Amorthon Blackwood

Breathe

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out.

Weeks inside the city walls had done nothing for his nerves and it was here, among the waterfalls, the thick canopy, and ever present wildlife that he felt he could breathe again. The vice, that had been in place since he set foot back inside those walls, finally loosened and he could focus once again.

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out.

He’d hoped that going back would keep him distracted. That daily hunts with Savage, chasing after the twins while Andivia worked, and doing what he could to help her relax after work would keep him busy enough that his mind wouldn’t drift back to all the little -reminders- this time of year brought with it. The fire festival had many memories attached to it, and as well as he was doing, it took no time in proving that he had quite a ways to go.

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out.

He was stronger than he’d been a year ago. He was happier than he’d been…in as long as he could remember. He knew more about his history than he ever had, and he had a future to look forward to…and still cutting words flooded his memory. 

Breathe in. Looks of disgust, bordering on hatred… Breathe out. His things outside. Breathe in. Discarded. Breathe out. Pain. Breathe in. Haze.Breathe out. His things outside. Breathe in. Discarded. Breathe out. Pain. Breathe in. Haze. Breathe out. And then…relief.

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out.

A year ago it had seemed like things were falling apart…but those were memories, nothing more. He wasn’t the same man who was in those memories. As painful as it had been he’d lived through it and grown from it…and moved on.

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out.

Slowly he opened his eyes. He felt lighter than he had in weeks, and relaxed..finally. After a quick stretch, leaning his head from side to side, he moved to stand, only turning away from the waterfall he’s been sitting near when he heard the sound of approaching footsteps. He narrowed his eyes as Savage wandered up looking….ashamed? “…Savage what did you-” He froze, eyes widening at the cub who wandered up next to the much larger tiger and flopped down between Savage’s paws.

“…Andi’s going to kill me…”

Breathe in. Hold. Breathe out.