#SFF #AtoZChallenge Save

A speculative fiction short story from a dreamer

A continuous #sff story during April. May Rose is the main character (🧑🏽 they/them pronouns).

Nightingale's security team locked Jade and May into a room to await execution. 

May rubbed both reddish stones. "We came so close. I almost managed to save her."

Jade clung to May, crying uncontrollably. "There has to be something else," she pleaded between sobs. 

May held her tight, slipping one stone into Jade's pocket and putting the other back into the robe. "Do not lose that. Swallow it if you have to. That stone is all the hope we have. If they separate us, no matter what, don't let go of that. And trust the baker. Piers is our only ally." 

"Don't let go. May, please, don't let go."

May stroked Jade's hair. There was no possible escape.

Then the lights went out. Jade cried harder, begging not to die in the dark.

May felt a vibration in the robe's pocket. It wasn't the stone; it was the device that connected to the manor. Since May was no longer in the system, security hadn't taken it. Security regarded them as dangerous as a speck of dirt. May pulled out the device.

"Jade, give me your hand."

"What?" Jade complied. The screen lit up.

"Student Jay-Aid, the manor is underpowered. Please report to a safe area." The device flashed directions. 

"Use it to unlock the door," May said, giving directions. May never thought the alternate identity of Jay-Aid she gave Jade would actually be useful beyond letting her in May's suite. Now it had the potential to save their lives.

From the hall, they could hear screams. Was the manor under attack? Was everyone afraid of the dark? Had the world beyond the gates snuck in and everyone was dying? The possibilities rushed through May's mind while hauling Jade toward the washroom.

"Why are we going there?"

"Open it," May said, pressing Jade's fingers on the device to override the lock. The device blinked in protest, urging Jay-Aid to go to safety. 

May rushed in and grabbed the hidden satchel. "Where is it? Ah, good!"

"What's going on? What is that?"

"It's a weapon. In case I have to fight our way out. Now, something better than a robe…." 

A scream came from the hall. Honey burst into the room. She clutched her head. "Make it stop! I'll do anything! Make it stop!" 

Before they could react, May and Jade watched Honey throw herself into the pool, banging her head on the bottom. Blood leaked into the water as Honey's body floated, so still it didn't seem real.

"Hold this," May said, emptying the robe's pockets before casting it aside. Jade took what she was handed, but stared at the weapon.

"I don't know how to use this."

"Doesn't matter, it's coded to me." May leaped into the pool and hauled Honey out. 

"Will she be okay?" Jade knelt beside Honey.

"No. She's dead." May kissed Jade's forehead before stripping Honey.

"You're just, going to take her clothing, just like that?" Jade sounded horrified. 

"I'd prefer my own. I'd like to go to my suite and get something my grandfather left me. But I'm prioritizing our lives over comforts. I'm sorry, but it will be unpleasant until I get you to safety."

Jade cried. May picked her up and carried her out. Piers was waiting at the kitchen entrance holding a small light.

"You have both stones?"

"Yeah."

"What are you wearing?" Piers looked May over.

"Got my mate right here, don't need to dress to attract someone to love me. Can we get out of here?"

"O'tien is working on it."

Jade sniffled. "Who's that?"

May set Jade down. "It's time to get to safety, not talk about who is who or how they exist. We can't just stand in the hall, waiting."

"Did O'tien kill Honey?" Jade asked, grabbing May's hand.

"Nope. Honey killed herself." 

"She wasn't okay! You saw that. Something was happening to her."

May and Piers exchanged glances. "Without power, any number of bad things can happen in this manor. The gate that held back everything wouldn't work. Yet another reason we need to get out."

Jade held up the blinking device. "That means the others are being sent to wherever this is. We should save them!"

May took Jade's face in their hands. "Please hear me. I can only save you and myself. Piers is being saved by O'tien. That's it. And honestly, I don't know if there's even a plan for the three of us."

"But Amber and Ruby! We can't leave them. I know Opal was strange at breakfast, but she deserves saving too."

"Opal betrayed us. And is probably the reason everything is falling apart now," May said.

Jade broke the face hold and leaned closer, pressing her forehead to May's. "What if I'm the reason? I'm the one who isn't supposed to be here." 

Question: Do you hope May and Jade will both live?

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