Don't hate me.

Don't even be mad.

i'm sorry.

And if you don't believe me, this scene was so hard to write. i nearly cried once or twice. i know it's sad. but don't hate me.

my mom once said that sometimes characters have to die to achieve a great story. and that's what i hope this is.

now, sentimental moment over. let's get to the story.

The run back to the citadel was hard. I was exhausted from my previous run and somewhat wounded. My feet were sore and I had a headache. Nearing Cloud Mountain, I heard shouts, growls, barks, and the clang of steel. Battle. I ran forward, confused.

Are the citadels united? Did my trap work? Did Kyle betray us?

I soon found Andrew, breathing hard and trying to stay out of the fight.

“What happened, soldier?” I asked, handing him my waterskin.

“We’ve been betrayed. The wolves attacked.” Andrew gasped.

“Pacer? Peter?” I asked, looking Andrew in the eyes.

“Both… wounded.” Andrew gasped. He was weak and tired. I feared he would pass out.

“So..”

“If we get to the tower hide we can use our bows more freely.” Andrew gasped.

“Then let’s go!” I grabbed Andrew, forcing him to follow me to the Tower Hide.

I groaned at the heat and tiredness brought on by running. I prayed to the Maker it would rain. The tall trees all glistened in the bright daylight. Aspens and pines provided shade from the overwhelming heat.

We soon arrived at the hide, exhaustion at the back of my mind.

“We need to keep going!” I shouted as Andrew scrambled up the ladder on the side of the tower.

“You go! I’ll back you from here!” Andrew cried. I knew he was afraid of battle.

“Okay.” I yelled, racing forward. I soon arrived in the clearing, now littered with injured archers from every Secret Citadel.

So we are united! I thought.

I stopped, gasping for much needed air. After a few seconds of rest, I drew my sword. It began flashing with blue light. I realized the light attracted the wolves and quickly sheathed my sword. I drew an arrow which I secured to my bow.

I fired in rapid succession, backed by Andrew’s arrows flying from the tower hide. I drew my last arrow. Two wolves. One arrow. I aimed at the farthest who was perched over an injured and unconscious buck from Halfwind. I fired.

My arrow hit it’s target, like all ways.

Too late. I thought, spinning around to see a slobbering wolf.

One breath. The wolf prepared to leap. Another breath. The enemy was sailing through the air. A third breath. The wolf was on me.

I struggled for my life, unable to reach my sword. The wolf tore deep gashes as I rolled on the ground, kicking wildly. The wolf was to much for me to control. He raised his spear.

In an instant, an arrow from the Tower Hide wounded my foe. When no more arrows came, I feared the worst for Andrew.

But I put my fears to rest.

In a few dizzying moments I checked my wounds. Many were deep. I worried that some were fatal. I was so tired. Wounded. Worried. I put aside my fears, falling into asleep.

I woke awhile later. I opened my eyes, groaning at the sudden pain and shock. My vision was hazy. I was weak and could barely move, unable to do anything. I noticed a buck on the other side of the clearing. The buck approached me, then knelt on the ground with a low groan.

“It’s going to be okay, soldier.” He said, I recognized the voice as that of Jo Shanks, “Help’s on the way. I just came from up the mountain. The medics are coming.”

“I won’t make it.” I said with a grimace. “I won’t ever see the Mended Wood.” I knew it was true, I would die here, alone, at the hands of the enemy. I wouldn’t have a chance to see my brother again, nor Weezie, Layra, and my adopted family back in First Warren.

“Hey.” Jo said, somewhat sternly, “I just got word that we’re reversing this whole attack. Today we strike a blow against our enemies.”

I smiled weakly as Jo bound my wounds. His hands were shaking and I could tell he was wounded. He finished, sitting back to rest.

A pack of wolves was pouring out of the woods.

My vision wavered and the forest spun in an avalanche of darkness.

I could not stop it.

I wanted to get up.

To help.

To win the battle.

But like so many times before, I was helpless.

Like a weak and sick youngling.

Why could I never help those I loved most. I wondered.

I will die here. I thought, wincing. But at least I know the cause is not hopeless.

Before my world completely darkened, I realized something.

I had hope.

Something I hadn’t had in many years.

And something I knew was true.

The cause would succeed.

The Mended Wood would come.

I would give my life for the cause.

Here. In this clearing.

I no longer cared.

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

that was me writing this chapter. here's some more...

😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭

oh and i don't know why i did the last part in bold lettering. eh well.

I AM SOSOSOSO SORRY IF YOU HATE ME FOREVER!!!!!!!!!!!!

-Fleck/Haze/Abi [because right now i am confused on which to sign.. lol]