A lone boy was walking. Passing through familiar creeks and trees, he gradually made progress in reaching his destination. A flock of birds flew past him and heavy clouds started to form. Ignoring all that was happening, he continued.

Drip. Drip. Drip.

A slight drizzle showered the boy and his surroundings. The boy ignored it, looking only towards the general direction of his destination and, as if his actions angered the skies, the drizzle quickly turned into a downpour, soaking the boy and his peasant clothes wet. Still the boy ignored it. Neither the chilling sensation of rain nor the onslaught of water fazed him. In fact, it seemed that the boy sunk further into apathy.

His hair, previously brown, turned black and similarly, his freckled face lost all signs of freckles and his tanned skin became a shade lighter. Not minding his transformation, the boy trudged over a small creek, drenching his already soaked clothes more.

He trekked past a meadow, leading him to a vast plain. Four hours more, he thought as he stepped on to the plains. As he did so, a shadow darted past him, causing him to stumble towards the muddy ground.

“Grrr…”

A hungry growl was released from the once-a-shadow-but-now-a-wolf. The wolf’s starved eyes fixedly looked on the boy. It somewhat smiled and pounced towards the boy. As the wolf was about to take a bite, his target dodged sideways. The wolf landed in an awkward position and turned back to look at his prey in a crazed manner. It’s target, the boy, smiled at it provokingly, ignoring the rain that splashed upon his face. In anger, the wolf rushed towards the boy and it, in a single moment, lost its life.

*** *** ***

“I don’t think that my task was too hard,” said the seated Rey, looking at the drenched boy, Charles. Additionally, Charles had splotches of blood on his disguise. Charles remained steadfast and said, “Maybe sending a carriage would help…”

Rey looked up at him in annoyance. “And what?! Jeopardize your mission?!” Rey stood up while holding his head. “And besides, there was already stationed carriage at another village! You could have just gone there instead of taking a route that went god knows where!” He particularly emphasized on the last three words. Sighing in exasperation, he looked at Charles. Charles in response to the gaze, snorted.

The older man’s cheek twitched. His complexion went dark and in a low voice he growled, “Out.” Alongside the word, came a chilly feeling that made Charles want to shiver. Not that he did, though.

Charles raised a brow and smirked. “’Kay,” he replied, heading towards the door. Rey looked at his disappearing figure. He considered Charles an ingrate. He’d gave him clothes, food, and his mother back yet he did not fully follow his beckonings and even seemed to scorn him. Clack and the door was closed. I’ll deal with you later.

Outside of the Rey’s room stood the soaked Charles. The man, to him, was unbearable. Charles knew of his arrogance but knew the reason for it to be. The guy, with all his power and money, thought that a little bit of this and a little bit of that would take care of everything! He could see that Rey was just a clueless pawn brought up and pampered under that Zeis family. Aside from leading one portion of the military, Charles doubted that Rey could do anything.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

Not that it really mattered to him. After huffing a great amount of air and then letting it out, he slowly strolled around while tracing his small fingers along the stone walls. Stepping on the grey floor in a set pattern, he felt the coarseness of the walls.

Charles smiled. His smile was not of joy but it was of an agonizing kind. He wore the decrepit smile and his dark eyes became cloudy.

The walls were like this too. Stone and seemingly impenetrable. His cell was small while the walls were rough. Being here seemed as if he was back. He, Charles, was once more the condemned.

These stone walls gave no protection. It was only a cage meant to trap him in. To keep him in captivity. He was no Charles.

His vision blurred and the corridor seemed to twist in appearance, leaving a striking yet dreadful resemblance of the room that once confined him.

No calm down. He closed his eyes and steadied his breathing. Everything’ll be fine.

He opened his eyes and, to his dismay, he was in a room oh so familiar to him. The grey walls, the small window, the hard wooden door. It was all so familiar. His rasping breath quickened and his gasps were loud enough to be heard.

“Aaaah,” he groaned in pain. He covered his face with his hands and gripped it with an iron grip. He tore at his face, clawing his skin out. Why? Why?! WHY!

It wasn’t supposed to be like this. It was supposed to be his second chance. A chance to live a better life. It wasn’t fair!

He let it out. Yelling and shouting with all his might, his shrieks pierced the air. “Ha…” Soon he stopped, slinking back down on the coarse floor. His tears still continued to spill out, wetting the hard surface of the floor. He looked at his hands and found them the size as they were before; big, calloused, and rough from the countless years of writing and labour. Bitterly, he smiled. It was all a dream. It was just one cruel joke thrust upon him.

He was tired. Very tired. The previous happenings sucked out his vigour and he found his eyelids to be in the process of closing. At that moment, he recounted his dream. Those years he had spent there. Was it all for naught?

He laid his left cheek on the cold floor and thought, Nevertheless, that was a good dream. Closing his eyes, his vision, once more, blurred.

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- ---- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --

Author's Note: I've gotten really lazy and I have exams so please don't expect any releases for the moment... :(