Chapter Five - Bad Dreams & Good Luck
Before
It was a dark night, one that was particularly warm. It helped to calm Alfie's four year old nerves, that and the hand that held his own.
"Sis, where are we going?" he asked his older sister who held his hand. She looked down at him with a comforting smile, the one she always used when he was scared.
"To mom and dad, remember silly?" she said to him, "They waiting for us." There was a note of uncertainty in her voice. Yet, Alfie nodded not catching it with his young mind. He just squeezed her hand which she did in return. Together they walked in the forest, the leaves fluttering with the night breeze. His sister lead the way as she held the flashlight in her other hand, lighting the path ahead. Alfie hated the darkness around them though; it made him shiver. However, he put on a brave face refusing to be scared in front of his sister.
"I think we're here," she said letting go of his hand to check the message their parents had sent them. Alfie looked around for his parents, desperately wanting to hear their voices. Instead, he heard a growl from somewhere.
"Sis," he cried, "Something is out there." His sister turned, stepping in front of him.
"Alfie stay here," she commanded scanning the area.
"But," he gripped her arm, she kneeled down smiling at him.
"I'll be right back," She promised ruffling his dark blue locks. "Promise."
His sister reached into her jeans pocket and pulled out a pendant that glowed purple in the darkness.
"A good luck charm," she said slipping it over his head. Then she was gone walking into the darkness. Alfie could only see her outline from the flashlight's glow. Alfie took a hesitant step back, gripping the pendant. His foot hit something soft, Alfie looked down, not able to make it out. Then, he heard the scream and the crash.
"Sis!" he yelled, the flashlight beam shining on him. Alfie saw it too then, a massive grim looming over him. It's claws posed to strike. He screamed falling back. His hand hit something wet and warm. He looked back and saw the dead eyes staring back at him.
"Mommy," he whispered as the grim's claws came down on him.
Alfie woke in a cold sweat and jerked upright. His breathing was ragged and the thin fabric of his sweater stuck to his back and chest. Alfie took a deep but shaky breath, looking around the dark room. It was still full of the sleeping forms of his fellow first years. Lenox slept peacefully beside him.
"Just a dream," he told himself softly, though he knew that was a lie. Alfie reached for the chain around his neck. Tugging on it, he pulling the pendant out from under his sweater. It glowed a faint purple color in the lowlight of the room.
"Just a dream," Alfie repeated to himself before settling back onto his sleeping bag, his heart racing from the terrible memory.
Ruby awoke early that morning her body full of excitement and anxiety for the days trails. Yang was still soundly asleep next to her, as were most everyone in the room. The sun hadn't even risen yet, but Ruby crept off her sleeping bag and maneuvered around them, walking to the nearest balcony she found. It was a quiet morning. Ruby leaned on the railing, thinking about the test that was hours away. She did not doubt her abilities, they were what got her to Beacon a full two years before her peers. No, with Crescent Rose in her hands and her speed she was ready to take on any enemy. Ruby was so lost in thought she didn't hear someone crept up behind until .
"You're up early, Ruby."
Ruby jumped at the sound of the voice. Turning around, she found Alfie standing before her, a faint smile on his face.
"Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you," he apologized. Ruby shook her head.
"No, no, It's fine," she replied, "and you're up early too." Alfie got an oddly sad look in his golden eyes.
"Bad dream," he told her coming to stand beside her at the railing.
"Sorry."
"No, it was nothing," He said, "So how about you, up early cause you're nervous or excited ?"
"Both," Ruby answered honestly. Alfie nodded watching the first rays of the sun peeked over the horizon. They made Alfie's golden eyes smolder like embers of a fire.
"Alfie, how come we never met before now?" Ruby blurted out. She looked away, her ears burning. However, Alfie didn't laugh or look embarrassed.
"I don't know," he said with a soft kind voice, making Ruby look at him, "Maybe it's because we were in different grades, or because Lenox and Yang only hung out together without us." Alfie looked thoughtfully at the horizon. "But we can get to know each other now," he suggested looking at her.
"Like friends?" she asked timidly. Alfie held his hand out, grinning warmly at her.
"Friends," he confirmed. Ruby smiled a little before taking his hand. They both let a little laugh before letting their hands fall away.
"I actually feel less nervous about fighting grimm than meeting new people," Ruby admitted, "Is that weird?"
"Not to me," Alfie said, "Fighting is easy; I know how to act to react to everything around me."
"With Crescent Rose in my hands I'm not scared of messing up," Ruby said smiling contently, "It's simpler."
"Yeah," Alfie agreed resting his arms on the railing, "Everything is easier."
They stayed quiet, watching the sunrise. The silence was comforting.
"We've got to form teams," Alfie thought aloud. Ruby rested her head in her hands.
"Don't remind me," she said mournfully.
Alfie looked at her with a cool gaze. "I think you'd make a great leader," he said.
Ruby looked up at him, looking for any sign of sarcasm or teasing, but found only earnestness in his eyes.
"Really?" she said, "I don't know if I'd be very good at it."
Alfie stood straight. "Guess we can only wait and see," he said glancing back into the room. He could tell people were stirring from their slumber. "Looks like it time to get ready," he thought.
"Good luck out there," Alfie said to Ruby. She nodded smiling at him
"You too, lets do our best."
Alfie smiled at her warmly, "See you out there, Ruby." He headed back into the room to wake up Lenox. Ruby stood there on the balcony for a moment longer watching Alfie vanish into the crowd.