Sidequest

Team Phi of the Three-Winged Guild was a collection of fresh-faced adventurer’s wet behind the ears. Defending a whole town night after night with no support was beyond their skill level. Suzie knew this and yet it didn’t stop her from feeling guilty when Eli told her the death toll.

“Eighteen dead, half a dozen or so injured. Worst night we’ve had since... since the first night when we weren’t expecting anything.” Suzie hugged her arms to herself, shaking with the effort to not hang her head.

The boys were out cold and Kelsi was not looking at Eli as she bandaged Alphonse’s injuries.

“I’m sorry. I-I thought we would be able to-” Suzie’s breath hitched in her throat, wiping away tears before they could fall from her eyes.

Eli put a hand on her shoulder, grimacing slightly, “it’s... ok...”

Suzie buried her face in her hands, pulling away from his hand. A dark look flashed across his face as he let his hand fall to his side. He glanced at the other three and Kelsi avoided his eyes, “I’ll leave you to rest.” He stepped out the door, leaving Team Phi of the Three-Winged Guild alone.

Kelsi moved away from the bed, opening her arms up to pull Suzie into a hug, but Suzie held a hand up to stop her approach. Still hiding her face behind one hand, she said, “I’m going to sleep. Will you keep an eye out for any members of the Heroes’ Rock Guild?” Suzie brushed past her, the side of her arm grazing Kelsi’s outstretched fingers, not waiting for an answer as she stepped up to the side of the bed, staring down at the sleeping boys before laying on the floor.

Kelsi slowly back up until her back hit the door, her chest rising and falling faster as she scrambled for the doorknob, eyes not leaving her best friend who was curled up on the floor. Finally, her hand wrapped around the doorknob and she fell out of the room. As her vision blurred, she ran directly into Eli.

It hurt to look up at him so she looked away, scrubbing the tears from her eyes.

“You...”

“I have to go sorry bye.” Kelsi pushed past him, running out the door. Into a cold and empty town. Unlike the day before, no one was out and about. Except for one of Eli’s neighbors, scrubbing blood off their front step. Kelsi’s breath caught in her throat but when the neighbor looked up to her, she was already gone.