Callob
I'm running, as fast as my legs can bear. It's not enough.
The kidnappers are still tailing me.
My legs are numb—had enough. I can't go on any longer.
I stumble onto the concrete pathments.
My hands pressed against my knees, as I took my time to regain my breath.
To make it worse: my vision blurred.
Strands of my dark hair fall in front of my eyes.
"Are you alright?" A sweet voice hovers beside me. Has heaven come to take me.
Are they pitying a small child like me, taking mercy on him?
Who else would pity the child of the shadows.
The darkness.
My vision didn't help see the figure beside me. Only the outline. Bright hair that resembled the sun. A slender hand wavers in the air waiting for me.
My small trembling hand reaches towards hers. Very well. Take me to heaven. Where I can escape this kidnapping, dismiss my royal duties, disappear from this world, and its society.
To live up in heaven, with the golden sun and the blinding moon.
Her fair soft skin reminds me of the blinding moonlight.
No matter. I smack her hand away. "Go away."
I don't need pity. Her hand appears before me once again, insisting.
Does she not know when to get lost?
"They look bad," she mumbles.
When I don't take her hand, she grabs my hand that's been lying on my thigh, instead.
"What–" My voice sounds raspy. It's hard to speak. My throat—parched. When was the last time I drank?
"Follow me," and so I do. Might as well. I have nowhere else to go.
Anywhere is fine, if those bastards can't find me. She leads me to a house. A rather small one, nothing compared to the castle.
Her grasp is the softest thing I've felt. Her long hair swayed in front of me, side to side.
My legs ache. I was barely able to pass through the gate. She stops walking and turns her attention to me. I couldn't really tell, however, it seemed we were on the other side of a gate.
My hand slips out of her grasp, having me fall down to my feet.
Again.
All I can see is the pebbled concrete ground.
"Are you alright?" Her light sweet voice wallows through me.
Tears uncontrollably strip down my face.
I'm afraid.
Salty tasting water drops from my chin to the warm ground.
"Wipe your tears away," she says, with a warm tone.
My body doesn't comply.
After a few moments, she steps closer, her form appearing more visible.
"Here," her sleeve dabs under my eyes, lowering to my cheeks.
I look up, facing her. The water in my eyes disappears, making it clearer to see.
Her eyes were like spring leaves in a cool lake.
Why is she being so kind?
I don't remember the last time someone cared for me.
There's no need for kindness. She doesn't even know me.
I'm a stranger. Her touch fades from my cheek.
"There." It's selfish of me but I want to be cared for more.
"Do you like watermelon?" She asked me.
Having no clue on what watermelon is, I nod. Clearing the tears she missed.
"Okay. I'll go get some." She heads towards the entrance of the house.
By now, my vision cleared up. She was a child like me. She was wearing a white summery dress. Part of the fabric was cut in diamond patterns.
My focus darted to the ground after she left. A glimmer of glittering light peaks through the side of my eye.
I glance to my left.
Finding a portable crafted charm lying near my foot. Glittering, was a clear glass star. Strung below clear silver pearls and one above before the star. Two red bows intertwined before the end, where the string fluttered at the end, like a tail of a bird.
I picked it up to analyze it more—It must be hers—the charm was delicate and well made.
"The prince is here!" A voice from behind the gate exclaims.
They found me.
A guard picks me up, throwing me over his shoulder.
Guess mother didn't forget me.
"Let's head back!" The chief commands.
I daze ahead at the ordinary house. Each second the house became further and further from my grasp, with the girl inside it.
I want to thank the girl.
I want to run back to the gate.
I wanted to eat the watermelon.
I don't want to leave.
Please…
Bowels of tears begin to form as I try to reach my hand further—to the confused girl with fruit in her hand.
But it wasn't enough.
I was too far away for her to spot me. I may never see her again.
My heart tightens.
I may never get the chance to thank her for helping me.
For saving me.
One day… one day, I'll come back and find you.
The shadows swallow me. Tearing my heart into pieces filled with pain.
Is this what people call sorrow?
"Don't go." Is the last thing I think about before my memory goes hazy.