Falling feels like flying until the moment you land. Your adrenaline soars through your veins, wind gliding past your body. Just a few moments and its peaceful, exciting. Until the last few hundred feet and you have no way of rescue. Then your heart is in your throat and the pounding in your chest begins. Thankfully the impact will be quick maybe after will feel like the free fall.

Iron clashed shut and echoed off the cement. To make matters worse, I was locked in with him. The cool iron soothed my swollen knuckles as I leaned against the bars. I tried to ignore his pacing behind me as his new shoes scuffed the cement floor. I looked at the empty cells across the hall, wondering how we got into this mess. “This is entirely your fault, Benjamin,” he said, still pacing behind me. “We wouldn’t be here if you would’ve followed the plan.” I ignored him, placing my forehead against the bars to soothe my growing headache. The bright iridescent jail lights did not help. His pacing stopped and he sighed before saying, “You’re just like your father. Impatient, hot-headed and—” “I am nothing like him!” I shouted, gripping the iron bars as blood began to pulse in my ears and flare in my gut. I turned, rushing toward him and gripped him by his collar. “My plan would’ve worked just fine if you could keep up, Lorenzo!” He scoffed and shoved off my grip. “First of all, thank you for proving my point,” he shouted. He pushed two fingers into my sore shoulder, pushing me back slightly. “But it’s hard to follow your lead when you only think of yourself and don’t communicate when you decide you want to change courses!” Lorenzo’s face was covered in dirt and dried blood. The bags under his eyes were a deep purple. I’m sure if I looked in a mirror, I would look rather similar. I rolled my eyes. “Why are you so quick to judge me when you know nothing about me?” I asked. His dark eyes took me in, assessing me. He rubbed at his dirty face before saying, “I know everything I need to know. You spend your life following your father’s footsteps. You were bred to be a selfish killer like him.” I shook my head and looked away. “What makes you any better? You were the one that volunteered to do this assignment with me,” I stated. “Keep your friends close but your enemies closer, right?” he said, dusting off his shoulder. He straightened his posture, his shoulders squaring as he cocked his head, eyes filled with mischief. A chuckle escaped my lips as I shook my head. “We are not enemies, Lorenzo,” I mumbled, “I want nothing more than to be free of the title my father chains me to. I don’t want this life. I was just born into it. What’s your excuse?” He was silent for a moment. His eyes drifted, a faraway look in his dark brown eyes. “What kind of life would you have wanted?” Lorenzo asked, ignoring my question. I thought about it, though I’ve never been asked this question before. I took a step backwards to rest my back against the unforgiving iron bars and said, “Honestly, I don’t know. What I do know, however, is this is not the life I would’ve asked for if given the option.” It’s true. My father never wanted children- just soldiers from his own blood to carry on his ‘legacy.’ A life of crime doesn’t suit my fancy, but I never had a choice. Lorenzo took up a spot beside me, looping his arms through the bars. “If I had to choose freedom from my father or death, I would choose the latter,” I whispered, loud enough for him to hear. I could feel his eyes on me, assessing me again. “Is that why you do this? Take on all these jobs?” he asked. I nodded. He asked, “Why don’t you run?” “I have nowhere to run to and even if I did, he’d find me,” I said, turning to face the bars. Ironic, I’ve been locked behind bars my entire life and yet being here now, physically locked behind them, is nothing compared to the one my father has me in. He shook his head. “I didn’t ask for this fate either, I only did it for survival,” Lorenzo whispered. Though he looked toward the cement floor, his shoulders folded inward, and his head hung slightly. I knew there was more to his story than he let on. “Survival?” Lorenzo nodded and said, “I needed to find a way to make my own money, separate from my father’s fortunes. His money tends to come with strings. I couldn’t keep an actual job so when your father offered me a position, I had no choice but to accept.” No choice. Neither of us had a choice. “I might know one place we could go where he might not find you,” he said quietly, as if my father could hear him. I laughed and asked, “We?” A ghost of a smile brightened his dirty face, “If were not enemies, like you say, life as runaways wouldn’t be so bad, I guess,” he said. I chuckled and shook my head. I guess it wouldn’t be so bad to try. Or die trying. Keys began to jingle down the hall, a guard appeared, and he reached for the ring holding a variety of them. Lorenzo and I watched as the guard shoved a key into the iron lock, a click and the guard opened the door to our cell. “You both met bail,” he said, his voice rough, before he began back down the hall. “I forgot to mention, my dad was my one phone call. I might have mentioned you,” Lorenzo said, a smirk plastered on his face as he took in my confusion. “Looks as if he found your freedom to hold some value.” “Should we hit up another bank before we run?” I asked, sarcasm laced in my words. Lorenzo chuckled, shaking his head and shoved my sore shoulder again, but it was different somehow. The same smirk filled my face, and we walked out from the iron bars, both physical and mental, that held us bound.

