#saemus

A young and ambitious elf named Saemus, wanted to start his own company of smugglers, entered into a sixteen year old Zea's life. He was a year older than her and she was drawn by his confidence. As did many of the young folks. Saemus had an aura about him and carried himself in a manner that told you he knew the hold he had over people. Good looking, with sunkissed skin and broad shoulder, even for an elf.

So imagine Zea's surprise, when Saemus decided that she was worthy of his time above everyone else. To say she fell for the elf hard, would be an understatement. In her eyes, Saemus was the sun that choose her to brighten his life. After a full year, the two were inseparable. Much to her mothers dismay.

Rhythmic dripping of stale water and the sound of rusted cage bar rattled in the damp confines of the city jail. Filled with the unsavory, psychopaths and various criminals. Laughter filled with both humor and despair; cries of pain, anguish, and regret. So much regret.

Zea sat in her cell, cradling her freshly broken wrist. Hot tears flowed down her cheeks, a showcase of her rage, pain and grief. Stupid, Stupid, Stupid, she was so stupid. Blinded by love. She scoffed at the idea of love; or what she thought was love.

He was charming in a way that made you believe even the most blatant of lies. The way his silver tongue knew the right words to say to make her doubt everything; her mother, her friends…herself.

Allowing her mind to replay the past four years. Little moments that felt off, yet brushed off due to his confidences in any situation. Still, things began adding up.

Missing coin, brushed off as 'fees' which was quickly lost to her mind by him distracting her with his soft lips or something more physical. Shipments and met ups changing on a whim with no other information. She trusted him with everything. Her coin, heart, soul, her life.

And as Zea sat in the damp cell, stagnated water, or what she hoped was water, made the small cell reek. Nothing made sense. Why? Why? would he do this?

The Maker had a sick sense of humor as the very man responsible for predicament stood behind the cage.

"Oh, Z. I didn't know the guard was gonna break your hand." Zea stared at the far wall, not wanting to look upon the broad, sunkissed, elf that once held her heart. "Come on, Z. Don't ignore me." Zea's ears started to burn as her rage grew, she felt the smug smile. The very smile she once cherished, made her melt in his arms.

"What do you want, Saemus?" She whispered, her gaze fixed on the bare dark wall.

"I wanted to check on you." An agonizing cheery tone.

"You think this is funny?"

"I think it's life." At that Zea's bloodshot violet-blue eyes shot towards the elf. A face she once loved, missed dearly whenever she was away for any length of time. Gone was the man she once orbited as if he was the sun. To her he was her whole world. "We're smugglers, Z. Did you really think a partnership was gonna work?"

"No." The shot out of mouth quick and sharp. "I never wanted to be in charge. I just wanted a job and you." Getting to her feet, a chain attached to her right ankle clanked and jingled as she neared the bars. The chain pulled taut when she was an arms length away. " You could have handled everything and I would have been fine handling the work." She hissed still cradling her broken wrist to her chest. "I loved you, Saemus. Did the last four years mean nothing to you?" As the last words left her mouth, the prickling sensation crept behind her eyes.

Saemus said nothing, golden eyes stared into her. A flicker of regret flashed across his face and for a moment, a brief moment, Zea had hope. Tearing his gaze away, he looked around casually before his gaze fell back to Zea.

"Oh, Z." Whatever hope she had was gone at the drop of his voice. "I Loved that you willing helped me take from your mother and how you warmed my bed." His grip tightened around the bars as he pressed himself closer to it. Voice lowered turned icy and menacing. " This world is unkind to elves and I will do whatever I have to to survive. Step on and over anyone. Friend, family…lovers be damned." leaning back, his signature smile returned with no warmth behind it.

Zea stared back, her visage shifting from hope to sorrow to rage.

"So I meant nothing to you?"

"You meant something to me. It just wasn't the same. I will always remember you for all the help you gave me. I would not have been able to accomplish nearly as much as I did in four years, without you. Take some comfort in that." Zea chuckled despite nothing about the situation being funny.

That chuckle turned into her bent over at the waist in a full on fit of laughter. Tears free falling as she squeezed her broken wrist. Needing to feel anything than the pain coursing through her heart. Standing back up, the pain behind her eyes was evident as Saemus' smile faltered slightly.

"Good luck, Z. I hear there will be no trial," he began walking away. After taking a few steps out of her line of sight, he stopped. "I had fun these last four years. I wish I was a better man for you…but than I wouldn't be me."

Zea stood in front her cage bars listening to her former lover and the life she once head slowly disappear. Her mothers last words rang in her ears. How she dismissed her warning about Saemus.

"Look, you're an adult now. I can't tell you what to do. However, I will not help you with this job nor will I help when that selfish bastard eventually throws you to the wolves." Regret pulled at her in all directions, silently wishing it tore her apart.

Abandoned by her mother, friends she pushed away for him, she was alone. A hook hung high, just high enough. Eyes glossed over falling onto the chain. How easy it would be to end it all. She was to be hung for sure, what difference would it make if she took it upon herself first?

Instead, she fell to her knees arms hung listless at her side. Broken wrist pain all but gone as she felt nothing. Not numb, no rage, grief. Just…nothing.