Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 10

room.
    "Wait, what's this?"
    Jem looked over his shoulder to see what Ren was talking about and noticed the folded paper Ren was holding. Turning completely around to face Ren, Jem shrugged his shoulders, remaining silent. Ren opened the note. Whatever was written there caused his face to drain of all color. He staggered forward a step and clutched the edge of the table, which prevented him from falling. Jem swiftly crossed the room and grabbed Ren by the arm, guiding him to a chair, and then turned to retrieve the goblet of wine and return with it for Ren. Pushing it into Ren's hand, Jem reached for the note, merely with the intention of laying it on the table next to Ren but the man went wild, snatching it back and crushing it to his chest.
    "Don't touch it!"
    Jem froze, fully aware that any perceived disobedience on his part would earn him a sound lashing from Cook. Bowing his head, Jem stood very still, trying not to tremble. He listened to Ren's harsh breath and wondered exactly what the note had contained to make the young master so incredibly upset.
    "You honestly have no idea how this got onto the luncheon tray?
    "No, Sir."
    "Who prepared the tray this morning?"
    "Twas Cook himself, sir."
    Jem heard Ren gasp. He raised his eyes briefly to glance at Ren who was once more staring, but not at Jem. No this time Ren was staring at the goblet of wine Jem had placed in his hand earlier when he helped him to sit down. He looked as though he might find a coiled snake in the bottom of the cup. As Jem watched, Ren shuddered and put the goblet on the table, pushing it far away from him and then stared once more at the note, a look of fear and loathing crossing his face. Jem waited uncertainly, not knowing if he should leave or stay. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity to Jem, Ren sighed and shifted in his seat, dropping the note unto his lap.
    "Thank you that will be all. You may go now."
    The sound of defeated resignation in Ren's voice tore at Jem's heart. Without thinking, Jem reached out a hand and laid it on the shoulder of the young man, only to recoil it just as quickly when Ren flinched and shrank from his touch. With a haunted look, Ren's eyes fixed on Jem's and for one moment there passed between the two boys an understanding that went beyond words.
    In that tortured glance, Jem saw a kindred soul who had also lived on the edge of despair, trapped in an existence somewhere between heaven and hell. Jem recognized the desperation and longing in Ren's face. He had felt it many times before. He, too, had lived in that land where the shadows held danger and the nights were a nightmare all unto their own…Nephali. Jem had spent two long months in that hellish place and he recognized a fellow survivor when he saw one.
    Ren lowered his eyes, breaking the moment. "Please, just go." Jem bowed his head once more and moved to the door. Risking one last glance behind him, Jem saw Ren drop his head into his hands, his body bent in half, rocking in silent, wrenching sobs. Jem felt his throat tighten and tears threaten his eyes as he opened the door to the hallway and slipped out.
    ****
    Ren prowled the study like a restless cat. The note, now a crumpled mess, remained fisted in his hand, a physical reminder of the job that lay before him in just a few hours hence. Ren stopped by the window and looked down. He could see the place where he'd sat just two days before. How much he would give to be back there so that he could just throw himself off the rocks and end this whole damned thing. Ren nearly whimpered in frustration.
    Wild thoughts raced through his mind, each one discarded as another took its place. Perhaps he should just go, try to escape. Yes, he could run, run away from the damned note in his hand and the course of action it represented. Ren stopped and shook his head at the craziness of the idea. Even if he could get past the guards at the end of the hallway, there was no way he could get out of Agori on foot, Con would find him before he even made it to the gate. Sighing with frustration, Ren placed the note on the desk and slowly began to smooth it out, forcing himself to read it once more.
    Three days pass quickly by…
    But perseverance is the key
    For without it all is lost
    And little boys are left in the dark
    The note was nothing more than a riddle at first glance, more nonsensical gibberish than fear-inducing warning. However, Ren saw the note for what it was and it made his blood run cold.
    Three