Once there was Darkness

The Fall

Part 2

A hole was burning inside Kol. ‘Where was she and why? Was she okay?’ He couldn’t sleep. Back and forth he paced.

14 days, no Kessa. He felt like he needed to go look for her but had no idea where to start.

21 days, no Kessa. He walked back up to her house. Standing on the balcony, he suddenly felt dizzy. It was a long way down. Jagged rocks all the way down. Then again, a body may not make it very far.

“My king.” It was that lady.

“You’re Beth?”

“I am, my king.” She lowered her gaze, “Kessa is asleep.”

“When did she get back?”

“I’m not sure. I found her this morning. Should I see if she’s awake.”

“Thank you, Beth.” Kessa’s voice was soft and low.

“Thank you.” Kol spoke. She lowered her glance to the king. Smiling at Kessa, “should I bring out tea?”

Kessa looked at Kol, “none for me thanks.”

“No, thank you.”

She left.

“Where have you been?” She started to speak. He held up his hand. “Kessa, are you okay?” He sat on the railing of her balcony.

She couldn’t say what she needed to say. Maybe changing the subject, “you? Are you okay?”

“Yes. So much so, Max and I went to the Blue Chicken last night.” He smiled.

She blushed, “you maybe but not Max.”

“I’m hurt. You have so little faith in me?” He lost his balance and started falling backwards. “Holy, no.” He stood looking over the railing, “nope.” When he turned to look at Kessa, her expression scared him. She was scared. “Kessa,” he softly called her name. As he touched her shoulders, he felt her shaking. Where was she? “Kessa?”

Suddenly, she snapped back into reality. Anger flashed in her eyes as she ran back inside the house.

“Kessa!” He shouted after her. “Kessa!” She was kneeling in the floor beside a bed, visibly shaking. “I’m sorry.” He hugged her up. “I’m sorry.”

He woke to complete darkness, rubbing his medallion. Where had she been? What was he apologizing for? Before he almost fell, she looked sad, lost. The light was gone from her eyes. It was Kessa. When he started to fall, shouldn’t she have been right there to catch him? But she wasn’t. She was frozen in terror. Why had she and Max both asked him if he was okay? The Blue Chicken, he would rather burn it down than step foot in there. Was this a memory or a dream?