My feeble walls are closing in

Bellamy’s eyes shot open, wide, and the female was up immediately as Acere approached and spoke. But she didn’t rise fully, no, rather keeping her body lowered, posture submissive, as she avoided looking at him directly. Her ears were pinned back, gaze wild, looking far more like a scared youth than the young adult she was supposed to be. His anger stirred more memories, and she backed away, fearful, as reality and past blurred into one.

“I didn’t mean to!” Her words were a broken whimper. Ears moved in front of Bells instinctively, favoring his injured leg, as she looked up at Acere with defiance. He didn’t speak yet, the Devil doing his best to hold his tongue and let Bells speak for herself, but that feeling that something was terribly off again settled in his gut.

Whiskers looked at Bells again, took note of how she seemed absolutely terrified of Acere now too. Worry crossed her features and she glanced at Acere. “Something isn’t right, Acere. Please… take that into consideration when you pass judgement.” Her words were quiet, but the badger’s words showed she understood that Bells needed to be punished for what had happened. Her actions could very well dissolve an alliance…

“I wanted to help…” Bells voice was shaking. “I wanted to do the right thing! I didn’t… I didn’t mean…” She was shaking and still wasn’t looking at him. Tears had started to form in her eyes and Bellamy squeezed them shut.

“Y-you.. You always said… if we fell.. We were dead…”

Whiskers eyes widened at this.

“What? Acere…” She frowned, glancing at the alabaster king.

Bellamy couldn’t be talking about him, right?

“Kill… or be killed… you are injured… left behind… I did what I thought you wanted… I’m sorry…” Her posture remained submissive as she backed a bit further away. “I didn’t mean to make you angry… General… Please...”