I was awake and all I could see was darkness. I could not move my body. Fear got ahold of my soul. Yet my body felt like it was afire. I could feel the fear clawing it's way into my mind. I plead with no sound for this not to be. I could not be dead. My mum. My dear mum needed me. I had yet to do anything, yet to fallen in love. I didn't even get to become a man yet. Too young was I to die. I finally felt something besides heat, tears were falling down my cheeks. Sound I could here some movement around, voices that I could not understand. I begged to the gods that it would be mum and the merry watchers. I did not think I could handle to see that evil man above me again with that deadly dagger. I feel a shiver run up my spine at the reminder of that dagger. I soon feel myself leaving that plain of darkness and moving into the plain of the living. Light was beginning to enter into my vision. Objects were hazy and I could not make out anything. It would appear that there were two people next to me, but I could not make out who they were. Could it be my mum and pop? Could this have been all just a nightmare? Just a world shattering nightmare. Gods, please let that be true. Please let my father live, and my mum not have to have experience such treatment from those foul men. I looked around more, and noticed I was in my mum and pops bed, blankets tucked tightly around me. No wonder I could not move. My breathing becomes erratic and I try to move. My eyesight finally coming back I could finally make out who the two people were. It was my mum and Brantley. My heart felt crestfallen. I cried out "No!" in pain. I struggled even harder underneath the heavy blankets. "No!" My mum quickly came to my side and tried to calm me down. I do not want this. I want my father, I do not wish that life I knew was coming to a end. I was having trouble breathing. My mum waves Brantley over asking for help to keep me down. As he does so my mum looks back to me. "Shh.Shh. Baby it is alright. Everything will be fine. Please calm down, you will cause to reopen your wound. Please?" That last plead I could hear her voice crack which makes me look at her and I could her face was in pain and sadness. Tears were falling down her cheeks onto the blankets. I stare at as I calm down, my breathing gets back to normal. I then cry as well. Mum and I sob together in pain. Brantley stands quietly by, letting us have this moment. My mum holds me close and I get my arms out from underneath the blankets and wrap them around my mum. We held each other close to consoled one another. After our crying lessen and we were feeling slightly better my mother began to speak. "Honey, you need to go with Brantley. I know what you are going to say. But I am not going to stay here either. I am gonna stay with an old friend in Archet. We can not stay here. We killed some Blackwolds and no doubt they will come here againt to avenge their fallen comrades. You need to go with Brantley. He and his men will teach you on how to become a man. I can not do this for you" There is some silence for a little bit and my mum mumbles "As neither can your father." My head sunk down as I realized my mum was right. I rest my head against her shoulder and sigh. Some tears come back but I stay silent and nod my head against my mum. "Honey you need to rest. Brantley and his men will take you in the morning. I will pack your things tonite so you will not have to do anything. I love you honey." I laid back down and nod again. I whisper "I love you too." I close my eyes and sleep takes me. Thankfully no dreams or nightmares come to ruin my slumber. I wake in the morning feel sore and sad. My mum kisses me on the cheek and wishes me good luck. She hands me a pack and tells me "Take Sarah. She is a good workhorse. I will not be needing her." I nod silently to her. I go to the barn to get Sarah as Brantley an Mum talk to one another. I come back with Sarah and wave goodbye to Mum. Brantley and his men walk before keeping quiet as I lead Sarah away from home. Not knowing that I will never see home or my mum ever again.
END
