Sleep Keeper (18 page)

I watched helplessly, my hands clenched in fists. I was frightened yet excited seeing Orion like that. He looked angry, fierce, and powerful.

Both men charged, the first with a dagger and the second with a sword. Orion dodged the first man and rammed the hilt of his sword against his back. He fell to his knees. The second man’s charge came before Orion could finish the first kill. Orion blocked his sword’s swing and sliced across the guard’s chest, just as the first man reached up and stabbed Orion in the thigh. Orion and I both grimaced from the pain. I reached out for him, knowing it would do no good. Orion fell to his knees, knocking the man’s dagger out of his hand. With a quick lunge, Orion jumped on him and stabbed into his neck. Crimson liquid splashed across the ground.

Another guardsman charged forward. Orion jumped to his feet and steadied his stance, ignoring the pain that throbbed from his leg. The fourth man dove with his sword forward, appearing to not know how to use it properly. Orion dodged to the side and pushed his sword through his stomach.

A thud came from behind us. I turned to find Leyland with another body at his feet. He stared down at the man with a horrorstricken face. His bloody cleaver dropped to the ground.

“Robby...” he whimpered. His eyes glazed with remorse.

Several men leapt up from the ground and detained the remaining guard. I looked back at Orion, with scattered bodies around him. His stood focused. I, on the other hand, felt scattered and afraid. Yet, his eyes held the same heavy look of sorrow that I was feeling. I wanted to hold him in my arms and take him away from this nightmare.

A noise came from the building Leyland led Draco and Erebus to. Leyland and Orion rushed toward the building with several other men following behind. I hurried after. When we arrived, the building was empty.

“They must have fled. At least we impaired their army,” Orion said.

“I took down the two men on perimeter watch outside of town after I left Erebus and Draco,” Leyland said.

“That means they’re alone once again. Thank you. I’m forever in your debt for your bravery,” Orion bowed his head.

“No comrade, thank you. You have saved our town.”

We stood in silence with heavy hearts as Orion and Leyland surveyed the damage in the town.

“What comes next?” Leyland asked.

“You repair your town and mourn for the fallen men,” Orion answered.

“No, I mean what’s next of Erebus? How can we stop him?”

“I don’t know… I’ll head out in the morning to continue my search.”

“I’m coming with you.”

“I don’t know how long I’ll be gone,” Orion told him.

“I understand, there’s nothing left for me here… anymore.”

I saw the deep-rooted suffering hidden behind his eyes, but Orion didn’t pry. Suddenly, my vision blurred. Images rushed by - too fast for me to decipher. Buildings, trees, clouds, day, night, day, night, they raced faster and faster, colors blurred past in a dizzy spin. I squeezed my eyes tight. Nausea rolled through my stomach. I covered my mouth to keep the vomit down. It all came to a sudden halt.

I opened my eyes to a deep blue sky with hundreds of stars sprinkled above. The ample moon lit up the night, causing beams of light to illuminate the treetops. Steel-gray clouds gathered in the distance as they slowly drifted in my direction. I turned my head and spotted Orion and Leyland nearby, extinguishing a small campfire. Orion’s clothes were different than before… dark and soiled. Soft bags hung under his tired eyes. His facial hair had grown thick; a sight that was shocking yet ruggedly handsome.

How much time had passed?

“Hello?” I called in an ill-fated attempt.

No response.

They walked past me in silence and continued into the forest. Without actually rising, I was now following close behind. They walked for a mile through the brush and hiked up a high bluff. When they reached the edge, the bright moon lit up the panoramic view that spread for several miles across the forest below. A river lay to the East and shimmered against the moonlight. The forest was dense except for a small clearing buried toward the North.

“Did… you see… that?” Leyland asked, appearing unsure.

Orion and I peered down at the clearing. Something moved. Within a blink, dark clouds swept across the moon and the sky turned black. The view below disappeared as if a dark sheet had been draped over the forest.

