I run back through my mind, return my thoughts to when I'd sprung free from the forest and the town came into view. I'd only had sights for the bell tower and the cathedral then, but as I think back on it, everything becomes clearer. I recognize the fence bordering the village. I recognize the way the crisp air almost takes my breath away.
"I almost invited you to come with me, but I didn't think—"
I'm on my feet and barreling toward the door before he can finish.
"Charlotte! Wait!"
Nothing can stop me now though, not even myself.
I race outside of someone else's volition, someone who I thought had died years ago, in this very town. A younger version of me who never thought she'd see her home again.
Stumbling out into the open with Sable clutched firmly in my hand, I pivot around to gaze upon the fallen village of Hulbeck.
It's just as I remember it, only smaller. Like the buildings shrank and shriveled since the decade I've been gone. Aside from Lewis' hissing, and Rowland scrambling to chase after me, there's an eerie silence that's settled over the place I once called home, gutting out all the joy I remember hearing here, leaving it hollowed and miserable.
Then it takes an even darker turn. Although the streets are bare, covered only with the overgrowth of a forgotten town, I see them painted red. I see the dead bodies I had to run past, my eyes stinging and streaming. I hear their miserable cries as dozens upon dozens of the people I called family and friends are slaughtered.
I can still smell the blood and metal and fire.
My legs almost give out, but Rowland is there to catch me, to shield me under his arm the way he hadn’t been able to that day. I have never been able to forgive him for that. Maybe I never will. I know I should though. Who knows what would've happened if we had stayed together. Maybe we'd both be dead. Today is not the day I find it within me to face my demons though.
I shrug out of his grasp and dazedly stagger back into the cathedral where my memories can stay just that.
"Is everything alright?" Mira asks as I storm by.
"Never better," I bite out, hating myself even more for how caustic I’ve become.
"It's just been...a lot," Rowland tells her, trying to soothe things over. "This place was where we grew up. I don't think she noticed we were here until..."
He doesn’t finish his thought because I glare at him in a way that suggests I’ll kill him if he ever dares to speak for me again.
I return to where I'd been earlier, collapse to the floor, and fold my arms over myself and Sable. I'm like that little girl again, curled up like a babe trying to soothe herself while blood rains down around her.
The comparison makes me stubbornly toss my arms to my sides. I refuse to be that weak little girl ever again.
"I'm...so sorry," Mira says from across the room.
"Can you focus on this?" Lewis grumbles. "You know, before I bleed out like a fucking pig?"
He picked the wrong day to treat her so poorly in front of me.
I'm back on my feet before I know it, Sable aimed at his other leg.
"Charlotte!" Mira yelps.
I ignore her. There’s no bolt nocked anyway. I’m notthatcrazy. This isn’t about hurting him, as much as I’d like to. All I want to do is scare him into showing her some respect.
"Speak to her like that again, I dare you."
It's not in his nature to back down, especially from a woman, I imagine. And I can see the effort it takes for him to keep himself silent.
I almost wish he wouldn't.
To my dismay, Lewis holds his palms high.
When I don't lower Sable of my own volition, Rowland does it for me. I hadn't even known he was beside me, and I wonder why he let me get this far. It's not like him to turn a blind eye to my chaos.
Then I notice his smirk and realize he knew all along.
