Back to Atlantis

and deceived me, I have been alone. I have people all around me, but they are afraid of me, or only want my magic. There is no one I trust here.” She laughed bitterly. “And the worst part? Even though it was all a lie, everything we went through together, I still care for you. And I can’t stop the pain.” Standing up, she made to leave when David grabbed her wrist.
Yasmin stiffened at the first real contact the two of them had in months. Against her will, memories began to rise to the surface, dreams and reality.
“Don’t leave,” David said. “Don’t give up.” There was a touch of something familiar there, the old David she fell in love with. Yasmin felt chilled to the bone by how fast he could conjure up that David.
Tearing her hand away, she faced him. “You left me all alone, David. And now you ask me not to leave you? But I already have.”
She left him, the cold in her chest not easing, even when she was far away. She tossed and turned in her sleep. When she finally did manage to close her eyes, all she got was a nightmare.
She was standing on a hill, the smell of smoke high in the air. The hill was overlooking a small town, built all of wood, very old-fashioned, with almost no buildings.
Yasmin looked around her, wondering why she was even having this boring dream until she heard a scream, one filled with such pain and misery it made her want to shut her ears. The high pitched scream of pain and terror went on and on, until it finally stopped. That was when Yasmin woke up.
Shaking in bed, she decided not to mention the dream to anyone. It had probably just been a nightmare.
Besides, she didn’t really have anyone she trusted here…

Chapter 17
A talker, not a fighter
The next morning, Yasmin went down to the kitchen for breakfast, as usual. People had begun to get used to her there, and she wasn’t given a second glance. The head cook was very nice, and usually gave Yasmin something sweet to eat.
After breakfast, Yasmin went to her room. She was done. Done pretending, done trying to help a land that couldn’t be saved.
Atlantis had suffered for ten years. Who was she to think she could change anything? After today was over, she was saying goodbye and going back.
What about Lucas? A tiny corner of her mind whispered, but Yasmin ignored it. She couldn’t think about him now. She had to go home. Where she was safe, and where she was happy.
But maybe she could say goodbye first. It was mean to leave without a goodbye. So Yasmin grabbed a light jacket and ran out the door.
When she got to the orphanage the kids were all eating breakfast, all but Lucas. He was sitting on the grass, writing a letter, a pained look on his face. His blond hair seemed almost white in the sunlight as he wrote.
“Lucas,” she called out, running up the hill, a little out of breath. “Hi.”
Lucas startled, quickly stuffing the letter in a pocket of his jeans. He looked a bit uncomfortable, but quickly hid it with a grin. “Yasmin? Wow! Didn’t expect to see you so soon.” He rubbed the back of his head uncomfortably.
“Yeah, I um…” Yasmin found it much harder to say it than she thought she would. “I’m leaving Atlantis.”
He looked taken back as he stood up. “Like a vacation? Cool.”
Yasmin took a deep breath to calm her nerves. Why was this so hard to say? “Permanently.”
Lucas looked at her, realizing what she meant. He looked sad for the first time since she had met him. “Oh. Why?”
She hugged herself, wishing she was anywhere else. She could have cut the tension with a knife. “It just… isn’t home.”
“Did I do something?” Lucas bit his lip, looking down. “Was I wrong to take your hand yesterday? It just looked like you wanted to get away from the prince, and I thought you knew how I felt.” He swallowed hard, meeting her gaze again.
“No, it’s not because of that,” Yasmin said. “Wait, what do you mean?” She looked at Lucas, brushing the hair out of her eyes. The wind had picked up, and it was blowing in her face.
“I like you, Yasmin,” Lucas said, smiling softly, his upturned face catching the sunlight. His gold hair shined in the soft afternoon sun. “And I thought you liked me too. But I guess you’re going back, so maybe we weren’t meant to be.” Lucas took a breath. “I hope you are happy back home.”
“Lucas. I…” What could she say? Even if she liked him back, and she wasn’t sure how she felt, she couldn’t stay. It was too painful. To know that every second she stayed, another citizen might get hurt because she was too weak to stop it.
The corner of his mouth twitched. “Just promise me that if you decide to come back one day, you’ll go on a date with me.” He let go of her hand.
“I promise,” Yasmin said, feeling warm all over. She leaned forward and gave Lucas a hug, surprising both of them. It was nice, hugging Lucas. Sweet and warm and safe.
Lucas drew back, kissing her cheek. He looked happier. “Bye,” he said, then turned around and walked back into the orphanage.
Yasmin raised her hand briefly, then let it fall back into her side. “Bye,” she whispered, feeling cold. Making a fist, she walked back to the castle one last time.
Back in her room, Yasmin saw the weak afternoon sunlight filter in through the windows. Had she really wasted that much time talking with Lucas? She had to hurry if she wanted to be home by dinner. It would be quite a surprise for her family, given she hadn’t told them.
Looking at her packed suitcase, stuffed with books and clothes, Yasmin almost felt sad. Well, not sad. More like ashamed. A tiny part of her was whispering