Screams in the Night

Yerem awakened from the screaming Miss across the room. He saw her sitting on the bed, pulling her knees closer to her chest while she sobbed. It has been a couple of years since she started having night terrors- Ever since the orphans died- ever since she spoke those words. He would always wake up when she screamed but he knew he shouldn't speak up. She was sobbing, trying not to cry, knowing she was just inconveniencing Yerem. It was as if it was just yesterday that she was still a fragile girl. Now, he could see she was braver; She could face her fears in her dreams, she learned how to speak to things even he could not normally see, she even learned how to communicate to the gods, and have learned to see the future using smoke. 

"What did you see?" Yerem asked, lighting the oil lamp at the center of the room.

Miss sniffled. "Alexander... he..." she started sobbing again "He was... I woke up in a room and I just... knew-" her voice cracked and she inhaled sharply, her breath shaky "I just knew... he was gone. I asked around the place, asking where he was and they don't remember him. It was as if he never existed."

Yerem knew she and Alexander were close friends. He was the only one who actually accepted her as she was, along with Alaster. However, their attachment to her affected Alaster's position as the new Head Elder. To the people of Silverstar, she still was the child who murdered one of their own... she was different and she will always be different. What happened the day they buried the orphans seemed to worsen the people's hatred towards her.

As Alaster told him:

She turned to the people with striking green eyes and spoke:

"People of Silverstar, your fate has been decided.

Another sacrifice is needed and you have been chosen.

Love your family while you still can,

Live your life as you see fit,

Spend your time doing what you want,

In the future, you will suffer the same fate as Goldthorne."

"Do you think Alexander will be gone?" Miss asked, interrupting Yerem's thought.

Hoping not to hurt her feelings, Yerem simply shook his head. Miss simply nodded, believing her guardian. She sat on her bed and started writing her dream. Yerem advised that she might find some significance in her dreams so it would be a good practice to write them down. Once she was done, she went back to bed and fell asleep shortly after.

Yerem stood and grabbed the oil lamp, leaving the room. He walked around the woods, knowing a visitor will arrive. He constantly glanced over his shoulder, cautious that Miss might be following him. She never went out into the deeper part of the woods since she got abducted but it was the least of his worries. She must not know about her future. It was a flaw in her divining abilities; she could not see her future no matter how hard she tried. Even the best have their weaknesses... and hers is the uncertainty of her own future. If she met the red-haired stranger, the gods' plans would fall apart.

He walked for a long while before he heard the familiar voice call out to him.

"Yerem"

He stopped. This section of the woods was usually calm, one of the aspects that Yerem enjoyed. But tonight, the trees danced gracefully, almost as if worshipping the person who called out to him. This change would be unnoticed by someone who has never lived in these woods.

A silhouette emerged from the darkness, finally being illuminated by the lamp. The man's face had sharp features. Most of his long, red hair was being hidden by his hood but the look from his brown eyes was piercing. A shiver went up Yerem's spine, causing his hand to tremble momentarily.

"Alaster's golden-"

"I know" Yerem interrupted "It's the day I always dreaded."

"It's fascinating" the man told him, taking off his hood. Although he looked normal, his voice sounded different. It was as if multiple people spoke through him. "One would normally show fear for their life... but you seem to be unconcerned of that. Do you really fear for the girl's life?"

"She could die!" Yerem yelled but held back when he realized how loud his voice was. He lowered his voice, "She's merely eighteen!"

"Do you really think we'll kill something valuable to us?" The man met Yerem's gaze. "The entire village can die... just not her. The whole world can burn to ash... just not her incarnate."

Yerem went silent. The man kept a straight look. He was serious. An inexplicable fear gripped his heart and his eyes became filled with terror. He bolted to his house, realizing that the time Miss said that day was nearing. He felt a sharp pain pierce his back but he can't stop running now. He stumbled into the room, crawling towards the sleeping Miss. He tried to shake her awake but to no avail. He could feel his strength fading fast. 

Finally, Miss woke up gasping for air. She seemed disoriented and afraid. He pulled her closer and whispered something close to her ear.

"Mister!" she exclaimed, "Are you okay?"

Yerem froze at the realization. "You're not... Miss"

Yerem fainted. Miss checked for a pulse and upon realizing that there was none, she was confused. She didn't know who the man was but she found herself screaming, wailing for his death.

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Alexander was reading in his bedroom when he heard a faint knock coming from the main door of the house. He was surprised when he realized how quiet the house was, almost as if it wanted him to hear this late visitor coming. He stood and walked slowly towards the door. Upon opening it, he immediately noticed it was Miss.

"What's wrong?" he asked when he noticed her eyes were puffy.

"Alexander..." Miss met his gaze and she started sobbing again. "Yerem is dead."

Alexander felt his chest tighten. Almost upon instinct, he pulled Miss closer and hugged her tightly. This probably surprised Miss but she simply wrapped her arms around his waist and cried. Alexander just stood there, holding back his tears. Tonight, Miss needed a shoulder to cry on. It was not a time for him to cry.

When Miss finally calmed down, they told Alaster the news. Although evidently devastated for his friend, Alaster stood and told them they will take care of the body. In the morning, Yerem will be buried and Miss will do the rites once more.