I Refuse to be a Named Character

Part 1

"..."

I thought of the first scene of the villain in the books, shuddering. Was this young boy one of the villain's henchman? I didn't remember a character named "Luke" but what if I had forgotten? He could be one of the many characters that got killed off!

I turned around, ignoring the pain with the movement, and grabbed Luke's hand. He turned bright red, tugging his hand back gently, but I held on, wanting him to listen.

"Do you really want to kill everyone? I know that there are terrible people here, but what about the innocents?"

The shy expression faded from his face. "There are no innocents. They know what the guards are doing, and they ignore it."

"Really? Even the slaves who are forced to be here?" I pressed on, squeezing his hand tightly in my desperation. "Even the children who don't understand what their fathers are doing?"

"So you want me to forgive them?" His voice had turned cold.

"No. I wouldn't ask that of you." I thought to all the old scars I saw branded across just his exposed skin. "But I don't want you to come back here and slaughter everyone either. Don't back down, be strong, do what you have to do... but don't sacrifice your soul in the process."

"... What if it's too late for my soul?" His voice was deadly serious as he looked down at our clasped hands.

"It's not!" I smiled at him, enjoying the startled expression. "Otherwise, why would you care if I'd been hurt?"

"..." He continued to stare intently at me, and I slowly realized that my shirt was still rolled up in the back, and we were both sitting on a bed. Feeling myself turn bright red, I let go of his hand and turned back around. After a few moments of awkward silence, he chuckled.

"Am I supposed to take life advice from the girl who says she's not important enough to have a name?"

I rolled my eyes, despite the fact he couldn't see it. "Doesn't make what I said false."

He laughed again. "Fair enough." With that he finished bandaging the wound, giving me a spare shirt to wear as mine was torn and bloody, stepping out to let me change. Once I finished he came back, sitting across from me with a bright smile.

"Are you... are you a slave too?" Even as I asked the question that had been stuck in my mind, it didn't seem right. What kind of slave had his own quarters? But it was small, bare and dirty... maybe the son of one of the higher servants?

"I'm more of a prisoner." His smile didn't falter despite the depressing words he spoke. I felt bad for bringing it up.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be. It's only temporary situation." He reached out, grabbing my hand and holding it between his own. "Thank you for saving me."

His voice and expression were so serious. Somehow, it seemed like he was thanking me for more than just stepping in while he was being beaten. I smiled at him, glad that I had turned around to help.

"Any time."

________________________________

Months passed since Chloe left. I hadn't heard anything from her, and could only hope she had gotten to Graham safely. Despite our fighting when we parted, she was my sister and friend... I didn't want anything to happen to her. Work was still harsh on the 9th Lord's estate, even worse now that I had to do things by myself. There was no chance to escape again. After Chloe escaped, security had tightened. The guards who had been on duty the day she left had been beaten half to death, and those that remained were strict about never leaving their post. I became increasingly anxious as time went on. I had no way of knowing when the main story would start, but I knew what of the first scenes would be the massacre of the 9th lord's household. I needed to escape.