Dont have one but suggestions are great! (here you go cindy!)

Chapter One

 

I sat on the wooden oak bench waiting outside the door to my father’s bed chamber. Waiting and twiddling my thumbs together nervously I sat trying to keep myself from fidgeting. He had been gone for weeks due to the war going on and had been injured during battle with the evil cold hearted Daken wraith and his army of pure traitors. He had been in his bed chamber unseen by everyone except his care giving servants ever since. Not even my dear mother who I could hear weeping at night had seen him. I knew all of this was hard for her but I hoped to bring the news that my father and her husband would be better in a matter of days. I wasn’t sure what to expect though.

“Now kick your leg over son. Yes! Just like that.”

“Now what do I do father?”

“Grab a hold of the reins and no matter what you do Don’t Let Go!”

Before I could tell what had happened Phillip dashed ahead charging forward as I struggled for my life holding on tight just like my father had said. Bouncing up and down with every stride Phillip took I got use to it after a while and even knew how to turn him around or go the other way. I loved the way the wind ran its fingers through my uncombed honey blond hair, the smell of the apple tree blossoms, and the way the wind flew so fast around me that it felt as if I was up in the sky truly flying.  

The sun was setting and my stomach began to growl at me. I realized it would soon be dinner time and that I should get back. I turned Phillip around but soon realized I had no idea of which way to go. At some point in my journey I had made it into the forest which my mother told me was not a safe place to be at night for boys my age. I convinced myself that I recognized the trees to my left and took that path.

The sun was almost fully down and could be barley seen past the purple hazy mountains. It was colder and I snuggled up to Phillip trying to stay warm. I saw two men talking on their horses and decided to ask them for help. They said they would help me so I got off my horse. No sooner had I touched the ground when one of the men grabbed me stuck his dirty hands in my pocket grabbed a handful of the few gold coins I was carrying and ran, or at least tried to run. Out of nowhere, it seemed, my father had showed up and his sword was fully drawn.

“Keep your hands off my boy. Do you understand!?” I had never heard him ever talk to someone in this tone. It sent shivers even up my spine. The men gave me my money back and said they thought I was someone else and ran off into the forest. I turned towards my father and fell into his open arms and realized I was crying.

“Shhh it’s alright. You’re safe now.” My father gave me a gentle squeeze and let go. I turned to get on my horse but Phillip was nowhere to be seen.

“Must have run off when the commotion started.” My father said. “Don’t worry though he’ll comeback eventually.” In one swift motion he picked me up and sat me down on his horse. He climbed on behind me kicked and we were off. Going to the safest place in the world, Home. I must of fell asleep on the way back because when I woke up I was in my bed tucked into the covers, Warm and safe. The memories of the burglars a distant dream.

I sat remembering all of the things my father and I had gotten into over the years. From the horse riding lesson that night so long ago to the time we tried to cook my mother her own special birthday cake. As I sat I remembered hearing some of the servants that took care of my father’s wounds whispering yesterday that things weren’t looking good for him. My mind hoped they would be wrong but my heart new the truth.

The old rotting giant wooden doors opened and a servant girl came out and signaled me in to see my father. I silently stood up; my palms began to sweat and walked slowly toward the door. As I walked through the familiar stone doors I felt my mouth go dry and my stomach did a flip as my eyes fell upon where I my father lay in his ruby red and gold embroidered bed. His normally round smiling face was thin and smile- less. It seemed as if he had grown years older in the weeks he had been gone. He had bruises of every size and shade and half healed cuts and scrapes. The servants had been right; I just didn’t want to admit it to myself. I put on my best smile and walked towards his bed trying to seem like I didn’t want to fall down and cry and that everything was normal even though we both knew that during war normalcy was always a thing of the past.

“Come on in son” my dad’s voice was rusty and weak. I quickly walked over to his side to keep him from straining himself any more than necessary.

“Vincent” he mumbled. “I need you to do something for me. Something very important”

“Yes father anything.” I replied wanting more than anything to make him feel better. Then my father was swept up in a coughing fit that racked his whole body. I reached out and touched his shoulder waiting anxiously for the fit to pass. When it did my father continued to speak to me slowly and precisely.

“I’m not going to be around much longer son. I need you to take my place. I need you to fight for our kingdom.”

