Free To Be by Adam Lynch

Author:Adam Lynch [Lynch, Adam]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2021-06-17T22:00:00+00:00

Confession

W

e enter a dark purple tent. There is small table for eating—a basket of fruit resting on it—a futon for sleeping, paper lanterns for night lighting, a large bucket of water, and another table for maps, books, and items for military planning.

Fraisha stands by the military table while I stand by the exit, feeling stiff, self-conscious, and awkward. He stares at me and I look away, gulping. Talden enters the tent a few minutes later, startling me. I make way for him. He moves to the side of the tent, crosses his arms, and stares at me.

I start feeling out of breath. I notice I’m having to breathe more frequently and heavier as I stand here, anxiously anticipating what I’ll be asked, and what will happen to me. As I stand, think, and wait, I feel my body turning to stone while my brain cooks all my thoughts.

“Did you ask Valida and Judan if they’re coming?” Fraisha asks Talden.

“I don’t think they are.”

He nods. “I see. What Valida saw out there stirred traumatizing memories.” He faces me, but I turn my eyes away. My body is trembling, but I try my best not to show it. “You know, Taiyo, we were slaves, too, for a time. The people who had enslaved us treated us far worse than we have ever treated you. They raped and tortured most of our women until death, including all my sisters except Valida, who’s the only one who survived. They even took my wife… my wife—the love of my life.” He pauses, spacing off with an emotionless face. “They were stone-cold sadists.”

“Brother, why are you telling him this?” Talden asks.

He shakes himself out of his daze. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I don’t know why I brought it up… I guess it’s because it’s been so long since I talked about them that it’s starting to feel like they were never here...” He pauses. I look at his eyes, feeling surprisingly empathetic with him. He notices my eyes on him and turns to me. His face is still emotionless. “Taiyo, are there certain things you feel you have to let out in order to preserve your sanity?”

“Brother, I thought we brought him here to question him about the expedition?”

He shakes his head again, closing his eyes tight. “Fine, fine.” He looks up, takes a deep breath, and then opens his eyes to look at me again.

As human as he’s sounding right now, I can’t help but feel terrified every time I see those glowing gray eyes. It’s like I’m in the presence of some divine being. “Taiyo…” He pauses. “Valida and Talden told me a lot about you…” I gulp. “A lot of remarkable things.” He examines me. “Where do I even begin? I guess what I’d like to know first is… how? How did you do it? How were you the only one to survive an ambush against... the Starlights—one of the largest and deadliest armies of the world—and not only make it back yourself,

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