The bone drums echoed ought the stone chamber. Lorenzo swiftly shut the iron door, turning and leaning his back against the cool surface. He watched Alora as she began digging in a drawer, searching for the scrolls franticly. He pushed off the door, making way to the desk by the window to help her look.

“Tell me again why these scrolls are so important” Lorenzo mused, still rummaging through the desk. He checked each drawer for any secret compartments.

Alora let out a sigh, placing her hands on the cabinet to brace herself. “The scrolls contain ancient spells. Ancient spells that can mean life or death right now” she exclaimed. Her voice was soft, quiet. The bone drums outside continued to sound, each beat nearing. They had to find these scrolls fast and find an exit before they reached the castle gates. Alora began to cross the room, each hurried step was soft against the stones.

She had almost made it the another cabinet when her shoe caught a loose stone in the floor, Lorenzo moved. He caught her just before she hit the floor, “Careful now, Alora. I don’t know what these scrolls look like. I can’t have your clumsiness knocking you out now” Lorenzo said, pulling her back to her feet.

Alora brushed her dress skirt. “It’s not my fault” she exclaimed.

Lorenzo just smirked at her, their eyes holding each other.

Alora looked back to the loose stone and cocked her head. He watched as she went to her knees and pulled the loose stone free. There— a hole in the floor. Lorenzo met her on the floor, pulling apart the surrounding stones. Inside laid a deep brown box, Alora reached in to grab it. Her hands traced the smooth wood, a sigil carved into the top. She looked at him, her chest rising and falling in quick breaths. She opened the lid.

A handful of scrolls laid in satin, each tied with a slender black piece of leather. “The scrolls” she breathed. “We have to go—“

Shouts sounded down the hall, unfamiliar voices. Her eyes widened and they were both to their feet. Lorenzo looked around the room for an exit. A window too small, the only door leading to the voices. That’s when he noticed a hanging tapestry shift. He rushed towards the old tapestry and pulled it back. A tunnel. He looked back to Alora, “You need to get out of here, right now.”

Alora rushed beside him, the box of scrolls gripped tightly in her small hands. “I am not leaving here without you, Lorenzo” she demanded.

He cupped her face with his hands, “I will be right behind you, I’m just going to buy you some time.”

She shook her head, “No, we do it together.”

“There is no time.”

Her eyes began to rim with silver. The voices in the hall became closer, each moment was a moment wasted.

“I will be right behind you, okay? But you have to let me do this. It’s the only way we have any chance of escaping.” He searched her eyes, worry swimming in her turquoise orbs. He pulled her in, his lips pressing softly against hers. Just a heartbeat he let their lips meet. The kiss sweet and soft. A promise. He pulled away, resting his forehead against hers. “I will always follow you. Now go.” He didn’t give her a chance to say no as he gently shoved her down the tunnel.

Another bright morning, Althaea pushed back her duvet and strolled into the jack and jill bathroom that connected to her younger brothers room. From the light beginning to light the sky, she knew it was around dawn. She splashed her face with cold water, quickly freshening up before heading for the closet. She tugged on a worn, hand-me-down dress from her mother, braided back her honey blonde hair and quietly made way downstairs.

She found her mother in the kitchen, her matching hair pulled back as she gathered ingredients to prepare breakfast. “Good morning, mother.” Althaea said softly.

Her mothers eyes lifted, a smile meeting those blue eyes. “Good morning my love, I’m sure your headed for the garden but please- eat something before you go.”

Althaea grabbed an apple from the bowl of fruit sitting between her and her mother on the island counter. Pushing past, grabbing a large basket by the kitchen door, “You know I’m just going to snack as I harvest.”

