Chapter 10: Realize
The air was cold and she was running for her life. She didn't know where she was, or where she was running to. All she knew was she had to run as fast as her legs could carry her, or it may be the end of her.
She had tried to take off with her wings, but they were useless now. She folded them clumsily behind her, each movement a pang of pain will travel into her back and spine. Her wings were drooping in an unusual angle and her chest was burning.
Darkness surrounded her as she stepped into a forest, shadows danced around in the moonlight wanting to play hide and seek.
She stopped for awhile, placing a hand on an old oak tree and panted softly. Shayera was barefoot and her soles were caked in dirt and fresh blood from running. She didn't know how long she could keep up in this frenzy, her energy was running low and she was feeling cold. She only wore a simple white sleeved dress which was already torn.
She turned to the constellations above, eyeing every single star for a sign, a way back to home. Orion or dipper or any single sign could give her a slim chance to flee, but they were so few of them, only the yellowish moon gleaming back at her.
A look of disappointed fell upon her, as she slid to the forest floor. The forest now seemed thicker than before, starting to trigger her claustrophobia and she felt the need to barf. Suddenly, she heard a twig snap and followed by silence.
She got back up to her feet and viewed her surroundings carefully. If she had her mace or any weapon she would have felt even more secure and ready. Nothing but the eerie silence of the night, and the gentle wind playing in the woods, until a dagger flew to her missing her by a few inches.
Run.
This time there was no stopping.
"SHAYERA!" he yelled, and she could literally feel her own blood freeze upon hearing her name.
She turned back every once in awhile to watch out, he was chasing on fast, but she couldn't see him that well. Their footsteps rang across the forest, waking every creature as they flew into the black sky.
He never stopped chasing and screaming her name in vain with threats. She turned her head once again to see, and carelessly slid down a sudden edge. As she tumbled helplessly down the slope, hands clawing out for support but failing, she allow herself the assault tumbled.
The last thing that stopped her was a huge boulder which momentum brought her to, ramming her back and head. Pain and dizziness surge through her system as it scream for her to get up.
Then she saw that dark figure standing atop of that edge, now floating its way down towards her. He had adorned a black cloak which hid his face and body and he looked at her lying weakly near the boulder.
She knew there was no escape now, he had caught her once again and she looked at him through tear-filled eyes. From her view, she could see the dark twisted dagger in his hands, as he raised it up high above her.
The figure tilted his head to one side and questioned her sarcastically: "Where is the Green Lantern now Shayera?"
And he stabs the dagger down deep into her heart and her blood paints the green forest floor red.
"SHAYERA!"
John screamed as he shot out of his bed, throwing the blanket that was wrapping him before onto the floor.
His breath was heavy and quick and beads of cold sweat form on his face. Naturally his hand came to his neck, a gesture that brought him comfort and reassurance that it was only a dream, again.
He looked around his newly refurbished apartment. The sight of it made him sick.
The digital clock on the table suggested it was only 2.00 am, too early or too late for him to wake up. He closes his eyes, silently thankful that Mari wasn't in bed with him. To ask him what he was dreaming about that he woke up everyday screaming, to give him hopes and warm comforts that they will find her when they were the reason she was gone in the first place.
She was gone for a week.
John had cross out every day and hour she had been gone, and not a second passed where his thoughts were on finding her, to hold her safely in his arms , to tell him how sorry he was and he wanted her forgiveness.
And he prays day and night that she would still be breathing to hear what he needed to say.
John took in deep breathes and counted to 10 slowing his heartbeats. The nightmares he had of her were so real, he dreamed of her running from the shadows all the time but each attempt ended with her being caught again. This time she died. The nightmares are getting deadlier each night, eating him from the inside as he experience the traumatic events of watching her flee and die.
He felt helpless to watch her bleed to death , her eyes filled with sorrow when she breath her final breath and the dark man would ask, where was the Green Lantern.
John bowed his head down as he replayed the question all over again in his head each time, feeling guilty that her captor was making some sense.
And nights like this, he weeps silently. Just warm tears sliding down his face without him making a sound as he wished with all his soul that he could see her again. He felt like a big part of him was missing, and the hole that never healed getting bigger and bigger each day until he can't breathe. He looked at the spot beside him, vacant and cold. He wrapped his arms around his knees, burying his head on top to stop himself from trembling.
He never felt this way before, and he wouldn't say out loud that what he was feeling right now was far worse than after the invasion.
He was scared.
He didn't mean for her to leave and disappear.
He was scared.
There's not a single clue where she was.
He was scared.
Because he finally realize there's much to be said.
He was scared.
Because he may never see her again.
Sleep wouldn't be kind tonight. Instead, he threw the rest of the covers aside and walked towards the open window. The same window where he last saw her, when she broke the glass and flew away.
He looks up at the night sky, a feeling of comfort swept over him as he remembered she too used to sit at this very window pane and look at the sky. She was a light sleeper.
John wondered if she was looking at the star too right now. " Where are you Shayera?" he wondered out loud. So many stars, she could be anywhere right now. But he was sure of one thing.
He loves her and he will never stop looking. The same stubborn frown forms on his face as he looks hopefully onto the sky.
A wave of newborn determination swept over him as he whispered into the skies, " I'll find you Shayera, I promise. Just, just hang on…. Please…."
Author's notes: I love this chapter. Feel free to rate and review plus, PM who do you prefer Mari to be with, STEEL, or Vigilante :)