Sleep Keeper

by Wilcox, April

  “It’s not his fault Leyland, its Erebus,” Orion answered.

  Leyland’s body stiffened and his eyes flashed with terror. “What’d you say?...”

  “The two men I’ve been chasing, Erebus and Draco. Do you know of their names?” Orion asked.

  “Only in stories,” he confirmed with a horrid expression.

  “I wish it was only a story, my friend,” Orion consoled and placed his hand on Leyland’s shoulder.

  My chest squeezed tighter as Orion touched Leyland. What I wouldn’t give to feel his hand caress my skin again…

  “Now tell me, you said four of your men agreed to join Erebus. That means there are ten in total. I counted six out front and two by the theatre. There’s two more somewhere?” Orion guessed.

  “I heard the dark-clothed one, Erebus I take it, tell a few of the men to check the town’s perimeter.”

  Orion paced the room, his usual tactic when distraught. He brushed right past me. His arm swung through my ribs. I felt a wave of excitement as he passed by, but didn’t catch his scent.

  “What’re you thinkin’?” Leyland asked.

  “I’m thinking that ten is quite a large number. How good are you at fighting?” Orion examined his physique and waited, observing his reaction to the question.

  “I’ve never fought before, but… I’m a butcher. I can swing a mean cleaver.” He lifted the massive knife from the small table beside him. The anger in his eyes along with the fire reflecting off the blade sent shivers down my spine.

  “Good enough for me,” Orion responded. “The key is to separate Erebus from the others, otherwise it’s useless.”

  “What about the guards? These men are my friends… they’re good people. I can’t kill them.”

  “Leyland, they will kill us.”

  Leyland glanced out the window at the men he called friends not long before - then back at his cleaver. I watched the turmoil behind his eyes as he was asked to kill his brethren.

  “Look, I have a plan to draw Erebus away. You distract him while I release the hostages. I’ll spare as many lives as I can, okay?” Orion reassured him.

  There was a slight pause, then Leyland shoulders tightened and he gave a single nod. As more dangerous as it was to face Erebus, I think he would rather go against him then his own men.

  “How do I distract him?” he asked.

  “Run to him and say that you’ve captured me inside this building and that I asked to speak to him. Don’t look directly at Erebus and don’t agree to anything. And even more important, don’t fight… you will lose and nothing will be accomplished. Make sure you say my name and make sure he follows. Enter this building first and tell him I’m in one of the back rooms, then exit and run back to help me with the guards,” Orion explained.

  “I can do that,” he affirmed.

  Just then, there was a commotion outside. Orion and Leyland hurried to the window. I followed directly behind, still unnoticed. In the distance, Draco dragged what looked like a young woman from the theatre. Her white crochet dress contrasted against the darkness. Her curly blonde hair was pinned back with ribbons. An older woman, possibly her mother, clung desperately to her, screaming. One of the men clubbed the back of the woman’s head and she fell to the ground in silence. He shoved her back inside the theatre and slammed the door.

  I gasped and moved my hands to my mouth - no one heard me.

  Draco dragged the woman to the center of the opening. He knelled her on the ground and bellowed, “Who else will join us?” as he stared down at the men.

  Several of the men shot frightened glances to the others, while the rest remained still, possibly hoping to call his bluff. Leyland’s body stiffened, his muscles quivering with anger. He clenched his teeth and gripped the cleaver tight as he headed toward the door.

  “Leyland, don’t do anything stupid,” Orion insisted as he moved quickly out of Leyland’s way. “Stick to the plan.”

  Leyland’s wild eyes flashed with rage, then without a word, he was out the door. He ran toward Draco and Erebus. Orion pulled out his bow and arrow and waited, positioning himself partially out of the open door. From Leyland’s demeanor, I pictured him attacking, and failing, leaving one more corpse. Their odds were slowly getting worse. I couldn’t just stand there and watch - I wanted to help. I felt so helpless.

  Suddenly, I was standing next to Draco.

  “None of you will join, huh? Have it your way,” Draco grimaced in pleasure.

  Before I could take a breath, he pulled out his dagger and sliced open the girl’s throat inches from me.

  “No!” I screamed and reached for the girl. My hands slipped right through her as she fell to the ground.

  Two men jumped from the ground and charge Draco. In a split second, Draco severed them both with his dagger. He stepped over the pile of lifeless bodies. The remaining men lay silently as screams flowed from the theatre.

  I was frozen in shock… my mind couldn’t comprehend the horror scene before me.

  Leyland charged forward with immense speed. His back was toward Orion, probably blocking his line of attack. Erebus glided over at the same time that Leyland reached us. I didn’t want to watch, anticipating Leyland’s demise. Instantly, Leyland’s body language changed; he lowered the cleaver to his side and bowed his head.

  “I was on perimeter watch and caught someone sneakin’ in town. Said he’d speak to only you,” he spoke impassively, just as instructed.

  He even appeared to cower at their feet. I held my breath; my hands tucked under my chin in trepidation.

  Erebus slid closer, inspecting Leyland’s expression. “Whom does he ask for?”

  Leyland turned up his head and glared directly in his pale eyes. With a voice dripping with wrath he spoke, “Erebus.”