“No… I didn’t see anything. What did you see?” Orion responded.

“I’m not sure. Probably nothin’.”

“I saw something!” I rushed.

“Let’s check it out anyway. Can’t hurt,” Orion suggested.

Without the moon, they stumbled back to camp in the pitch-black night. I glided behind effortlessly. Orion glanced back up at the sky, hoping for a break in the clouds. I read his expressions as he contemplated waiting until daybreak, but I knew his choice. He couldn’t sit idly by at camp all night. He fished a flashlight out of his bag and handed it to Leyland. He holstered his sword and they headed toward the clearing.

On the short hike, the dark clouds fulfilled their threat and cast down rain, gentle at first, but heavy soon after. In no time, they were sloshing through the muddy debris with drenched bodies and clothes. I looked up at the falling water, but couldn’t feel it on my skin. I could only hear its song, which I found strangely comforting, like a hush from the heavens to wash away my fears. There was, however, a drawback to the rain; it hindered the ability to hear anyone else that might be lurking nearby.

Not long later, we came upon a small campsite. Leyland switched off the flashlight and we listened carefully. The only sound was the falling of rain. Orion drew his sword and crept into the campsite. Leyland was at his back with his cleaver in hand. To witness the scene on the brink of bloodshed send a crushing wave of panic to my chest.

A few feet ahead were two small tents. On the right were two horses, tied to a tree under a canopy. They were unusually peaceful given our intrusion; perhaps they welcomed the rescue. Orion moved toward the tent, pausing directly above. Leyland remained a few feet away keeping watch into the dark trees. Orion drew his sword and lunged repeatedly into its canvas with extensive force. His face was twisted in an unrecognizable rage that saddened me to watch. He did not stop until the torn fabric showed no evidence of bodies inside.

Just when he realized the tents were empty, movement came from behind. A knot filled my stomach and I whipped around. Orion’s eyes darted about, but he couldn’t tell which direction it came from. A trig snapped a few feet away and Leyland leapt into the trees. Another snap from the opposite direction and Orion darted into the forest. I followed Orion. His panicked face confirmed my same realization that they had been separated.

“Leyland!” he immediately called out, but heard no reply. He rushed back to the campsite, but there was no one there.

“Leyland!” he hollered as he scoured the nearby area.

“Ha, ha, ha.”

My stomach sank as I heard Erebus’ guffaw.

“Erebus!” Orion bellowed.

There was no response, just the sound of the rain as it poured down harder.

“Erebus! Show yourself!” he ordered.

Something moved on the left, and then a dark figure hovered from behind the trees. Without a pause Orion charged with a fierce roar. I pulled my arms into my chest and held my breath. As hard as it was to watch, I wouldn’t dare look away.

He raised his sword, but its blade did not pierce Erebus. It didn’t even come close. With more than fifteen feet to go, Orion was suddenly airborne. His body tumbled in midair and crashed against the trunk of a tree. I hurried over to him, knowing I couldn’t help. The moment his feet hit the ground, he pulled himself up and took his stance, ready to fight. Everything was happening so fast, my emotions didn’t have time to respond. I stood close by, my feet nearly dancing with adrenaline.

Erebus strolled closer. “Orion. Why do you even try? You know I could rip the limbs from your body with just a twitch of my wrist,” he chuckled.

I wondered if he had that much power in him.

“Where is she?! What did you do with her?” he demanded.

Was he talking about me?

“I’m afraid I have no idea
who
you’re referring to.”

Orion’s lip twitched and his breath became erratic. Erebus’ nonchalant remark had angered Orion even more. “Don’t you dare plead ignorance with me Erebus! Where is Alexis?!”

Oh no… was he risking his life searching for me?

“I’m here!” I cried.

“Alexis? Well, well, well…” he snickered. “Did your beloved finally realize that she was too good for you?”

“I’m warning you… so help me if you touched her…” Orion threatened.

