A Lapse in Time Page 3

  The Nobles stood tall and proud. They were heavily suited up in slick black armor that fit their body perfectly, and they had black, knight-like helmets. A thick plate of red glass acted as their visor, hiding their eyes from view. Each held a black metal staff in their hand; the very tip curved in an “e” formation. Simply staring at them gave you the shivers; I couldn't even begin to imagine how terrified the Patriots must have been when they had to come face to face with this ruthless opponent in a situation of life or death.

  “Halt!” the Noble at the front of the group cried as he leaned backward and held his staff with two hands like a gun. A very high-pitched ring came from the staff, and a second later, a strong burst of red light resembling a laser exploded from the end of the staff.

  The man riding the horse immediately slumped over as though he had fallen asleep, falling straight off and crumpling onto the ground.

  The people screamed with horror. Many instinctively tried to run, but not before the Noble, who had shot the man down, had his say in it. “Nobody moves!” he demanded roughly, his chilled voice paralyzing the public. “Do you understand me?”

  A hush fell over the entire town; one so intense that all sound had ceased to exist. The Head Noble, seeming pleased with his captivated audience, turned his gaze to one of the identical Nobles standing beside him. “Fetch the body,” he ordered, his voice rumbling in his throat like that of a tiger.

  The Noble nodded hastily and ran down the street, shoving Tyler out of the way, who turned his cold, angry gaze onto the Noble.

  My mother shot him the most desperate look I had ever seen her make. It said only one word. Don't.

  My brother swallowed his anger and did as he was told, crossing his arms and turning his back to my mother stubbornly.

  I stared at the Noble down the street, watching him pick up the fallen man from under the arms and begin dragging him across the ground like a piece of trash.

  I felt sorry for the man; how sore he must be. “What happens if he wakes up, Mommy?” I asked her curiously.

  My mother snapped her gaze to me, her eyes wide. She opened her mouth to speak, but then closed it. “He'll just be in pain, that's all,” she said, straining her voice.

  A girl from somewhere in the crowd began to cry profusely, probably scared out of her wits just like me. The Nobles turned towards her, and even though I couldn't see their eyes, I knew that they were angry. “Will you shut that girl up?” one of the Nobles demanded, glaring at the mother as she tried to calm her down.

  The Noble, who had gone to fetch the man, returned, continuing to drag him across the ground. He threw his body onto the earth in sheer disgust and upon seeing such a sight, I screamed in terror. Instantaneously, my mother pressed her hand to my mouth to muzzle me. “Shh,” she said quickly as I began to shake in her arms. “It's fine; it's fine…”

  Right between the man's two eyes, a hole had been blown clear through his skull. A thick coat of blood covered his entire face, and the man's eyes were literally hanging by a thread. I could hardly believe what I was looking at, struggling to catch my breath. I had heard the rumors about how fierce the Nobles were, but they were just stories. I had never actually seen them do anything with my own eyes until now.

  How could my mother support them?! They had just shot a man dead in broad daylight!

  The Head Noble took off his helmet, flipping his long black hair behind his eyes so that he could see clearly. His eyes were as black as ink, a crooked smile tracing his lips. His skin was as pale as a cloud; a jagged scar ran from his cheekbone to his mouth. It looked like a portion of his face had been carved out with a knife.

  He didn't even seem fazed by the man's dead body. If anything, he looked satisfied with his kill. How was murder something to be proud of?

  The man who had been killed looked normal. Nothing about him struck me as odd, and certainly not suspicious. As I stared at the Noble, I narrowed my eyes in confusion. I just didn't understand… The cocky smile flashing on his face as he stared at his victim freaked me out. He somehow also remained perfectly at ease throughout the whole ordeal, which was unbelievable.

  The Noble reached into the man's breast pocket and took out a small, neatly folded piece of paper. His grin enlarged as he slowly opened up the paper and examined it closely.

