And The Heavens Fell Silent by Maria Louise (beach read TXT) 📖

     “Monster!”

      “Freak!”

      “You disgust me!” she shouted. I shouted.

     The dream changed again. I was with Phoenix in the dark cave. I couldn't see him but I could feel him, sense him, smell him. My senses were so alive.

     “Yram.” he whispered against my lips, leaning into me. “Run away from me, for I cannot bring myself leave you.”

     Leave? Why would I want him to leave when all I could think about was having him closer to me?

     I ran my hands up his chest and intertwined them in his soft hair. I felt no pain or fire. Only skin on skin, the warm feel of his hands on me-

     “Yram, wake up. Wake up!.. YRAM!” demanded a voice. I snapped my eyes open, seeing the animalistic glint of Ahote’s eyes.

     My face flushed, remembering my dream. I had to stop treating Phoenix so badly, stop running so far away. I could not feel my demon any longer, maybe now I would be okay to be with him? That decided it. No longer shall I run! I meant it this time.

     The faint glint of sunlight shone from above allowing me to see Ahote fully. And I did, see him fully, I mean. For once I did not see the monster or the beast, but the young boy who was concerned for me. Was I really such a hypocrite that I was judging these people for how they look, when I was so cruelly judged not long ago?

     “You were having a nightmare.” Said Ahote.

     Well, I wouldn't exactly say that...

     I rubbed my eyes groggily and a thought came to me. “Were you watching me sleep? Again?”

     “NO! Eh, ahem. I mean, no. Of course not.” said Ahote flustered.

     “I should probably be more concerned about that.” I smiled, stretching my arms. “But I happen to be in a forgiving mood.”

     “Oh, yeah?”

     “Yeah. Now if only you could get me a toothbrush and a bath, then I’d be in a really good mood...”

     Ahote cocked his head to the side studying me. “You seem...different.”

     I smiled. “Well, it turns I’m starting to like this whole captive damsel in distress thing. Will they kill me, will they not?.. It’s been setting my priorities straight. Clearing my head of all the nonsense, so it seems.”

     “I don't think I’ve met someone who’s mood swings so drastically.” Ahote stated bluntly.

     “And I’ve never met a blue man befor.”

     Ahote now glared at me. Touchy.

     “Oh, sorry.” I laughed. “I thought we were stating the obvious.”

    “I think I liked you better solemn and fearful.” Ahote grumbled, trying not to smile.

     “You're the one who captured me!” I pointed out.

    “Oh, and how I regret it more every day.”

    The rogue!

   I rolled my eyes. “Well, what do you want?”

     Ahote became serious. “It is time for your trial.”

     Uh, oh.

     “I’m going to have to tie your wrists.” said Ahote, holding a rope out to me. I remembered all the times I had been tied up, defenses against the whims of my captors. I started to panic.

     Ahote seemed to sense my fear. “Our tribe is very peaceful. We would not want to hurt someone unless we had no choice. And anyways, I have a plan.”

     I held my wrists out to him and he tied them. I did not mention that he was supposed to tie them behind my back so that I couldn't use the rope as a wepon.

     “What is your plan. After all you are the one who captured me in the first place.” I pointed out, feeling calmed that my hands were tied in front of me. I should still be afraid of Ahote even though I refused to judge him for his looks. He held me captive after all. But, I couldn't bring myself to fear him so much anymore. How strange was that? I could trust some boy who looked like a monster and held me captive. Yet a beautiful man who saved me on multiple occasions, I was terrified of.

     “How many times do I have to tell you I’m sorry? It was naive of me, I know. Honestly I was just curious about your kind.”

     I noted how he didn't tell me his plan.

     “You could have just asked me what we are like.” I told him, not believing his answer. 

     “Okay!” Ahote growled. “I was scared! Is that what you want to hear? I didn't know what to do.”

      With that Ahote began to pushed my forward out of the den. My, my, the big bad wolf wasn't so tough after all. I muffled a laugh as my red hair drooping in my face. That makes me little red riding hood.

        Ahote growled, offended at my laughing, but that only made my laugh harder.

    “S-stop growling Ahote! You sound ridiculous...Like the big ..bad wolf.” I gasped, holding my stomach. I knew he wouldn't get the reference, but I couldn't contain the humor of this situation.

     I saw the gleam of Ahote’s teeth as he smiled. “Does that make you and your friends the three little pigs?”

    I stopped dead in my tracks. My hysterical laugh replaced with shock. “How-how do you know that?” My mother told me those stories. How could Ahote know?

     Ahote’s face darkened and he pushes me forward, not saying a word. Something I said clearly bothered him.

      Before long, we came upon a harsh room, filled with the creatures of the f- Scars. To my relief I spotted Phoenix and Whiskey huddled in the corner. Whiskey strangely looked innocent and fearful and Phoenix- I didn't realize how much I felt for him until I me his eyes. His eyes seemed to pierce my flesh, making me shiver. It hit me like a powerful blow to my gut. I didn't know precisely what I felt for him, but it was overwhelming. Phoenix suddenly looked away, allowing me to drop my gaze.

     I swallowed and tried to settle my heart. I noticed sneaking another glance, that the Scars had at least gotten him some cloth pants.

      Ahote lead me over to Whiskey and Phoenix. Whiskey smiled at me, a cruel glint in her eyes proving that she want all innocent. Phoenix acted as though I wasn't even there, despite the fact that he stepped closer to me. 

     Old, demented, oil coated Scars stood on flat mound of rock in the middle of the room. All the other Scars who were clearly of lower status were huddled around the entrance,staring at us like we had a third eye.

    Ahote left us, walking up a row of steps to where his father was. Three guards were left to watch over us though they looked just as frightened of us as Whiskey acted to be of them. Remembering my damsel facade, I clung to her and acted afraid too. I was quite scared though, so it didn't involve much acting.

(will write more as soon as I can)

Text: Jakota straw
Images: not imprtant
Editing: Nobody yet
Translation: nobody
Publication Date: 06-07-2013

All Rights Reserved

Dedication:
To those who also dream of danger