A soft chuckle escaped her mothers lips, “Honey, I left some silver in your dresser, take it with you and Theo when you two go into the market. Get yourself a book or two while your in town.”

Ah, Theo. Althaea’s closest friend since she could remember. He’d probably be on his way over soon, “Thank you, I’ll be sure to grab one for Jesse, too.” She pecked her mothers cheek before heading out the side door and began harvesting what she could from the garden. She found a few extra large oranges and kept them separated in the basket for Jesse, her younger brother.

As the sun began to rise over the horizon, the morning harvest finishing quickly, the sound of the wooden gate creaked open. She looked over her shoulder to see Theo, carrying a few dozen eggs in another basket.

“Good morning, sunshine. I brought your mother a dozen eggs, figured I had plenty this morning to toss a few more in the usual order of six.” Theo beamed, his shaggy chestnut hair damp with the sweat from his walk to her cottage.

Althaea peered into his basket- the few dozen eggs, three glass jars of fresh milk and a book. “What is that?” She gleamed down at the book, a smile growing on her warm cheeks.

Theo’s smile met hers as he handed over the book, “Just my copy of the book you’ve been eyes in the book shop. I have to apologize, though, I may have read it last night.”

Her eyes narrowed as she flipped through the pages, sighing, “You are insufferable! How am I to form my own opinions when you write your silly little messages in the margins?” He laughed, the smile coming back to her lips as she hit him with the book. “Come on, let me drop this in my room and we can head into town. My mothers in the kitchen, you can say hello before we leave.” She handed her basket to him, grabbing the large oranges.

They strolled back inside, Theo and her mother engaging in a light conversation as she made her way back up to her room, the oranges she set aside in one arm, book in the other. She set the book on her dresser, opening the drawer to find the silver hidden there and stuffed it in her dress pocket. Crossing the jack and jill bathroom, she quickly peaked into Jesse’s room, finding him still asleep, she set the oranges on the bed beside him and made her way back downstairs.

“We will be back for dinner! Love you ma!.” Althaea squealed softly, grabbing Theo’s arm and tugged him to the front door. She attempted to take her basket from him but he insisted carrying both and they began their walk into town to sell what they could.

I stood there, staring at my reflection. A version of myself reflecting back. I took in the turquoise eyes. The honey blonde hair. The high cheek bones. So many good qualities, beautiful qualities. I also took in the unsymmetrical jaw, cheeks and lips. The larger-for-my face nose. The larger-than-four-fingers forehead. Qualities I wish I could change.

Then I looked deep into the eyes of my reflection. I could see the big heart- willing to sacrifice anything and everything for her loved ones, even strangers. Could see the same heart, surrounded by walls, chains, a lock and key. Not willing to open truly to a lover, a partner.

I could see the life, laughter and kindness dancing to a beautiful song in a beautiful forest. But I could also see the darkness, the anger, the lies.

It was as if two souls were trapped in one body. Life and Death. Ting and Yang. Light and Dark. Two souls, fighting for a chance to surface and show face. The inner battle of one being. The angels and demons at war for ownership.

I could see the innocent child, full of creativity and wonder. Full of happiness. But I could also see the burnt our young adult who stood in the reflection. The sadness. The tiredness. The defeats.

It was written in the lines across her face, the stains of purple and blue beneath her eyes. The shadows in those eyes.

A constant battle. Inside and out. Another day, another mask.

I could see everything about the young woman standing in front of me. And I didn’t know if I loved her. Or hated her.

Sebastian watched as Althaea paced the room. Her steps clicking against the wet cobblestone. She reached her hands to tuck her hair behind her ears, letting out a deep sigh.

“Seb, I don’t know what else to do. I have lost everyone I care about and now I feel so lost.” Silver rimmed her eyes. He tried not to take it personal as his lifelong best friend forgot his existence.

He stood deadly still, his voice low, “You haven’t lost everyone, you still have me, You know you will always have me.”

She stopped her pacing, finally meeting his eyes. “You know what I mean, Sebastian.”

“No, actually, I don’t”

She rolled her eyes, a defeated laugh escaping her lips, “The one person in this world that I love- loved so deeply, so effortlessly- and has actually loved me back is gone. Dead.” Tears began streaming down her cheeks. Her gaze on the floor, arms wrapping around her torso. “I will never get that love back.”

