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Zerie's Shadow- Chapter 2 |
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CHAPTER 2
Dearest ~ 心から
I ran from that place of memories, as fast as a horse could run. I ran so far, leaving a broad trail of tears behind me. My pace helped me cope a bit when attempting to suppress those tears. I came to a dead stop when I saw people. A lot of them. I had never seen so many people in one place before. I did not wish to be there, or be with any of them, so I turned and ran my heart out alongside the road I stood by. Again, my eyes welled with tears, stealing my eyesight. This road ran beside the forest I came from.
What was I running from? I wasn’t sure. Was I running from memories? Or was it I was running from my past? Was I running from Bieo? No! I shook my head at the absurd thought, my eyes closed, and I lost my balance. I didn’t realize it, but I had been running for so long, it must have been at least a full day. I was sore all over, and tired. I fell into the ditch beside the road, the weight of the sword pulling my fragile body down. I hit my head on a rock. I was far enough from that place by now that I had hoped nobody would find me. I didn’t want to move my body. I could feel my muscles twitching on the inside.
The sun had set and the ground became cooler. Though my eyes were closed, I was still conscious. I heard footsteps approach me. I wanted to move, I wanted to run away! I wanted nothing to do with anyone anymore. The most I could do then was twitch my eyebrow. My eyes were burning from all the crying I had done. Just then, I felt a soft, gentle hand touch my face. I’m not sure why, but then I became relaxed. The touch reminded me of my brother. The feeling I had when I was having a bad dream and his hand touched me, so I’d know he was right there with me. I fell asleep quickly, feeling in the back of my mind that this, too, must have been a nightmare. I had a dream of those winged horses I told Bieo about once before. I dreamed of being above the clouds and of a heard of them that came to greet me as I rode in on one. To be free from thoughts once more, to be…
I woke up; my eyes opened as quickly as I sat up and looked around to see where I was. I was on a mattress on the floor, covered by a white blanket. The room was large and empty, made of wood. The scent of pine filled the room. A light shone through curtains covering a window. I crossed my legs under the warm blanket. I noticed something felt odd and glanced about before I realized the claymore was no longer on my back. In a panic, I quickly searched for it before I realized it was simply lying behind me. I took a hold of it and pulled it into my lap, stroking it as if it were a newborn kitten.
A door opened and someone walked inside. I did not look up, for my gaze was glued to the scabbard of my brother. A woman said something, but I did not pay any attention. I did not understand her words anyway. I continued to rub the rough leather down the length of the scabbard. The woman walked out slowly, leaving the door open behind her. A few moments later, I heard light footsteps come near me. My eyes closed. I wanted nothing to do with anyone anymore. Bieo was gone and I felt it was all my fault!
Then the voice I could never forget echoed in my head. That voice which reminded me of Bieo. “Hello,” the boy spoke softly with a kind voice. My eyes opened quickly and widened as my hand rose. That was his voice. That was my brother’s voice. I turned to the boy who sat down beside me on the floor. I couldn’t believe my eyes! A tear fell from my eye and I threw myself at him, wrapping my arms around his waist. My eyes closed. I had missed him so much. He helped me sit up, and I looked him over to make sure he was real. Brushing my fingertips on his face and down onto his shoulder. Different clothing, yes, but he appeared to be the same person. They even had the same warm smile and bright eyes. I pulled away slowly.
He put his hand to his chest as to inform. “I’m Talc.” He said. Talc… This is where I understood this look-alike of my brother. He wasn’t Bieo at all. His name was Talc. I looked deeply into his eyes, my brother’s eyes. Why was he not the one I missed and loved so dearly? “What is your name?” He asked me, though I didn’t understand. I repeated the last word I heard my brother say. “Zerie.”
“Zerie?” he repeated. “That sounds like an eerie name,” he said with cheer in his voice. To be honest, I had no idea what he was saying. My stomach growled, and that is when I realized I had not eaten for days. Talc patted my shoulder when he stood up. That is when he walked away. I smiled as I shifted my gaze back down to the sheathed sword. Talc. My brother’s name was no longer in my vocabulary. It was now replaced by Talc.
He returned with a bright red apple in his hand. I watched him, smiling. He stopped beside me and reached the fruit towards me. “Here.” I brought my hand to the apple and allowed gravity to roll it out of his hand to mine. Talc sat back down while I gorged myself on the apple. Talc began to speak when I had eaten half of the apple. I glanced up to him every now and then. He was asking questions, but I wasn’t sure about what. When all that was left was the core, I placed it on the floor between us.
He watched me, his elbow leaning against his knee and his fist under his chin. “You don’t have any idea what I am saying, do you?” He asked. He appeared to be very calm, and he reminded me of that lake. I sighed deeply, looking to the floor.
 Talc Suna
 Amazing Q · Wed Jul 22, 2009 @ 08:46pm · 1 Comments |
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