Page 39 of The Broken Aztec Princesses

“I—I don’t know. Do I need more stuff?”

“No, I guess not. I was just curious.”

We ate in silence again for a while before he spoke.

“Well?”

“Well, what?”

“What do you do for fun?”

“Oh...ummm... I have panic attacks, read books, draw—”

“What do you draw?” he asked, ignoring the first part of my smart ass answer.

“It’s mostly anime stuff on my tablet.”

“Can I see some?”

I put my plate down and grabbed my tablet from the nightstand drawer. I flipped through until I found some and then I passed over the tablet.

“Just... don’t scroll forward. Only backward,” I instructed.

Chris grunted, and I breathed a sigh of relief when he went away from the newer drawings. Those were not anime and they were not pretty to look at. I just couldn’t bring myself to delete them for some reason.

“These are good. Do you watch anime?”

“I used to, before—” I stopped and turned away.

“Have you thought about commissioning some?”

“They aren’t that good,” I told him and he shrugged, handing back the tablet.

“I disagree. I know a few warriors who would pay good money for some of those.”

“Not from me.” I shook my head in denial.

“Why not?”

“They aren’t that good. I‘m still learning.”

Chris grunted and dropped the subject, but it was like I could feel his brooding increase, if that was even possible. I didn’t push more conversation, too lost in my own thoughts.

Could I sell some of them? They weren’t the greatest. I’ve seen some incredible anime commissions at conventions, but maybe if I started small? I would hate to waste all the years of education if I never made it back to school.

“Wake up! Violet, wake up. It’s just a dream,” I heard a voice shouting at me.

I felt hands all over my body and heard someone screaming bloody murder as I woke up. It took me a moment to recognize the scream was coming from me, and only one pair of hands was on me.

“It’s just a dream,” Chris’ voice brought me all the way out of my dream.

I sat up, looking around the dark room, orientating myself. I was not in my room. I was in Redmon Moon. I was here helping Bells. I was safe. I looked up at Chris. His eyes looked a little wild and there was a big scratch on his cheek, drops of blood beaded from the wound, though they were already closed.

“I did that,” I whispered, shame crashing over me. I hurt the one person that made me feel safe.

“Are you okay?” he asked.

“I-I hurt you. I’m so sorry.” I told him and began to sob.

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