Shatter

I'm seven years old again.

Topaz and a couple of others, as well as myself, are playing hide and seek.

I'm counting. "Ninety-nine.... One hundred! Ready or not, here I come!"

I ran around my house, trying to find someone.

Then I ran into some woods behind my house.

Eventually, I got lost.

I sat down in the dirt, miserable and tired, and started to cry.

Then I hear Topaz.

"Peri! Thank goodness!"

I look up to see her standing over me.

She sat down beside me.

"I came in here to hide, but but I got lost, just like you are!" She said, wiping my tears away.

I just cried some more, but this time, they were happy tears.

"It's okay, it's okay," She soothed, "You're not alone. Not anymore."

But, I am alone.

You've forsaken me, Pazzi.

Why?

Why'd you leave me?

Tristan pulled up a chair next to her bed.

Sitting on it backwards with his back to Ember, he watched a tear roll down her cheek.

He realized he didn't even know her name.

Lady Topaz had called her "Peri", though.

He wiped away the tear, deep in thought.

He didn't notice Ember opening her eyes and seeing him wipe away a tear off another's face, nor did he see Ember's ice blue eyes harbor anger and hatred.

Ember went back into a fitful sleep, unnoticed by the world.

I opened my eyes.

Sunlight streamed in through a blinded window.

I groaned and tried to go back to sleep.

Nothing.

I sat up slowly, my muscles aching with the effort.

"Good morning."

I turned and came face to face with Tristan.

Literally.