So, I know that you all must be annoyed by my random ramblings before every story. Even if you all are too nice to say so... So, I won't annoy you with them. They'll be at the END instead ;)
"...and it's most likely that she drunk it herself..."
"...suicidal? Are you sure we should keep her?..."
I tried to even out my breathing. I didn't want them to know I was awake. Instead, I focused on something else.
How did I get here?
I backtracked a few days. I had been sitting through a lesson with Valek, I think, when it started. He had given me a poison, the same poison that Reyad had once forced onto me, and I had felt as though I was with Reyad again. He took my chin between his fingers and roughly pulled it up so I had no choice but to look at him. A bruise had formed, on my chin, the same place his fingers had gripped me.
And then that calm, the one that's so hard to describe, had settled. As though I knew what was coming, I knew I couldn't stop it.
I remember thinking, 'if the same bruise has reappeared, has the poison come back into my system as well?'I remember freaking out then. Trying to get back to my room. Because there, no one would be able to find me.
I never got there, I suppose. Or maybe I had, but I my theory had proved wrong—they had found me.
From there on, my memories blur. Sometimes I remembered strangers, other times Valek, but mostly I remembered Reyad's torture. I thought that maybe both my experiences with the poison had blurred together to create some sort of a sick recollection or reliving.
"...she awake?"
A blinding light hit my lids and I moaned in complaint. A booming laugh sounded, and I wrenched my eyes open.
Four men crowded around my bed, but I only recognized Valek. Two of the men were grinning widely, their eyes twinkling. One had a goatee and the other had curly, light blond, hair and pale blue eyes. The third looked stricter, with his short military-style hair cut. His black hair was peppered with grey.
He straightened up, and huffed in annoyance. "Now that she is awake, I am going back. Valek, be on time. I am not having cold dinner again..." He strode away. I watched him go, wondering, who he was and why he had authority over Valek. As though he had read my mind, Goatee-man spoke up.
"That's the Commander," he informed me.
"He doesn't seem too happy with you," the other stated.
"Or maybe he's not happy with Valek..." Goatee-man told me.
"...We can never tell," they finished together. Did they have a brain to share, or something? I didn't know, but my head throbbed from trying to follow them exactly.
Valek glowered at them. "Ari, Janco?" They looked at him expectantly.
"Shut up. Go wait outside for me."
The men nodded and left. I watched them jog to the doors, laughing and teasing each other. Turning my head back to Valek, I sat up and mentally prepared myself for the onslaught I knew was coming.
Valek's stone face was back.
"Yelena."
I waited for him to continue but he didn't, his icy eyes holding mine.
"Yes," I said hesitantly.
"How did the poison get into your bloodstream?"
"I have no idea, Sir."
His lips curved into a cruel smile and he laughed, harshly.
"So you're telling me that you were poisoned not even a day after I taught you about that same poison. What are the chances of that happening?" I scooted as far away as possible, cowering on the edge of my bed.
"I have no idea, Sir." I repeated.
He leaned forward, eyes glittering. "This was either attempted suicide or the bloody stupidest attempt to get a day off, ever." I winced as his voice rose. "Yelena, look at me when I'm talking to you! I want to know why this happened and whether it will ever happen again because if it is going to, I'll just get rid of you myself to save the time and stress it brings on."
"I... I have no idea, Sir"
"THAT'S NOT A VALID ANSWER, YELENA," he roared. He was struggling to keep his metal mask; lines of anger were etched around his mouth and on his forehead.
I swallowed; my throat dry.
"I didn't swallow the most painful poison discovered for a day off and if I wanted to commit suicide there are many other appropriate poisons that you have and a perfect rope hanging downstairs, ready for use! I... I can't remember, okay? I can't remember how it got in my body."
Valek drew away from me, blue steel in his eyes and walked out, his stride increasing with each step he took, away from me.
XXXXX Meanwhile, further south...
A silence fell over the small crowd of people; all whispering subsided; all eyes turned to the newcomer.
The man stalked to the front of the group.
"You all know why we're here – you all know what I want. All I ask is your cooperation or your silence. If I can't have one or both, please leave immediately."
Only a small number of people slipped out, but they sat near the back, so their departure was near unnoticeable. The rest remained, even if for the sole purpose to sate their curiosity.
The man's green eyes surveyed the crowd steadily. A few people stared back but most shifted uncomfortably under his gaze. Satisfied that no one else would leave, he continued.
"Each and every person in this room has lost family. We have searched Sitia, but there's no trace of them. There's only one other place they could be... and I plan on getting there somehow."
Quiet murmurs broke out over the crowd.
"...I told you! We shouldn't have come..."
"...Really is crazy..."
"...Suicidal..."
Leif waited for the crowd to calm down.
"All I need is a horse, Irys and some decent food... If you do not wish to take part of this journey"—a purple faced man stood, interrupting him.
" 'Course we don't, ya bloody idiot. None of us ain't got no death wish."
Leif continued as though the man hadn't spoken.
"—if you don't want to come, please, at least help me out. After all, this is for all our families' sakes."
For a few seconds, nobody said anything. Then a blond woman stood at the back.
"I'm in."
It was as though she had given everyone else a cue, because the next moment shouts filled the air as people vowed to come in aid and participate in this fool's errand.
"So, what do you think?" She murmured uncertainly. - That's what I would look/sound like if you could see me right now. So, please, appease me? Or just kick me when I'm down. Either. I don't mind, because just seeing a review alert makes me go all warm and happy, which is certainly a weird sight for my friends, as I'm the coldest person you'll ever (not) meet. Kay? Kay! ^^ Love ya's
Here it comes. The EXCUSE. - "It isn't my fault! I.. It's the last year of school, and such stress. Oh, the stress! I swear to update faster."
So. The awesomeness that is Karl. Ain't she flippin' brilliant? She is, right? Well, let her know, 'coz without her, this story would suck. 3
Seriously, you gotta HEART her.
Byes.
Nox. (Harry Potter mourning stage...)
