Proud
670 Words
"Felix?" I called out. I was in some sort of tunnel and the only light came from in front of me. But the closer I came, I farther it got. I could have sworn I heard Felix call my name but it seemed to be coming from everywhere.
"No," a voice said from behind me. I took a deep breath, knowing all too well who it was.
"Poppa?" I turned around and there he stood with a sad smile on his face.
"So, I'm dreaming," I muttered as the walls disappeared and I stood in the library in the castle.
Figures. All my imagination, I could change it if I want to.
"Yes," Poppa said with a laugh, "you know, I'm only here to help."
"What's your message this time?"I asked. I now remembered where I had fallen asleep and, well, Felix wasn't going to be happy.
"Princess," he walked up to me and cupped my cheek, "I'm sorry I couldn't save you."
"What?" I asked.
"You had a good fight," he said with tears in his eyes, "I'm proud."
"Poppa!" I called after him as he turned away, "don't leave me again!"
I sat up and blinked away the grogginess as I glared down at the journals. I cursed under my breath as I gathered my pile in my arms and carried it out of the basement.
Jordan stood waiting for me and didn't move as I placed the journals in the pack that sat in Jordan's back.
"That should be all of them," I told him as I patted his head and climbed on. I gave my father's inn one more glance before taking off into the night sky.
I couldn't shake the uneasy feeling of the dream. He couldn't save me? From what?
I watched the stars fly past as we neared the castle, way past due. I could see Felix standing by the doors waiting for me. With a sigh, I led Jordan down. I flinched from the worried glare Felix sent me.
"Alaina," he said as he folded his arms. I slid of Jordan and went towards the pack, "please look at me."
I sighed and I pulled the heavy pack over my shoulder. I turned towards him with a smile and tried to walk past him. His arm caught mine and he pulled me into his arms.
"Don't scare me like that," he whispered in my ear. I laughed as I wrapped my own arms around him.
"I didn't try to," I told him as he took the pack from me. He let out a little whistle and swung it over his shoulder.
"What's in this? Rocks?" He asked as he grabbed my hand and led me in.
"Better," I said with an excited smile, "journals. My father's. He...may have known something about Erin."
"Alaina, we may never figure out what happened to..." He trailed off as his mind traveled to a dark place.
I knew who he was thinking about. Fergus. He didn't survive long after we tied him up. We didn't hurt him but rather he hurt himself.
"Hey," I elbowed him, "as long as everything is quiet now I can do my research. Besides, it's better than doing nothing. Did Maximus find Erin?"
"No," Felix shook his head, "unless Fergus brought him off the island...he could be anywhere."
"Nathaniel?" I asked. I was got for three days searching for answers until I thought to look at my father's journals.
"Nothing," Felix took a deep breath, "mom...she isn't doing too well. The human body isn't meant to sit in one place. I think it's tiring Jasmine out too. I tried to get her to let me help mom but she refused."
I nodded. It was the same as it has been for the past few months. Nothing new, nothing helpful.
"What if it was to scare us?" Felix asked as he led the way through the castle, "what if he was trying to make us go through all this?"
I shrugged as I traced the walls as we passed. It wasn't that. I could feel it in my bones.
Something big was coming. The only question was when. We had to be ready.
- Writer
