The Darkest Dawning

(Chapter 5): The Second Flight

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<P class=MsoNormal>1:55 pm</P>

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<P class=MsoNormal>Lysandra took the opportunity to visit Borislav, who was finally being allowed a break from work. Kaelyn was unavailable, as the sisterhood had been ridiculously busy of late, what with the frighteningly high death rate and general discontent among the poor.   </P>

<P class=MsoNormal>She approached the man's house cautiously, glancing at the ruins either side. She would never have said that the place could look <I>worse</I>, but it most certainly did. Maybe it was the bodies that now lay motionless in the streets, or the strong military presence. Either way, only now could she appreciate how bad things must have been in South Eden when Borislav escaped.</P>

<P class=MsoNormal>She rapped on the door, and there was a pause before the man appeared. He looked unwell, with a hunched figure and an air of exhaustion about him.  </P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"Oh. Is you Lapushka... come in, I guess" </I></P>

<P class=MsoNormal>She took a seat in one of the armchairs, watching him with a worried expression. He was definitely not being himself, and that scared her more than anything else. </P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"Are you alright?" </I>She asked nervously <I>"What's Marshall been making you do down here?" </I></P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"Am fine." </I>He insisted <I>"Marshall has been making us build aircraft, 'Jetstream', he calls it." </I>The man groaned <I>"And building it has been massive pain in the-"</I></P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"Why does he want an aircraft? South Eden is right next to us!" </I>Said Lysandra, confused.</P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"Have no idea." </I>Borislav shrugged, watching her uncertainly.</P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"Lapushka... I... need to talk to you."</I></P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"What is it?" </I></P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"I... don't think you should be coming here anymore." </I>He was staring at the floor, avoiding her gaze. </P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"What do you mean?" </I></P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"Is... dangerous. Things down here are getting vorse, and I don't vant you to be involved. Vhat if that Michael finds out you are coming here, and tells someone? Is just too dangerous." </I></P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"But I love coming here. You're supposed to be my friend, and you want me to go away?" </I></P>

<P class=MsoNormal>He did not say a word, but continued staring at the floor. Lysandra became enraged. She felt betrayed.</P>

<P class=MsoNormal><I>"Fine then!" </I>She growled, turning to the exit red-faced. <I>"Maybe Kaelyn still cares about seeing me, unless she's decided to abandon me as well"</I></P>

<P class=MsoNormal>She could not bring herself to look at the man's face, but if she could she would have seen nothing but regret. </P>

<P class=MsoNormal>There was a slam as she stomped into the cold air outside, falling backwards against the door, fighting back tears. Visiting him had been one of the few things that she enjoyed, and now he wanted her gone. </P>