I looked at him shocked the pleasant smile wiped away from my face for a moment. “What are you trying to say father? What do you mean you’re not going to be here much longer? The kingdom needs you, we need you, and I need you.” I mumbled the last part quietly embarrassed and angry at myself for showing any weakness in the presence of my father.

“Son.  I’m dying. I’m asking you to protect our family and our kingdom.”

“But father me… I can’t do this I need your help… I” I looked down ashamed for showing weakness again building on to my own self anger and hatred.

“No. I can’t help you. Please son fined the strength and courage to take my place. You are almost grown now being fifteen years of age. I wouldn’t leave such an important job to anyone else.”

“I understand father. I will do everything in my power to save the kingdom. I won’t let you down. I promise.” I stood up and turned to leave trying to hold back tears that were threatening to spill and roll down my cheeks and trying to walk confidently out of the room with my challenge in mind. How could he be so casual about this? He must have known his time was up for a while but I was still in shock. All of these thoughts were swirling through my mind when my father stopped me in my tracks.

“You didn’t think I was going to let you go on this mission alone did you?” I let out an internal sigh of relive thinking that it would be a strong elder knight willing to help me on my quest, but my father got rid of that thought when he called my aid to his side and out of the dark shadows.

“Annabel. You can come in now.” I stood staring at a girl about an inch shorter than me with brown long hair come from out of the corner. Had she been there the whole time? I felt embarrassed and angry that my dad thought that I needed a girls help and that she had seen one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life on top of it.

“Hello. My name is Annabel Mavis. I am going to help you on your journey.”

I looked at the girl who was supposed to fight by my side, the girl that was supposed to be an elderly night, the person who was supposed to stand with me and end this war, and couldn’t help scoffing.

“Hello.” I said back with out any emotion at all. I knew it wasn’t polite but my father had just told me he was going to die and my only help was a silly girl!?! All I wanted to do was turn around and cry but I couldn’t I was a man and to cry in front of a girl would shame me more than anything in the world. I knew I wouldn’t be able to keep the tears back to much longer so I turned away from the girl  bidding my father one final good bye and briskly walked out of the room before any one could see the hot tears already rolling down my red cheeks. I stayed hidden in my favorite secret passageway. Hidden away from my troubles and the war. My hiding place was something that had made it through all wars and troubles of the past kings and queens and it gave me hope that like these walls and my ancestors I would survive too.

 By dinner my father was dead. I had found out that a few moments after I left he had passed. The reason I didn’t know sooner was because I had been in my hiding place most of the day. When I found out the news a guilty wave hit me. I wished I would have stayed and told him everything and that he would be ok and that I was sorry and scared, but I had left rudely, which I was now regretting, for I had been insulted that he had asked a girl, a girl to help me. But as if the guilt wasn’t bad enough the pain of losing a father and king and the feeling of knowing that I was our kingdoms last hope made me feel sick to my stomach. I swallowed deeply forcing myself to keep my breakfast down. I decided that from that moment on I would kill Daken Wraith myself with my sword. I would slay him and kill him. I would avenge my father if it took my entire life. Even if it took help from a girl. I was going to be one of the greatest kings of my time and nothing was going to stop me. My hunger caught up to me so I got up to go to the kitchen. Maybe I could find something left overs from supper to eat to make up for skipping lunch while I was hidden away. I had some cold stew and decided to go to sleep or at least as close to slumber as I could get. I closed my eyes slowly my promise to kill Daken wraith on my mind.

 

 

Chapter Two

 

 

The next day I woke up with a stale taste in my mouth. I sat upright in my bed. The events from the following day came flooding back to me in a rush making me light headed and forcing me to fall softly back down onto my pillow. The promise I had made with myself caught up with me as well and I sat up ready...for anything.  I knew all of the kingdom would be mourning and that the servants would most likely be at the funeral setting up flowers and other things to make such a sad event beautiful in its own twisted way. I never knew why they decorated when no one would pay attention to it. But now I was happy for it. I understood why. Who would want to look at dying plants and dead leaves at a funeral? It would just be too much.

I hardly remember breakfast. It went by in a blur. My mind was to busy to think about much. It seemed like the castle itself was depressed and at a stand still like me trying to muster through every minute without crumbling down to pieces. I was in a state of waiting. In the afternoon was when my father’s funeral would take place. I didn’t feel anything. I wasn’t angry, upset, or sad I was numb. I was on auto pilot.  I only wish it could have lasted for the rest of my life.

