-Dexter Estrada-

I stood at the balcony of my room, my eyes locked on the stream. It has been two days. I was sure she would come back. She promised me she would. She never broke her promise. Even though my eyes were locked on the stream my mind was not. It kept on going back to the dream I had last night, trying to find an explanation. It bothered me so much, in Berade we saw dreams as a message from our forefathers. I believed in that but the dream that I saw last night didn't make any sense.

It shot up to my mind again forcing me to close my eyes. And there I was standing alone, in a suit, the groom. I seemed like I didn't care about the snakes in the arbor, the rotting smell, the red sky waiting to burst, the waves from the sea reaching my shoes and soaking them constantly. But I stood there waiting for something and my eyes widened when I saw Ann walking from the mist of darkness. She was in a black gown with a big veil and she had a smile plastered on her face, an evil smile I would say. She walked down the aisle alone, it was only me and her. But as she walked towards me, I saw the pack of wolves following her, drooling and ready to bark, their eyes were fixed on mine. When I looked down, the water from the sea had turned red, it was blood, it soaked my shoes. A snake jumped over me tying my hands with its body. I shrieked open my eyes the same way I did when I saw the dream.

I rubbed my temples hoping it would make me forget the whole thing. My heart yearned to scream, but my self absorbed physical body didn't allow me to. I tapped my feet to the marble floor constantly to shake off my anxiety. A great sense of guilt pile a lump on my throat making me choke. It was all my fault. I shouldn't have let her do it. I am such a fool. Bringing her here was the stupidest decision I have ever made. I didn't get to tell her that I'll be waiting here for her, nor did I said that I loved her. There was no point in living the rest of my life with the guilt that I killed my fiance. I made a decision. Suddenly I clenched my fist and walked through the hallway, down the stairs and out of the castle.

I walked towards the big bell hanging at the left side of the giant door. I held the ropes and rung the bell three times. The sound echoed on my ears. Soon the people of Berade, the king, the guards crowded around me. Dad looked at me confused.

"Announcement," I said. The pain and the guilt of being a murderer is not something I was used to. It hit me hard every time I thought about Ann, that I was the one who caused all the chaos. I was the one who should be punished and if the king didn't do that, I will.

"There must be a mistake son. No announcements today," the king said.

"Don't you dare call me your son. You never was a father figure to me and I don't expect you to be one."

"You obey me," he said.

"I don't play by your rules anymore. I've called the cops to arrest you and me. You wanna know why? Because you killed my mother and I didn't dare to question you. You started a ritual sacrificing my mother's life and you are gonna end it."

"I'm leaving Matilda, head of the army in charge," I said. The crowd started murmuring to each other.

A young brown girl in her armor came to the front and nodded in approval.

As I was speaking the siren rung indicating the arrival of the train. We walked towards the station which was in one of the spots where the rivers met. We walked towards the left, down the hill and through the village finally reaching the station. The guards surrounded the king who had not uttered a single word for a few minutes. It is not much of a station, it connects our kingdom with the outside world. The rails extend towards the river, the other end of which is at Briston. The train came to a halt in front of us.

Two officers came out from the first compartment of the train. One of them bald, and thin the other had his eyes locked on his phone screen. I shook his hand and he nodded. He gestured me to go inside, so I did. He asked dad to do the same. But he flashed an angry stare at him.

"You have to come with us sir," he said politely.

He walked in but didn't care to look at me. I sat there looking at my people through the glass windows. It will take two more minutes to leave. Matilda moved in front of the crowd and patted her clenched arm on her chest and mouthed "your Majesty" as a part of showing respect. Seeing Matilda, everybody in the crowd patted their clenched fist on their chest. I nodded and looked the other way. Memories rushed back inside me making a tear roll down my left cheeks.

"She's here!" A voice screamed from the crowd.

It was a kid, probably ten, raised his hand and said again," She's here. Anastasia Reyes. Besides the stream your Majesty."

My heart started beating faster than ever before. A shiver spread inside me. I was not sure if I was dreaming. And then, I saw a figure running from the village. It didn't take me long to recognize that face. Everyone in the crowd started cheering. The officer parted his eyes from the phone and looked at me.

"You are free to go since she returned sir," he said.

"Thanks" My eyes were filled with tears. I rushed through the crowd making my way to her. I panted when I reached her. The train gave a siren and left the station. I stood there in front of her, my face a mixture of smile and awe. I pulled her into a hug.

                   To be continued...