DD 1 DD 2

I know he can feel the tension in the tight air of this cave between me and him. He knew what my father would do? He knew he would just throw himself out towards those lancers and basically into his own death and didn’t tell me? I can’t stand it anymore, I walk up to him when I’m sure Lora and Emma are asleep and look right in his eyes. He looks away at first but then looks at me, fear in his azure eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me what he was going to do? Why didn’t HE tell me?” I say, quiet, but with a furious harshness in it.  His face is damped with sadness, and he keeps his voice down. “He knew you would be mad, and he knew that if either of us told you you’d charge after and chase him. He couldn’t have that.” “Why?” I blurt out a bit too loud.  “He couldn’t tell me why…I’m sorry Jack.”  I glare at him without meaning too, and he dodges my gaze. I can’t think straight, I’m not sure what to do. Why did he do that? There has to be a reason somewhere, but I can’t see it. I decide to sit down against the stone wall near the fire and try to contain myself; anger is the only thing I feel.

I must have fell asleep because when I wake up, the blizzard is still raging on, but it is brighter outside. I rub my eyes to get the rest of the sleep out of them, and look around. Emma and Lora are still at the back of the cave talking about something and Steve has found more wood for the fire and is cooking something.

“What are you cooking?” I ask tiredly, my voice more of an exhale.

His eyes meet mine and he shrugs. “The last of what we’ve got before we have to leave.” I turn my head to the mouth of the cave and notice that the sun is shining, but there’s no blizzard. I stand up with an urge of effort, my legs still asleep. I walk outside and step on the packed snow. It squeaks under my feet as my weight pacts it down more. I cover my eyes when I turn to look at our path but the snow is reflecting too much light and my eyes are blinded by it. I retreat back into the cave, and have to wait for my eyes to readjust and then I see that Laura and Emma have moved, and Laura is looking at me.

“You alright?” She asks me just a bit louder than a whisper. I’m surprised she even said anything and I pause for a second before I respond.

“What? Oh, yeah..yeah I’m alright.” I look at her quizzically but she turns her head back to the fire quickly. Emma’s caramel brown eyes are fixated on my. I shift my feet and walk closer to Steve, but they follow. “Come now Jack, don’t seduce the poor girls with your looks.” He whispers then laughs. I turn to him and clearly my face looks stupid with the combination of confusion, and embarrassment because he laughs louder when he looks.

By the time we pack up what we unpacked, the sun has barely moved and the snow is still as blinding as ever. Steve takes the lead to lead us on the path through the confusing mountains, our feet crunch the snow under our feet almost in a pattern, but then I here another beat; footsteps in the snow that sound like someone is running. I look at Steve who has already stopped, and before we know it a pack of men jump from the ridge above, weapons held high.