‘Let’s runaway.’ Na’eem said, holding out an arm to her over the railing

  ‘From what?’ Yuxi laughed miserably, ‘It’s not like we could get away from this’ She gestured wildly at the burning skyline, dark clouds curling against the pale moon.

  ‘We could try.’

  There was a heavy air of silence between them, broken by the distant cry of war. The flag of Azune hung high in the sky, ripped and slowly burning. Somewhere, a child sobbed over a broken toy, quickly hushed by their mother. And it wasn’t too long ago that that child had been Na’eem. Except he hadn’t been crying over a broken toy.

  Na’eem pressed his arms against the railing, the cool metal burning against his skin. He closed his eyes. He’d made up his mind. There was nothing left for him to defend here.

  He tilted just a little more over the railing before it gave way and broke.

  The fall was freeing, the rush of adrenaline felt good as the wind bit against his face. When he opened his eyes again, he saw Yuxi’s face. She looked out of breath. They gently floated together.

  If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

  ‘Na’eem!’

  He opened his eyes again, a sly grin on his face. Yuxi slapped him.

  ‘You’re ridiculous!’ she yelled, panting, ‘What if I couldn’t catch you!?’

  ‘You’d catch me.’ He answered, maybe a little too light-heartedly

  Yuki shook her head, her dark knotted hair spinning against his face. She seemed close to tears.

  ‘I-I mean, I d-dunno who wouldn’t want to catch all of this..!’ Na’eem stammered a joke out before she could say anything back. This got a weak smile. Score.

  ‘So, what do you say? We just leave this all behind? All this death and violence…’ he asked, ‘Please’

  Yuxi shook her head, making a smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, ‘People like us have a responsibility to defend, to protect.’ Na’eem felt her hand grip on him just a little too tight. She was always a steadfast woman. Or stubborn. Really it goes either way.

  Na’eem gently laid his hand against her shoulders, her bare skin exposed since they’d escaped the fires burning out on the ground. She shivered. He thought she looked breathtaking against the distant outline of the twin moons. He wanted to run away so badly; he couldn’t stand being a soldier any longer. But he couldn’t do it alone.

  ‘Yuxi?’

  Stupid questions were best asked at altitudes of forty stories or more.

  ‘Mhm?’ She made a soft sound with the back of her throat.

  ‘I think I’m in…’

  The building behind them exploded.

  Yuxi’s grip faltered. And then—nothing.