I sat back in my chair and let my head fall back. My eyes were shut and my breaths were deep. Was this what it was like to breath as a free man? My heart was no longer heavy with fear. I didn't feel as if I were tied down by each limb. It felt as if I were in a dream I had always wanted to come true.

I could hear the crackle from the fire place and the soft bustle of the waitress and chef as they worked to serve the few costumers they had. Instead of trapping myself in the same room as Akara I came down to save us a seat for dinner. Though we both knew it would never get busy enough to have to fight for a table.

I heard the chair from the other side of the table be dragged. I looked up and found Akara, who had dressed in new clothes, taking her seat. I couldn't help but feel my heart burst from happiness to see her skin clean from blood. She had a limp to her walk though she tried her best not to make it noticeable.

I searched my mind for something to say when the waitress came to take our order. But I had only been saved temporarily. Once we were alone again we both sat in silence. I watched her hands tap the table softly, revealing the scraps on them. My eyes trailed up to her arm. I could only imagine what wounds laid underneath her sleeve. Wounds that I had caused.

" So what now?" She asked," Want to travel somewhere new? Maybe go back to Solitude? Whiterun?"

I stared blankly at her, looking over every inch of her body. I had harmed her. I had wanted to kill her, to feel her blood on my hands.
" Nothing."

She cocked her head to the side, confused.

" We go our separate ways."

She gave a slight laugh, wishing that I was joking." Where did this come from?"

I grabbed her hand and yanked her forward. She let out a gasp and tried to free herself but my grip was too strong. I yanked up her sleeve only to reveal more wounds spread about. She froze and let her shoulders fall. I looked up at her, more memories coming back. I reached out to her, the back of my hand pushing back her hair. She hadn't even tried to fight.

There on her cheek laid a small cut. She finally looked up at me, her eyes filled with sorrow. I remembered. Very distinctly for that matter. The sting in the back of my hand as I collided with the side of her face. Her beautiful, beautiful face.

" I remember Akara. I remember it all."

She tried to reach up and grasp my hand, her lips opening to protest. I knew what she was going to say. That it hadn't been me. That Alduin controlled me, that I had no ability to stop myself. But it wasn't going to work. I had gotten stupid and tried to fight a battle that I wasn't able to. If I had been smart I would have waited until I was ready. I do admit, I had gone with the right intent. I had gone thinking it would keep Akara safe when in reality it had done just the opposite. I wasn't going to make that mistake again.

" I'm leaving tonight and there isn't anything you can do to stop me."

She simply let her head fall with a small nod.

I kept my word. I had left during the middle of the night in hopes of doing so while she was asleep. I had packed my bag right after dinner so all I had to do was grab it and leave. Thought I couldn't help but steal a glance at her one last time before I left. She laid there with her back to me. She was wide awake, I knew it. She knew I was leaving but she never once stopped me. Even though her lack of resistance had made it easier there was a part of me that ached at the lack of it.

By sun rise the inn was out of my sight for good. I stopped and looked back, hoping that I'd see her chasing to catch up to me. But she wasn't there, nor would she ever be.

I shivered as a breeze swept by. My hand went to grab Akara's scarf closer when I realized it was gone. I had placed it in her bags after dinner where she couldn't find it until it was too late. I'd have to buy another one at the next town. I reached into my bag in search for my bag of coins. My hands grasped something soft and warm.

I pulled it out, the fabric dangling. A laugh escaped my lips at the sight of it. I must have looked like a mad man, standing there laughing with tears streaming down my face. But there was no one there to watch.

I wrapped Akara's scarf around me, pulling it up and over my nose. Her smell eased my aching heart. I told myself that I had been stupid for leaving her. That I should follow my heart desire to be next to her. But I wasn't taking the chance again. Instead I turned and continued on walking.

I'd listen. I'd listen to hear her footsteps behind me. I'd listen to hear her soft voice as she talked to me. I'd listen now and forever nor would I ever stop listening. After all I thought I had ran fast enough so she wouldn't catch up but she had proved me wrong. The scarf proved she already had.