Watching my father burn to ashes hurt more than any words could ever describe. The cold wind stung my cheeks and sliced through my clothing chilling me to the bone. An orchestra played sad songs that made the mood even more horrid. But out of all of it I think that the worst part of it was watching and not being able to go and pull him out of the fiery clutches of death. To sit there knowing I  wouldn’t get a long wanted final hug from him or hear his jolly booming laugh one more time. This is the second thing I have realized today. Watching is the hardest part.

            After the ceremony at lunch no one was very hungry. My mother was locked away in her room away from the world. I wish I could do the same thing but I had to start packing and get ready to leave on my journey. No one really knew how long it would take me to get back. They all feared that if I would die…if I would die. The thought had never really been in my mind until just then. Who would take the throne if my fate was to follow my father? No. I wouldn’t let a thought like that find its way into my head. I would come home and see my mother again, I would become king, and most importantly I would end this disastrous war.

            I was carrying everything out to the smelly cold stables where my favorite horse was being prepared everything was just about ready. My heart was racing ready and slightly anxious about what the next chapter of my life could bring. It felt like my stomach was as skittish as Phillip’s for he was jumping around all over the place bouncing and kicking the dirt. There was no way to avoid the early signs of a cold harsh winter with the winds slicing through even the smallest bit of protection you might have on. During all of this however I couldn’t help but wonder where my aid was I hadn’t seen her anywhere and was slightly annoyed with her for not showing up and even more so with myself for even caring. After a few minutes she came walking out to the stables where I stood. Her hair was down underneath the hood of a royal blue cape. Wisps of her long brown hair were caught up in the wind wiping them around her face ever so slightly. She walked gracefully with a pleasant but serious smile on her face. Her cheeks were already a rosy pinkish color from the cold. I turned from her for a moment to finishing strapping my things to the horse.

            “Good morning prince Vincent.” Annabel said to me as she brought her horse around alongside mine.

“Hello. Do you have everything?” I asked not truly caring if she did or not.

“Yes I do. The cook gave me some food so we won’t go hungry on our trip.” she mounted her horse with more elegance then I could ever master. I got on to my horse nonchalantly and turned to face the castle. I let my eyes devour the site. Let them see the family crest mounted on the stone wall. Let them see my mother’s room and her ruby red curtains. I let my senses devour everything up taking it all in and not giving any of it back.

“Are you ready to leave?” Annabel asked me gently after a moment. I knew we were to get going so I forced my eyes to tear away from my home and look forward blindly not sure what there would be waiting for us ahead.

            I was looking at a map that one of my map charters had drawn of the lands trying to figure which way was the right way to go. After about an hour or so Annabel’s voice rang clear through out the silence and chilly, fall air snapping me from my confusion for the moment.

“Your highness, I think we might be lost. I am very sure that I have seen that tree before.” She lifted her hand and pointed toward the tree at our left.

“We are not lost.” I said indignantly. “We just got turned around for a second that’s all.” I said to her focusing back on the map.

“Your highness, I think that maybe we should pull over and ask someone to help us or to at least tell us where we might actually be at the moment.”

“We don’t need to ask for directions because we have a map. And there is no way to tell for sure that you have seen that tree two times.  All trees look the same.” I said to her smugly. “Besides do you see anyone that could possibly give us directions?” I said with a sly grin on my face already knowing the answer.

“Well no but…”

“Well then let’s keep going.” I said to her cutting her off ending the longest conversation between the two of us since we first met. We continued on in silence. It wasn’t an awkward silence but a peaceful and relaxed one. We ate bread and cheese for a late snack and continued through the thick forest which seemed to continue on into forever.

             As it got darker the forest became harder to see in the bright colors of the trees started to fade away to utter blackness.

“I think that’s an Inn over there your highness.” Annabel said to me pointing ahead of us at a small glow in the distance.

We put our horses into the stables and walked into the cozy room where a fire was burning in the fireplace and the smell of something delicious cooking filled my nose.

“You two can have the rooms upstairs if that’s alright.” An old woman said to us as she walked in to the room she looked like a sweet kind woman who had led a good life.

