Our Place to Hide

The idea of safety was a strange one. Neither of them had felt truly safe in so long that it almost felt like a distant memory, something they had dreamed when they came. Yet here Siora was, talking about it like it was possible. Like it could be something they made for themselves if they were just patient, just careful. But Leena couldn’t see the shadow that passed across Siora’s face, a flicker of doubt, or maybe guilt - for what she was trying to do, or for what she’d done and would do to keep them both alive.

“Race you,” Leena had said, like when they were kids, when running was a way to pretend they were free. Siora hadn’t missed the way she’d charged ahead, as if pushing through the darkness could make all the things they feared fall away. It almost made her laugh, but the sound caught in her throat. The pain in her leg had her playing catch up, her mind wandering. She didn’t want to think about what would happen if they failed, if Bastien caught wind of what they were planning. Their parents weren’t Bastien’s first attempt in keeping them here, trapped at the estate.

Adventures, huh? she said with a grin, closing the distance between them. I’m pretty sure you’ll get more than you bargained for. But don’t blame me when you realise how much trouble it really is. Her grin was playful, hand reaching out to ruffle her hair as they started a short walk, continuing to catch up and confide until their time waned and both returned to what duties awaited them.

~ Fin

@Leena Craynore