Sebastian took a step closer, reaching to whip her cheeks, “You’ve always had that type of love, Thaea” Her eyes slowly tracked back to his, brows furrowing. “From the moment I met you, when we were just children, I have loved you. I never stopped loving you, it just grew as we did. Despite everything that tried to get in the way- it was always you.”

Her throat bobbed, “Seb,” she shook her head, pulling away slightly, “I love you, you know I do.” His eyes were now lining with that same silver, watched as a wall went up within her, “But you’re not him.”

He felt the crack in his heart at those words, felt the drop as she left the room. Silence rang in his ears, his head. He let her walk away this time.

Unlocking the door to her apartment, Melanie stumbled inside. All day she had felt off- as if her equilibrium had been shifted. She dropped her bag on the floor, kicked off her shoes and made way for the small kitchen. Sighing, she open a cabinet to grab a glass. After a day like this, two glasses of wine was a must.

Setting down the glass and making her way to the wine cooler, a flash of white light appeared from the corner of her eye. She paused, assuming she was absolutely going crazy, but looked over her shoulder. Nothing out of the ordinary - except. There, blending slightly to the island in the kitchen, an envelope. She looked over her older shoulder to the stack of mail she planned to get to, then looked again to the single envelope on the counter, brows furrowed in confusion.

She reached for the envelope, flipped it back and forth- nothing. No name, no address, no stamp. Melanie slipped her nail under the seal, ripping it open. She pulled out a small, folder piece of paper. Peering around the room through her brows, she unfolded it.

Written in her sloppy cursive-

“Lanie, This will sound a little strange, but I need your help. I’ll explain more upon your arrival but to keep it short… Mom left you a crystal necklace - I chucked mine when she gave me mine - lets just say our relationship here was not as lovely as yours. The fate of my world lays within that crystal. Please bring it with you.

x, Lanie

ps. Use your closet.”

Lanie. Lanie. Lanie. Lanie.

The only person in the world who called her that was dead.

Melanie starred at the paper, hands shaking. The thoughts in her head screaming and pounding. She let the letter drop to the floor as she sprinted to her room. With shaking hands and breaths, she began digging through her jewelry box for the crystal necklace. At the bottom, the full white crystal lay. She pulled it out, hands still shaking as she held it out in front of her.

How could a crystal save a world? This avocado pit sized rock dangling from a silver chain. This made no sense.

She watched it dangle for a few heartbeats, shifting through the thoughts in her head. Peering over her shoulder, her breath caught as another flash of white spilled from under her closet door. This could not be real. She stalked to the closet, necklace still dangling from her hand and reached for the doorknob.

Ridiculous is what this was. Anyone else, I would’ve done this with anyone else, but stuck traveling with him? Ridiculous. I wouldn’t have agreed if I had any choice but there were no other options. Three day’s travel with an insufferable, arrogant man.

“Don’t think about me too hard, you’ll get wrinkles.” Mattheo gleamed, my eyes snapped to his, if only looks could kill. His smirk grew and he picked an invisible piece of lint from his jacket.

“Don’t flatter yourself.” I murmured, focusing on the narrow path ahead.

He fell into step beside me, the rocks crunching beneath our shoes. I gripped the bag around my shoulder and took a deep breath. From a side glance, I could see him sizing me up and down. “You know, for being as short as you are I’m not surprised you have such a bitter attitude.”

“Spending three day’s with you makes me bitter. Plus, I’m closer to hell, being as short as I am and all.” I spat, kicking a small rock ahead.

Mattheo chuckled, “And here I was thinking we were going to have such a wonderful time together.” I rolled my eyes. Insufferable. Arrogant bastard. I bit the inside of my cheek to keep the rebuttal to myself. “Darling, why are you so upset?”

My head snapped to him, stopping dead in my tracks, “Don’t call me that!”

A playful darkness danced in his chestnut eyes and he smiled, taking a step closer. He reach over to pick out a leaf from my braid, “Now why is it, you think we cannot enjoy these next three days together?”

I shoved his hand from my hair and glared, “I can’t stand you. Mattheo, the last time I saw you, you tried to kill me and my friends! Why would I enjoy it? If I didn’t need your help- I would’ve killed you already.”

