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Melissa and Zack are terrified of their old mentors finding them. Of what would happen if they did. Beatings. Torture. Death. It certainly wouldn’t be pleasant.
And it’s strange, because they trusted these people. Loved them. They had as much of a share in raising them as their parents did.
But now? Now they are terrified of them.
Melissa is sneaking down the hill to the marketplace, her face covered. People don’t know what to think about the runaway hero. Some have turned to hate her. Some still love her. Either way, she needs to avoid attention.
So far, no one has recognised her. She is just one of the villain’s minions, a shadowy figure in a dark cloak.
People move out of her way, duck behind walls, behind bushes. It feels so strange, being feared. She is the hero, she is used to people smiling, waving, thanking her. Even bowing, which always feels weird. But as a minion, a resident of the Stormy Castle, she is feared and loathed in equal measure.
She is nearly at the town when she hears a voice. “Melissa?”
She spins around. A very familiar figure is standing there, smiling at her. Clothes in green fabric and silver armour, his grey hair ruffling in the breeze. “Cavendish?”
“Melissa, oh thank the gods.” Cavendish smiles with pure relief. “I was so worried about you.”
Melissa tucks her cloak tighter around her head, glaring at him. “Where is Zack?” He asks, looking around for her ‘faithful sidekick’. Zack is normally near her, by her side, in her shadow. More a part of her than a person all of his own.
“Not here.” She says shortly.
“Ok, then we must find him and hurry home, quickly.” Cavendish says. “Everyone is so worried about you both. Are you hurt? Did he hurt you?”
She used to spit he in that same disgusted, fearful tone. Now hearing it makes her tense, makes her furious, because he is Milo, her Milo. “We’re fine. And we’re not coming back.”
Cavendish blinks. “But… why ever not?”
“Because we’re done with that bullshit.” Melissa snaps.
“What? Melissa, little fighter, it’s time to go home. It’s ok now. No one is angry at you, at either of you.” Cavendish says. “You’re safe from him no-“
“Shut up!” Melissa stamps her foot. Cavendish does shut up, eyes widening with shock. “Milo isn’t a threat! He’s my friend. And we’re not going back!” She can’t believe that Cavendish, her closest mentor, would try to trick her like this. Would try to drag her back to be tortured. She doesn’t believe that anyone could believe that there will be no punishment. Not when they have hurt Milo so badly.
“Melissa, listen.” Cavendish steps closer. Melissa takes a step away. “I promise, everything will be ok if you just come back.
Melissa scoffs. “I’m not as stupid as you think I am, Sir. I know exactly what’ll happen if I go back. I know what you did to Milo, and you’re all the villains, not him. He did nothing wrong! And even if he did, the way he was treated would still be monstrous! You’re awful, you’re cruel and horrible and I hate you for what you did!”
Cavendish stares at her. “Melissa, I-“
“Don’t pretend like you don’t know! Everyone knew. Everyone except from me! You let me drag Milo off to be tortured. I thought you were a good person, but you were really training me up to be your weapon. I’m done with it. Me and Zack, we’re done with your cruelty, and your rules, and your destiny. I’m not your hero, I’m not your weapon, I’m done.” She breathes heavily, eyes burning. “I’m done.”
Cavendish stares at her, horror swimming in his blue eyes, then tries to approach. “Little fighter, I don’t know what you’re going through. I don’t know what you think is going on. But please come home with me. I just want to keep you saf-“
Melissa draws her sword and points it right at his chest. “Bullshit. I’m not stupid. You trained me better than that.” Her voice breaks. She loved him, like another father. She trusted him. Believed every word that he said, every false platitude about her goodness and heroism. Every reminder of how important her mission was, of the consequences of failure.
And every time he comforted her, he knew that Milo was being tortured for the crime of his existence. He praised her blessing while insulting Milo’s curse. And in the end, no one won. Not Milo. Not Melissa. Not Zack. Not the princess.
They all suffered at the hands of destiny, and the hands of the people she trusted.
Cavendish recoils, looking down at the sharp point of the weapon. “Melissa-“
“Leave me alone. You know how good I am. You’re the one who trained me.” She glares, tightening her hand on her sword. “And if you lay a hand on me, or my friends, you’re dead. Got it?”
She makes a jabbing motion for emphasis, then spins around and storms off. Cavendish splutters, horrified. She ignores him.
———
She hides in the market for a while. And then she sneaks back to the castle. “Whoa, are you alright?” Milo asks. He is busy fixing a broken ceiling beam. Dakota is helping him, holding him up with magic while Milo hammers it in place.
“Fine. But you’ll never guess who I just had the displeasure of running into.” Melissa throws herself onto the nearest pile of blankets.
“Who?” Zack is perched on the stairs, tuning his lute.
“Cavendish.” Melissa says. Zack gasps. Surprisingly, so does Dakota.
“Like, your old mentor?” Milo asks, swinging himself up to perch on the newly fixed beam. “Is he looking for you?”
“Yup.” Melissa glares. “Evil bastard. He’s gonna figure out that we’re here, so we might have to temporarily relocate.”
Diogee barks viciously. “Or that.”
“Oh no. Did he hurt you?” Milo looks worried. “You seem really upset.”
“He didn’t. I’m just furious with him.” Melissa admits. “I trusted him, my whole life. And it turns out that he’s actually evil.”
“Did he know about… uh, me?” Milo asks.
“He must have.” Zack says. “Everyone else did. When we tried to tell Lady Hildegard, she already knew, and she was all for it. And they’re in the same position. So Cavendish must know.”
“He can’t.” Dakota interrupts. “He can’t have known… he works for the Royal Company, now?”
“Wait, wait, wait.” Milo swings downwards, now hanging upside down like a bat. “You know this guy?”
“Long story.” Dakota brushes him off. “My point is, I don’t believe that Cav could really know. He’d never hurt kids.”
“Well believe me, he does.” Melissa says. “Arrogant bastard. I can’t believe I trusted him.” I can’t believe I trusted all of them. I was so stupid. So naive. So easily manipulated.
She was used. And she won’t let anyone do that again. “We need to make plans to get out of here, unless we want the old man breaking the doors down.”