Fate

17: Curiosity Killed The Cat

It comes to a point where I do not know where the darkness ends and I begin. I feel empty and hollow. Every now and then a creak from above has scrabbling at the walls, though I'm already on the verge of being engulfed by the concrete. I'm sure by now little lines from my scratching have been left in the stone. 

I'm fine. I'm just overreacting. It's not like anything's down here with me. I'm alone. As I wanted to be. 

I'm not feeling so sure of my past wishes anymore. 

Suddenly, a pair, or more, feet sound above me and I flinch. I hope to the heavens they're Fylo. Even Alistair I'd be happy with. But I'd rather have Fylo...and his jasmine tea, lemon and honey. A crack sounds from above, and the a beam of light brightens the basement. 

"Astraea?" Fylo's voice calls from the top.

"Oh, Fylo!" I almost sob, clambering up from my tight space and practically running up the ladder.

"Astrae-what? Are you alright?" Fylo asks, his voice a mix of concern and confusion.

"Oh, Fylo!" I repeat, running into his arms.

"God, Fy we rescued a nutcase." Alistair's bored voice reaches my ears.

"Oh shut up, asshole. You must have fears too." I muster the dirtiest look I can get and shoot at Alistair.

"I don't have time for fear." And he says this so deeply I can't help but laugh. He gives his own evil eyes at me.

"I-I-I don't have time for fear!" I wheeze, "Classic!" The more tears that roll down my cheeks the angrier Alistair becomes.

"Just go outside, Ali. I have to talk to her anyway." Fylo mutters and Alistair obeys. Their friendship is pretty agreeable. It doesn't seem like they argue a lot, "You have to be careful, Astraea. He has a short temper."

"I'm only giving what I get. He hates me!" I protest.

"He doesn't hate you, he's just struggling to resist your-your scent." He says, slowly.

"My scent? I can't do anything about that! Why's he mad at me for something I can't control! You rescued me! You let me live in your house!" I accuse.

"A-about that..." He mutters. 

Oh lord.

                                                         ✯¸.•'*¨'*•✿ ✿•*'¨*'•.¸✯

"B-but where am I supposed to go?" 

"You can go to the kings for all I care." Alistair grumbles.

"Alistair!" Fylo scolds, whacking him on the shoulder, "I don't know, Astraea. But they tracked your scent here. They already suspect us."

"There's nowhere I can go! When they catch me, what will you say? When you visit your brother and I'm locked in a cage, or slaving away for them what will you say?" I begin pacing the front room, rubbing my hands through my pale hair.

"Astraea, we can keep them distanced from this area long enough for you to get else were. In fact, we have something to give you."

"No, you have something to give her. I have nothing to give to her. She is nothing more than a danger you chose to inflict on this house." Alistair growls earning another hit from Fylo.

"Shut up, Alistair. You were the one who wanted to save her, not me." Fylo mutters. No way! Alistair saving me? I try to catch his eyes, but he avoids me.

"What was it, Fylo?" I change the subject.

"There's a house. Over the hill, beyond the dense trees. It was meant for one of us when we found our mates, but obviously I couldn't go with mine and Alistair never cared for his." Fylo explain, handing me a set of keys. I almost ask questions, but I've learnt never to dig deep.