Young Writers Society

It was rather sunny today. The breeze was cool and it felt nice against my skin, like a nice hug that you've needed for a long time. People were chattering in the streets and I could see children roaming around, toying with the livestock that had escaped and hiding behind parents.

Of course, instead of being able to enjoy the day, I had to go to a meeting with many of the delegates that surrounded Julias Cesear. They had told me they had a plan and wanted to get as many people in on it as possible but that we had to keep Ceasar out of it, which was fine with me.

I didn't think much of it.

I was waiting in a large room, the marble gleaming in the sun that accented the white of the stone. My robe was causing me to grow warm but it was soft and a bit itchy. The white fabric was starting to fade but still retained some of its brightness and my sandals were comfortably hugging my feet.

Sighing, I greeted the men as they each walked into the room. One by one, the small group of men paraded into space, their voices hush whispers that made me wondered what we were going to plan.

They sat down, all waiting to pour themselves a glass a water or grab a small piece of bread. I wondered how this was going to go.

Brutus cleared his throat to gather our attention, his shaggy blonde hair looking dirtier than normal. His eyes looked around the room and something in them made me wonder. "So, some of you know exactly why we are here, others - not so much."

He paused as some heads shook and others nodded in understanding. I watched and waited for the situation to be explained. "Well, to be short and sweet about it, we want Julias Caesar dead. We plan on, in the next gathering with him or as soon as possible, to kill him. Use knives, as they can easily be concealed in our robes. It's not what I wanted but if we keep attacking other territories and allowing his kind of 'democracy' to go on the empire will fall." Brutus stated, looking around some of agreeing and shocked faces that filled the room. I could see the pain in his eyes as he uttered the words. 

So that's why the others had been pestering the poor man about.

I, on the other hand, had to try and stifle my laughter. Kill Ceaser?! Really? He's beloved and hated, yes but kill him? That would be absurd. And hard to do, even with an easy way to conceal a weapon. There was no way they were actually going to do it, he wouldn't be that stupid. Then again, Brutus seemed like a son to Caesar. 

Brutus continued to explain, knowing when best to catch him and how to get close enough to him. Cornering him would be a good idea as he wouldn't have a way to run unless straight through them.

I listened, slowly growing more worried but told myself they wouldn't actually do this. They couldn't.

"Atticus, what is your opinion on this matter?" Brutus singled me out, and I felt my blood run hot as I was startled. But his tone wasn't stern, not in the slightest.

"Um, well, Brutus, I'm not sure." I replied, sitting up straighter. I didn't want to seem weak.

He raised an almost nonexistent eyebrow at me. "Not sure?"

I took a deep breath as my fingers knotted a loose part of my robe. "I mean to say that I'll go along with this scheme, is all. Just worried it won't work out." I replied as I looked only at him.

A small smile spread across his lips, almost wistful. "Good to know, Atticus. I may of been forced into this, but it's what must be done. Tonight, we gather. I will be sure to make sure Julias arrives." And with that the room dispursed.

I was one of the last to leave, an icky feeling growing in my stomach as I avoided Brutus's eyes.

---

The stars had fallen across the sky, a blanket to warm up the blue of the sky that was to wake up the next morning. To help the clouds grow as well, of course. I liked to look at the stars, they smiled at me, twinkled with a happiness that not many people knew.

I stretched as Alcmene gave me a kiss on the head. "Everything ok, Atticus? You seem worried, you have been since you got back from that meeting." She told me as she sat in front of me, straightening her back.

I chuckled. "Everything is fine dear, I promise. Just have one more meeting in a few minutes then we can do whatever you please." I told her, giving her hand reassuring squeeze. She smiled softly at me and gave me kiss that lasted much longer than it should have.

After telling Alcmene good-bye with a promise to be home soon, I head to where we were supposed to meet but the pit in my stomach had grown worse. I knew I shouldn't go to where they were but I kept walking, settling on hiding behind one of the pillars.

Ceasar looked as regal as ever, his pure white, silk robe shining in the moon and firelight, the gold linen outline sparkling just as brightly. He was looking at the stars, quiet and in peace for the moment.

But then Brutus appeared, smiling widely as Ceasar greeted him happily. They were best friends. Everyone knew that. They got along like two peas in a pod. A son and a father, almost.

But then Ceasars' face was taken over in shock. His eyes went wide and his hands gripped Brutus's robe but it went slack just as quick. He fell to the ground, a spot of blood growing on those pearl-white robes and I had to bite my tongue to keep from yelling out.

More people from the previous meeting joined in the murder of this man, this man who stood for many things.

I wasn't sure what to think. But killing him wasn't the answer; it couldn't be, could it? The consequences of the people would be great, I could see that. They loved him.

How could it be? I thought as Ceasar's cries of anguish and pleads with Brutus soon drowned out as Caesar seemingly gave up. They filed out, as quick as silent mice.

Only Brutus stayed. He watched his friend, and I wondered if he would cry.

Caesar looked at him as blood filled his robes and dripped from his mouth. His teeth were starting to look red. "You, Brutus?" He hoarsely asked, clutching onto his robes that were soaked in his life.

Brutus smiled softly but I could see a quivering lip. He said nothing as he walked out.

I took a deep, shaky breath and scrambled over to Ceasar. I had never met him in person. I'd been in the same room before, sure.

But I never expected this.

He looked at me, flashing a blood-soaked smile. I tried not to cry.

Why kill? It made no sense.

"Hiding?" He mockingly told me with a painful laugh. I couldn't help but chuckle.

"I was... afraid, Ceasar. A man should not be that, not in these times. But something told me to stay back but now..." My voice trailed off as I tried to figure out how to help, but to no avail.

"You came here, you saw what they did, Atticus Servius. You must show them you are stronger - conquer them." He whispered to me, grabbing my hand to pull me closer. His blood was still warm but his eyes had that fire in them, the kind that his enemies saw before they were slaughtered.

I looked at him, taking a shaky breath and nodded in understanding. He seemed satisfied with that and gave me a limp shrug to leave, closing his eyes.

He didn't open them again.

---

Alcmene is the only one besides me that knows now. She had followed me that night, worried.

She had seen too but we knew better to involve ourselves in that. Alcmene promised to cover for me, giving a good excuse and I trusted her with that.

Now the air was getting cooler, but it always did at night. The stars seemed to smile less. It was more like a sad, wistful twinkle.

Times were changing now that Ceasar was dead.

They weren't going to be good.