Shattered Hearts

Tracey froze stiff.

It wasn't from the action Russel was doing - not that stabbing another in the chest, especially an already tied up person, wasn't both an outrageous betrayal of her word and his pledge to support that way.

It was the look on his face that struck Tracey so hard, as he smiled in such a odd way, as he further drove in his blade and caused anger and fear.

Not the smile of happiness or kindness she'd been shown many times before - this was a wicked grin, one of pleasure brought on from seeing another in distress and great pain.

It really felt like Tracey was also being stabbed - just as much as the helpless Beastman that Russel slowly murdered in cold blood.

That's the look of someone taking pleasure in the end of another's life...

She was frozen in shock and untold horror as he showed a side she despised so much, against one who was completely at his mercy.

The Beastman's pained expression slowly faded as his body went limp, and then Russel merely kicked the now motionless one away, back into the forests undergrowth, from which they'd previously been hidden in.

Tracey whipped about and hid behind the nearest tree - not even knowing why herself.

But it was quiet enough for her to hear the next muffled cry of his next helpless victim, making her shiver with a chill, and for her stomach to clench with a sudden illness.

Why... how could he... he promised...

She did her best to keep her last meal inside, as she cautiously peeked around the trees thick trunk, to again see him dispose of the last Beastman, with callous disregard.

Russel then wiped the blood darkened blade clean on a nearby trees bark, before turning away from the scene of death, he'd made - like nothing had ever happened.

He walked a few meters away, before carefully looking about and continuing on.

I can't just keep hiding here...

Tracey stepped out, but stayed still at her good distance, not having the strength to confront him, but he'd caught sight of her and changed direction to get nearer.

"Hey there, are we all good?

He smiled at her, like usual.

But Tracey only felt a deep cold.

"I thought a few might have slipped away... but there's no-one back there..."

He lied, giving her another strong chill, which ran to her core.

"Oh... is that so..."

She weakly coughed out, as he came close and kept his steady grin.

"Yeah, let's head back..."

He brushed past her arm with his, instantly making Tracey feel unclean.

"What's the matter?"

Russel looked across at Tracey, who'd been keeping to herself and saying very little for the remainder of their journey, as they rode in the wagon and supervised several of the knocked-out and tied-up bandits.

"Nothing..."

It has to be a mistake...

To be honest, Tracey didn't want to even speak to Russel anymore, let alone see him, as she felt sick near him, but he got a little closer trying to find out her sudden shift.

"Are you nervy for our date?"

He slightly joked, but that made Tracey feel somehow even worse, and finally she could no longer lie to herself for their sake.

I hate this... and maybe even him...

"Tell me something... Russel did you happen to... kill anyone back there?"

"Why are you asking that...?"

He seemed shocked at the accusation.

"I told you I'd never... I promised didn't I...?"

But Tracey slightly glared as she waited for an answer.

"I might have had to..."

He shifted under her stare, but continued to fain his innocence.

If that's it then... surely there one way he can't lie to me...

"Show me your parchment..."

He looked away, tellingly, but the scroll appeared: Russel Comet, V; 31, D; 6.

"Show me... prove it!"

The important numbers were missing, but he winced away some more, before those last letters and digit flicked on his bluey-grey stat sheet: KC; 8.

It's doubled since I last saw...?!

Tracey was breathless for a moment, half hoping she'd seen things that hadn't happened, but he'd clearly deceived her.

And then he got angry.

"They were scum - real low life trash... not like they'll be missed."

Russel made excuses, though Tracey's broken heart had already crumbled.

"They deserved worse..."

"You gave your... word..."

She coughed out with a deep wound inside.

His ugliness turned on her.

"And who decided that your decision was the one right one? They got what was coming to them."

"And what of those slaves - I saw!"

Tracey bit back, as her fury grew from his tainted words and deeds, but he didn't even pause or try to deny that action.

"They're only Beasts - what does it matter how many..."

He finally took in her repulsed reaction, and shut up, before looking away, still angry.

His last words to her stomped her hearts remnants into the dirt, and the rest of the trip was beyond silent, as Tracey kept her pain and sadness hidden behind a stony expression, as neither looked at each other.

As soon as they reached the capital, he disappeared, never to be seen by her again.

Lackluster and disheartened would be the best words to describe Tracey's state from then on, as her trust and feelings had been dismantled, but she semi-automatically went on, doing just as she had for months after that incident.

Perhaps the emptiness and detachment had been a blessing in disguise, as she carried on with the training, that now had brought quite a number of people, from all parts to her once little place of practise. Fame and word had spread about what she was attempting to achieve, and while she emotionlessly continued to try for her ideal world, unfeelingly she went on with her routine, with her wish and body remaining strong, unlike her heart.

"Come on - wake up now."

Amanda had splashed a small cup of water on Tracey's face, that brought no change or reaction.

I wasn't sleepy at all...

Tracey kept her sour expression, feeling the cool liquid drip off her, while Amanda fussed about to get her in order.

"Don't mope because Russel had to go home..."

Is that what he told the others...?

"I'm not moping..."

"We have to get moving..."

She glanced back to see Tracey hadn't moved an inch.

"Fine... -?!"

She stood slowly, but suddenly realised someone else was now there - someone she never wanted to see.

"Hello Tracey."

Russel, with his most wicked grin, was holding his bloody blade and stepping closer, making Tracey truly panic.

"I've missed you... but now I won't!"

Tracey grabbed for her trusty sword - which was gone, as he raised his weapon and closed in to strike her down -

Uh, ah-! Oh... phew... I wonder why I dreamt... about all that...

Tracey had suddenly bolted up; her face covered in sweat and she shivered cold all over, as she snatched up her sword and felt her heart race.

I hope that wasn't some foreboding nightmare just now... uh...

She felt ready to be sick again from the imagined recollection alone.

Awake and mobile, Tracey soon found herself packing up her makeshift campsite, along with many others, who also woke before the sunlight entered the still clear sky, and redyed for another day of moving quietly across the unsuspecting land, that would soon be plunged into conflict.