  The people around me stiffened up as though a cold wave of air had washed over them. Nobody moved. I looked at my mother, who was still crouched down next to me, her eyes fixed on the paper like glue. Even Tyler, who was usually boisterous and could never stand still, had been affected just like everyone else. I wanted to ask why, but I had the strong feeling that talking right now wouldn't be a good thing.

  After a minute, which seemed like an hour, the Noble stood up, smiling slyly. He cleared his throat and began to read aloud what was on the paper.

  “To Corporal Winston: I believe the Noble forces are weakening along the eastern countryside of Raddison. The men have done exceptionally well, keeping their forces at bay, and I believe if we are ever to strike, now would be the time. I have the men gathered at Talin, twenty miles south of Raddison. Meet me there by no later than Tuesday, May 28th, so I will know if you shall be joining me in the raid. Signed, General Zeir.”

  The Noble looked up, casting a menacing gaze upon the crowd. He crumpled the paper in his hand and threw it to the ground, spitting on it angrily and stomping it down with his foot.

  I stared at the man with wide eyes. I didn't have to be too smart to know that what he had just read was a message going to and from the Patriots, discussing an attack on the Nobles. I turned my gaze back to the man on the ground, who stared lifelessly into the sky. He was just the innocent messenger to get caught up in it all.

  “Well…” the Noble began, speaking through gritted teeth. “I don't suppose any of you would like to tell me what that was about, huh?”

  Everyone was silent. No one moved, no one blinked; heck, I'm not sure if people were still breathing.

  “Huh?” he repeated, becoming louder as his neck tensed up so one could see the slight outline of veins.

  He turned his gaze to the dead man, spitting on his face in disgust. “So, you're telling me none of you knew about that letter in any way?”

  Silence.

  “None of you are harboring any Patriots? Aiding them?”

  More silence.

  The Noble scoffed angrily. He brought his foot back and repeatedly began to bash the dead man's face out of anger with his sharp, metal boots. He kicked him so hard and powerfully that the man's face ran red with blood and slowly began to resemble a pancake; features such as his mouth and nose melting into his dismembered face. “This—town—is—nothing—but—a—disgrace!” His teeth were clenched tightly together, and he spat every word with hatred. I was beginning to feel scared. The look that the man held in his eyes was pure evil.

  From the crowd, the girl who had cried before started to cry again. Her mother immediately cupped her mouth with her hand, just like my mother had done to me.

  All of the Nobles turned towards her. The Noble in charge smiled in a friendly way, and slowly made his way over to the girl.

  The mother pressed her daughter deeper into her chest, holding her protectively.

  The Noble crouched down to the little girl, looking her in the eye. “Sweetie,” he cooed innocently. “Why would you cry if you didn't know this man?”

  The small girl stayed silent.

  “Why wouldn't she cry?” the mother said as she came to her daughter’s defense. “She's a six-year-old girl for goodness sake.”

  “I wasn't asking you,” the man growled. He looked back towards the girl. “Do you know that man?” He pointed to him with a finger.

  The girl stared into his black eyes, petrified. She swallowed nervously, and as soon as she did so, the entire world held their breath. That one small motion was all they needed. She did know him.

  “Who is he?” the Noble pressed.

  The girl shook her head, ho
lding herself closer to her mother.

  Furious, the man grabbed her, and in one strong pull yanked her away from her mother. “Lina!” the mother cried as her daughter was ripped away from her, screaming and thrashing. She turned her fire filled gaze to the Noble, who held her daughter tightly around the arm. “Let her go! She's done nothing wrong!”

  “We'll see about that.” He dragged Lina out into the middle of the street where the dead man lay. “Who is he?” the Noble said roughly, pushing her towards the body.

  She couldn't respond, for she was breaking down into tears.

  “Who is he?!” he screamed angrily. The Noble pushed her down onto her knees so that her face almost touched that of the fallen.

  Lina broke out into pitiful sobs, crying her heart out. “He's my daddy!” she cried pitifully, breaking from the Noble's grasp and throwing her arms over her father's body, giving him one last hug.

  The Noble nodded stiffly, turning his gaze back to the mother whose eyes were wide with fear. “So, your husband, eh?”

