pushed himself up, something that Murtagh wasn't ready for. Murtagh let out a small pained sound when his head hit the floor with a smack. "Asshole."
Thorn laughed. He helped Murtagh to his feet. "Eragon isn't a stranger."
"Not to you," Murtagh told him coldly. "I don't plan to see him again."
"He's feeling awful, Murtagh," Thorn said softly.
"I don't care," he said harshly. "I'm doing fine on my own, which is why I won't be seeing Angela again."
Thorn shook his head. "Don't do this, Murtagh."
"Also, I won't be coming to your wedding," Murtagh said coldly and turned around. He walked over to the door and shoved his feet into the first pair of shoes he could find. Thankfully they were his. "Lock up after yourself, would you?"
And then he left.
-:-
"You've been awfully quiet lately," Orrin said bluntly.
Murtagh didn't reply. His shift was almost halfway over, but thanks to it being Saturday it was as busy as ever. And when midnight hit, he knew it would be busier still.
It had been a week since Eragon had called. Murtagh had briefly been worried that he would call again, but so far only Angela had. Murtagh had met his parole officer face to face for the third time that same week. The first time he had done so he had immediately recognised Nasuada's features in Ajihad. It had only served to make him more nervous. So far nothing bad had happened, though Ajihad had recognised him after the second meeting. Apparently Nasuada talked about him.
Murtagh looked up just in time to see Nasuada slip into the back. Arya was back there. He smiled softly when he thought about what they were doing. It was sort of a public secret that they were dating. That was why he hadn't been worried when Ajihad had recognised him. Nasuada wasn't interested in him.
"Here comes your favourite customer," Orrin laughed.
Murtagh's eyes widened. He took one look at the door before ducking down. Orrin frowned.
"I'm not here," he hissed.
Orrin opened his mouth to speak, but the other person beat him to it.
"Is Murtagh here?"
"Nah, sorry," Orrin grinned sheepishly.
Murtagh clenched his eyes shut.
"Damnit," Saphira hissed.
"Why? Having a rendezvous with him later that you need to cancel?"
Murtagh rolled his eyes.
"No, I'm trying to get him to talk to Eragon," Saphira said dryly. "He's escaped me so far, but I figured that I could at least catch him here."
"Oh," Orrin blinked. "Well, if I see him I'll pass the message along."
"Thank you."
Murtagh heard her leave. He muttered curses under his breath without even realising it. Orrin looked down at him and crocked an eyebrow.
"So, what's up?" he asked.
"Nothing," Murtagh growled and stood up. He didn't care if she saw him now; he was about ready to leave, his job be damned.
"Seriously? I mean, we've been acquainted for a few months now, but this is the first time I've seen you act like that," Orrin drawled. "And when the person you're hiding from is sweet little Saphira, I have to ask why."
Murtagh had gotten used to the emotion that was building up in him. It had surprised him the first time, but by now he was quite used to feeling irritated.
"I have my reasons," Murtagh said coldly and went back to putting away the dirty glasses.
"But it's Saphira!"
Murtagh just sent him a glare and grabbed the tray of glasses, intending to take them out back to clean them. Orrin blocked his way. "It's that serious?" he asked softly.
Murtagh shouldered his way around him. The redhead thankfully didn't try to hold him back.
"Murtagh!"
He cursed. He had started to do that too; cursing. It felt strange and familiar all at once.
"I'm busy," he told her coldly.
Saphira narrowed her eyes at him and pursed her lips. "All I'm asking -"
"I know quite well what you want," he snapped. Saphira backed away a step. "Tell that kid whatever that'll make him feel better and make him leave me alone."
"But -"
"No, I know he hasn't harassed me, but you have on his behalf," he said coldly. "All I want is to forget that it ever happened."
She opened her mouth to speak yet again, but he cut her off for the second time.
"I don't care how much he regrets what he did, the fact remains that he did do it," he clenched his jaw. "I may have made a few mistakes, but even people like me have feelings."
She remained silent.
"It was not my idea to go through with it," he continued. "Had I had it my way, I would never have stepped into that room in the first place. I do not need someone to listen to my sob stories, and I certainly don't need any pity. Just tell him to grow up and forget we ever crossed paths."
He felt oddly calm as he walked away from her and manoeuvred his way to the back of the bar.
-:-
Thorn did not look pleased. Murtagh was tempted to wince.
"I'm sorry I told your fiancée off. It was totally uncalled for," he said softly.
Thorn just snorted. "If you'd apologise to her in person, I might forgive you."
