The Writer - Chapter 9

The Silent

“I don’t have siblings,” Beckett interjected, shaking his head in disbelief. Forrest was just as shocked. The timeline just didn’t work. Beckett’s parents had been killed two years after his birth, which was barely time for recovery and another pregnancy. 

“We are skeptical too,” Rock admitted. “But we can’t risk losing this child. If Baelle were to get her hands on the kid, I shudder to think what she would do. A true descendant in her possession would mean real queenship and our defeat. That’s why our army will be searching closely for the child.” 

“So the army just marches around and asks for an heir?” Emmeline asked, echoing Forrest’s confusion. 

Rock shrugged. “Among other things, yes. Private missions will be given to the army’s leaders. Only one of you will be accompanying the army, actually.” Rock turned, as if waiting for an argument. They all remained silent. “Clara, my dear, the army is in need of medics-” 

“I want to fight,” Clara said, her voice forceful, earning disgraced looks from the Generals. “Look, if you’re going to send me off alone with an army, I at least want to fight.” 

“You’re in no position to make negotiations,” Sparks reminded her. “You’re unique Blessing provides the experience you need to be a medic. Trust me, the battleground is no place for a little girl.” 

Clara scowled. Forrest was afraid for Sparks. But Clara didn’t argue, she slumped back in her chair and pouted. 

“That’s one mission,” Rock continued. “While Clara and the army are searching for the heir and recruits, we’ll send out a separate team to the western region of the Green Kingdom. We have reason to believe that the Rogues are hiding out in either Rackelofft or Dinrali. We’ll be sending a small team of about seven to investigate on orders not to attack.” 

Forrest didn’t like the sound of that. Chasing down Rogues with orders not to fight? 

“Who all is going on that?” Emmeline asked. 

“Forrest and Coral,” Rock announced. Forrest’s heart leapt into his throat. Of course he would be chosen for this mission. It brought him home, and the universe was cruel like that. 

Coral sent him a look, one of fear and then hope. Forrest knew what she was looking for. She wanted to get rid of his Curse once and for all, even if it meant losing the rest of their team. He gave a subtle shake of the head - a warning for Coral to drop the issue. 

“Fine,” Coral replied at last, not masking the excitement in her voice. 

“And that leaves Newt, Beck, and I,” Emmeline said slowly. “What’s our assignment?” Rock hesitated, and that just gave Emmeline the fuel she needed. Her eyes narrowed as she said,”We’re not going anywhere, are we.” It wasn’t a question. 

Rock seemed uncomfortable, so it was Ice who responded. “Yes, my dear. You, the prince, and Newt will remain here at the mansion.” 

“Why?!” Emmeline burst out, her cheeks flaming. Forrest knew this couldn’t end well. 

“Baelle raises the price on your head every day,” Ice explained. “You and the prince are our best chance of victory, so you must stay here.” 

“And? Everyone else is risking their heads out there,” Emmeline argued, flustered. “I can fight and I can hold my own. Please, General, I need to be out there. I can’t be stuck in here forever.” 

“It’s not forever. Just until we’re ready to send you out.” 

Emmeline was on the verge of tears now, and she stormed out of the room. Newt tried to follow her, but Forrest tugged him back down. The girl needed time to vent. 

“Why can’t I go anywhere?” Newt asked quietly, glancing at Emmeline’s empty seat. 

“Last time, Baelle used you as leverage,” Rock reminded him. “We can’t let Baelle have possession of anything that could be used against us - especially Emmeline.” 

Newt nodded, though he didn’t look happy. Forrest was tempted to offer a trade, but he knew that if he were in Newt and Emmeline’s position, he would be itching for a fight too. 

“When do we leave?” Coral asked. 

Sparks was the one to answer. “As soon as you and Forrest are packed. The team has already been gathered.” 

Wow. That was soon … too soon. 

“And me?” Clara added. 

“Pack lightly, darling,” Rock said. “The army leaves at noon tomorrow.”

