Reign of Fire: Rising from the Ashes

Chapter Seven- Friend...

The group of people stumbling through the main gate were indeed a sorry bunch to look at. Heavily underfed, beaten down by the forces of nature or their fellow men encountered on their way. Three men and a frail looking woman in their centre, the three of them shielding her from whomever decided to address them first. As people scurried around them with blankets and hot coffee, Holly beheld the spectacle from the stairs leading up inside the great hall. Much as she tried to repress it, her stomach was killing her. These people were bad news. Why was she always able to tell, yet never able to explain her gut senses?

She swallowed her bitterness from sight as Creedy made his way back up, absently putting a hand on her bare shoulder while looking back, never noticing the shiver he sent down her spine.

"Seems they've been going through quite the picnic out there…The guys've travelled all the way up from Manchester, just trying to get as far away from the cities as possible…the girl they found along the way. She's…" He stopped mid sentence, and by the compassionate look he gave her she understood why he was reluctant in finishing.

She looked at them again as Alex ushered them inside, the woman now looking straight at her. She was gorgeous. Long golden strands framing her delicate face, big round blue eyes waving in unshed tears, soft rose red lips curled down in a mournful pout…and quite the figure underneath her obvious torn rags. As soon as the two made eye contact she felt Creedy's hand drop, and suddenly she realised it wasn't her the woman had been seeking out…it was the man beside her. Her stomach jolted again, only this was not a premonition thing…it was good old jealousy. Sure, Little Miss look-at-me-I'm-so-sad-for-being-raped waltz's in and suddenly Creedy no longer seems to notice her very existence…so the exchange of saliva back in the kitchen was…what exactly?

"Poor lass, good thing they managed to find their way up here…" Oh yeah, fortunate indeed!

"Yes, very. Still amazing they did find us in the first place. After all, I'm an A class scout and I needed Sarah Lou to find my way down here. Any foreigner would surely wander the moors for decades…unless they would know what to look for of course…like a well stocked castle…"

OK, that was enough to whip Creedy's head back into her direction…only not in the way she'd hoped.

"What are you getting at here? Don't these people have a right to our trust? I recall a certain lady dressed in black and quite the weapon's arsenal to accompany who would probably be as lost as them without our trust…"

"Are you saying I should ignore my instincts here or that you don't believe me capable of fending for myself?" Her eyes spat fire by now, who was he to tell her what to feel or not?

"Holly, lass…"

"Never mind Creedy, go comfort your little princess. Time for me to start packing in any case.."

If she'd thrown a bucket of freezing water in his face the effect wouldn't have been as astonishing.

"You're leaving? You can't just…Holly…what about…" But she'd already turned around, taking the stairs two steps at a time. No need for him to see her tears, why the fuck would he care? He'd had his little adventure with her. And she'd let him.

She'd been mad to ever think she could have deserved him, that he could ever truly desire her when there were people like this…Kayleigh running about, beautiful fairytale women to capture his heart and soul with their sad life stories and pretty pouting lips. You should never have lingered here for so long you idiot! She scolded herself. Yeah, sure, and Creedy would dig you…why? Cause he's as interested in scars as he seems to be in tattoos? He'd run first chance and you know it! Just leave him as you found him and you'll both be the better for it…

Creedy meanwhile was torn up in a whirlwind of a thousand emotions. The kiss between him and Holly never really managed to sink in before the refugees had arrived…but he had sensed she had craved it as much as he had. So what was this then? Why the sudden change in attitude? And why was she so determined to make these people out to be the bad guys? Surely it couldn't be…jealousy? No, not from such a strong woman as Holly. Was it because of what he had said? Did she believe he didn't trust her? Or…suddenly anger took over from confusion, and he was weary of the whole situation. Whatever you wish My lady…if and when you decide I'm good enough to open up to, be my guest. I'm tired of losing sleep over something you refuse to let me be a part of darlin'! He turned round again, and noticed Kayleigh still hadn't moved from her spot, now attempting a bleak smile in his direction before being shooed off by her travelling companion, Mark. She looked so scared, so fragile…and yet so full of passion. And with a curious heart he slowly followed the newbies inside…

Holly woke early as usual, her sleep just as broken as ever. But now the events of the night before played over in her head too, everything had been so perfect why do things always change? She would admit to herself, she was jealous. She was jealous, she was hurt and she was suspicious, Holly had not been welcomed so warmly and she had saved Sarah-Lou. Then there was Creedy, the kiss had been mind blowing and had just about melted every nerve ending in her body. Foolishly she thought that she had been wrong, that he wasn't after more than a bit of fun; he genuinely seemed to want to know about her, to know what had happened to make her so quiet. And Holly had thought about telling him, she wanted to tell him about the dreams that haunted her- the pain she had created in just five years. She wanted to share her darkest secrets with him, as well as her hopes. Good thing she hadn't, that would have made it even worse; and it wouldn't have been nice for him either. But these refugees, there was something so odd about them, she wasn't sure what it could be- they seemed genuine enough; and part of Holly did feel sorry for Kayleigh even if her first reaction was of the green eyed monster.

She had got most of her stuff together the night before, too wound up to sleep she had needed something to do. No one would be up yet, she had found that she was always the first to rise just before dawn. Slipping on her boots and trench coat she headed out towards the barn, trying to make as little noise as possible.

