I was running.
The small mud and stone and wood buildings burned and crumbled around me. The air was thick with smoke, and it crept into my lungs. People ran past me, sometimes shoving me, but otherwise paying me no mind.
Of course they didn't. They never had, so why should it be different this time.
I didn't care.
I had to find Etzel.
The thin soles of my boots did little to protect the bottom of my feet from the embers that littered the ground, rekindled by bits of fabric and wood. In the mix of fire and smoke, I couldn't tell where I was in the village. Someone slammed into me, and I was knocked to the ground. Flames licked at my bare arms and neck. To my surprise, a strong grip wrapped around my arm and pulled me to my feet. I looked through bleary, slit eyes to see a middle-aged man glaring at me.
"Get out of here, kid!" He shouted, then he shoved me away. I caught myself before I fell and broke into a sprint.
I reached a large gap between two buildings and knew I was on the right track. I ran through a sort of alley of stone houses until I reached a small one made of wood and leafy branches. The left side of branches had caught fire, despite the green still clinging to the freshly-cut limbs. I ran forward and tugged those that have caught fire onto the ground, then I ducked inside the small building.
"Etzel?" I shouted, even though I had no need to. Against the single mattress in the corner lay Etzel's backup bow and quiver. He hadn't been there, otherwise he would've taken them with him. I snatched up both and ran back outside.
People were still running about. I looked around and couldn't see Etzel among them.
I didn't understand what's happening.
I slung the quiver over my head and ran off into the forest, to where I knew Etzel would be under these circumstances.
The air was a slight bit clearer here, even though a cluster of trees had begun to catch fire. I coughed into my arm and ran, keeping a tight hold on Etzel's bow.
Then my feet left the ground. My small form was lifted into the air by the quiver on my back. I kicked uselessly at my attacker, who turned me around to face him. Dark brown eyes, not unlike my own, glared back at me. Perfect teeth were clenched behind perfect lips that lay under a perfect nose in the middle of his perfect face. It was then that I knew.
Angel.
I kicked again, luckily catching his shoulder. It didn't faze him, but I was able to push myself up into the air and twist out of his grip. Unfortunately, my plan had some flaws.
I hit the ground and rolled a couple times before coming to a stop. I couldn't get back up. The quiver dug into my shoulder blade, and the bow lay useless five feet from where I was.
The angel stood over me with a thick-bladed sword in his hand, poised above me. I stared at it, expecting for tears to well up in my eyes or something, or expecting to hear myself scream. But I didn't do anything. I just stared.
Then I heard the whistle of an arrow being loosened.
The angel crumpled in front of me, an arrow sticking from his shoulder. Etzel stood behind him, bow raised. He lowered it and came towards me.
Etzel grabbed my hand. "Come on!!"
We ran until we reached the stream. Etzel kept a tight hold on my hand. When I looked at him, I actually saw fear in his eyes.
But that fear was mixed, just a bit, with amusement.
We plunged into the river and started to swim across. I was a bit behind Etzel - he was always a better swimmer than I- when he suddenly grabbed my arm and shoved me under the water.
Surprised, I was taken by the current. Etzel, still gripping my arm, was taken with me. I flailed in the water until I desperately needed air and, pulling Etzel with me, kicked furiously until I found the surface again. It wasn't til then that I noticed my friend was limp.
"Etzel?" I gasped as soon as I got air. The current was strong, and it shoved us into one of the large rocks along the river. I tried to get Etzel up onto it. He was quiet, and his eyes were closed.
"Etz-" A thread of scarlet trickled down the rock and into the river.
He opened his eyes and looked at me. Smiled faintly. Then closed his eyes again.
That was all. No last words. He was gone.
Forever.
I stayed there for a while, pinned between the crushing waves and the boulder, clinging to my dead friend.
No.
Why.
I open my eyes, carved stone filling my vision. It's dark here, but it's dry, unlike the river.
I reach to my side. My slingshot is gone. No shocker there.
The stone wall curves in a crescent moon shape, the rest cut off from the hall by a set of iron bars. Through the bars, a pale golden light shines, just enough to illuminate the corridor.
It was a dream, I realize. Nothing more.
The past.
Where am I?
This is a cell.
Why...
What did I do?
Remembering Etzel's words, I reach into my pocket and find it to be stuffed with small stones. I breathe a sigh of relief.
I'll be fine.
I guess.
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