“Thank you… um…” Annabel waited for the old woman to tell us her name

“You can just call me Fran.” She said with her heart warming eyes looking up at us. Once we ate dinner with Fran who was nice enough to give us something to eat we went up stairs to our rooms exhausted.

“Good night Vincent.” Annabel said to me as she turned to leave for her room.

I gave her a funny look. She hadn’t called me your highness or prince and it had caught me off guard. She saw my puzzled expression and whispered under her breath

“I’ll explain later.” and she opened her door closing it behind her.

             I entered my room that was lit by a single candle which cast dim shadows on the wooden walls. I looked at the small lumpy bed and lay down. It wasn’t what I was use to but I was so tired that I fell asleep with ease into a deep dreamless slumber.

 

 

  

Chapter 3

 

I woke up to the sound of voices in the middle of the night and sat up straight brushing my brown hair out of my eyes as I waited for them to adjust to the newfound darkness that surrounded me. I heard whispering outside my room. I got out of my bed in stocking feet and tip toed toward the wooden door. I placed my ear against the piece cold wood and listened closely. The ditzy old woman was whispering to a man and judging from his deep voice he was not going to be someone we could easily shoulder past if we wanted to. I leaned closer only catching bits and pieces of their conversation.

“What time will…be here…get the boy…girl?”

“On their way…be here in...Morning.”

“Do…children suspect…anything?”

“Don’t think so ….suspect nothing.”

“Good.”

“See you...morning.”

“...you in….morning.”

I eased away from the door and waited for them to leave. The old woman was a spy of Daken wraith. I needed to get Vincent out of here and quickly get away from this place. I was so busy trying to at least earn his acceptance of me that I hadn’t paid full attention to our surroundings. I mentally scolded my self for such lousiness. I had allowed us to walk right in to a trap. I was so angry. I was supposed to help Vincent not throw him into trouble. The king himself had asked me to help his son and already I had walked us both straight into a trap.

             I sunk silently to the floor. How was I supposed to get the message of what I had just heard to Vincent without alarming the old woman? I sat still on the ground my thoughts racing through my mind. I heard the front door close and the old woman’s nimble footsteps cross the floor and stopped in front of my door. I got up as quickly as I could and scurried to the bed. I heard the door slowly creek open. Just as I was closing my eyes tightly shut. My senses all at their highest as I listened to her cross the floor to the side of my bed. My senses so overpowering it almost hurt. The old woman placed her hand on my shoulder. I stayed still if I wanted the upper hand in this I would have to pretend I hadn’t heard her conversation so I could have the element of surprise.

“Are you awake?” the old woman asked me gently.

Against my will my eyes opened and I turned around putting on my best act of drowsiness.

“Yes .I am now.” I mumbled from underneath the blankets.

“Come with me quickly I have to get you out of here before they get here.”

I sat up quickly and for the moment forgot my acting which I mentally scolded my self for.

“What do you mean? When who gets here? Where would you take us?” I flooded the old woman with questions. “Miss.., um Fran I “

“Please allow me to stop your there. I need to tell you something. Something very important but first I would like you to go get Vincent.”

“All right I’ll be back in a moment.” I responded with every intention to get out of this place before she could take us anywhere. “Vincent wake up .please hurry and grab your things we need to leave now!” Vincent mumbled something and blindly moved grabbing his things. I felt bad about waking him up in such haste. He had looked so peaceful but now was not the time to catch up on our rest. Everything was packed and we were starting out the door when the old woman appeared in front of us.

“Please don’t leave I’m trying to help you.” She pleaded. I couldn’t risk putting up with this front any longer.

“I heard what you were telling that man earlier. You were going to take us to Daken wraith. You’re a traitor.” I said glaring at her.

“No I’m not. Really I’m telling the truth!”

“What’s going on?” Vincent asked confused I wished that I could tell him but there was no time for it now.

“We are leaving and if you try to stop us I can guarantee you that you will regret it.”

“Please I will allow you to go but first let me explain to you please.”

“No. you’re just trying...”

“Wait.” Vincent said interrupting my ranting. “Let’s just hear what she has to say.”

I looked between the old woman’s pleading eyes and Vincent’s accepting ones.

“Fine.” I sighed annoyed that I was being made the villian.

“I’m not who you think I am. I have to tell you a secret. You two can keep a secret right?”

“Of course.”

“Yes.”

