Around half past 4, we left and made our way back to the inn to meet Sera and Helia.
“You look like you really enjoyed yourselves!” Sera exclaimed upon seeing us. Her warm eyes turned to me, “Especially you, Hayden. I’ve never seen you look so happy.”
I was happy, I realized.
When had I last hung out in person with guys my age? The last time I’d lost and not been made fun of for it? When was the last time I really enjoyed myself?
Ah, that’s right. It was the last time I’d finished a book.
Was there something wrong with me? That only stories could make me feel like this?
My nails dug into my palms as I gave the characters people in front of me a weak grin.
“He got a chance to show off,” Azure interjected, with a ‘friendly’ pat to my shoulder that nearly knocked me over.
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah! We played Ludus Latrunculorum. I won the first few rounds but once he picked up the rules there was no stopping him! You should have seen it!” Aeolus laughed “I’ve never seen so many people offer challenges! Azure had to promise Hayden would come back tomorrow.”
Sera gave me a proud smile. “I’m glad to see you finally opening up.”
Feeling more closed off than ever, I replied. “Me too.”
Her delicate features twisted into a familiar frown. Where had I seen it before? Last night's dream of the horrible creature rushed back, sending a shiver up my spine.
“Hayden, are you-?”
Right. I’d nearly forgotten. “I’m fine. Listen, there’s–” before I could tell her of the dream I’d had, I stopped myself. Both she and Helia had escaped relatively injury-free in the dream. If they knew about the future, would the results be the same?
If something happened to her because I said something, would they still help me get home?
“Nevermind.” My answer drew concerned looks from them. In my head, the looks of concern turned to looks of disappointment when they realized what I was keeping from them. There were plenty of books that demonstrated the need for secrecy when dealing with the future. Sky’s story alone was proof of how unpredictable the future became when the past was altered.
The others made an obvious effort to lighten the mood, keeping up a boisterous conversation throughout dinner. My appetite gone, I picked at my food. Finally, I gave up on eating altogether and shoved my food away, unintentionally scraping my plate across the table. When everyone turned to me, I said, “I’m heading off to bed,” and left.
Behind me, Aeolus mumbled, “What’s his problem.”
If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.
Sera replied with a hushed whisper, the words fading as I left earshot.
Shutting the door roughly behind me, I carelessly flung my boots off to the corners of the room before flopping on the bed. The mattress shifted as Ani leapt up to sit and stare at me accusingly.
Rolling over to avoid his judging gaze, I summed all my feelings up in five words. “I want to go home.”
His stare continued to prickle at my back as I fell into a restless, dreamless sleep.
----------------------------------------
“Phreeeeeeeet!”
A deafening whistle broke the silence of the night. I bolted up, knocking Ani off my chest once again. Untangling myself from my sheet and tugging my boots, I scrambled out the door and into the tightly packed hallway. Something slammed against a wall, shaking the whole building. A piercing cry shot through my ears before I could fully recover. I flinched violently and was nearly bowled over.
Millie.
Concern and guilt pricked at me, and I had to remind myself with a steadying breath that they had been uninjured in the dream. Something firm and fleshy snatched my wrist. I yelped, instinctively yanking it away and nearly knocking over Sky. He hushed me with a finger to his lips and jerked his head to the side, indicating where Aeolus and Azure were preparing to break into Sera and Helia’s room.
My eyes widened, and I shook my head violently, “Don’t.”
Sky quickly studied me, then nodded at the others, who backed off just in time. The door exploded outwards as Sera and Helia burst into the hall, nearly ramming into the remaining evacuees.
After a quick exchange of glances, we pulled up the rear of the evacuating patrons and escaped the building ourselves, chasing the cries and thumps of the fight.
There was a rumbling, broken cry from overhead and I looked up to see the creature from my dream slithering and escaping by the rooftop. A blindingly bright Millie followed close behind, dogging at the creature’s heels. Sera released a gasp, taking off in a sprint after her. Anticipating her actions, Helia followed suit quickly, leaving us blinking in the dust.
“Wait, Sera!” Aeolus called as he ran the same path as the rapidly disappearing princess. There was a curse from Azure as he, too, followed, leaving Sky and I stranded in the crowded and dusty courtyard.
Before Sky could disappear as well, I snatched his wrist as he had mine earlier. Pulled around by his momentum, he twisted back toward me.
“They won’t catch it.”
He narrowed his gaze but didn’t shake off my grip. “What was that?”
“What?”
“Don’t play games with me, Hayden. You know what.”
I turned away from his gaze to watch Millie’s brilliant light head towards the woods. “I dreamt about it. That creature will lose Millie in the forest.”
“You knew.”
I nodded.
“Was that why you were suddenly so quiet last night?”
I pushed the answer past my dry lips. “Yes.”
“Hayden-” he cut himself off and sighed, then shifted his wrist in my grip to gently grab my arm. “Let’s move to a more secluded area to talk.” He tugged at my arm, guiding me back through the now deserted inn and to his room, where we settled across from each other on the beds.
“You should have said something yesterday.”
He had no right. I sneered. “Like you told them about the future?”
Hurt crossed his face, and he recoiled. “I’m–that–”
I wasn’t interested in his excuses. “They weren’t hurt. What did you want me to do? Warn them? What if they got injured because I said something? Then how would I get–”
Home.
Nostrils flaring with anger, Sky asked, “How am I supposed to help them if I don’t know what’s going on?!”
Ah. There it was. The real reason he was so irritated. Incredulously, I said, “You’re just angry that you don’t know what’s going on for once.”
Anger and indignation burned across his face. “I just want to make sure–”
“–that everything goes how you want?”
He closed his eyes and took a deep breath. When he released his breath, the anger flew out with it. “Yes. I want us to make it to the best possible ending.”
With momentous effort and a deep breath of my own, I reigned in my temper as well. “It’s the same.”
“I understand. I don’t like it, but I get it.” He looked at me, his bright blue eyes staring right through me. “Don’t forget your promise.”
Moonlight highlighted the movement of his chest, inflating and deflating with each breath of life. “I haven’t,” I replied. The words tasted bitter, like a lie on my lips.
“Next time, though, you should tell me. Even if we decide to do nothing, I can help you.” His lips twisted in a smile reflecting the bitterness I’d tasted. “I’ve only been doing this for the past decade. If you make the wrong choice, the guilt will eat you alive.” His words were heavy, weighed down by the experience. They echoed those I vaguely recalled.
You won’t be able to save them all. You need to try anyway. If you don’t, you’ll never be able to forgive yourself.
“Next time,” I promised. And this time, it wasn’t a lie.