Azure

The prayer meeting was always the same: all the cultists lined up, heads bowed, hands clasped, the deep murmur of the leaders echoing throughout the entire hut. Azure maintained perfect posture, serious, attentive, as if every word could be etched onto his skin.

Two Time, on the other hand, was sitting next to him moving his leg as if he had an invisible drum under his feet.

Azure… murmured, softly, too softly to be sure. “Do you know if there’s soup afterwards? Because last time it was just hot water with flo-”

Two Time. Azure didn't even lift his head . Don't start.

"I'm hungry, " he whispered again. " And besides, did you see Mr. Shadow's face? It's more wrinkled than the bark of a dead tree."

Two Times…

What if we sneak out into the garden? Just for a little while? Just to see if any more of your flo-

The senior leader struck his staff against the ground.

The whole room froze.

You two. The voice boomed, pointing directly at them . Stand up.

Azure felt her stomach sink. Two Time swallowed hard.

Disrespect during prayer… the leader continued . They will be punished. To the Room of Silence.

They were taken to a small, windowless cabin, barely lit by a flickering candle. They were locked in… separated by a wooden wall, as they always did to prevent “the distracted from becoming more distracted.”

Azure sat on the cold floor, taking deep breaths. She hated to disappoint. She hated to fail.

Azure… whispered a soft voice from the other end. Are you there?

Azure leaned his hand against the wall.

Yeah.

I'm sorry. I just wanted to talk to you. I didn't think anyone would hear us.

Azure closed her eyes, smiling without anyone being able to see her.

"They always listen to you, " she replied softly. "But I wanted to listen to you too."

There was a warm silence.

Two Time gently tapped the wood.

I promise that when they take us out… I'm going to steal even just a minute from you. For you and me. No leaders. No prayers. Just us…