“I am not an old woman like I appear to be.” the woman said pronouncing each word slowly like we were children. “What you heard out in the hallway…um…uh.”

“Annabel.” I said gravely hoping I wouldn’t regret telling her my name later on.

“Oh yes. What you heard in the hallway Annabel they were plans to capture you but I tricked the old woman.”

“You can’t be…I mean I thought your kind was dead… how this is.” I rambled on and on.

“What can’t she be? What is she? Who are you?” Vincent asked again with anger in his tone. I wished I could explain but right now was not the time.

“I am a shifter. The last one of my kind.” The woman said. My anger was building.

“How thick do you think we are!?” I nearly shouted at the old woman. “Your kind has been dead for years.”

“I’ve tried to keep my existence a secret over the years. People would like to get their hands on my type of power you know.” Her argument was good but I wasn’t going to let her trick us so I said the one thing that would prove to Vincent and reassure my self that what she said and was, was a lie.

“Prove it.” I said simply. I couldn’t help smiling just a bit. She hesitated and looked unsure and nervous then she finally muttered

“If I show you will you promise to tell no one?” she looked at us with pleading eyes. I looked in Vincent’s direction and he nodded towards me.

“Yes you have our word.” Slowly the old woman turned and morphed into the form of a little red haired freckled face girl who looked about year or two younger then Vincent and I. the most distinct thing about her were her green eyes. They were almost like a cat’s eye. Mysterious and lovely at the same time.

“I … I think I believe you.” Vincent muttered in awe starring at the girl in front of us.

“Well you are what you say. What do you want with us?” I asked

“To help you on your journey.” She replied simply. I looked towards Vincent.

“Do you think we have room for one more?” I asked him

“Yes.”

“So... what’s your real name?” I asked

“It’s still Fran” she replied.

“The man you heard me talking to Annabel is bringing some of Daken wraith’s soldiers to take you to him so we should get moving.”

“Alright” Vincent replied. We turned to head out the door. I stopped him for a moment to get space between us and Fran.

“We can’t trust her.” I said to him in a hushed tone.

“Why? She is what she says she is, you saw.”

“We know she is a shifter but we don’t know if she is truly on our side.”

“Well I think she is.”

“I hope so” I replied. “I am just warning you to keep your guard o.k.?”

“Alright.”

“Come on” Fran yelled to us over her shoulder. I walked out of the small inn. Looking at the sun just starting to peak above the trees. I took a deep breath and walked into the unknown that awaited us.

 

 

 

Chapter 4

 

            “So what was it you were going to tell me?” Vincent asks as we duck under a low branch.

“Hmm? What do you mean?” I ask distractedly.

“Last night when you called me Vincent you said you would explain it to me in the morning but then… well you never got a chance to tell me.”

“oh, yes I was going to tell you that calling you prince or saying anything that would give away who you are could be very dangerous and possibly even life threatening.”

“Oh, well yes that is a good idea I suppose. Can’t believe I didn’t think about that earlier.”

“Yeah…” I say starting to drift away from the conversation. I was examing the mountains off in the distance something about them wasn’t right. I got a bad feeling from them but I couldn’t let myself get distracted. Not again, not after all the stuff we got into yesterday. A shot of guilt went rushing through me as I remembered how careless I was. If the old lady who really lived there wanted us to be captured we most likely would have been. Of course that’s assuming that this Fran girl was telling the truth. Unlike Vincent, it’s not like I have never stepped foot out of the kingdom grounds. I know how tuff life can really be. I know how life really is. I use to live in a village father away with my family before…

            I suddenly felt my foot get caught in under brush and could feel myself falling when suddenly a pair of strong sturdy hands grabbed my shoulders and stopped me. I regained control over my footing and looked behind me to see Vincent there suppressing a smile.

“Are you alright?” he asked in the kindest tone I had ever heard from him.

“Of course I am.” I said pulling up the top of my cape to hide my blushing. “It takes more than a trip to knock me down.” I said trying to stand up tall.

“So you are alright?” he asks one more time.

“Yes.” I say crisply.

“Then I can laugh right?” he asks but I have no time to respond because he is practically rolling around on the ground littered with colorful leaves splitting his sides with laughter.

            I let out an exasperated sigh.

“It wasn’t that funny.” I say although I can’t help but join in after a while. he has one of those big, booming, laughs were no matter what he is laughing about you can’t help but to join in too. there was something strange about the whole thing but I couldn’t quiet put my finger on it.