Murtagh bit back a nasty reply. That was new too. He wasn't used to feeling angry at Thorn. A lot of things seemed to be changing.
"Fine, I'll call her."
"No," Thorn said firmly. "Face-to-face."
Murtagh slung down the phone onto the table. He was lucky it didn't break and he knew it.
"Fuck you, Thorn! Who are you to boss me around? If I do not want to see her then I do not want to see her!" he roared.
Thorn looked shocked. Murtagh panted softly and realised it was the first time he had yelled, properly yelled at his friend in years.
"It's not her you're avoiding and you know it," the redhead said finally.
"So what?" Murtagh replied tiredly.
"All he wants to do is to -"
"I honestly don't care." He shook his head and laughed bitterly. "I don't. The damage has been done, and that's that."
"This doesn't only concern you, Murtagh," Thorn said coldly.
"I'm not that self-centred," he replied just as coldly. "But I'm struggling here, trying to get back on my feet, and every time I hear someone say that, I fall right back to the bottom. Forgive me for trying not to get hurt."
"We all get hurt. It's a part of our everyday life!" Thorn snorted. "I'm not asking you to do me a huge favour."
"No, just to sit down and listen to a little kid tell me how sorry he is for calling me what I rightfully am."
Murtagh didn't see it coming, but he sure felt it. He fell to the floor, his hand cradling a stinging cheek. He didn't make a sound.
"You absolute prick. Eragon's sorry because he reacted too quickly, judged you too soon. How can you be mad at him if you believe his assumptions to be true?" the taller male hissed.
"Have you ever looked yourself in the mirror and tried to convince yourself that the thing staring back at you wasn't your own reflection?" Murtagh asked as he slowly got back to his feet. "Have you ever stopped looking at your reflection because you couldn't deny the horrid truth anymore? Imagine everyone around you saying that truth to your face, judging you with their eyes," he hissed. "It's a pain like no other. That is why I refuse to see him again. I'll only see the horror in his eyes. I wouldn't even be able to hear what he'd say, because the terror would be staring back at me, the terror and loathing of what I really am."
A monster.
Thorn looked at him like he had never seen him before. "Che," he looked down and shook his head sadly. "You're impossible."
"I know."
Thorn shook his head and left. Murtagh wasn't sure if he was relieved or not.
-:-
He bumped into her by surprise, but for some strange reason he felt oddly relieved. A week had passed since he had snapped at her, and he and Thorn hadn't spoken since.
"Oh, hello," Saphira said meekly.
Murtagh wondered why he hadn't seen her before; he shopped there every Thursday. He shook the thought away just as quickly. He had other things to do.
"I, ah, wanted to apologise for the other night," he said softly. "I didn't mean to snap at you."
A soft smile. Murtagh wondered what he had done to deserve that.
"No, it's alright. I understand," she shook her head softly. "We must have been driving you crazy."
He didn't comment. If he was crazy already, how could they drive him crazier? "A little," he said instead. He didn't want to scare her away completely.
She smiled. "Again, I have to apologise on Eragon's behalf. He still wants to apologise himself, but somehow I get the feeling you wouldn't like that too much."
He grimaced. Was he that transparent? He guessed he was.
"Just tell him he's forgiven and not to worry about it anymore," he said and prepared to leave.
"But he really hit a nerve. Even I can see that."
Murtagh sighed. Why did everyone have to poke around in his head?
"I'll admit that he did, but it's all in the past," he said softly. "I've forgotten it already."
"No, you haven't," she told him sharply. "I can see it in your eyes."
"Then you should also see that I do not wish to talk about it," Murtagh told her softly, yet firmly.
He wanted to get away, and that now.
She looked at him sadly. No, he didn't want her to feel sorry for him, and he believed he had told her so a week ago. Maybe she had been too focused on being scared of him rather than his hurtful words?
"Are you still going to Angela?" she asked.
"No."
"Don't stop going because of Eragon."
"It's because of myself," he told her calmly. "There's nothing more she can do for me, and I've done the acquired numbers of sessions for the first six months. I'll see her again later."
"But she's really helping you. Even I can see that," Saphira bit her lip.
"Talking to someone about horrors that won't go away can only help so much," he said bitterly. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'd like to get back to my shopping."
He didn't look back as he walked away.
-:-
Murtagh wasn't sure just how Tornac had convinced him to come back, but he thought it had something to do with the vivid nightmare Tornac had oh-so-conveniently interrupted and witnessed him throw up because of. He had tried to convince Tornac to leave him alone, but ever since the older man had gotten his health back, he had been more stubborn to see him get better as well.
