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Chapter 8 – If I Never Knew You

“Because of your foolishness, Alfred almost was killed! Take him away.” He gestured to Arthur. A few of the Indians brought him up by his bonds and Arthur hissed with pain, as he was taken away.

“Alfred ran off, he came out of nowhere when he came to save me!” You tried to explain, but he merely shook his head and walked away.

“___...” You looked over to see Jxk walk up to you. “I got Al to a doctor, but… He told me he knew it was going to be more dangerous the more time you spent with Arthur!... I should have listened…”

“No… all of this happened because of me… And now I’ll never see Arthur again…” Now that you said it out loud, it hit you hard. He was going to be killed… by your father of all people!... And it was all because you were selfish and wanted to spend time with him… If you would have listened, your father would not be ashamed of you, Alfred wouldn’t be hurt, and Arthur wouldn’t be killed!
“

… Come with me.” You looked up to Jxk and finally realized you had cloudy eyes, blocked from your tears. You wiped them away, to see Jxk smiling, but she had seriousness in her eyes. You nodded and she led you to a different area, passing by on-looking people.

~

“___ wants to look into the eyes of the man who harmed Alfred.” You both stood in front of a tipi, it was currently being guarded by two large men and they did not look like they were going to budge soon. They merely brushed off Jxk’s request, not even sparing the both of you a glance. Jxk huffed and folded her arms and looked pointedly at one of them. “Do you want me to mention to the chief that you almost killed your own brother?“

The man stiffened and then took a quick look around. Finally he sighed and looked to you seriously. “Be quick.”

You quietly pushed back the tarp, walking into the empty room… besides Arthur. He was kneeling on the ground, his hands tied behind him onto the pole that held up the whole structure. He was looking at the ground, as you bit your lip and walked over.

“What else could you possibly want?” You heard him growl, as you stood in front of him. Now on closer inspection, you could tell he was beaten. Bruises were marked along his arms, legs, and chest, you could see this since his clothes were torn up and it must have been from something sharp. You didn’t think hands could create the cuts on him. You knelt down next to him, as he slowly looked up. “___?”

“…I’m so sorry.” You said, carefully embracing him. He leaned against you the best he could, letting out a sigh of relief.

“For what, this? I’ve gotten out of worse scrapes than this.” You pulled away from him and gave him a look. He chuckled a little and smiled sheepishly. You finally noticed some nicks on his face, including the large cut above one of his big eyebrows. “Can’t think of any right now, but-“

“It would’ve been better if we’d never met, none of this would’ve happened.” You said, as you brushed the blood off his face, but you looked down as soon as you did.

“___, look at me.” You slowly looked up, meeting his emerald eyes. “I’d rather die tomorrow than live a hundred years without knowing you… If I never knew you. If I never felt this love, I would have no inkling of how precious life can be. If I never held you I would never have a clue how at last I’d find in you, the missing part of me.

“In this world so full of fear. Full of rage and lies, I can see the truth so clear. In your eyes. So dry your eyes.” He had begun singing, surprising you since he was a bit of a… tsundere. But he did have a nice singing voice and his small smile, caused you to gain your own. He continued to sing as he hesitantly rested his forehead against yours. “And I’m so grateful to you. I’d have lived my whole life through. Lost forever, if I never knew you.”

“I thought our love would be so beautiful. Somehow we’d make the whole world bright. I never knew that fear and hate could be so strong. All they’d leave us were these whispers in the night.” You began to sing along, leaning against his chest, as you both looked up at the opening of the tipi. You could see the full moon, glowing brightly. “But still my heart is saying we were right. For if I never knew you.”

“There’s no moment I regret.” He began to sing with you at the same time… but you know, with different words.

“If I never knew this love.”

“Since the moment that we met.”

“I would have no inkling of.”

“If our time has gone too fast.”

“How precious life can be.”

“I’ve lived at last…” He trailed off, as you turned to look at him. Your faces were close to each other, as he began to lean forward.

“___?” You looked over to see Jxk pull aside the tarp. She peeked in and gave you a look that told you to hurry.

“… I can’t leave you.” You said, not really caring that Jxk was now smirking.

“You never will. It may sound cliché, but… No matter what happens to me, I’ll always be with you… Forever...” A light blush dusted his cheeks, as you stood up. You walked to the opening, hesitating a bit, but then reluctantly leaving. As you walked away, you heard his voice, so you decided just to circle around the tent to listen. “And I’m so grateful to you. I’d have lived my whole life through. Empty as the sky…”

“Never knowing why…” You whispered.

“Lost forever. If I never knew you…” You both sang, as you finally sighed and walked away. Meanwhile, on the other side of the tent a little boy sighed, but stood up. He watched you walk away, as he held his left shoulder.

“Good luck, guys…”