Page 25 of Voices in the Stars
A snort sounded from the man as he crumpled the papers in his hand. “Don’t know why you bother with that one,” he muttered, glancing over at me for the first time.
I stood confused, ignoring Atlas’ hand as it grabbed my elbow again. That was an odd reaction to the fabrics he was selling. Figured he’d be taking the chance to sell us more from his store. Gods knew I would rather a fancy dress at this moment, as long as it was clean and mine.
“These?” I specified, pointing at the silver material I had just been looking at.
“No, not the damn fabrics.” Venom filled his voice. “You’re allthe same.”
“Excuse me?” I questioned, dropping the fabric as I crossed my arms.
The man ignored me, looking over at Atlas. “Your bitch should learn how to speak to men.”
The hand on my elbow pulled me back until I was behind Atlas. His shoulders were squared, back tense as he towered above me. A chill ran down my spine as I looked between the two men. Everything about Atlas screamed that killing this man wouldn’t even make him break a sweat. There was no way I would be able to stop Atlas. Not with the way he was clenching his fists.
“Don’t act upset, boy.” Atlas’ jaw ticked at the man’s words. “Boots are pointless for them. I’m sure you’ve gotten your use out of her. Leave ’er here, I’ll make her work.”
I had to fight a gag as the man looked over my body. I pulled my cloak tighter around me, unable to fight the urge to slide behind Atlas. His arm partially curved around me, acting as a barrier between us.
That was the last moment of peace before a cracking sound tore through the shop. Atlas lunged forward, his fist slamming into the man’s face. He cried out, holding his nose that was now gushing blood.
“I might’ve shown kindness to your wife.” His words were a growl as they tore from his throat. “That means nothing for pathetic men like you.”
Atlas didn’t stop there. I cowered back as he grabbed the man by the collar of his shirt, slamming him into the floor, fists smashing the man’s face.
“I found them!” the woman yelled as she came barging in through the door.
Her words were followed by a scream as she took in Atlas on top of the man. Boots thudded to the ground as she dropped them. I rushed over to her, wrapping my arms around her before she could run to them. Her body was shaking as it crumpled into my hold.
“Please, I’m sure he didn’t mean it,” she pleaded in my ear.
“Atlas.” My voice shook as I spoke up. “I think he’s had enough.” My eyes closed, hoping that was enough.
The wet smacks continued for another moment before there was silence. I let go of the woman, turning to watch as she ran to thecrumpled heap of a man. Atlas walked over to me, blood dripping from his knuckles. At least I knew he wasn’t sexist; he’d kill everyone equally.
“Put them on,” he muttered, pointing at the boots and feet coverings.
I nodded, quickly listening to him. Tension buzzed off of him. The woman held the man, sobbing as she ran her fingers through his hair. I snapped my gaze away from them down to the tattered boots. This wasn’t my fault. My need for shoes brought Atlas here, but that man did this to himself. The boots were slightly too big as I slid them on, but they would still be better than being barefoot. Gods knew where else Atlas was going to drag me to.
Atlas dug through his pockets as I stood straight. He threw a handful of coins at the man before he turned, walking out of the shop. The man groaned as several of the coins hit him. A sigh of relief left me at the sound. Atlas was only an attempted murderer. Because that was so much better. I turned away from them, walking toward Atlas as he waited for me by the door.
“Let’s go.” He held open the door, looking outside. “We have a long journey ahead of us.”
I nodded, walking out the door. I was ahead for a moment before Atlas stepped into place beside me, keeping a slower pace this time. I was being led out of town by a monster, and there was nothing I could do about it.
The boots turnedout to be a blessing. Atlas led us through a path that would’ve left me crying in the grass. Vines weaved and trailed through the barely-there dirt path. Their thorns tore into the leather of the boots. I shuddered at the image of what they would have done to the soles of my bare feet.
The forest loomed at our side, creeping along with us. The rest of the area around us was flat with the occasional tree popping out. Atlas walked silently next to me. The only sign that he hadn’t forgotten about me was when I was handed a water skin. Silence was broken by squawking above our heads. Birds flew far above us; they were dark silhouettes against the bright sun. I shaded my eyes as I watched them fly past us. The way their heads scanned the ground they passed unsettled me. It felt like they’d be larger than any bird I’d seen if they decided to land in front of us. A shiver ran through me. Hopefully that wouldn’t happen.
Atlas cut in front of me. My body jerked as his shoulder bumped into mine, causing me to lose my footing. I glared at him as we left the thin path, turning toward the trees. My chest tightened as I slowed, watching him walk.
Large trees shot out of the ground, looming hundreds of feet above us. Their leaves created a blanket that blocked out any possible light. Nothing could be seen past the first layers of the trunks.
My hands shook at my sides as I came to a complete stop, but I couldn’t steady them. My own gasping breaths drowned out my rapidlyincreasing heartbeat that drummed in my ears. Thoughts warred within my mind. Half of me wanted to call out to Atlas, to stop him from walking to his own death and to come help me, while the other half knew I was completely fine.
My mouth just opened and closed as he stopped in front of me. His brows were furrowed as his lips moved. There was no sound except a faint ringing in my ears.
The world started dimming around the edges of my vision. All I could focus on were the monsters. Shadowy figures darted between the trees. Their eyeless faces still stared deep within me like they wanted to read the very depths of my soul. My hands grabbed at my chest as I watched their spindly fingers dig into the trees right before they launched toward me.
I screamed as it grabbed me, claws sinking deep into my arms. I thrashed against its hold, trying to free myself. I could faintly hear myself calling for Atlas as I kept fighting. He could kill them. I used my free hand to fight back, clawing through the figures, my fingers sinking helplessly into the darkness.