“What are you two doing? What’s the hold up back here?” Fran asks.

“Sorry were coming.” We say and hurry to catch up with Fran.     

            She had told us that she had some friends she wanted us to meet. I was against her leading us anywhere but Vincent was ready to go so I agreed but I made a promise to keep my guard up and to protect him no matter what.         It was nice to cut loose for a second but now I was all business.

“Come on Vincent we’d better hurry up.

“Yes you’re probably right.” He says still smiling.

I then realized why it had felt so strange laughing with him. That was the first time I had ever seen him smile let alone laugh. As we were walking, I shot him a sideways glance. He had a pleasant expression on his face. Eyebrows relaxed lips curved slightly upward and his eyes filled with joy. I knew this expression all too well. I wore it almost every day for a long time after my father died. It wasn’t an expression but more of a mask than anything else. I suddenly realized that the laughing fit was probably nothing more than an emotional release of some sort. I looked down at my feet as I kicked the fallen leaves. Vincent was always surrounded by so many people but did any of them truly care about him? Was he always surrounded but terribly alone all this time? I suddenly felt sympathetic towards him and his situation. It had to be tuff. First your dad dies and you not only inherit a throne and kingdom but a war as well.

            “It’s getting late. We should camp here.” Says Fran breaking up my train of thought.

“Yes this seems like a decent place to set up camp.”

“I’ll go set up a few traps out in the woods. Maybe if we’re lucky we’ll catch something for breakfast.”

“You can hunt?” Vincent and I say in unison.

“Of course!” says Fran as if it was supposed to be second nature. I could hunt as well of course my father use to teach me until he died but Fran just didn’t look like the type of girl to go gutting fish.

 “great.” Says Vincent as he props himself up against a tree.

“We should have someone stay awake and take shifts that way nothing can sneak up on us in the night.” I say or no one I think quietly to myself.

“Sounds good to me.”

“Yeah good idea.”

“Alright how about this. I take first shift then Vincent second and then Fran last. Is that fine with everybody?” I ask. They nod their heads in agreement and Fran turns to set the traps up. Vincent and I work on a fire and setting up a quick camp.

“Why did you make Fran last?” Vincent asks me when she is gone and out of earshot.

“Oh you caught that?” I say trying to start the fire with no luck.

“Yeah he says taking the material and starting the fire on one try.

“Well I figured if we kept watch first we would be well rested if she tried to pull anything on us in our sleep. Plus if need be we could get out of here quickly.”

“You put a lot of thought into this didn’t you?” he asks me.

“A little not much though.” I say gazing up at the stars. They were coming out one by one as the sun went down.

“You like stars?” he asks watching me staring up into the sky.

“I used to go out and watch them appear in the sky when I was little. I guess old habits don’t fade.”

“yeah.” He replies.

             It would have been peaceful if it weren’t for the chilling wind I clutched my cape tightly around my body blocking out the piercing wind.

“You should get to sleep.” I say to Vincent as I watch him still gazing up at the stars.

“Yeah I guess you’re right.” I nod my head and smile slightly at how calm he looks. He falls asleep almost instantly and I can’t help but smile. This time it’s different though because it’s a smile weighed down by sadness and the weight of the world. Because asleep he looks like a regular boy so young and innocent. But we both know that’s not the case. You can never be young and innocent once you’ve seen the things he has seen, the things he knows he must do. I wipe away a single tear from my cheek. Why am I crying for this boy I met only a few days ago?

“Because you remind me so much of myself.” I whisper into the night.

            Fran gets back and eventually falls asleep as well. And it’s me alone in the quiet star gazing once again just like I used to so long ago.  

 

 

  

 

Chapter 5

 

 

“Come on in son! The waters’ great!” my father shouts at me.

“No thanks it looks like your getting wet enough for the both of us!” I shot back at him staring at my childish reflection in the water.

“Your father always was a child at heart.” My mother says as she sits in a swing my father and I had built her for one of her birthdays.

“Oh come on guys! It’s no fun swimming alone!” my father says as he splashes us with the cool aqua below.

“Fine, Look out!” I say jumping in to the stingy refreshing water. “You liar! You told me the water was great! It’s freezing in here!”