  Draco’s body stiffened. They both appeared to mistake Leyland’s tone for fear.

  “What’s his name?” Erebus leaned in.

  I was nearly on my tiptoes with anticipation. My heart beat a thousand times a minute. Leyland stayed in character and peered back down at his feet in silent. I wasn’t sure what was wrong… why he wasn’t saying Orion’s name.

  “Say his name… Say his name…” I chanted.

  After an endless pause he whispered, “Orion.”

  Erebus head shot forward. Draco darted about nervously. He charged forward, picking Leyland up by his shirt and then threw him against the theatre wall. I was shocked at how easy he made it look, as Leyland was not a small man.

  “Where - is - he?” Draco snarled.

  Leyland shifted the cleaver in his hand, perhaps wondering if he was quick enough. Just one swift slice is all it would take… but then Erebus would destroy us all. Luckily, Leyland restrained himself and kept him arms by his sides, with the cleaver still in his hand.

  “Over there, in the back room. I’ll take you,” he offered as he pointed in Orion’s direction.

  “Move it!” Draco scolded and dropped Leyland.

  Leyland led them to the building and I hurried close behind. They entered the building entrance. Before I entered, I saw something in my peripheral move against the alley wall. I paused. Orion bolted across the street with his sword drawn. Without a thought, I drifted behind him, like a magnet.

  He ran with great speed until he reached the scene. Without slowing, he used all of his strength and shoved the sword in the middle a guardsman’s back. It slid through easier that I would have thought and emerged out of his chest. The man fell to his knees, sliding Orion’s sword free. Two other guardsmen nearby turn around; Orion stood over the body, his sword drenched in blood.

  I watched helplessly, my hands clenched in fists. I was frightened yet excited seeing Orion like that. He looked angry, fierce, and powerful.

  Both men charged, the first with a dagger and the second with a sword. Orion dodged the first man and rammed the hilt of his sword against his back. He fell to his knees. The second man’s charge came before Orion could finish the first kill. Orion blocked
his sword’s swing and sliced across the guard’s chest, just as the first man reached up and stabbed Orion in the thigh. Orion and I both grimaced from the pain. I reached out for him, knowing it would do no good. Orion fell to his knees, knocking the man’s dagger out of his hand. With a quick lunge, Orion jumped on him and stabbed into his neck. Crimson liquid splashed across the ground.

  Another guardsman charged forward. Orion jumped to his feet and steadied his stance, ignoring the pain that throbbed from his leg. The fourth man dove with his sword forward, appearing to not know how to use it properly. Orion dodged to the side and pushed his sword through his stomach.

  A thud came from behind us. I turned to find Leyland with another body at his feet. He stared down at the man with a horrorstricken face. His bloody cleaver dropped to the ground.

  “Robby...” he whimpered. His eyes glazed with remorse.

  Several men leapt up from the ground and detained the remaining guard. I looked back at Orion, with scattered bodies around him. His stood focused. I, on the other hand, felt scattered and afraid. Yet, his eyes held the same heavy look of sorrow that I was feeling. I wanted to hold him in my arms and take him away from this nightmare.

  A noise came from the building Leyland led Draco and Erebus to. Leyland and Orion rushed toward the building with several other men following behind. I hurried after. When we arrived, the building was empty.

  “They must have fled. At least we impaired their army,” Orion said.

  “I took down the two men on perimeter watch outside of town after I left Erebus and Draco,” Leyland said.

  “That means they’re alone once again. Thank you. I’m forever in your debt for your bravery,” Orion bowed his head.

  “No comrade, thank you. You have saved our town.”

  We stood in silence with heavy hearts as Orion and Leyland surveyed the damage in the town.

  “What comes next?” Leyland asked.

  “You repair your town and mourn for the fallen men,” Orion answered.

  “No, I mean what’s next of Erebus? How can we stop him?”

  “I don’t know… I’ll head out in the morning to continue my search.”

  “I’m coming with you.”

  “I don’t know how long I’ll be gone,” Orion told him.

  “I understand, there’s nothing left for me here… anymore.”

  I saw the deep-rooted suffering hidden behind his eyes, but Orion didn’t pry. Suddenly, my vision blurred. Images rushed by - too fast for me to decipher. Buildings, trees, clouds, day, night, day, night, they raced faster and faster, colors blurred past in a dizzy spin. I squeezed my eyes tight. Nausea rolled through my stomach. I covered my mouth to keep the vomit down. It all came to a sudden halt.

  I opened my eyes to a deep blue sky with hundreds of stars sprinkled above. The ample moon lit up the night, causing beams of light to illuminate the treetops. Steel-gray clouds gathered in the distance as they slowly drifted in my direction. I turned my head and spotted Orion and Leyland nearby, extinguishing a small campfire. Orion’s clothes were different than before… dark and soiled. Soft bags hung under his tired eyes. His facial hair had grown thick; a sight that was shocking yet ruggedly handsome.

  How much time had passed?

  “Hello?” I called in an ill-fated attempt.

  No response.