Alex and Quinn had been up a while, neither could sleep from the events of the previous evening. They sat quietly, taking the moment to just hold each other before anyone else would get up and they would have to get back to reality. It was the sound of feet quietly treading across the stone floor near the back-door and the click of the lock as the door opened and closed that broke them from their peaceful moment.

"Who would be up this early?" Alex enquired whilst getting up off of Quinn's lap.

"I don't know" Quinn grabbed Alex's hand as he moved towards the window to catch a glimpse of whoever it was creeping around at such an early hour, and immediately knew when he saw the dark sombre outline.

"Where is Holly going? C'mon we need to have a chat with her anyway."

Holly fumbled slightly with Scout's bridle, the cold air nipping at her ungloved hands. She wanted to be gone before anyone else was up, especially those who might try to change her mind; she had been there too long, become soft from the easy living and kind hearts of the few that actually liked her.

"Felt like an early morning ride did we? Poor Dodger is going to think you don't like him." Quinn's unmistakeable voice made Holly jump, she was getting soft obviously.

"No he'll just pity Scout." She didn't stop what she was doing, continuing to load her saddlebags onto Scout she tried to ignore the knowledge that Quinn knew something was up.

"What's with all the stuff?"

Holly snorted, she knew what he was doing- wouldn't work though, she was known for not giving a damn.

"I'm heading out." She flatly stated.

"Why?"

"Well for a starter I've outstayed my welcome. I said I'd be gone weeks ago, and you'll need the room now- what with you new guests." Her voice was cold and emotionless, even Alex had never heard her speak like that before.

"You know you more than welcome to stay."

"So I keep hearing, Thanks Quinn but there is no need- I can take care of myself."

"I know. Listen Holly, something is not right with you- we noticed after you first came and then last night; Creedy told me what you said."

"Did he? That was good of him."

"Everyone has the right to shelter here, heroes or no."

"I'm no hero, you could pretty much say I'm the opposite. My circumstances were completely different, I came here because of Sarah-Lou. I had to make sure she made it home OK, I had no intention of staying. It was only because that I didn't want to upset Sarah that I acquiesced. They, well, how can you trust their motives to be so platonic?"

"It's hard to trust anyone these days but we have to try."

"Ha!" Holly snorted, "Once bitten twice shy Quinn."

"What is it about them that you don't like?"

"It's just, I don't know how to explain this but, it is so odd. So odd and fortunate that they miraculously find this place when you have only ever encountered a bunch of dragon hunters, who had enough radar equipment to find the notorious needle in the haystack, and that was six years ago; and one lone man who knew of your existence here already- the entire time you have been here they are the only people to have come across you until suddenly a group of 'refugees' accidentally stumble across this place. Four people who could barely stand because they were so tired and weak. To me that doesn't add up. Plus my instincts are telling me something is off, now I will admit they can be wrong but these are instincts that have already saved you lot and saved me a countless number of times. I won't tell you to throw them out 'cause I doubt you'll even listen but be careful, watch them- don't get complacent. Please Quinn." Quinn nodded in response, moving closer to her and resting on the stall wall.

"I will take into consideration all that you have said Holly but I won't judge them just yet. Perhaps your just a little off this time, sure they did look rather pitiful but it doesn't mean they are bad. And you did just admit you're wrong sometimes. Thank you for your concern but what damage can four people do anyway?" Holly didn't answer. Sighing, she turned to Quinn. She didn't want to leave really but she couldn't stay- she was doing the right thing.

"I've left everything I thought you would need, most of the guns and ammo. I'd appreciate it if you took care of Dog and Dodger for me. Dodger is getting too old to carry on travelling around like this and Dog would just get in my way."

"That's fine, Thank you Holly." Quinn sighed, it seemed she would go no matter what he said. Shaking his head he moved back towards the door where Alex was standing.

"Leave it to me." Alex whispered, shooing Quinn back up to the Castle.

"Holly..."

"Please Alex, don't."

"It's Creedy isn't it?" Holly stopped and turned to face Alex, finally acknowledging her presence. Alex saw it as a good sign.

"Why would it have anything to do with him?"

"Jared said something happened between you two last night- in the kitchen after dinner. He didn't say what because he walked in too late."

"Jared?"

"He might be young, well only a year younger than you but he's not a fool. Apparently you two looked rather err...flustered."

"Nothing happened."

"Alright then," Alex wouldn't press it, at least Holly had stopped getting ready to go.

"Why won't you stay?"

"I have no reason too. I don't have a connection with this place and it's not like-"

"Not like what Holly?"

"Nothing will happen between me and Creedy because nothing can happen. I can't give him what he wants, it's as simple as that." Alex just looked at the dark haired girl, completely confused.

"If it's as simple as that you won't mind expanding. Let me in Holly, confide in me."

"I-I can't."

"Fine then" One step forwards, two steps back- Let me in Holly!

"I have a reason for you to stay."

"What?" Holly gulped.

"I'm pregnant."

"Wow that's amazing! congratulations, does Quinn know?"

"Yes, please stay, I'm gonna need all the help I can get. And I'd feel better if you were here."

Great emotional blackmail, all I need.

"OK, I'll stay. For now."