“Who. Are. You?” He hisses.

Those were the hardest theee words to hear in my life.

Becuase really! Who am I?

I’ve tried so many times to blend in and fit into society—to fit into my kingdom, all for nothing.

Now with my dagger in one hand, chest heaving, knees shaking, he askes me that question.

I had killled the King to protect my people, but in doing so, I’d lost my best friend. What have I become?

“I’m—I’m,”

“A coward!” Cameron shrills.

He launches forward quicker than my tired eyes can indicate, and kicks my knees inward, sending me crashing to the floor.

Cameron stalks forward and bashes my head with the hilt of his sword. Stars erupt behind my eyes and I try to stagger up again, only to receive another kick to my knees.

“You betrayed me. You betrayed your kingdom. You betrayed yourself,” Cameron screams, “So please tell me Jasper, WHO. ARE. YOU?!”

Time slows. The wind howls, drowning out my thundering heart. I can still see the King’s blood on my hands. On my tunic. It’s probably splattered across my face too. Like some type of cursed freckles.

“You’ve thrown away everything! Your choices—your reckless decisions—They endanger us all!” His voice cracks, revealing more hurt than he’s letting on.

Although no one can ever see it, I did it to protect the people I love. And that includes my best friend, Cameron who probably want to kill me now. The King was going to kill us all. So I just had to beat him at his own game.

Finally I find my own voice, “I am someone who cares a little too much.” I murmur.

I slowly push myself up to glare at Cameron, “I am someone who keeps my word, no matter the cost.”

I wipe the blood that’s dripping from my busted lip and clench the hilt of my dagger. I don’t want to hurt Cameron. But he’ll kill me if I don’t put up a fight.

Fury flashes in his eyes, “No! You’re-“

“-The only person who had the guts to do what has to be done.” I interrupt him, “I am someone who forgives but never forgets. I am someone who will never stop fighting for what I believe in.”

I lunge forward, slashing at Cameron’s chest. He recoils, and I seize the moment to land a punch to his jaw. Blows rain down. Each hit stings. I duck, I swing. Adrenaline surges. Although he might have the upper hand with the sword, I’m quicker, faster, and more experienced.

“I never wanted to betray you, Cameron. But the kingdom needed saving, even if it meant losing you.”

I throw dirt in his eyes and tackle him to the floor. I quickly wrap my arms around his neck and press my dagger to his throat. Suddenly Cameron stops struggling. Maybe becuase he knows that I could kill him if I want too.

“You cant do this to me, Jasper. We’re friends. You know that!” He says almost desperately.

I shake my head but keep my dagger tight to his neck, “I won’t kill you. But I have to get away somehow.”

And then I squeeze.

I cut off his air supply until he stops moving and his breaths come more slowly. He’s not dead. Just unconscious.

I pick up his sword and back shealth and fasten it to myself before stashing my dagger away. I glance back, my heart heavy. The boy who had once been my brother lay unconscious at my feet. Would he ever understand? Maybe not. But I can’t lose him too. Not like this.