Chapter 26- Revenge
For a moment, I was scared, frozen and I had just began to realize what a huge mistake I made when I realized when I tried to move away that his arms were wrapped securely around my waist, holding me in place.
That was when I began to relax, my eyes closing entirely and my own arms wrapping around his neck as I forgot how to breathe and everything else seemed to melt away…just like that.
When we broke apart I began to panic yet again, now what? What would I say? What would he say? What if this was all wrong?
I didn't meet his eyes, I felt I couldn't. I breathed slowly through my nose, attempting to catch my breath but I feared that if I opened my mouth something very bad would happen.
And silence filled the air and I was growing ever more panicky, with my palms sweating even though the night air was chilling.
I risked humiliation by slowly looking up and sure enough Shadow was still there, blending in horrifyingly well with the scenery and the darkness, his red eyes staring at me so hard I felt as though I could incinerate my body entirely.
I wanted to run so badly, to make it all go away, make myself think it never happened so I could just leave….but I couldn't….my body seemed to be paralyzed under his gaze.
Eventually my senses seemed to come back to me and everything else seemed much louder, almost to the point where I completely forgot about Shadow who was standing just feet away from me.
And then I started to move and insanely realized how stupid this whole thing was.
"Agh I am so stupid." I growled louder than I intended as I began to walk away.
But I was stopped; a hand grabbing my shoulder, spinning me around as I came face to face with the one person who I thought would never talk again.
"Nothing you do is ever stupid Blaze." He said, truthful and sincere as his lips met mine in an innocent, but meaningful embrace.
And the weird part is….I believed him….and when he once again wrapped his arms around me in a hug, my arms resting loosely around his neck as my head fell to his chest, listening to his strong heartbeat as I finally felt safe and secure…comforted and content.
And I was warm….where my body temperature usually stays at a normal body temperature all the time, no matter how cold or hot, I actually felt this warm sensation that was almost overwhelming.
His hands came up to stroke my hair soothingly, and I wasn't ashamed that I actually started purring contently. He smelled like the outdoors, mixed with the vague smell of metal and salt.
Sadly…oh so sadly…came his reply.
"We had better get back….can't have the others worrying." He said, with deep reluctant tones as he slowly detached himself from me.
"I guess so." I huffed as we moved back from the clearing, back to the campsite, where luckily everyone was still sound asleep.
Unfortunately for Shadow and I it appeared that we only had a few hours left to sleep, and if we wanted to be of any use tomorrow I knew we would have to go right to sleep.
So we did, I settled at the base of a tree trunk, Shadow lying on the grass with his head resting on my lap.
It was strange, I spent all my life banished, held on a small planet far away from any kind of civilization with the exception of Vincent…and I had to admit, it was lonely….but I suppose I should be thankful for it….it taught me control…it led me here….with people who trusted and helped me…the only thing I had left for a family…
Eventually I fell asleep, not knowing whether or not Shadow was asleep.
In my vision that most would call dreams….I saw my mother and my father, looking as radiant and beautiful….pristine and perfect…like porcelain dolls.
And then just like that Vulgar appeared, his scaly gross skin and scar all menacing and horrifying...he laughed psychotically and with his scaled, clawed hands and he swept by my parents bodies, each hand grasping them.
The hands closed on them, making them disappear in his hands completely.
He laughed again, and opened his hand revealing my parent's now a pile of dust, but not just dust…ashes…ashes from a fire…
He clasped his hands together and the ashes were swept away, lost forever, leaving everyone to wonder and never really know just how they died…
I sat up, shaking and angry.
Vulgar….It was always Vulgar….not me….I did nothing….It was all a trap….
He set me up….he started the fire….and I was blamed for it….all because of this accursed gift!
When everyone else awoke, I assembled them right away, and though they looked tired and exhausted from the passing days, I knew this was the time….the time we had to take action.
"One full day of traveling will end us up around the cities boundaries…" I began.
They waited eagerly, and though I was the one that got the least sleep that night, I was running, I could not wait to get out there and do something.
The whole time since I've woken up from my nightmare I was plotting a plan, my adrenaline spiked just thinking of it….I knew it was risky….dangerous….possibly fatal…..but we had to do something….it had to work….
And besides….I was the leader….I said what we did…..and when we did it….
"You will be tired….hungry….and you may want to give up…." I warned.
Some of the younger group members exchanged worried glances as I continued.
"But I assure you….It will all be worth it…." I finished before going into the details of the plan.
"Because when we arrive outside the city, we will rest periodically….but not for long…" I continued.
"Because afterwards we are going to steal the Emeralds….Vulgar's only source of power…." I offered.
Everyone drew in a breath…but I was just getting started…I knew my eyes had to fiery and demonic looking…but he was about to get what he deserved….revenge.
"And then….We are going after Vulgar….And claiming what is rightfully ours!"