Whelp, I'm back. Reviews certainly help me write!
WintrySkies1220 : Thanks for all the reviews! They were awesome. And I completely agree. Conor angst is the best! So that's what I'm doing today.
Guest : I will do other characters than the main four if that's what you want. I'd be fine with pretty much anyone. Just name somebody and I'll think up a story.
Anyway, enough with my rambling, let's get started!
Conor sat awake, watching the others sleep. Underground in Sadre, awaiting the Wyrm to take over was agonizing. Kovo had given up on him so quickly, Takoda having signs of the same attitude. Meilin was the only one who believed in him. The only one. Even Conor had given up. Meilin started to stir, almost as if she was sensing the Euran's thoughts. Soon, the girl sat up, her black hair messy. She noticed Conor's tear-streaked face and got up to help.
"Why aren't you sleeping? You told me you weren't having nightmares anymore!" Meilin said sternly in a harsh whisper.
"I was trying to keep guard." Conor lied. Of course he was still having nightmares. Why else would he be up and crying?
"Then why do I see bags under your eyes?" Meilin asked, narrowing her already narrow eyes in disbelief.
"We don't get a lot of sleep underground, do we?" Conor said, quieter than ever. He wasn't trying to be rude, he just didn't want to make Meilin worry.
"Well, I'll take guard now." Meilin stated, shifting around behind Conor.
"That's okay. You should go sleep. My rest doesn't matter as much as yours does." Conor said softly. Briggan also started to wake.
"Don't say things like that!" Meilin exclaimed, thumping the blonde boy on the head.
"Why not? You know it's true." Conor insisted, much to Meilin's dislike.
"No, it's not true. You matter more than you think. Your worth doesn't just magically disappear when you get a parasite." Meilin started. After a moment of silence, she continued. "You're needed as much as I am, if not more. You're the leader of our group. You're the one who helped us through everything. Now it's my turn."
"I didn't help anyone." Conor argued quietly.
"Yes, you did. You helped Abeke be accepted when she switched to the Greencloaks. You helped Rollan overcome his depression when Tarik died. In fact, you are the reason Rollan's even still with us right now. If it hadn't been for you, Rollan would have ran away, and I would have never opened up to you and Abeke."
"I guess that's true…" Conor said, looking a bit less solemn.
"Now at least try to sleep. I can't have you failing to stay awake while Kovo and me have a showdown." Meilin joked a bit, smiling to herself. Conor smiled a little too, but it was more strained than Meilin's. He laid down, slipping into a pleasant sleep for the first time in forever.
Meanwhile…
Abeke sat on her bed, trying desperately not to think about Uraza. The poor leopard had no memories left, nothing to hold on to. Abeke at least could think of all the good times they had together, but it only brought the Niloan sorrow. Her door creaked open a crack.
"Abeke, can I come in?" Rollan's usually happy voice asked, now filled concern.
"Yes." Abeke answered, cleaning herself up. The Amayan slid in, closing the door behind him. Just before it completely closed, Abeke spotted Devin and Karmo peeking in.
"Is everything okay?" Rollan inquired.
"Yes. Everything's fine." Abeke lied.
"I know better than that." Rollan said.
"Then why'd you ask?" Abeke questioned.
"I wanted to see if you'd lie or not. Now tell me what's bothering you…"
After a few minutes, Abeke had told Rollan everything. Suddenly, the door burst open and Devin and Karmo laid on the ground. Devin was pinned under Karmo, who was frozen. Devin squirmed and tried desperately to escape, but Karmo's body prevented him from moving an inch.
"Were you listening the whole time?" Rollan asked, sounding annoyed.
"No… O-of course not!" Devin stuttered. Karmo gaped in shock.
"I'm sorry that Devin here ruined you guys' moment. He's such an eavesdropper." Karmo apologized, snapping out of his daze.
"It's fine. Just don't tell Shane. I don't want 'King' mulling over my problems like he loves to do." Abeke told them. Devin started smiling goofily.
"Somebody's got a crush, somebody's got a crush…" The Euran brat sing-songed. Abeke swiped at him, but he slid out from Karmo and ran into the halls, continuing his ridiculous tune.
In the hall…
Shane walked calmly around, doing normal things. That is until he saw Devin running around singing something about a crush.
"Devin… what the heck are you doing?" Shane inquired, somewhat scared of the answer.
"Good news dude! Somebody's got a crush on you… wink wink…" Devin informed the bewildered King.
"Um… okay?" Shane said, at a loss for words. Devin finally calmed down and walked away, still humming his stupid song.
Okay, that's all done. I couldn't resist putting some humor in there…
A thanks to my beautiful beta, Fight4Whales!
