The Great Fall

Chapter 4: Part 2: Animosity

Why do I have to question everything? My life was once so simple; but it was never enough. I go searching for answers and all I get are more questions... stones unturned that I probably should've left alone. This is exhausting. I'm trying to stay strong right now... I want to see this through. But, I'm falling apart. I feel like Jake can see right through me... But, Cain sees my strength and confidence as reassurance that everything is going to be fine. Quite frankly, I even started to fool myself for a little while. At least while I was busy. Now, laying here trapped in my own mind, I can't hide from it anymore. I used to know who I was and where I belonged. Now, for the first time... I'm unsure. I can feel my sense of self slowly slipping away. My very identity, seeming more and more like a big lie. My parents... the ones who could answer these questions for me, have been missing for years and are probably dead. So, where does that leave me? Am I going to be lost in this labyrinth of confusion forever? The boys are scoping out the other side and I'm trying to muffle my tears. I can't help but wonder... What am I going to find when these people come? The main reason I haven't turned back is because apparently there is more to this than my problems. Those papers we found spoke of war... and one that was coming soon. I HAVE to find out what that means for my people. I need to shove all of it down for now... I'll face it again when the time comes.

"Grace?" Jakes calls out.

*Leaves rustle as the boys make their way toward Grace.*

"Hey! Yeah, I'm over here." I say, wiping the tears from my face, coming back to reality.

"We did a walk through of the whole area and we still think this is the best place to hide. They will be coming soon, so we need to get comfortable." Cain says, instructively.

*Jake looks at Grace and gently touches her cheek. She looks up at him with a forced smile and moves toward Cain.*

"Alright, I think we should each station ourselves in three positions. Almost like a triangle. Still within sight of each other, but far enough away to gain different perspectives." I say, firmly. "Jake, I need you behind that tree line and Cain, I need you over there by those rocks. I'll be here. Try to stay focused on the others. Look at each other to check in every ten minutes for any signals. If something happens and you need our attention before the ten minute mark, use the owl call. Are we clear?"

*Jake and Cain both nod their heads*

"Alright, let's go. The show will be starting soon." I say, with steadiness in my voice. I look Jake in the eyes and nod to assure him that I'm fine. I wave goodbye to Cain and as they walk away, I set my eyes on what's to come. Determined. I am very determined.

*A foreign woman starts walking amongst the ruins below, followed by two men. Soon, others join them.*

Okay, I'm counting... twenty-five people?

*More foreigners begin to show up.*

Wait, that's sixty-two heads I'm counting.

*Grace motions the number 62 to the boys*

Wow... I've never seen this many people outside of the compound. This is amazing!! I wonder what the boys are thinking right now. I need to move closer... I can't hear anything they're saying. I need to figure out who the leaders are... which one Asher is.

*Grace motions to the boys the she is moving closer. Jake uses the owl call, but Grace ignores him and moves closer.*

Alright, I've been observing these people for a few hours now... I'm pretty sure the leaders are the ones who have the black markings on their faces. They speak the most and everyone seems to be listening to them.

*The owl call is used again. Grace looks back to see who used it, but she can't see the boys.*

How far did I move down? Why can't I see them?! They wouldn't have left me here...

*Grace starts to move back to the last place she saw the boys. When suddenly she feels a sharp pain on the back of her head and everything goes dark.*

"Ah!!" I scream as the rush of cold water floods over my body. Wiping the water from my eyes, I start to feel the tinge of pain on the back of my head. I look around to see a woman I don't recognize and another strange man sitting in the corner of the room. The floor is dirt and rays of sun are streaming through the closed window. Have I been out all night?

*The man, speaking the Aconite language starts to talk. The woman begins to translate for him.*

"Who are you? And, why are you here?" The woman asks as she tosses the down the bucket I assume was once filled with the water that now soaks me.

"Listen, my name is Grace. I only came because I have questions."

*Grace begins to stand as she listens intently to the woman beginning to translate her words to the man.*

"I'm looking for a man called Asher Langley. I believe he can help me." I say, hopeful that they'll listen.

*The woman turns to grace and pushes her back to the ground.*

"What answers do you think we have for you? And, how do you know that name?!"

*Grace's eyes widen as fear crosses them, she takes a deep breath and attempts to explain.*

"Before I tell you, I want to show you something." I say, as I begin to lift up the hair from my neck, uncovering my circle marking. "This is one reason I have sought you out. I was curious as to what this meant and why I had it. I grew up in the compound and I just recently discovered that I may have been adopted. Originally, I was trying to find answers about The Great Fall and the disappearance of my parents. They went out to scavenge when I was seven and they never returned. Now, with all of this new information, I have even more questions and I can't turn to my own people. My leaders have lied about and have hidden so many things from our society since the fall happened. They tell us nothing. Everyone follows blindly... but, I want to know more! Please, help me!" I plead.