“Touch her? The girl means nothing to me. In fact, you mean nothing to her as well,” he chortled. “I can see her right now, you know…” he said as he stared directly through me.

My heart skipped a beat. I stepped closer toward him wondering if it was true. I shuddered at the thought.

Orion’s face looked like he was just punched in the chest. “You’re lying!” he cried.

“I promise you I’m not,” he replied stately. “I can see the way she looks at her sweetheart… the sound of her moaning when he touches her.”

How dare he!

I couldn’t breath. I knew he was lying, but Orion’s eyes were stricken with pain. I watched as he contemplated its validity.

“It’s not true! Please don’t believe him!” I screamed.

I wished for just one touch to help ease his pain. I reached out to touch his face, “If only you could feel me near.”

The rain briefly stopped and the last of the water fell from the trees and dripped down Orion’s shaking sword. Erebus was amused to see him so disconcerted. The smirk smeared across his face sent my blood boiling.

“Oh… you actually thought she loved you?” he roared out a laugh. “That is amusing.”

Orion was frozen with shock.

My body was full of rage; my mind consumed with an intense desire to tear the flesh from his gauntly bones. But at the same time, my heart tore open from watching Orion drowning in anguish.

Then… something changed. Orion’s face went blank. No more pain, no more sorrow, no more anger… just an expressionless glaze. Erebus turned for just a second, letting down his guard. Without a sound, Orion covered the distance between them with lightening speed. His sword sliced across Erebus’ stomach. Erebus screeched in pain. The sound of his cry made me smile. Orion lunged again, but this time Erebus was faster and disappeared into the darkness.

Orion stood still under the dark sky; he did not give chase. He stood there for a long while. His hope was shattered; his shoulders hung in defeat. He crumbled to the ground, buried his face in his hands and wept. My heart ached more now than any other moment in my life. I tried to cry, but no tears would form. What I wouldn’t give to put my arms around him and take away his pain. I dropped to me knees next to him… then opened my eyes to my bedroom window.

What? No! No!

I squeezed my eyes tight and concentrated on the dark forest.

Nothing.

“Please, please take me back!” I begged aloud.

Nothing but silence. The dim sunlight shone gently under my eyelids.

Was that real?

I knew it was. Past or present, I knew Orion was in pain and I couldn’t reach him. My heart ripped in pieces. A flood of tears poured down my face and I bawled uncontrollable. I cried myself to exhaustion. I laid down my head and drifted out of consciousness…

The scent in the air was slightly different. I took a deep breath; my nose and throat burned. I opened my eyes to a familiar yet different scene. I was standing in the forest but this time it was foreign. Charred brush and fallen trees were at my feet. The muted sky held a thin layer of smoke that hovered over the remaining scattered trees, blocking most of the sunrise. My eyes burned as I scanned my surroundings, searching for Orion.

“Orion!” I yelled, but heard nothing in return. “Orion!”

The forest held a strange sense of isolation. It was… quiet.

I began to run through the forest, scouring the area. Shortly, I came to the clearing that was once the budding meadow leading to Orion’s house. Ash and smoke had replaced the sea of yellow flowers. I rushed through the clearing and paused at a pile of burnt debris where Orion’s house once sat.

“No!” my voice quivered as I fell to my knees.

Mixed within the ash, only inches from my feet, laid Orion’s charred guitar. I reached to pick it up, but it crumbled in my blackened hands. Wretched sorrow filled my chest; I couldn’t breathe. I sucked in gasping breaths of air and began to cough from the smoke. Gagging, I jumped to my feet and rushed toward the beach in search for cleaner air. I sprinted across the sand and spotted a figure up ahead.

He was sitting in the sand with his knees bent and head between his hands. Orion was covered in a mixture of soot, dirt and blood. I was filled with both overwhelming excitement and sorrow from the sight of him. I rushed over… but paused twenty feet away, unsure how he would react to seeing me.