Chapter 1: Chapter 1
"You're the best, Ally!"
"You're the best, Lucas!"
"You're the best, Marcus!"
" You' are the best, everyone!" the crowd chanted, waving glowsticks in the air. It was the first night of the festival, and the players were amped to be there. You' are the best, everyone!" the crowd chanted, waving glowsticks in the air. It was the first night of the festival, and the players were amped to be there.The air was thick with the scents of various herbs and other plant life, all of which had been carefully selected by the town's mayor to enhance the ambiance of the event. A misty fog hung in the air, adding to the otherworldly feel of the place. Trees lined the paths, casting shadows on the moss-covered stones that made up the floor of the amphitheater.The stone seats themselves had been worn smooth by time and nature, creating a patterned mosaic of colors within their tanned skin.
The music was deafening, filling the air with the sounds of drums, flutes, and violins. Even the birds chirped and whistled in harmony, creating a symphony of sound that was unlike anything the players had ever heard.The breeze rustling through the trees reminded them that summer still lived within them; even though it was autumn now, there would soon be flowers again, they whispered to each other. The breeze rustling through the trees reminded them that summer still lived within them; even though it was autumn now, there would soon be flowers again,' they whispered to each other.There will always be roses."A single tear fell from Aurora's eye as she watched her brother wave his handkerchief at the audience while making his farewell speech,' as the mayor called it. He was the oldest of the brothers, and it seemed fitting that he should be the one to make that final gesture."It has been my great pleasure to welcome you into our humble village." His voice cracked when he said 'humble', almost like someone reading off a script. "I hope you have enjoyed your stay, and will return again in the future."
Aurora smiled despite herself. It was true what they said about the mayor being in love with his own voice.Even his wife, who was sitting next to him, couldn't help but crack a smile every now and then. She has a heart of gold, that one," the woman said to her husband, nudging him with her elbow. "But she needs to stop talking like she is writing a book and speak like a person. You know what I mean?She speaks so slowly...so methodically..." Her eyes drifted away for just a second before snapping back onto her target. "Stop staring at me, she hissed, throwing her arms she hissed, throwing her arms up in the air when he did just that. "I hate it when you do that.Stop using big words when simple ones will suffice! And use more adjectives!"His face changed from stern to amused whenever his wife nagged him for Although he loved her dearly, it didn't stop him from teasing her endlessly. Especially when it came to their relationship status.He'd tease her until she gave in and admitted how much she missed him. Then he'd say something stupid along the lines of: Oh yeah, and kiss her on the cheek. "I know I should be more concerned about the state of our relationship, but all I can think about is how much I miss you. How much I need you.What kind of monster makes a man leave his beautiful bride?"
he said, leaning over her to place a kiss on her lips. "None, my love. None at all." He pulled away before she could respond, looking into her eyes. "Are you ready to go home now?What kind of monster makes a man leave his beautiful bride?"
he said, leaning over her to place a kiss on her lips. "None, my love. None at all." He pulled away before she could respond, looking into her eyes. "Are you ready to go home now? She blinked innocently, but inside she was dying. Waiting was torture, and she knew it. "Another hour or two won't make any difference. I'll stay as long as you want me to."
"Good.Because I don't want you to go." He moved his head to nuzzle her neck, and she felt goosebumps all over her skin. He smells like you, my love. Just like you used to before you became so big and bad, and I miss that smell. It makes me feel safe." His beard was scratchy on her cheeks, but he didn’t mind.In fact, he liked it because it meant that she cared enough about him to put up with this ridiculous look.
"You know I can take care of myself, my love. You don’t have to worry about me." "I don’t, my love. But I do worry about you.About us both. Because if we were meant to be together, then surely God wouldn't allow such an evil witch to separate us. Right?" There was no way to tell if he was being serious or not. The man was a walking contradiction.One minute he wanted her badly, and the next he told her that she neededn't concern herself with such things. What sort of nonsense was that It was clear that he was playing with her, and she loved him for it. But at the same time, she resented him for it. He knew how she felt about him, and yet he used that knowledge to his advantage.Even worse, instead of telling her exactly what he wanted—which was obviously whatever she had to offer-he took control by pretending that what he really wanted was what she had to offer. It was sick, and she was sure that he knew it. But he did it anyway, just to see what would happen. And it worked. For a while.Until she grew tired of waiting around for nothing, and decided to play along instead. They spent hours chatting, mostly about their shared love of literature. Truly, it was the only thing that kept them connected. And by connected, I mean that he stalked her on the internet, and she stalked him on the internet. It was like they were never apart.Except they were.