Chapter sixteen
687 Words
The world seemed like one big blur as we drove, colors blended together and the wind wrapped around us. I was held onto Azande tighter and I wondered if I had made it difficult for him to breath at any point.
We began to slow as we passed huge black metal gates. I loosened my grip and sat up straighter to look at the destination. A graveyard.
He continued to drive down the path until he eventually came to a stop and shut off the engine. I climbed off the bike and attempted to take off the helmet but I struggled with the strap. Azande came to the rescue and freed me.
"Thanks" I muttered
He placed the helmet back onto the bike and began walking amongst the tombstones. He stopped beside a new looking stone and knelt down to run his hand over the name engraved on it.
I stood beside him and kept watch of his kneeling figure. I could tell whoever the person was, they were special to him.
"My brother" He spoke answering the question that I was thinking.
I stayed silent, I wasn't sure what I was supposed to say to him.
"He was three years older than me, my only sibling. He died last year"
"What happened? If you don't mind me asking of course"
He silently raised from his kneeling position but continued to look down at the stone in thought.
"He was always wild and impulsive, couldn't ever control him. I guess we were almost complete opposites but that didn't stop us being close. We grew together in this shitty world..."
He turned to look at me and I could see so much emotion in his eyes. He was a completely different Azande right now to the one I usually see, right now he was allowing himself to be broken.
"The same world that Ambrose wants to protect you from. That world kills people Ayanna, no matter the age or innocence, It'll strip away all chances of a future and Ambrose will be damned if he lets that happen to you"
I could understand why he brought me here now. He brought me here in hopes of scaring me into listening to Ambrose.
I could understand his tactics though, he had lost his brother and he understood the importance of a sibling bond.
"What world are you talking about? I'm so confused as to what everyone wants to protect me from"
"Us... All of us, we're trying to save you from us"
He looked away from me and fixated his eyes where his brother rested.
His words were just getting me more confused and I found myself asking more questions. What exactly were they all involved in that they didn't want me to know about.
"Please Azande, I'm begging you to tell me the truth"
I placed my hand on his shoulder and I felt him tense under my touch.
"Don't ask me Ayanna... I don't want to lie to you and I can't go against Ambrose's orders"
"Orders?"
Azande took hold of my hand and took it off his shoulder however he remained holding it. His thumb traced small circles which sent tingles throughout my body.
"It's important that you stay away from Reid and his group..."
"tell me wh-"
"because I don't want you to end up in the ground too... I don't think Ambrose would survive it"
What ever secrets everyone was keeping from me, they were quite clearly deadly ones. I couldn't imagine the depth of the secrets or what they were involved in but if they killed people then perhaps it was best I didn't know.
"Okay... I'll do better"
A smile quickly graced his face before he hid it away again. Even if it was for just a second it's the first time I had seen him smile.
My hand suddenly felt cold and that's when I realized he had only just let go of it. Why'd I suddenly feel empty?
"I should get you back before Ambrose worries too much"
"Wouldn't want another punch?"
He smirked before nudging my arm when passing.
"Don't tell anyone about that, I have a reputation to uphold"
"I know you're a softy really" I joked
He plonked the helmet back on my head before getting back on the bike.
"Let's get you home princess"
- Writer
