Chapter Text
The roads stood alone in the barren landscape. Two impossibly straight, dark stripes against the greying yellow of the surrounding sand. Windswept shrubs were dotted on the shimmering horizon, the heat of the area was dry, no hint of humidity was in the air. It was like one of those roads that were often featured in American road trip films, except there was no sign of life, no family in a sweaty RV, no laughter or dogs barking. Just silence. She was alone in this desolate backdrop; the only sound was her ragged breathing and the idea of wind somewhere in the far distance. Or maybe her ears were straining as they searched for something to fill the deafening void.
The girl herself was nearly in a foetal position in the middle of the crossroads. The heels of her hands and the skin of her knees blistering against the burning concrete. Her eyes trained on the faded white of the old chalk markings that ran through the meeting of the two roads, trying to catch her breath, still feeling the scream in her throat. Tears landed, keeping formation on the cracked surface, not being absorbed or engaged by anything and oddly rolling on top of the dust. Dark, curling hair surrounded her head and face like a shadowy cloud, red highlights running through the thick curls like smouldering veins of garnet pressed into a rockface. Sobs suddenly wracking her body were shaking her whole frame. Hours passed. The suns position in the sky didn’t change, time was not a concept in this land. She knew where she was, she just needed to pick a direction to start walking in.
It was hours before she moved and, only then, did she incline her head to look straight ahead of her. Her head tilted upwards, the brightness of the desert sun burned her hazy eyes. She could see feet clad in leather shoes through the wavy air. She knew who it was, of course, he would be at her crossroads.
A deep voice interrupted her thoughts. “You have a choice to make, don’t you? Think about this one. It isn’t a game this time.” His expression was set, a strong jawline making his face seem harsh and cruel, only by looking into his eyes could you see the softness buried there.
“Uncle,” her voice was not as strong as she had wanted it to be, wavering on the word as her breath caught in her aching throat. The girl slowly stood up, wavering as though she was about to fall. “It was a beautiful lie whilst it lasted but I can’t deal with the pain anymore.” Her slender shoulders shook as a heavy breath escaped her lips, unobstructed this time. “One more painful truth is all I can do now. Death is the only adventure I have left. Please Uncle Regulus, just let me go.” The tears were back, causing her vision to swim momentarily. The two relatives looked at each other.
“You already know what I’m going to say, dear Polaris. I only have a gift for you, but first, can I ask a question?” the younger girl nodded, it was slight and almost unnoticeable almost as though she was scared to accept. “Is there not one person in this world that anchors you to life? I found that after I moved on my biggest regrets were the chances I didn’t take, the life I never lived. If there is one thing that I have learnt is that life goes on.” He pressed a small cold object into her hand. She knew what it was immediately but she still took her time looking down into her hand to see it. Silver and black glinted back up at her. The ancient and noble house of Black head of house ring. She closed her fingers around the cool metal and looked back towards her uncle only to find herself stood alone in the middle of the crossroads, the suddenly unbearably hot sun burning her back.