The mood at the table seemed solemn. No one was pleased with their assignments, but with Emmeline off brooding somewhere, they couldn’t argue. 

The Generals gave identical smiles before excusing themselves and departing. 

“I’ll go talk with Emmeline,” Newt offered, but Coral shook her head. Forrest had to agree with Coral. Newt would only make the situation worse. 

“Forrest, you don’t mind packing for both of us, do you?” Coral asked him. Forrest shook his head. “Good. Then I’ll go talk with Emmeline and calm her down. As for now, I suppose this is goodbye.” 

“It’s not goodbye until tomorrow,” Beckett interrupted. “I say we spend our last evening with each other.” 

“Deal,” Clara decided before anyone could argue. 

Honestly, Forrest wanted to spend time with his friends. It would feel weird to be separated on their different assignments. At least Coral and Forrest were together… 

“Then that’s settled,” Newt smiled. “See you guys later!” 

Forrest had no idea what he was supposed to pack. Coral had obviously not thought anything through when she asked him to pack. 

He had no idea who was on his team and what they would be bringing. He wanted to bring two satchels, one for him and one for Coral. He gathered their weapons and sat them on the table in the Division. He didn’t have anything sentimental really, besides the bracelet Clara had given him last year. The dark cord and wooden sword charm had somehow survived everything. He wanted to pack clothing as well, but that posed another problem. 

“Yes?” Clara opened the door to the girls hallway. “Oh, it’s just you, Forrest. What do you need?” 

He gestured towards the supplies and mimed pulling on clothing, holding up his own shirts and trousers for emphasis. 

“Oh,” Clara said simply. “You need me to gather clothes for Coral?” 

Forrest nodded. 

“No one is in here right now,” Clara said. “You can come in and gather them yourself, I need to pack too.” 

Forrest felt heat rising to his cheeks. Being Coral’s boyfriend was one thing, but digging through her stuff? You’ve already stolen her letter and kept it a secret, he reminded himself. Curse moral compasses. 

Clara pushed open the door and Forrest reluctantly followed her into the girls hallways. 

Each girl had their own separate room, and the only girls in this hallway were the three of Forrest’s friends. Clara showed him to Coral’s room in the back. 

He felt awkward as he stepped inside. Everything about her room was neat and meticulous, a complete opposite from Forrest’s where everything was strone about. Her bed was made, her boots propped up beside the door. 

“Geez, Forrest, it’s just Coral’s room,” Clara sighed. “The dresser is in the corner, that’s where the clothes are.” 

Forrest rolled his eyes. He knew where the stuff was, it just felt wrong to be digging through it. Clara sighed again, this one louder. “You’re such a baby, you know that, right? A big baby.” 

Clara moved to open the dresser but Forrest held up his hands to stop her. What if Coral had something private? He certainly didn’t want Clara to see it either. 

“Fine,” Clara said, giving him a weird look. “But if you need me, just come find me.” 

Forrest nodded and Clara darted away, leaving him in silence. Just get what you need and go. If Coral had something hidden, she would’ve told you to keep out. 

He opened the first dresser drawer, barely pausing to look as he pulled a few shirts and leggings from inside. The fabric smelled like flowers and fresh laundry, but Forrest tried to ignore that. 

He kept throwing open drawers and grabbing about two of each thing from every one of them. Until his fingers grazed something at the bottom. His heart sped up, but he forced himself to calm down. Surely this was nothing to be worried about. He was overreacting, that was all. Calm down. 

Forrest pried at the cold metal that was stuck to the bottom of the drawer. It came free with a pop and he stumbled backwards. 

It was a mirror, the glass freezing against his fingertips. Gold framed his blurry reflection, delicate flowers engraved in the edges. He flipped it over, and on the back was a message. For you, darling. There was a heart beside it. 

Forrest felt his Curse rising in him like a volcano about to explode. He tried to picture Coral’s startling blue eyes, and it cooled him down a bit. 

Until he heard someone in the doorway. 