  Her mouth dropped in disbelief. “Y-yes,” she stammered, “but he’s not with the Patriots! This has to be a mistake!”

  The Noble burst out into laughter. “You’re pathetic; you know that?”

  “Please!” she begged. “I knew nothing about that note!”

  The Noble scoffed, waving his hand dismissively at the widow as he turned around, scanning the crowd of bystanders. “If one is working for the Patriots, how do we know more of you aren't?” he demanded. “That's treason! You're going against the reigning force!” He snapped his gaze to the woman. “And you…” he hissed. “You worthless traitor. You and your daughter deserve to die.”

  He motioned towards another Noble with his finger, pointing towards Lina. The Noble nodded, grabbing the girl under her arms and carrying her over to her mother; Lina screaming and kicking as they tore her away from her father. “Let me go!”

  The man did let her go, but only after he had set her down beside her mother. “Back up!” the Head Noble roared fiercely. Everyone did without question, creating a clearing so that the mother and the girl were alone.

  The Noble grabbed his staff, grunting heatedly as he raised it above his head, bringing it down on the mother's skull; a devastating crack and scream following the impact. I did not look; my body refused to let me.

  Hastily, my mother turned me towards her while the Nobles were distracted, looking me in the eye. Her face was flushed, her eyes twinkling urgently as our pupils locked.

  “Eero,” she said, her voice shaking as her flighty eyes darted around the crowd to see if anyone was watching. She looked back towards me, tears filling her eyes. “I want you to run.”

  My eyes widened, all air escaping my chest. I was shocked. “What, why?” I asked.

  “Just do it,” my mother pressed. “Run back to the farm and lock yourself in the house. Do not go out under any circumstances, understand?”

  I shook my head, my body trembling frantically. I couldn't leave my mother; she needed me! I didn't have to be the brightest child out there to know that we were all in danger by staying in the path of the Nobles' anger, but that didn't mean I was just going to run and leave my family behind. If I stayed, maybe we could fight back! Maybe we could win! “No!” I protested, wrapping my arms tightly around her neck. “I won't leave you!”

  “Eero,” she cooed, brushing the back of my head comfortingly. “Please child; there isn't much time.”

  I shook my head again, pressing my face into her neck and holding onto her as tightly as I could. “No… I won't…” I repeated, clenching her harder. I could feel the salty tears run down my face, but I did my best to hold them back. I couldn't leave them; I just couldn't.

  “Yes, you will.” My mother grabbed my hands roughly with her own, and with one massive tug, pried them off of her neck so that she was free. She held my hands tightly, staring into my eyes with the most loving, yet hurt gaze I had ever seen. “Now go.”

  I didn't move; I refused to.

  She thrust her hands at my stomach roughly, pushing me back a few inches. “This is how it has to be!” she snapped, determined to get me out of there.

  My heart was breaking. “Mommy…”

  “Go!” she snarled angrily.

  For a second more, I stood there and stared at her. It was taking all of my concentration to process what exactly she asked of me, but I knew in the end, to do what she said.

  I took one last look at her before I ran as quickly as I could, bolting down the street.

  I didn't bother to look back. My heart felt as though it had been shattered into a million pieces as I ran, knowing that I had abandoned them.

  I can't leave… I thought. They would never leave me.

  Regardless of the orders that I was given, I risked a glance over my shoulder. My mother was not looking in my direction, my body immediately seizing the opportunity as I dove behind a pile of straw to hide. I wanted to see what was happening. I needed to see it. There was no way I could just turn the blind eye like some people; I absolutely had to know something or it would practically bug me for the rest of my days.

  I didn't look out from behind the pile of straw in case somebody was watching. I huddled against the large heap, trying to steady my breathing as I listened to the Head Noble continue on a rant.

  “What am I going to do with all of you?!” I heard him scream, his rage shining through him like light streaming through the clouds. “Do you think that I can just let you go so that you can meet and continue to plot our downfall? Well, let me tell you something—”

  He continued his rampage; one so heated that I was fearful of him literally exploding like a bomb on the spot.

