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Haunted
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Disseus had spent the night just outside the door watching the shadows of the trees. Sensing every movement Nim made.
She wasn’t too far from the cottage. Only a few hundred feet. And in the distance he could see her outline sinking to the ground and her knees drawing up under her chin.
No.
Hearing her sobbing in the distance and knowing she cried for fear of what would happen when this was all done, made his chest tighten. He felt both guilt and determination as a result.
But to say that the sound of her cries didn’t affect him would’ve been a blatant lie. Though he certainly wished it didn’t.
He shifted against the wall. Uncomfortable with hearing her rare tears. Feeling like he should go comfort her. But there wasn’t much he could say.
I’m not bluffing. I’m not letting her get away again.
No matter how much I dislike her.
The sad fact, was that he needed her around for his own survival.
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Marnie’s quiet words shattered Disseus’s composure. He watched Marnie walking away. As if dropping that tidbit hadn’t just rocked him to his core. He needed to get away for a bit of fresh air. He wandered into the dark. Letting the cool evening air fan his skin as he listened to the happy laughter coming from the camp. He could smell the burning wood and what remained of the boar. Mixing with the freshness of the burbling river nearby. He must’ve wandered out there longer than he thought. As he aimed back toward the camp, he realized the laughter had stopped. In-fact he now caught Lon’s soft snoring. As he drew closer, he heard another sound. Something soft and lilting. Barely separated from the sound of the river. Disseus followed it hypnotically. Drawn to the rhythmic sound. It was soft and alluring and he was moving irrevocably toward it. A beautiful voice he’d have known anywhere. Even though I’ve never heard her hum before.
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“I missed you, Son.” Nim confessed to her lumbering offspring. Drawing back from him to give him a loving study. Still holding his arms as she looked at him like any proud mama assessing her child. Styx towered over her. Looking at her with heart wrenching affection that belied the terrifying look of him. “And I, you.” “I was worried when the wound took you.” He confessed. “I feared I might lose you again.” “Never.” She shook her head. Forcing a strong smile as she banished thoughts of old pain. She smiled softly as she asked. “Have you seen your sister?” “No. Not yet.” She likely doesn’t know yet that he’s free. Disseus guessed word hadn’t reached her yet. Disseus dismounted the prancing horse, to join them. Leading the mare as he walked. “Thank you.” Disseus mentioned to Styx. Nodding to Lon and Almora who were now sitting up. Blinking blearily. “For looking after them.” If he hadn’t, and we were anyone e