“What are you doing, Forrest?” came Coral’s sharp voice. Forrest spun, nearly dropping the mirror. She was leaning against the doorway casually, her arms crossed and her eyes narrowed. 

He quickly gestured towards the clothing and the bags lying on her bed, hoping she would understand. 

“Packing?” Coral asked, and Forrest nodded his agreement. 

For a moment, he thought he was going to get off of the hook, but then Coral’s gaze shifted to his hands. Forrest’s cheeks flamed and he could feel Coral’s stare burning into him. 

Her fingers were cool to the touch as she pulled the mirror from his grasp. Coral didn’t seem angry, but she pursed her lips before turning to look at him. “What were you doing with my mirror?” 

Forrest knew lying wouldn’t help, so he pointed to the letters engraved in the back of the mirror. Coral frowned as she read them. 

“Forrest, this is my grandmother’s. It’s the only possession I have from my family - at least, the only one I care for,” Coral explained. She seemed confused for a second before recognition flooded her features. “You thought that this was from another lover.” 

Forrest was too ashamed to nod. He hoped Coral would laugh, but no such luck. 

Instead, she placed the mirror on the bed, the soft blankets swallowing it whole. Her eyes were bright and alive, her dark hair framing her beautiful face. 

“Come here, Forrest,” Coral whispered. 

He stepped closer and she pulled him into a hug - the last thing Forrest was expecting. She rested her head on his chest, right above his heart. She was warm but also someone sweetly cold at the same time. They stood like that for what seemed like an eternity. 

“I could never love someone else,” Coral whispered. 

Forrest, as always, was at a loss for words. Coral pulled away from him before pecking him affectionately on the cheek. Forrest felt like he was burning up. 

“If I knew that you two were going to act like this, I never would’ve left you alone back here,” Clara called out from the doorway with a humph. Forrest stepped away from Coral, knowing that the moment couldn’t get any worse. 

“I’ll finish packing my stuff,” Coral offered quietly. “You should start getting ready for our party.” 

Forrest gave a small smile in response, but his mind was elsewhere. 

He made his way out of Coral’s room, the memory of their hug branded into his mind. Her fiery warmth had sparked something inside of him, something Forrest knew he wouldn’t be able to avoid. 

Forrest hurried away, crossing the Division and passing into his own room without thought. He locked the door behind him. 

His Curse burned inside him, ready to boil over at a moment’s notice. He forced it down like bile, trying to contain it. Forrest had been working at this for months now, attempting to end the episodes entirely. 

No matter what Emmeline said, Forrest wasn’t strong or brave. 

His Curse overwhelmed him just like it had for so many years of his life. His vision tinted red and his sight was blanketed with visions of his worst experiences. 

He felt the pain of the torture from the goddess in Argenti, but he couldn’t place names or faces. He only heard the screams, felt the pain, and sensed the adrenaline pumping through his veins. 

With his anger summoned, the Curse had to release this anger.

Forrest couldn’t control his own body. He was hidden away in his mind, tucked into a private corner. It was terrifying to see himself act like a … a monster. That’s why Forrest locked the door, why he was afraid to be around others when his Curse took over. 

He didn’t want anyone getting hurt. 

Forrest saw himself fling random items around the room. The Curse made him impenetrable to harm in some ways, which was a Curse and a Blessing. Wood splintered in his hands. Metal bent. Forrest drove a dagger into one of the walls. 

He kept forcing Coral’s face to the front of his mind, trying to subdue the beast that ravage his brain. Her eyes pierced the clouds of anger, but they did nothing to hold it back. 

Forrest thought he was drowning. The metal knobs to his dresser bent in his grip. All he felt was the pain pulling him under and holding him there, the waves of rage washing over his head. 

He was drowning in the anger. 

Deeper and deeper Forrest sank into the ocean, disappearing into the depths of the sea. Darkness took over his vision, and Forrest plunged into sleep.

Author's Note

Sorry about the shorter length of this chapter. I was kind of in a writer's block when I wrote it, so it might be a bit choppy and/or boring.