  Taking a deep breath, I got to my wobbly knees and slowly parted some of the hay so that I had somewhat of a view.

  As the Noble continued to scream and yell, waving his hands in the air so wildly I thought he might lift off from the ground, I saw something.

  From the edge of the crowd, mothers began to do what mine had. Whenever the Noble had his back turned to them, they would look at their children and give them clear instructions. Even with the vast distance separating us, I could see many kids react the same way I had, refusing to leave. However, just like me, they finally ran when they were sure it was clear, and bolted away into the safety of a house or the woods. The other four Nobles stood at the back of the crowd, standing at attention with their staffs at their sides. I'm sure they saw some children run, but they never acknowledged it if they did.

  “So tell me,” the Noble continued. “What do you suppose I should do?”

  There was a horrible silence that whipped through the air as everyone stood as still as poles. All anyone could do right now was stare at the Noble and pray for God to have mercy on them.

  “You should let us go,” someone answered.

  My blood ran cold as I focused my eyes and saw everyone staring at my brother, Briven.

  The Noble turned to him with a mischievous glint in his eye. “Now why would I do that?” he asked slyly.

  Briven stepped forward boldly. The world took a breath.

  “Maybe that family was not loyal,” he began calmly, “but surely not all of us are traitors. These people, including myself, happened to be innocent bystanders of this. We knew nothing about it.”

  The Noble chuckled. “So, you're loyal to us Nobles then?”

  “Yes, sir, I am.”

  “Good.” He snapped his fingers in the air, and suddenly a card appeared. He held it out to Briven, who was extremely cautious to take it. “My card,” the Noble explained. “I’m sure our leader would be happy to have such a brave, lively boy as yourself with us.” From beneath the shadow of his visor, I could see the Noble smirk mischievously. Something in his words obviously had more meaning than any of us could realize.

  Briven's face paled at those words. His pupils widened as he swallowed nervously. “Um, sir, perhaps you misunderstood.”

  “Oh?” the Noble won
dered. “What's our miscommunication here?”

  He held out the card towards the Noble. “I won't fight.”

  The Noble's eyes narrowed, and he crooked his mouth to the side. His fingers tightened around the staff, his face slightly twitching. “I thought you were with us.”

  “I-I am, sir,” Briven said, choosing his words carefully. “But I won't fight.”

  “Oh, is that so?” The Noble grabbed his staff with both hands and pointed it at Briven's throat so that the tip was almost touching him. Briven held both of his hands in the air cautiously, staring at the staff with frightened eyes. “Then what use are you to me?”

  Time seemed to freeze. I heard the high-pitched ring, and I didn't care about being quiet. I knew that sound.

  “Briven!” I screamed as loudly as I could.

  There was a flash of red light. Briven stood still for a moment before he crippled to the ground.

  A hole had been blown clear through his neck.

  My stomach tightened, and my heart throbbed at the sight of his lifeless body. I wanted to scream and cry, but now that all was silent once more, they would hear me. Still… There was my brother who had supported me through thick and thin—his life pouring out onto the ground in the form of blood.

  “Briven!” Tyler screamed. He snapped his gaze to the Noble, his eyes burning with the fire of vengeance. “How dare you!” he screamed, his teeth clenched together. Without thinking, he charged the Noble, who simply raised his staff and fired another bolt of red light.

  “No! Tyler!” My mother screamed as Tyler cupped his hands around his gut, the blood staining his palms in seconds. He stared at his reddening chest in horror, before he dropped to his knees and fell to the ground.

  I bit down on the straw to keep myself from screaming. The tears were a waterfall down my face as my eyes burned. My two brothers were just lifeless carcasses lying on the ground like trash. They were born into this world at the same time, and they had left that way too.

  By now, the entire crowd had broken into chaos as people fled the scene from every angle. My mother, however, never moved. I never saw her stand up and run; she sat there on her knees, staring at her two fallen sons with the blankest expression in the world. Eventually, I lost sight of my mother in the crowd of people.