Murtagh looked up at the building and flinched when a car honked behind him. Tornac. The man had even insisted that he'd take Murtagh there; obviously not trusting him to go on his own. With good reason.
He sighed and entered the building. He took the stairs up to the third floor and pushed open the door to the reception. The girl behind the reception perked up when she recognised him. He ignored her and sank down into one of the mattered chairs.
He just wanted the whole ordeal over and done with. And it certainly didn't help that Tornac had told him that he'd happily pay for every session that fell out of the required amount of session the court had given him.
"Dr. Vitch will be with you in a second," the girl purred.
Murtagh didn't look up. He knew that; there was no need for her to say that every time he came.
A few minutes ticked by. He tried to recite the lyrics to one of his favourite songs as he waited, but he always came to a sudden halt after the second chorus. He sighed and gave up. Murtagh looked up just in time to see the door open.
The first thing he saw was Eragon coming out.
He stiffened. Damnit. He should have known Angela would have set this up! Murtagh slouched and pretended not to have seen him. He hoped Eragon wouldn't recognise him.
"Oh, there you are, Murtagh."
Damn Angela, damn her! Murtagh was no longer startled when he started to curse someone mentally. He looked up and sent her a glare.
"Well?" she held the door open expectantly.
Murtagh stood up stiffly. Eragon still hadn't left. His wide and shocked eyes hadn't left him either.
"Or maybe you wish to wait a few more minutes?" Angela said innocently.
He wanted to curse at her, but held his tongue. "No, thank you. I'd like to get this over with," he said coldly and stalked forward and into the room, his eyes never meeting Eragon's.
If that wouldn't stop him from caring about him, then Murtagh didn't know what else he could do.
Murtagh vaguely heard Angela begin to apologise, but she cut herself off. He looked over his shoulder to find out why. Eragon was staring at him darkly. His hands were clenched into fists at his sides and he was practically glowing with anger.
"You're a right bastard," Eragon spat at him. Murtagh soaked in the angered words. "If you didn't want to forgive me, fine, but at least tell me!"
"That would defeat the purpose of not forgiving you," Murtagh said nonchalantly. "And I have forgiven you. I simply do not wish to talk to you."
Eragon's mouth fell open. Murtagh felt vaguely amused when he started to open and close it, obviously having been rendered speechless.
A minute passed before Eragon got his bearings back. He glared at Murtagh and stormed away. Murtagh felt himself begin to smile, but killed it quickly. At least that annoyance was out of his life.
When he looked away, Angela had already placed herself behind her desk and was watching him with a calculated gaze. Once again he found himself wondering what she saw when she looked at him.
"Are you going to give me a lecture as well?" he asked her, biting back the bitter tone just before he started to speak.
"No," her eyes sparkled a little strangely. "By your tone, you have one or two to look forward to already."
He just snorted. Angela smiled softly.
"I realise that you weren't quite ready to have a shared session. I won't schedule for one until you're ready."
He frowned. He didn't want another one, period. He told her so.
"You shouldn't throw away the opportunity just yet, Murtagh," she said. "Something good might come of it."
Might, she had said. They both knew it wasn't a safe bet. Murtagh allowed himself to feel slightly smug about that fact before schooling himself for another session.
"How about we try something new?" Angela said and pulled out her notebook. "Would you like to tell me about one of your nightmares?"
Murtagh sighed. And so it began anew.
-:-
Six months. It was surreal to think he had been there for so long. The winter had faded away to spring, though there was still a slight chill in the air.
Murtagh hadn't seen Eragon since their second meeting. He had been very surprised when Thorn hadn't called or showed up to yell at him. Maybe Eragon hadn't told? That sounded odd, considering how close they all were.
Time passed slowly without Thorn around. Or maybe Eragon had in fact told Thorn, and now Thorn simply refused to speak to him again. Murtagh laughed bitterly. Though it didn't sound like something the redhead would do, what else was he left to believe? That he was still mad that Murtagh hadn't apologised to Eragon?
That was a more likely scenario. But Murtagh was screwed either way. And the bottle of liquor that he had found the other day was suddenly starting to look very tempting.
The door slammed open in that instant. If Murtagh had been paranoid, he would have wondered about conspiracy theories to keep him from drinking.
"Alright, I give," Thorn practically growled. "Just what will it fucking take for you to talk to Eragon?"