*The woman turns to the man and as she relays what Grace has said, the man leans over to look at Grace and then they both begin to leave the room.*

"Wait!" I call out. "Where are my friends?! There were two boys with me. Have you seen them?!"

*They ignore Grace's pleas and leave the room.*

"Wait! Please! Don't leave me here!" I cry, as tears stream down my face, choking back sobs.

*Several hours go by and a smaller man enters the room. Saying nothing, he takes Grace by the arm and leads her out into a courtyard.*

"Hey! Not so rough. Where are you taking me? Where are my friends?!" I ask, annoyed at his behavior.

*The man tosses Grace into the middle of the courtyard, she stumbles to her knees. As she looks up, horror becomes her face at what she now sees.*

"Jake! Cain! Oh, God, no! I'm so sorry!" I scream as I try to run to them.

*The boys are tied to chairs, their heads hanging low. Bloodied and beaten... seemingly unconscious. A man steps out from behind them, stopping Grace from reaching the boys.*

"What have you done?! They are innocent! I'll kill you!" I yell.

"Be careful what you say to me, girl. I'd hate to have to teach you the same lesson. These boys tried to fight us and look where that got them. Tell me your name." The man said, self righteously.

*Grace looks up with disgust, filling with anger."

"My name is Grace Evander and you will not speak to me that way. I need to talk to Asher Langley. Bring him to me." I say through gritted teeth. (Who does this guy think he is?)

"Don't you realize that's who I am? I thought you may have figured that out already, all that time you spent watching us like a little spy. How did you know when we were meeting?" Asher asks, curiously.

"I found your papers in the office at the old house. And, I'm not a "spy"..." I say, keeping direct eye contact.

"Ah, and how did you come upon that, if you're not a spy?" He replied, mockingly.

"Listen, I've been adventuring out of the compound for a long time, searching for answers about the fall and about my parents. I came upon the house by chance. That's truly all. Innocent curiosity about things I felt I had the right to know. I had no idea there were people living outside of the compound until a few days ago. When I discovered what my mark truly meant, I naturally wanted to learn more about the people who share my same mark. I was hoping to learn about you and maybe understand where I actually came from. I thought you could give me information about my parents. Then, when I learned that The Aconites were planning a war... I knew this was my only chance to find out before that happened. I also wanted to know what the war was about." I say, again hopeful.

*Asher looks at Grace, seemingly pondering her words.*

"Let's say I believe you. How can I trust you not to run back to your people and warn them about what you've found?" He asks.

"Tell me your reasons! How do you know I won't understand? My people have betrayed me and intend to betroth me to someone awful." I say, with disgust.

*Asher chuckles at Grace's frustration.*

"Okay, Grace. I have a proposition for you. There is something I need from inside your compound. Bring it back to me and I will answer all of your questions without holding back." He says.

"What do you need? Please, let me take them back with me so I can have someone tend to their wounds." I plead.

"No, Grace. If I let them go with you, you'll have no reason to come back. I have healers here. If you do as I ask, I'll see to it that they are taken care of." He says, calmly.

*Grace huffs in annoyance, but realizes she has no choice.*

(I have to do this to save Jake and Cain... they've been hurt because of me. I promised to protect them!) "Fine. Tell me what you need. I'll go. But, if any harm comes to them while I'm gone. I will come back and I will kill you." I say, sternly.

"No need for such threats, Grace. Listen closely. I know there is a place that holds the documents and writings from the history of your compound. There is a book there. The binding is leather. There are no markings on the outside of the book except for the front, which holds a symbol of fire. Bring that to me and I'll release your friends to you, along with answers to any of your questions, to the best of my ability. Do we have a deal?" He asks.

*Grace stands silently for a moment before answering.*

"Yes. I'll do it." I say.

"Good, you'll leave now." Asher says as he motions for someone to come over to me. "They will show you out.

I look over at the boys... sitting there, almost lifeless. I'll be back for you!

"When they wake, please tell them I love them and that I'll be back." I ask.

"I will, but only because you amuse me." Asher says as he chuckles under his breath.

*Grace makes her way back to the compound consumed by her thoughts.*

I can't believe this is happening... What have I done? Ugh... Grace! Why do you have to be so hard headed? Now, your best friends are stuck with some psycho, while you're here. Stupid! You should have never involved them. How am I even going to accomplish this? It's not going to be easy. I don't even know where to start looking... Plus, he never even told you his reasons for talk of war… Okay, Grace. Focus. Once you're inside, go straight to Jo's. Tell her you've been hiding out because of what happened at dinner with the General. You can figure out your next move from there.

*Grace looks around before crawling back to the secret entrance. As her head disappears from view, another set of eyes peer out from behind the tree line.*

"So, that's how you come and go, huh? Now we know." The stranger says as they fade back into the woods.

*Oh, Grace... Things are about to change even more.*