LiteraturefromLynn
|• never stop predicting the end, you may be right •|

Lincoln felt the muscles in his legs ache. A pain he didn't want to acknowledge since he was already worried about Emma and didn't want to worry himself or Lyra any further. They had been walking at a constant pace for about six hours; the pace was fast and the pain was excruciating. They had been silent throughout the walk as tension hung in the air. They were anxious.

Lyra had repeatedly caught herself drifting away from reality; she was worried about Emma, but more worried about what she wanted to say. Emma never kept her words to herself unless it was important. She had an urge to go back and ask but she felt discouraged every time. With winter approaching, she couldn't afford to waste time.

She glanced at Lincoln and caught him wincing. He must be in pain, she thought but didn't ask as she knew how important Emma was to him and that asking him would just weaken his courage.

"You okay?" Asked Lincoln with a lopsided smile.

His smile was contagious; Lyra found herself smiling and breathlessly whispering "Yeah. And you?"

"Good." An evident lie but Lyra remained silent.

"It's been hours since we've been walking. Can we take a break?" Asked Lyra, she didn't need a break but she knew Lincoln needed one.

A wave of relief washed over his face as he nodded and dropped down onto the dry grass.

"Not here, dummy." Lyra rolled her eyes, "This is in the middle of nowhere, let's move to that cave at the bottom of the valley. We'll be warm there." She turned around and began to jog down the valley, expecting Lincoln to follow. But he didn't.

After a few seconds Lyra realised and whipped around, concerned.

"Linc?"

"Why can't we stay here?" Whined Lincoln.

Lyra palmed her forehead and grunted, "It's in the middle of nowhere. Do I have to state the obvious to you?"

Lincoln gave her a quizzical look which Lyra returned with a frustrated one. He pouted and said, "Fine, I only sat down because you wanted a break."

Lyra giggled, "Right."

They walked down the slope as Lyra held Lincoln's hands to support him, they had an understanding that they could never explain to anyone.

"Thanks" Wheezed Lincoln from the laborious trudge down the jagged slope.

Lyra smiled and nodded in return. The cave was similar to many others which circulated the outer bounds of the forest, yet it had a dark vibe — the atmosphere seemed gloomy and dismal.

Lyra ran her hand over the rocky surface of the cave, examining the smooth rocks kneaded by corrosion. The rocks had a touch of smeared violet, blue, black and scarlet. Each colour interwoven into each other, like a family of misfits. The colours didn't quite fit together, but from a far, they looked complete and like they bore a secret.

"Look." Lincoln's finger pointed towards the pile of burnt firewood at the edge of the left side of the cave. Lyra walked over to the pile and dipped her finger in the soot.

"It's warm." She whispered, "Someone was here."

Lincoln's eyes widened, "Do you think it's safe here?" He asked as he gripped his thigh in pain.

Lyra's gaze faltered to his thighs and she said, "Yes." Though she knew it was anything but safe, regardless Lincoln's health came first, "Maybe we should head a bit deeper in so we are warm?" Lyra only had a green tunic draped over her shoulders with a pair of black trousers.

Lincoln nodded in conformation, "I'll go and get some wood to light a fire."

Lyra waited for Lincoln as she rested against the rocks and played with her thin, gold bracelet, the last reminiscence of her mother.

"I'm here!" Lincoln shouted gleefully, shaking Lyra back to reality.

"Never. Do. That. Again." She hissed.

Lincoln clutched his heart in mockery fright, and spoke, "Sorry, I was only trying to cheer you up."

She shook her head and asked, "Well, it didn't work." Then she suspiciously scrutinised him, "Why are you so happy?"

His grin widened as he dropped the firewood at his feet and unzipped his rucksack, "Look what I found!" He shoved his bag towards her.

Lyra rolled her eyes at his childish behaviour and looked down, "My God, this is beautiful!" Exclaimed Lyra at the green crystal before her eyes. It had a glint of gold at the edges, giving it a sophisticated touch.

"It looks like your eyes." Lincoln complimented. Lyra was baffled in amazement. She knew her eyes were green but to be compared to the jewel in front of her was unexpected, "Here take it, it's for you." He offered.

"I-I can't take it." Stuttered Lyra.

Lincoln looked genuinely confused, "Why not?"

Lyra could find no excuse, she felt like all her words had been sucked into a black hole.

"I insist." He pestered.

"Thank you, Lincoln." She felt a warm sensation flutter in her chest, "I really appreciate it."

"Welcome, now let's get going."

Their footsteps echoed in the dark and dingy cave as they traveled in further.

"Maybe we should stop here?" Lyra lowered her torch which barely omitted any light.

"Yeah, it's real cozy here. Please feel free to note the sarcasm." Lyra rolled her eyes at Lincoln's remark.

Lyra sat down on the hard, cool rock as she rearranged the wood and set it alight using the flint which she had saved from the last fire they made.

The kindled fire blazed bright red, with stokes of deep orange. Lyra got up and examined her surroundings, her eyes hovering over to the letters 'T, P, R, P' engraved in gold on the dark violet stone. It looked almost natural but if one concentrated hard enough, they could see that it was indeed carved by some sort of object. She drifted over to the etched letters.

"Look at this Lincoln."

"T. P. R. P. Huh, I wonder what that is." He walked back to the fire to warm his hands.

"So do I." Lyra was very inquisitive, she wanted to know the meaning behind it.

I'll find out.

She went over to Lincoln and rested her head against his shoulders. Lyra noticed that he had taken his shoes off and that the bare skin looked swollen.

"Let me look at that foot for you."

—

Lincoln was wide awake. Lyra had fallen asleep some time ago but he found it impossible to shut his eyes any longer. Every time he tried, he'd see Emma's bloodied face floating on grey water.

I shouldn't have left her, alone. I should have at least left Lyra with her.

Lyra shuffled towards Lincoln and snuggled her head into his chest. She wrapped her soft arms around his torso and sighed.

Lincoln felt like his chest was on fire. He felt his stomach flip with delight. He feared Lyra would be able to hear his thundering heartbeat. He grinned to himself and immediately wrapped his arms around her.

"Good night, Lyra." He whispered.

 —

Awwwww I'm dying from cuteness! I was never planning on anything between Lincoln and Lyra, but let's just say that I like the two!

But there's another man for Lyra...

Just saying! Don't get those hopes up!