Chapter 13 Withered
“N—no…” I breathed, breath trembling. “No… no, no, no, NO!” I ripped up the freshly dug dirt, digging fiercely.
This isn’t real! It’s just another nightmare! That isn’t ME!
“Robin!” Jackson barked as he ran over and grabbed my arm. “What the hell are you doing?!”
“LET ME GO!” I screamed, trying to yank out of his grip. “She’s not dead! She’s not!”
I’m not!
“Robin—”
“Don’t touch me!” I hissed, smacking his hand away. Before I could dig again, he wrapped his arms around me, caging me, and I screamed, “STOP!”
“Robin!” Jackson shouted. “I dug her grave myself! I was there when she was laid to rest.” My trembling body went limp, losing strength as I stared down at the grave. My grave. Jackson was no liar. His arms tightened around me as he whispered, “She’s gone.”
How? Why? What did I—
My face dropped, and the nightmare I had twice resurfaced.
The second time wasn’t a nightmare. It was real.
“Murdered…” I whispered.
“What did you say?” Jackson studied me. “How do you know that?”
My shaky hand flew to my mouth as I gagged. Dizziness turned into nausea, and my quick breaths made me lightheaded.
“Robin?!” Jackson gasped. “Calm down before you faint. Robin?” He turned me around so that I’d face him, but his words couldn’t reach me. “Slow your breathing; you’re hyperventilating. Robin—” He placed his big hand on my cheek but his touch felt numb.
I can’t breathe!
My numb body gave way, and my world faded into darkness. The last thing I heard was Jackson calling my, no, Robin’s name.
Darkness. Endless darkness. Eternal shadows. A void.
I took a deep breath, my hand on my chest. Alright… I’m alright. I’m okay, I told myself before glancing around, but I saw only a black void.
“Hello?” I called, and then gasped, recognizing my soft and melodic voice.
My voice is back!
I looked down at my hands. They were my hands again. Platinum blonde hair slipped over my shoulder, forcing me to brush the white bangs behind my ear.
What in the world… I’ve been here before.
I hesitated to speak as I hugged myself and looked around. I glanced up, and my jaw dropped. Above me were lights swirling in the shadows. They faded in and out. Erik’s joke resurfaced in my mind. Eerie lights. Yet, when I squinted, the lights appeared to have an image in them, but it rippled like water, blurred too much for me to make out.
The dancing lights provided enough light for me to see, my eyes finally adjusting.
It’s like this place stretches on forever—
I perked up when I saw a figure hidden in the shadows. I gulped but walked over to them. The silhouette took on features: a woman in ragged clothing, and short bright ginger hair.
There’s no mistaking it.
Robin.
I steeled my resolve and stepped closer. “Robin?” I called.
Her shoulders stiffened, and she tilted her head back. Before I could see her face, a flash of light stole the darkness. I flinched from the blinding light, and my eyes rested on the gentle sunlight flooding the room from a polished window.
Where am I now?
I glanced around. The wooden and stone walls showed it was a common house designed with Embercrest architecture. It was a small room, having nothing but a dresser, rug, and bed I laid snug in. The bed was sunk in from somebody with a lot of weight sleeping in it, but the wool blanket gave me the warmth I haven’t felt since I was in my old bed. I don’t want to move.
I snuggled my face into the pillow and picked up a familiar musky scent with a hint of iron.
Wait… Jackson?!
I sprang up when he opened the door, and both of our eyes flew wide.
“U—uh, hi?” I stammered.
Jackson relaxed with a sigh and ran his fingers through his wavy black hair. “You’re finally awake. For a moment I thought I’d have to fetch another doctor.”
My green eyes traveled his body. He was dressed in a black linen shirt with dark brown pants and boots. It was the first time I had ever seen the captain without his armor on. His wavy hair, which he always kept in a tight bun, now hung messily, almost grazing his broad shoulders.
“Ahem,” he grunted.
I jumped, cheeks flushing. “Yes?”
“I asked you if you slept well.”
“Oh… yes, I did.” I smiled softly.
“Good.” Jackson frowned. “I had to sleep on the couch for three days. My back is killing me.”
My smile dropped into a grumpy frown.
Still a jerk even when he’s being nice.
“Well, thank you for your hospitality, and I’m sorry I was a burden. I’ll be leaving now.” I pulled off the covers and rested my feet on the rug, but Jackson’s firm hand on my shoulder kept me seated. My body tensed under his intense stare. “Um, captain…?”
“You said Princess Liliana was murdered.” His icy eyes narrowed. “Nobody knows that but the Rays and the knighthood. The citizens were told that she had passed away from a sudden illness. So how does an outsider know about this?”
Uh oh.
My breath quivered, struggling to keep my voice strong. “I told you, I’m a Ray too. Queen Victoria sent me a letter—”
Jackson scoffed, released me, and then left the room.
My jaw dropped.
What the hell just happened?
“Wait!” I shouted, leaping to my feet and yelping when a jolt of pain went through my body. I didn’t let it stop me from chasing him. “Captain Jackson! Just let me explain—oof!” I slammed into his back when I rushed out.
Jackson spun around. “You’re not fooling me, thief. You’re a liar. I have no time or patience to deal with someone like you.”
“Are you investigating Liliana’s murder?” I asked.
“‘Princess’ Liliana,” he growled defensively. “And it's none of your business if I am.”
I grimaced at his hostility. He was far nicer to Liliana.
“Captain,” I pleaded, grabbing his arm. “Please tell me how she…” I swallowed. “How she died. If you do, then I’ll tell you what I know.”
Jackson’s lips pursed as he looked me up and down. “I can’t trust a thief.”
“Then trust that I care about Liliana! She…” My voice trailed off as my steeled resolve cracked, gaze falling to the floor. “She did everything she could to be a good queen someday. To bring pride to Embercrest. To be a symbol of peace and compassion. She gave up on her dreams to meet expectations, yet this is the price she paid.” My eyes watered. “Why?? What did she do wrong?”