Chapter 9

I must have fallen asleep before Selene finished her story because when I opened my eyes, the sun was setting. I stirred and looked around. Selene was still lying next to me. I froze. Why was she still here? Had she fallen asleep while telling the story as well? She stirred and, without even seeming to notice how close we were, sat up.

“I’m sorry, I must have been more tired than I thought…” she said, smiling.

“No problem, we can finish it another time.”

I quickly got up, trying to pretend we hadn’t just woken up close enough for me to look into those purple eyes. I looked around, trying to find something to do that didn’t involve talking to her. The sword was still lying on the ground where I’d left it, and I picked it up. I didn’t know how to use it, but it couldn’t be more difficult than punching someone, so I guess I would learn quite quickly.

I heard her get up, and still not looking at her, I dressed and ate whatever we had left. It would take us two days to cross the mountains, Karim had said, and then we would be in what he called ‘friendly land’. I wondered what that meant. I hoped it had something to do with a bed and a warm meal.

The last light of the day slowly faded as we packed the camp, and Karim gestured for us to leave. I had barely taken a step when Selene suddenly froze.

“The protections!”, she whispered.

She ducked down, peering into the woods. I followed her gaze when Uruk suddenly hauled me to the ground, and moments later, an arrow flew from the woods and struck a tree behind me.

“Be careful”, he whispered.

I glanced behind me, shivering as I saw the arrow deep into the tree trunk. I turned back, my hands trembling, and stared into the darkness. It was quiet. Uruk moved next to me, and when he put a hand on me, I flinched in surprised.

“Look after her”, Uruk whispered.

I looked at him, not understanding what he meant, and he gestured at something on the ground. Aki. He got up.

“It will be fine. I will get them before they find you.”

I stared helplessly at him, but he only nodded and said,

“Your weapon may be a better choice now.”

I blinked. My weapons… I had totally forgotten about them. Sword or dagger…? Dagger. At least I knew how to use it, I thought as I drew the cold blade from the scabbard. He nodded.

“Good, Rina”

I tried to smile, and he whispered.

I dispel the darkness

and bring the light.

I don’t regret

walking this path.

He gave me one last nod before disappearing into the woods. I took a deep breath. You can do it, Rina. I stared into the darkness. It was still. Where had the others gone? Had… had they left me? No, they wouldn't leave Aki, would they?

A sudden scream broke the air, and I stumbled back, staring wildly around me. My heart was pounding so hard I could barely hear myself think. I couldn’t stay here. I had to leave. I would take Aki and leave. I got up and then paused. She would be too heavy. I couldn’t. I sighed and crouched down.

A tree rustled, and I spun around, staring into the forest. Nothing. I was getting paranoid now, making up things that weren't there. I took a deep breath and glanced at Aki, and that’s when I heard it. The sound. This time, I was sure I didn’t make it up. It sounded different. Methodical… Intentional. I clenched my fist around the handle of the dagger and turned my head towards the sound.

I squinted and, in between the trees, I could make out a dark silhouette slowly creeping closer. It paused, and it must have realised it had been spotted because it suddenly charged at me. Before I had time to think, adrenaline kicked in, and I jumped at it with a scream and plunged my blade into his gut. He screamed, fuelling my fear-induced rage, and I headbutted him. He fell to the ground, and I followed him, stabbing him over and over again.

“Rina!”

The others bolted from the woods

“Are you okay?”, Selene asked as she halted next to me.

I blinked, looking at the corpse lying by my feet. I’d… killed him… I shook my head. No, he tried to kill me. I got up, putting the dagger in its scabbard.

“Yeah…”

Selene glanced at me, opening her mouth to speak, but Karim interrupted her before she had a chance.

“We need to go”

He gestured for us to follow, patting my shoulder as he passed. I helped Uruk strap Aki to his back and cast one last glance at the dead body before I turned and followed the others. He shouldn’t have tried to kill me.

As we came out onto a wider path, Karim slowed down to walk next to me. I nodded to him, and he smiled approvingly.

“You did what you had to do”, he said softly.

“I know…”

I shrugged, staring into the darkness. My heart was still pounding, waiting for someone to storm out and attack me.