Day thirty-four

"No. I want to stay."

"Are you kidding me?" I stared at Kim as she glared at me, eyes blazing.

"No, I'm not! Darius is very nice, and, and... I could have a future here! I don't want to be a slave all my life, Jack!"

"You won't be! I won't let that happen! You know I've been working on it, you'll be free in a matter of months, weeks even!"

"Yes, and I'm grateful you're willing to do that for me, but I have a chance to be free now. And I... please don't ask me to go back. I- I- I can't, I won't!"

I stared at her angrily, then turned my glare turned to Darius, who was watching the fight with an amused look. This was his fault. I turned back to Kim. "Be patient, Kim... I have to do this right, and... it'll take some time, I have to make sure my mum doesn't find out, and.. and lots of other precautions..."

"Coward! You're a coward, Jackson Brewer! You're too scared to face your own mother therefore you are a coward!" With that, she turned on her heel and stormed away, slamming the door to one of the other girls rooms.

I stared after her, stunned, unsure what to say. Darius stared at me for a moment, then sighed and followed Kim into the back room, offering me a mixed expression before closing the door.

I made a face and went outside, angry. I kicked a few things, knocking over some of Darius' things, getting satisfaction from the sound of clattering and even shattering. I sighed and slumped down on the ground, all anger slowly draining away. She was right, wasn't she? Why did she have to be right?! I was perfectly content to just stay out of my mothers way, as I had been raised to fear her, especially when she thought she was right. She didn't like anyone questioning her authority.

I sighed and let my head lean back against the side of the house, staring up at the trees. They swayed softly with the breeze, praising the sky with their branches as they waved back and forth, singing with their leaves as they rustled together, making a melody as the wind passed through them. It really was very calming.

I tipped my head to the side, narrowing my ears. What was that sound? It didn't seem to fit with the others sounds of the forest, it was too precise, to unnatural to be part of nature. I jumped up, realizing too late that it was footsteps. The man was upon me before I had time to react and I was taken off guard enough to give him the upper hand while we fought. I lunged at him, recognizing him as one of the slave thieves.

I pounded on his back, then tripped him and pulled his arm behind his back.I suddenly felt a blinding pain and stumbled back, releasing him. He scrambled forward, then spun on me, clutching a knife that was dripping with blood. My blood. I fell to my knees, doubling over in pain when I realized I'd been stabbed. I moaned, curling up in a ball and pressing my hands to the wound in my stomach, trying to stop the blood from flowing out.

Distantly, I saw the man trying to get away, then an arrow flying through the air and striking him down, dead.

"Jack, Jack my friend!" I heard Darius' voice in my ear, feeling his hand on my shoulder. "You are injured, let, let me see." He murmured soothingly, trying to move my hands. "Oh, yes, okay, come con, I'll just-"

"No, treat me out here." I insisted through a grimace.

"But-"

"Just- hurry up!" I cried, feeling the pain trying to blind me.

He hesitated for only another second before leaving me. He was back in mere seconds and began washing my wound and dressing it, me in a dazed state, barely awake. I felt a warm blanket be draped over my shoulders and he helped me sit up. "Are you alright, my friend?" His soothing voice murmured in my ear, rumbling through my head in waves.

IO blinked, trying to clear my eyes. "yeah.. tha-thanks Darius." I replied, taking in a shallow breath.

"No problem." He murmured, he went over to the dead man and made a face, turning him over. "A slave thief. I'll just go bury him." I heard him mutter.

I sighed and closed my eyes, weariness dragging me into a fitful sleep.

Authors note: Special thanks to KarateGirl77 for the idea for this chapter!