Guarding Grace

SEVENTEEN

Grace listened carefully, trying to pinpoint where the sound was coming from, sighed in frustration. The howling stopped abruptly, Grace squeezed her eyes tight, hoping and praying that the sudden silence did not mean what she thought it did. She wanted Ryder to be alright. He was out of the withdrawals, right? Why was he being possessed?

So many questions ran through her mind as she leaned further into Hunter, trying to draw from his warmth and strength. She twisted her hands and shuffled her feet, hoping that Kara had found Ryder and was bringing him to safety. Hunter tightened his grip on her waist to stop her movements, Regan had come closer to the two of them to lend his strength to Grace.

Grace looked down at her feet and mentally slapped herself, she knew she was nothing special. Why these two men beside her would think to protect her, was not something that she wanted to dwell on. She had been the apprentice to apparently a very hated woman. She didn’t see why her, for that matter, she didn’t see why Ryder. He was an addict who was a messenger for a brothel owner.

Grace realized she knew next to nothing about the three she leaned on for comfort and protection. Two were sentenced to become Rousers, while the other was a simple gopher; but how did they end up there? She was pulled out of her thoughts by the sound of heavy boots stomping towards them, she looked up to see Garon walking towards them with Kara by his side and Ryder slung over his shoulder like a sack of barley.

Grace rushed over to them, worry evident on her face, “Is he ok?” She reached out to touch him but Kara stepped in between them.

“He’ll be fine.” She snapped, Grace recoiled as if someone had thrown scalding water on her hand. She took a step back, unsure of what to do next.

Regan looked over at Kara, a glint in his eye that Grace did not recognize. “Respect those around you,” his words confused Grace. But Kara seemed to understand perfectly, “No respect for those who do not deserve it.”

Kara pushed past Regan and Grace, taking the lead. With a heavy sigh, Regan followed his sister back into the darkness. Grace sniffled, unsure as to how to react.

Decided the best course of action was to not react at all, Grace turned and followed Regan. Hunter standing next to Garon, whispering something to Garon that Grace could not hear. Grace saw Garon nod out of the corner of her eye and continue on behind them. Hunter walked behind Garon, looking up to Ryder as he lay unconscious on Garon’s shoulder.

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Grace watched as Kara and Regan walked ahead, whispered conversation flowing. Random words reached Grace as she walked, traitor- lifeless- darkness. Grace puzzled over the words, not knowing the context or the meaning behind them. As they walked deeper into the darkness, Grace felt more alone than ever. She shivered, wishing for Hunter’s warmth to be beside her, but knowing that his concern was for Ryder. But what made Ryder so special?

Grace allowed her thoughts to wander, anything to keep her from feeling and dwelling on the isolation she felt. She pictured her grandmother, silver hair flowing down her back, an easy smile and soft voice.

You have to remember that there will always be those who want to see your fail. But you are my grandchild, no matter what. Hold your head up high.

Grace smiled softly to herself, Grandmother was right. SHe would hold her head up high. There was no need to wallow in self pity and sadness. She would get Ryder to HER- it was him that was special. Though how and why she did not know.

The darkness flowed and moved all around them as they walked, Grace felt the tinges of fear creeping in, she shook her head as she continued walking. Soon, she realized she no longer saw nor heard the rest of the group. She stopped walking, turning slowly, she tried to find the group.

“Regan, Hunter” she called softly, not wanting to draw attention to herself in this shadow world. No response, she tensed and then relaxed. Closing her eyes, she focused on her breathing. Slowing her heart down so that she could listen.

Soft trickles of water to her left, a gentle breeze to her right, but still no sound or evidence of the group. Grace opened her eyes, thinking she must have gotten turned around and lost- she had no companion to help keep her on the path. She started walking forward, hoping to run into the group again.

She walked 40 steps before stopping, it would do her no good to continue walking when she had no idea where she was or where she was going. Grace felt tears well up in her eyes, she was alone… again. But here, in this shadow world, it was not government cronies that she had to worry about. This world had its own rules. Rules she did not know, rules she couldn’t even guess. The darkness still flowed around her like a silken sheet being blown in the wind, a small trilling sounded from her left. Grace started, it sounded sweet and lonesome- giving a voice to her feelings. Grace started walking towards the sound before realizing what she was doing. Forcing herself to stop, she sat down.

“It would be best if I stayed put, they will find me when they realize I’m missing.” Grace nodded to herself, proud that she came up with the plan on her own. Ever playing the devil’s advocate, her heart whispered, they will not come for you. They do not care that you are missing. If they did, they’d have found you by now.

Grace allowed the tears to flow, knowing that the whispers were right. Who was she? Some girl who poisoned an innocent man, no, they’d be better off without her. She curled up on her side and continued to silently cry. Wishing that the darkness would just engulf her and end it.