He beamed, “You’d have to be an absolute fool to believe that, darling.” Fire began to heat my veins, “I wasn’t there to hurt any of you. You and your friends would have been dead if I didn’t come to your rescue.” He stepped closer, “Besides, you couldn’t kill me, even if you really wanted to.”

It was my turn to laugh, “Oh, I most certainly could.”

Another step. His eyes leering. He was close enough that his scent of mahogany filled my nose. He leaned in, I couldn’t pull back. He paused, so close we were breathing the same air. My body froze when he lifted my chin and our eyes met. “You most certainly could not.”

Through tired eyes, I noticed the village peering through the mist. After day’s of travel, little food and water, my legs ached.

Just a little longer.

The mist was a cool blanket on my skin. The stones beneath my bare feet ice cold. I wrapped my filthy cloak tighter around me, savoring the warmth as I slowly followed the path.

Just a little longer.

I kept my eye’s on the village, hoping I’d see someone -anyone- who would notice my arrival. From the distance and mist, I could hardly see the building. Keep moving forward. I would not allow myself to stop now. Not after everything.

Just a little longer.

With each step, pain ached my legs, my lungs, my head. I focused once more on the buildings, closer now, I could see a door open on a small cottage. A woman in a long dress strolled out carrying what seemed to be a basket. I tried to yell but my throat was dry. I waved my arms, trying to get her attention. Too far. She would not see me this far. I wanted to scream, yell, cry - anything to be seen.

Just a little closer. I moved to fasten my pace, enduring the sore legs and burning lungs. I kept an arm flaring out with the other gripping the cloak. My eyes began to burn as I stumbled across the stones. I almost fainted when the woman looked over in my direction, seeming to look out towards me. She dropped her basket, ran back into the cottage and moments later being followed back out by a man. They paused, then they were running. Running to me.

My eyes flooding with tears, I kept moving. Just a little longer. I could hear them now, through the tears and the mist, they were yelling but the exhaustion was heavy on me now that I couldn’t comprehend. I felt my body slow to a stop, the man now reaching his arms out toward me before I felt everything start slipping out from under me. Before the darkness swallowed me whole, strong arms caught me before I hit the ground.

Just a little longer.

“Seb, It’s been awhile. I figured I would right you when I arrived back home. How are you doing? My brothers are the same. They have taken my attendance as free reign to be absolutely feral. I have many bruises to prove my dominance in the wrestling thats taken place since I’ve arrived, so don’t think for one moment I couldn’t take you. This summer is already weird without you. My mom asked how you were doing… I told her you were your charming self, full of sarcasm and wit. I hope your doing okay, despite the distance- I am here for you. Always, Elizabeth.”

“Lizzy, My apologies for the timing of my letter, I wanted to write sooner but I’ve been rather busy… Good to hear your brothers are the same. I’m doing okay. My sister seems to be okay, but I know she’s putting up with more than she can handle. I just wish she would tell me what I can do to help. My uncle? Still a stubborn prick. No matter what I do I can not get him to just let me help. Send your mom my wishes.. Yours, Sebastian”

“No apologies necessary! I’m sorry to hear of your sister, if there is anything I can do, please let me know. My mother is the best herbologist around, I’m sure she can whip something up. Don’t mind your uncle, he’s just projecting his own insecurities onto you. You’re the oldest sibling, I understand how that burden can be laid on your shoulders. How is the weather over there? I heard you got snow! I cant remember the last time I’ve seen snow so you have to tell me all about it! Also, keep an eye on your post, we’ve sent a few things for the holidays. All our love, Elizabeth.”

“Lizzy, I miss you. Your smile is all that is keeping me going and I can’t even see it. I feel it though, in your letters. I know my sister misses being at your cottage during this time- she loves baking with your mom. It is snowing here, but its rather cold- and not in an enjoyable way. Then again, I haven’t really enjoyed much of this time apart. I’ll keep an eye on the post as long as you do, my sister insisted.

Wish we all could be together again, I think my sister would enjoy it. Sebastian”

“Seb, I miss you too. I wish you were both here, we all do. My mother has been missing Anne as well, given, I am not much of a baker. She so wishes she had a daughter like Anne. You are both missed in our home. I’m sorry you haven’t been having a good time. Try not to drive yourself crazy and please, stay out of trouble. You tend to make questionable decisions without some supervision… All our love, Elizabeth.”

…