Murtagh blinked. So he hadn't told after all. Because he doubted that if Eragon had told Saphira, she would have kept it from Thorn.
"I have talked to him," Murtagh said calmly. "And by your demeanour, you know that I've already talked to Saphira."
Thorn stared at him in shock. "You have?"
Murtagh tilted his head. "Two or three weeks ago," he replied softly. "Angela set it up."
Thorn blinked. He shook his head and planted himself firmly beside Murtagh. "And?"
Murtagh sighed. "I told him I had forgiven him."
"...And?" Thorn pushed on.
"And that I did not want to see him again," he said and shrugged.
Thorn blinked again. "...And he just left?"
Murtagh nodded. Thorn frowned, looking thoroughly confused. "But he..."
"Hn?"
Thorn looked up. He smirked softly. "Told you Angela was helping you."
"Avoiding the subject is what I do, Thorn," Murtagh told him dully.
"Ah, it's nothing," the redhead shrugged.
"It's never nothing. Not when you make that face." Murtagh crossed his arms. "Which means it's something you do not wish to tell me."
Thorn smirked. "I never claimed that you were dumb."
"Why, thank you," Murtagh rolled his eyes. "If you don't want to tell me, say so. It's better than lying."
"I'll turn those words on you one day; you know," Thorn grinned. "And fine, I don't want to tell you."
Murtagh nodded softly.
"So, how've you been?"
Murtagh groaned. "If you could refrain from parroting my shrink, I'd appreciate it."
Thorn just laughed.
-:-
He supposed it was inevitable. There was no way the walls could have been as thick as he would have liked them to be.
He found out how thin they actually were, or maybe how loud he could be, one day down in the washing room.
"307, right?"
Murtagh looked up. The dryer was due to be finished in a few minutes, and so far he hadn't seen anyone else. He had passed a few people when he had come down with his laundry and when he had walked back down to pick it up, but no one had greeted him. It didn't matter to Murtagh; it was not like he wanted more friends.
"That's right," Murtagh said nonchalantly. He didn't offer his name.
The man before him looked horribly bored and suspicious at the same time. His bright blue eyes were almost glaring into Murtagh's, and his black hair was pulled back into a low ponytail. The man pushed a strand of hair away from his face. "Vanir Therr, 309."
Murtagh narrowed his eyes slightly. 309? That meant that this man his next door neighbour.
"Murtagh Morann," Murtagh said out of courtesy. He didn't want to appear too rude either.
"Hn." Murtagh crocked an eyebrow. That was the first time he had hear someone beside him use that word. Or sound, as it were. "You're the nightmare guy," Vanir said bluntly.
Murtagh froze. The machine beside him gave a soft 'pling' to announce that it was finished.
"Excuse me?" Murtagh asked calmly. It had been a long time since he had disliked someone upon sight.
"Every other night you wake up screaming. It's barely audible, but loud enough; especially if someone shares your bedroom wall," Vanir drawled. "That's why your other neighbour remains in the dark."
Murtagh clenched his jaw.
"Can I help you with something?" If the guy asked him to keep it down, Murtagh wasn't sure he could keep himself from punching him.
"Yeah. You could go and see a shrink or something."
His right eye was starting to twitch. That was new. Murtagh snorted and stuffed his now dry clothes into a bag and slammed the door shut. He needed to keep his temper in check.
"If it bothers you so much, get earplugs," he muttered as he walked past the other man.
"Tried. It didn't work," Vanir called after him.
Murtagh didn't reply.
-:-
It was one of his typical nightmares, but it still scared him.
He had a knife in his hand and he was forcing it into the monster's stomach. Again and again the knife would slip through the flesh with a sickening sound, and each time he pulled it back, he would get another splotch of blood on him. He stabbed the monster in the stomach, chest and neck. The blood was burning on his skin, but still he kept on stabbing.
Suddenly the knife wasn't there anymore and he was staring down at what had used to be a monster. Now all he could see was his father's grey and slowly decaying corpse. Everything else was red, but his father remained cold and grey.
He started to shake. He raised his hands to eye level. They were black with coagulated blood. He started to sob. And when he looked down, he looked straight into his father's dead eyes.
Suddenly they blinked and weren't dead anymore. He screamed.
Murtagh sat up and found himself staring at his hands, a scream lodged in his throat. The light flashed and suddenly everything was red. He ran and found himself throwing up violently into the sink.
He kept his head low as he rinsed the taste from his mouth and brushed his teeth for good measure. He did not want to look himself in the mirror.
