#aaliyaxriza

“The trust of the innocent is the liar’s most useful tool.” - Stephen King

Timeline: After Refugee Camp with Xi’mia 

Being given the task to look after the wounded of the camp had calmed Aaliya down. Her hands were no longer shaking. Her heart was no longer beating as if it was going to jump out of her chest. No longer did she flinch at every loud noise, nor did she look up terrified whenever a loud footstep neared. It wasn’t so much the attack that had scared her, it was the encounter afterwards with her cousin that had made her tremble like a leaf. The reality of being dragged back home had terrified her more than the shocking blast and the red hot flames. 

Kirian had assured her that he would keep her safe. If she did not desire to return home with Avi, he promised her he would make sure her cousin would leave her alone. And Kirian once was a man of his word. She was worried Avi might show up and drag her home. But it’s been a few days and she didn’t see her cousin. Kirian guessed Avi had returned to his ship by now, most likely left Glasswater in search for the safety of the ocean. 

Aaliya gathered all the bloodied linen, the torn clothes and hurried to the back of the lakehouse, where a large fire was burning. She threw everything in the fire and watched as the flames rose in the dark sky. She slumped against the house, closing her eyes for a second. She had been running non-stop, helping the injured, serving food to the hungry. She had forgotten how tired she actually was. She took a deep breath, trying to forget the screams and howls of pain, hte red-tinted images of blood and gaping wounds. 

She was startled by a rustling sound and opened her eyes to find a woman - she guessed late thirties, early forties - with dark hair coming up to her, a soft smile lingering on her lips. 

“Hey,” Aaliya smiled back, pushing herself up from the wall ready to start working again. “Can I help you with something?”