“Oh Vincent you’ll get use to it after awhile. Don’t be such a baby!” my father shouts to me as he send a big wave of water towards me.

            It’s a beautiful day out. The air clean and fresh and the water was nice after a while.

“Mom come on in it really is great in here!” I shout up to her.

“I think I’ll stay up here. I have more fun watching you swim around.”  Out of nowhere it starts to rain and the sky goes gray. Big heavy clouds start to fill up the entire sky all around getting rid of all signs of the beautiful day that there only a few minutes before.

“Hmm…. I suppose we should start heading back shouldn’t we?” my father says to me and my mother.

“Yes and lets hurry. I don’t think these clothes will do well if they get wet.” My mother says examining the fabric of her dress.

“Can’t we stay just a little longer?” I plead.

“Of course we can! Anything for you.” My parents say. I’m surprised but I don’t ask questions.

“Thanks!” I shout at them. I always wanted to swim in the rain.               

            I was having so much fun but as the day wore on the clouds became thicker the rain heavier and more menacing then before. It wasn’t quite as fun anymore. “Let’s go home.” I say as I turn to face them. But when I look up around the edge of the pond I don’t see them any wear. “Father? Mother? Where are you guys? Let’s go home ok?” I shout their names over and over again but as I search I see no traces of them. The storm is getting worse and it’s starting to thunder now. “This isn’t funny anymore!” I shout into the storm.

            Then I suddenly fall down. I turn around to see what it was I had tripped on and I stare at my father who is staring blankly up at the sky.

“Father?” I gasp as I rush to his side but before I can get there he bursts into flames and burns away to nothing. “NO! NO! WIAT FATHER PLEASE!” I am screaming my heart out but no matter how fast I try to run it seems as if he is moving farther away. Then I hear a scream and turn around to see my mother staring at me as if I’m some type of monster.

“Mom dad is …he …” I say panicking and crying.

“Get away from him!” she shouts at me as she rushes over to him. “Get away you animal!” she screams at me. I’m sobbing and am confused. Why is my mother acting this way? I look around and catch a glimpse of my hands. They are holding fire but it strangely does not hurt. “You killed him! YOU KILLED HIM!” she screeches at me.

“I … I…” but I have nothing to say I close my eyes and cry hopelessly alone.

            “Vincent…” a voice is calling me from the sky. “Vincent…” this voice is sweet and gentle and caring.

“You have to believe me I didn’t kill him.” I say trying to prove my innocence.

“Vincent…Vincent...” the voice calls to me.

“I didn’t kill him!” I shout as I sit up straight and come face to face with Annabel. Suddenly I remember where I am and what’s going on.

“Are you ok? You didn’t kill who? Vincent it’s alright it was just a bad dream.”

 Annabel says to me as she rubs my back trying to calm me down.

“I… it was nothing.” I mumble still escaping the clutches of my dream. It had felt so real. Only a dream… “Is it my shift?” I ask her needing something to get my mind off of what just happened.

“No I took your shift for you. You looked so peaceful I didn’t want to wake you but then you started thrashing around and I figured it had turned into a night mare. So I thought I wouldn’t let you suffer and I would wake you.” She explains trying to comfort me with a smile.

“Why did you do that?” I ask her.

“Well I know that I don’t like nightmares and…”

“No.” I say cutting her off. “Why did you take my shift? You need rest too you know.” I say to her. she is shivering and she looks like she could really use some sleep.

“Oh well I didn’t mind.” She says warmly.

“Well I appreciate it but I’m sure you must be tired. I’ll take over for you.”

“Oh, thank you.” I nod my head and stare at the fire in front of me. That dream seemed so real.

“Vincent?” Annabel says my name breaking my thoughts up for a moment.

“Yes?” I ask.

“Do you want to talk about it? Sometimes that helps.”

“Talk about what?” I ask still staring at the fire.

“I don’t know… anything I guess.” She says after a moment.

“Oh, no I’m fine. You should really get some rest though.” 

“Well just know if you do, ever want to talk about it.. about anything, I’ll be here.”

I nod and she slowly goes to sleep.

“Thanks.” I whisper into the air. She must have been freezing. I think k to myself after I have sat still for a few minutes. Having Annabel as a partner actually isn’t all that bad. I think to myself and smile as I stare at the dwindling embers of the fire against the spiraling colors of the sunrise.