Never Not There

Chapter Two

Chapter 2

I woke up on face down something hard, and groaned. As If I needed that right now. Suddenly I gasped. There was sharp pin-pricks on my lower back, where I had been stabbed.

I heard muffled voices. “Is she going to be alright?” 

A voice right above me said, “Yes. I just need to finish these stitches.”

My stomach turned. Stitches. Great. Sweat beaded my forehead and I moaned at the pain.

Someone chuckled above me.

“I think she might be awake.” the voice said sarcastically.

I heard someone make their way next to me. Then a soft voice said,”I never got your name.”

I relaxed. It was the guard.

“I never got yours, either.” I said.

The guard chuckled. “I’m Grayson.”

“Avery.” I said, remembering my fake name at the last minute. I felt bad about lying to him. He had been so nice to me. Then again, I couldn’t take any chances. After all, he was a guard. He reported to the king of Summerstone.

I gulped. I was in Summerstone. It hadn’t really hit me till right now. The largest kingdom in the land. And I had almost died my first day here. I gasped as another stitch was woven.

Suddenly I felt a hand close around mine. “It’s okay. Only a few more to go.” Grayson said.

I nodded, feeling better knowing he was here. After all, he had saved me.

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I woke up on a soft bed and almost laughed. Finally. Something soft.

My throat was dry and scratchy. I opened my eyes slowly to see if there was any water. The first thing I thought was, “Oh, no. They caught me.” The room I was in was way too fancy for a peasant of Summerstone. Slowly, though, I relaxed. Even though it was nice, it was not royal. A fire crackled softly in the corner. There was a wardrobe, a couch, and a rug hanging from the wall. My bed was in the corner. Windows showed the blue sky, which was relaxing. 

I felt around for water. When I couldn't find any, I flopped back down in the bed, immediately wincing. Though my back felt a lot better than before, it still hurt. (Duh.)

Suddenly I heard a creak. My eyes darted around, trying to find what caused it. The door opened, revealing Grayson. And he had a cup of water. I smiled.

He came and sat on the edge of my bed, handing me the water. I drank it greedily, letting it coat my dry throat. When I was done, I realized his beautiful blue-gray eyes were studying my face. I suddenly felt self-conscious. He realized what he was doing was scaring me and looked away. A few minutes went by. Eventually I broke the silence.

“Thank you for saving me.” I said, hugging my knees.

He nodded.

“Where do you come from?” He asked, catching me off-guard.

“Umm.. I- Uh… here.” I finally said.

He turned to me. “No. Where were you born?”

I gulped. How did he know I didn’t live here?

He seemed to read my mind. “I get around. As huge as it is, I know Summerstone like the back of my hand. I never saw you around.” Then he blushed. “I definitely would remember If I did."

I shifted, getting nervous.

He saw I was nervous and stood up. “I should go.” He said, looking slightly sad. “Will you be okay for a few hours?”

I nodded, suddenly tired.

He grinned. I liked his grin.  It lit up the whole room. “Good. If you decide to change, this whole wardrobe is for you. You know, until you leave…” He trailed off. Then he left the room, gently closing the door behind him. 

I was still in awe. An entire wardrobe? He barley knew me! Maybe he was a king in disguise or something. I drifted off to sleep, thinking about everything that had happened.

Kane burst into my room, steaming mad. “WHAT are they all saying?”

I stood up, ready to defy him. “I won’t go.”

“Your joking. Your betrothed to me… you have to! It’s the law.”

“You can’t make me, besides, you hate me as much as I hate you.”

“Thats not true. Your not the ugliest princess around. Your smart. Wise. But mainly its part of-,” he paused, gritting his teeth, "That doesn't matter. You have to. If you don’t- well, you just have to.”

“Wanna bet?” I said.

Quick as lightning, a knife was unsheathed. “You will marry me.” Kane’s voice quivered with anger.

I knocked his blade out of his hand. Then I sped out of the room.

“Your dead!” he yelled behind me. “Guards!”

I didn’t really know where I was running- the forest, probably. Mostly, though, away.

I ran down the hall, passing random guards and nobles. I didn’t care that my feet hurt, or my heart pounded. I had to get away. 

The shouts at the end of the hall made me run faster. There was no going back now. No second chances. I needed to run, or it would all be for nothing.

Suddenly I heard Kane's voice. He was shouting orders. He needed me, I knew that much. I only knew he didn’t love me, or care for me. I didn’t, either, of course.

I stopped at the end of the hall, staring at the window. Then I took a deep breath, crashed into it, and felt myself falling as shards of colored glass peirced my skin.

I hit the ground running.

I didn’t stop. I never looked back. I just ran. I wished I had shoes, my ankle felt twisted and my delicate feet were torn from briars and rocks. My dress was in shreds, the once pretty blue fabric was brown, but I didn’t really care. 

I stopped for the first time in hours, and suddenly realized how tired I was. I tried to catch my breath, taking huge, greedy gulps of air, but instead I became extremely dizzy. I collapsed from exhaustion.

My eyes flew open as something cold touched my back. I spun around to see Grayson and a man I didn’t recognize staring over me.

The man held out his hand. “Doctor James. Grayson’s my friend. Brought you in a day ago, remember? Nah, guess you don’t.”

I shook it, perplexed by his thick accent. Then he stared back up again, to Grayson this time.

“Healing up just fine, she is. Good luck, it’ll be another week  or two before I’d let her out.” Then he winked at me. “See you later, Avery.”

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