As he stumbled out of the bathroom, he couldn't help but to feel sicker. His neighbour, the stuck up asshole, had he heard? Had Murtagh screamed again that night? He held a hand to his forehead. Great, it felt warm. He found a thermometer and crawled onto the couch, a blanket thrown around him. He shuddered slightly as he waited for the high from being sick to dissipate.
He was dizzy and he didn't like it. He put the thermometer in his mouth and turned on the TV. He was blinking drowsily by the time the thermometer beeped softly. He tugged it out and grimaced. Great, he had a slight fever.
Murtagh went over the small closet, tugged out a bucket and splashed some water into it. Then he found some painkillers in the bathroom, a mug of ice-water and a glass, found a thicker blanket and picked up his pillow before lying down on the couch.
He dozed off before he was even aware of his eyelids slipping shut.
-:-
There was a perfectly good reason why Thorn sat beside him, nursing a rather purple jaw.
Murtagh had dozed in and out of sleep, and during each period he had been graced with a new nightmare. Every time he saw the same thing; himself standing over his father's dead body, killing him, his father coming back to life to kill him.
It was no wonder that he had lashed out when he had seen someone standing over him after having just witnessed his father lash out with a knife. But when he had seen Thorn sprawled on the floor, Murtagh had winced. Nothing good would come of this, of that he was sure.
"...So, that was new," Thorn said finally. "Is that your new way of greeting me?"
Murtagh sighed. "No. You caught me in a bad time."
"Obviously," Thorn snorted. "So what was the nightmare about?"
Murtagh just pursed his lips.
"Ah," Thorn muttered. "Then why were you sleeping in here?"
"Not feeling too good," Murtagh groaned. "And my fucking neighbour decided to tell me that he knows I have nightmares, and would I please seek consoling, because he can't sleep through my screaming."
The redhead fell silent. He snorted amusedly after a very long minute. "Talk about irony, huh?"
Murtagh just rolled his eyes.
"But maybe you should...you know...get some meds," Thorn said softly. "Anything that makes you act like that and puke, if I am to judge that bucket correctly, can't be healthy."
"I never claimed it was," Murtagh said dully.
"Why are you doing this, Tag?" Thorn said tiredly. "Please. We just want what's best for you."
"I just- I don't want to rely on meds to fucking sleep," he muttered. Wow, it hurt to lie.
"And what was it you so cleverly said to me the other day?" Murtagh winced. "It's better to tell me you don't want to talk about it than to lie, I think it was. So?"
"Then I don't want to talk about it."
"Then you're an ass," Thorn snorted. "You need to talk about this."
"Oh, so when it concerns you, it's back off," Murtagh barely held back a sneer, "but when it concerns me its fair game?"
"What I didn't want to tell you wasn't my secret to share," Thorn said calmly.
Murtagh just narrowed his eyes.
"Don't give me that look!" Thorn stood up. "What I didn't share doesn't make me lash out at random people!"
Murtagh couldn't hold back the hurt glare he sent at his best friend.
"I just want to help."
"I don't want or need your help," Murtagh sneered.
"Don't be a fool! Everyone needs help, especially you," the redhead hissed.
"Too bad I won't be getting any, then," Murtagh growled. "Get out! GET OUT!"
Thorn shot him one last helpless look before stomping out.
A/N This is where I apologise for taking so long with updating. Life has gotten insanely hectic lately. I'm currently involved in two college courses, both which take up a lot of my time. But I still write daily, which I'm basically encouraged to do because of my second college course – Creative Writing. If only I could write fanfiction for them, right? Hehe. I'm joking.
I have 5 more finished chapters of this story, but I'm still going to post them about twice a month. Because while I have been writing, I have just written things that come to mind, and that's not always fanfiction material. So bear with me.
But I have actually managed to work a little on this story. My other WIP stories haven't been worked on as much, sadly. I'm doing the best I can, but I hope you all can be patient and understanding. I'd rather not work on them for a couple of weeks than to force something onto paper that's not my best work.
Also, I'm off to Las Vegas in two weeks. When I come home, I have an exam, so updating wise, you probably won't hear from me until the second week of November. I'll keep my profile up-to-date, so if you're wondering about the status of certain stories and so on, feel free to check out my profile. You can also message me, but don't panic if I don't get back to you right away. I will do it eventually – I just need to finish any school work I have first.
And that's all for now, I think. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. See you again soon, and if I don't post anything before Halloween, then have a Happy All-Hallows Eve!
