Tears, Scene v1

The sun was blinding when Sara finally awoke. She sat up on the boulder under the willow, her entire boy aching, and her eyes undoubtedly puffed. Rays of light streamed between the hanging leaves of the willow, pouring over the red and yellow leaf-covered ground. Normally she would find it quite pretty, but she saw no beauty in it now. Looking to her left, she saw his corpse still lying there, covered in dry blood. Her eyes ached, and would’ve shed tears if they had not run dry the night before.

She rose to her feet, feeling weak and aged, slinging her quiver over her shoulder and picking her bow up off the floor. She lumbered back toward Luin, every step feeling heavier than the last. It all seemed surreal, like some horrendous nightmare that wouldn’t end. On her sixteenth birthday, a year and seven months after enrolling in elite training, Lucas was her hand-to-hand sparring partner. She always struggled with hand-to-hand combat, but Lucas offered to help teach her outside of training. Accepting his offer, she was humbled every day by the clear difference in their skill in fighting close quarters, but he never belittled her, and always kept a smile. For an entire year, she trained with him almost every day, until she passed the close quarter examinations. Throughout the year, she couldn’t help but fall for him. His lean body, his smooth dark hair, his bright smile, his contagious laugh, his caring nature, and how he always manages to cheer people up.

All of that was gone now—stolen by the traitor of a Catheran. If only I had gotten there a little sooner...then I could’ve stopped her and he would still be alive. Her mind almost felt as heavy as her body, drowning in a sea of questions. She never trusted the beast, but she never believed it would murder Lucas. Lucas was the kindest person she knew. Everybody loved him. If only she weren’t in such shock, she could’ve killed the monster.

The village was already busy by the time Sara reached the square. Everyone stared at her, exchanging whispers or asking her what happened, but she ignored them and walked straight toward the Lucas’ home. She stood in front of the tailor shop, peering at his mother through the window. The times she visited Lucas at home, his mother was always smiling and cheerful, much like him. But not today. Mrs. Damire seemed fine enough last night, but she the worry was clear in her voice when she told Sara that Lucas had gone out to the willow. And of course, he didn’t come back.

Sara wanted nothing more than to turn around and wander down the road, but Mrs. Damire was his mother, and she deserved to know what happened to her son. Or maybe Sara just wanted someone else to share in her pain. She wiped her face with her hands, caring little for the dried blood that covered them. Fighting back the anxiety that plagued her, she pulled the handle. The bell jingled as the door opened, but Sara stood there hesitantly. “Welcome! Please have a look around, I’ll be right with you in a moment,” called out Lucas’ mother.

Holly, a painter who lived in Luin, stood at the counter, talking to Maria. Sara could not bring herself to step into the shop. She stood just out of sight of the counter, her body trembling uncontrollably, her mouth quivering. “Just a minute, Holly,” came Mrs. Damire’s voice. With each of her footsteps, Sara’s heart wrenched. She wanted to run away, to keep running until she woke up from the nightmare, but it was too late. “Sara…?”

Sara’s eyes met hers. Her eyes grew wide with fear. It were as though she understood everything from looking at Sara. Her face contorted with terror, sadness, and confusion. She shook her head in disbelief as tears escaped her eyes. Covering her mouth with her hands, she choked on a sob. “Lucas,” she cried, shoving Sara aside and running out the door with Holly chasing after her.

“Lucas,” Sara heard her cry, again and again, as she ran north toward the willow. Sara felt what little strength she had left drain from her. She collapsed onto her knees and cried until the tears stopped again.



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