Forty - Alden

I laid in the darkness, streaks of light crossed my body casually, as if taunting me of the freedom beyond their boards. My mind felt numb; not even the pain from the ropes that bound my hands and feet together bothered me anymore. I suppose I was always the useless one, the one to be cast out, and the one to be caught. I let out a heavy sigh, blowing little bits of dust off of the dirt packed ground that had become my new prison.

"Why such a sad sigh?" A voice hissed.

I glanced up to see the light streaks now lying on Damian's face. "You're alive." I stated, almost surprised, but not quite caring.

"Of course." He seemed to snarl, the edges of his lips pulling back into a scowl. Beneath a light weighted tunic a bandage peaked out, a bit of faded red barely showing up in the darkness of the shack. Damian walked over with a swish of his tale, taking notice of the sad situation I was in. Kneeling down, he stuck his face right up to mine. "Where did you send her?"

"I don't know." I said through clenched teeth, trying to keep from gaging on the smell of salted fish that clung to his clothes.

Damian stood up and gave me a good kick, knocking me against the wall a few inches away. Grabbing the hair on my head he pulled me up. "I'll ask you again. Where is the girl?"

I said nothing, concentrating on not showing pain.

"You're nothing but a sad little creature. She could not possibly care for you." He tossed me down and bent down close once again. "You're no better than me, you know." He hissed. "Just as I left her for my cause, you have abandoned her for yours." He stood up and gave one more good kick. "I'd keep your eye out for a knife if she ever comes back around."

A door opened and closed and I was once again alone with the streaks of light. Perhaps he was right, she never cared for me as much as she had Damian, so why should I expect to be treated any differently? My stomach sank, and a nausea over took me. Everything I have ever done has been pointless. Not only have I forsaken Tarka, but my own mother as well. For all I knew she was still waiting at home for son to bring her food. Maybe she thought I was only a dream, that both of her sons are gone forever.

The heaviness became too strong, and in my anger I swung my arms against the wood that held me captive, screaming with all of the fury of my people, of all the ones I love and have hurt, and for myself, because how could I be any better?

"Alden." A voice whispered.

In the light of the doorway, Roman stood before me; the light streaks covering his face, as tears covered my own.

"It's time to go."