  They walked past me in silence and continued into the forest. Without actually rising, I was now following close behind. They walked for a mile through the brush and hiked up a high bluff. When they reached the edge, the bright moon lit up the panoramic view that spread for several miles across the forest below. A river lay to the East and shimmered against the moonlight. The forest was dense except for a small clearing buried toward the North.

  “Did… you see… that?” Leyland asked, appearing unsure.

  Orion and I peered down at the clearing. Something moved. Within a blink, dark clouds swept across the moon and the sky turned black. The view below disappeared as if a dark sheet had been draped over the forest.

  “No… I didn’t see anything. What did you see?” Orion responded.

  “I’m not sure. Probably nothin’.”

  “I saw something!” I rushed.

  “Let’s check it out anyway. Can’t hurt,” Orion suggested.

  Without the moon, they stumbled back to camp in the pitch-black night. I glided behind effortlessly. Orion glanced back up at the sky, hoping for a break in the clouds. I read his expressions as he contemplated waiting until daybreak, but I knew his choice. He couldn’t sit idly by at camp all night. He fished a flashlight out of his bag and handed it to Leyland. He holstered his sword and they headed toward the clearing.

  On the short hike, the dark clouds fulfilled their threat and cast down rain, gentle at first, but heavy soon after. In no time, they were sloshing through the muddy debris with drenched bodies and clothes. I looked up at the falling water, but couldn’t feel it on my skin. I could only hear its song, which I found strangely comforting, like a hush from the heavens to wash away my fears. There was, however, a drawback to the rain; it hindered the ability to hear anyone else that might be lurking nearby.

  Not long later, we came upon a small campsite. Leyland switched off the flashlight and we listened carefully. The only sound was the falling of rain. Orion drew his sword and crept into the campsite. Leyland was at his back with his cleaver in hand. To witness the scene on the brink of bloodshed send a crushing wave of panic to my chest.

  A few feet ahead were two small tents. On the right were two horses, tied to a tree under a canopy. They were unusually peaceful given our intrusion; perhaps they welcomed the rescue. Orion moved toward the tent, pausing directly above. Leyland remained a few feet away keeping watch into the dark trees. Orion drew his sword and lunged repeatedly into its canvas with extensive force. His face was twisted in an unrecognizable rage that saddened me to watch. He did not stop until the torn fabric showed no evidence of bodies inside.

  Just when he realized the tents were empty, movement came from behind. A knot filled my stomach and I whipped around. Orion’s eyes darted about, but he couldn’t tell which direction it came from. A trig snapped a few feet away and Leyland leapt into the trees. Another snap from the opposite direction and Orion darted into the forest. I followed Orion. His panicked face confirmed my same realization that they had been separated.

  “Leyland!” he immediately called out, but heard no reply. He rushed back to the campsite, but there was no one there.

  “Leyland!” he hollered as he scoured the nearby area.

  “Ha, ha, ha.”

  My stomach sank as I heard Erebus’ guffaw.

  “Erebus!” Orion bellowed.

  There was no response, just the sound of the rain as it poured down harder.

  “Erebus! Show yourself!” he ordered.

  Something moved on the left, and then a dark figure hovered from behind the trees. Without a pause Orion charged with a fierce roar. I pulled my arms into my chest and held my breath. As hard as it was to watch, I wouldn’t dare look away.

  He raised his sword, but its blade did not pierce Erebus. It didn’t even come close. With more than fifteen feet to go, Orion was suddenly airborne. His body tumbled in midair and crashed against the trunk of a tree. I hurried over to him, knowing I couldn’t help. The moment his feet hit the ground, he pulled himself up and took his stance, ready to fight. Everything was happening so fast, my emotions didn’t have time to respond. I stood close by, my feet nearly dancing with adrenaline.

  Erebus strolled closer. “Orion. Why do you even try? You know I could rip the limbs from your body with just a twitch of my wrist,” he chuckled.

  I wondered if he had that much power in him.

  “Where is she?! What did you do with her?” he demanded.

  Was he talking about me?

  “I’m afraid I have no idea who you’re referring to.”

  Orion’s lip twitched and his breath became erratic. Erebus’ nonchalant re
mark had angered Orion even more. “Don’t you dare plead ignorance with me Erebus! Where is Alexis?!”

  Oh no… was he risking his life searching for me?

  “I’m here!” I cried.

  “Alexis? Well, well, well…” he snickered. “Did your beloved finally realize that she was too good for you?”

  “I’m warning you… so help me if you touched her…” Orion threatened.

  “Touch her? The girl means nothing to me. In fact, you mean nothing to her as well,” he chortled. “I can see her right now, you know…” he said as he stared directly through me.

  My heart skipped a beat. I stepped closer toward him wondering if it was true. I shuddered at the thought.

  Orion’s face looked like he was just punched in the chest. “You’re lying!” he cried.

  “I promise you I’m not,” he replied stately. “I can see the way she looks at her sweetheart… the sound of her moaning when he touches her.”

  How dare he!

  I couldn’t breath. I knew he was lying, but Orion’s eyes were stricken with pain. I watched as he contemplated its validity.

  “It’s not true! Please don’t believe him!” I screamed.

  I wished for just one touch to help ease his pain. I reached out to touch his face, “If only you could feel me near.”