Night Watch I: Eliza, Ward of Andrew

*Andrew’s POV*

…I looked back to Juliet, and my heart sank. She was getting overpowered. That wasn’t an ordinary troll. NO! NO!

I ran, sprinted as fast as I could, but it was never fast enough! My legs were burning, tears started to form in my eyes, Dennis Westower was already drawn, I was screaming at the troll, trying to distract it. But I was too far distant, out of earshot.

Ow! I’d been tripped! My troublesome sense of déjà vu disappeared as I felt something lancing my foot through my boot! Terrified, trying to get to Juliet, I, I…

“Juliet!” I sat bolt upright, realizing I had been having a nightmare instantly, but the pain in my foot wouldn’t go away.

I tore the sheet back, only to get a shock. One of the king snakes that lived under the shelter was wrapped round both my ankles, biting into the arch of my left foot.

Mildly frightened, I moved to try and extricate it without hurting it, only to have it quickly disengage and slither down to the middle of the floor. There it sat, coiled, watching me. Just watching. The little hairs prickled on the back of my neck. Something was terribly wrong.

I nudged Eliza harshly. “Liza, wake up! Something’s happening! I have to go to the Walls, right now!”

Eliza was only sluggish for a moment, following after me shortly. I tore out of the back room to grab some clothes, only half-taking note of the fact that the snake had disappeared. Femme and Crow fled when they saw my hurry, not daring to beg for food.

I armed myself as fast as I could after I dressed. I was pleased Eliza didn’t ask questions, only followed suit.

I thought quickly as I buckled my scabbard on. “We have to split up. I’m ordering you to run to the Village, find anyone to sound the howlers. Alice will believe you, but find anyone you can!”

At that point, Eliza turned to me for some manner of explanation, but didn’t venture to ask me directly. I walked up to her, put my hands on her shoulders, and tried to control the shaking in my voice. “It’s Juliet, she’s telling me; something has gone wrong. You must believe me, there’s not time to argue. I love you.” Quickly I kissed her. “Look for me by the Soul’s shrine, I’ll be there if I can. Now go!”

Without looking again, knowing my heart might break if I did, I turned and ran out of the shelter. I quickly noted that it was still Day. I knew I had been right the moment I saw a swarm of dragonflies zipping away downhill, towards the Walls. Dragonflies never swarmed. Something terrible had happened.

I heard Eliza calling after me as I sprinted down the path, “I love you!”

Notes