Story Notes:
I worked very hard on this story, very hard. I hope you enjoy it :)It's possible I might actually delete this and then reupload it (Will explain if I do end up doing so)
Rina
"Why today...?"
The words were barely more than a harsh whisper as I trudged slowly through the forest. Today, it seemed, the memories were impossible to avoid. Every single thought tore at me, their blades jagged with the torment of loss and hatred, as if trying to cut free the long suppressed images. I was far more aware of why Ares was gone now, which just, again, brought back Rina's image in its perfect detail. I choked back a sob as her image stung me the most. I kept walking through the forest, the green and brown seeming to blur around me at the moment. In all honesty, I had no idea where I was going, but location didn't seem to matter, the thoughts just kept on stabbing at me.
Even despite the memories that Ares brought on, something even worse kept prodding the wounds, something that, to me, made absolutely no sense. Lata was the one who truly caused the memories to come back in such a blinding clarity. So powerful that I had to leave our clearing. Maybe it was just how I found her, maybe my protective instinct kicked in and it was reminding me of... I changed my line of thought to something else entirely, just not wanting to think about Rina.
Ares was young, and went through the pain of loss just as well. Instead of just living, I could tell what kept him going. That odd justified hate of his, something that I'm constantly feeling the effects from it. I knew who he blamed it on; for his parents...and his sister. Pain raced through me as my legs gave out. Knowing that I couldn't escape it today, I just let it come. However, I permitted myself just one memory, and today, it would be of how me and Rina met. The memory came back as fresh as spring water in my mind...
_______________________________________
I was wandering through the forest, the reason why remained so unclear in my mind. Was I lost? Or was I banished for some reason? It didn't matter, but my mind was curious for every detail of the moment. I suspected banishment because, simply, I had heard my mother and father arguing with the pack leader. But again, as I said before, it was unimportant. The only thing that mattered would be here soon.
It was very stormy that day, pouring rain, smashing against the ground angrily. The sky oddly colored, and the clouds a very pale gray, allowing the world light; just making it ghostly. White mist made every part of the forest faint and pale, the storm seeming to suck most of the color out from the world. I was an eevee then, and my mane was rather uncomfortably pasted to the rest of my fur. The cold chill in the air, oddly enough, was the only thing that bothered me; I wisely despised the cold even back then.
I was so tired, weak, and depressed then, just desperately trying to find shelter from the cold unforgiving storm. In fact, I wasn't even sure why I kept trying! I was utterly alone, left for dead. No one was going to really care if I just stopped trying. Back then; the concept of cowardice wasn't something I had thought about.
I was about to settle for the underside of a tree as shelter, when I heard something odd. It was shaky and soft, like something was in pain. I thought for a moment before I realized it as whimpering and sobbing. I swung my head around, trying to find where it was coming from. I might not have had a reason to keep going, but someone else was trapped out in the storm, and I couldn't just leave them to die.
I began sniffing, looking around, trying to figure out where the cries had come from. My thoughts however, were elsewhere. Something about the voice seemed to call to me, like it was designed for my ears to hear. Though the thoughts for this moment were rather odd, I couldn't have resisted them. The voice seemed so beautiful, it held a middle ground; not high, low, not sharp, not soft.
The voice of an angel.
I noticed her then. Even as an eevee she held such a pure beauty, something that made my heart race, my face flood with heat, and made me have this inexplicable urge to reach out and kiss her. She was under a tree, trying to have some form of protection against the terrible storm. She was shuddering from the cold winds and rain, small whines echoed quietly in the air around her, as she curled up, trying to fight the cold.
I inched towards her, trying to not frighten her. "Hey, you alright?" I whispered. She looked up at me to show the most beautiful bright blue eyes I've ever seen.
"I...I got lost from my mama...I'm scared..." Tears rolled from the corners of her eyes, looking as if she was about to break down.
"What happened?" I tilted my head curiously.
"We...we were walking, my Mama was getting some food. I saw a butterfree and chased after it...then I heard a big boom." I learned later she meant she heard thunder. "And...I got lost." She began to sniff and shake, about to start crying again.
"Let's try to find a cave, okay?" I suggested, my gaze locking with hers, and feeling that odd rush in my heart. She looked at me for a few moments before nodding warily and getting up. She was soaked, her mane plastered to her body, as well as her tail dragging along, weighted from the water it absorbed.
We began walking, the only goal in mind finding shelter. Instead of looking out, my mind was elsewhere. Focused on the strange appeal the scent of her fur had, the way her presence made me smile and stare. The way her footsteps held the same appeal as music. How perfect the chocolate color of her fur was, slick and smooth, as well as how bright her eyes were.
Back then, I had no idea what the hell was wrong with me. As a kit, I couldn't figure out why I was so focused on her, nor could I explain the odd butterfree's in my stomach.
I blinked as we reached the edge of the forest, only to be greeted by a wall of rock, which I nearly walked into, head-first. We stopped as I looked around trying to see if I could spot anything, luckily a few feet in front of us stood a cave; almost seeming to beckon us to come in. I ran in, the eevee following right behind me, I could hear her let out a long pleased breath as she laid down, clearly happy to be out of the rain.
The cave was simple, and warm; brown walls and floor, and a strange air of comfort. Though I wasn't sure if that comfort was the cave's doing, or if it was the eevee's. I stared at her for a moment, before asking simply "What's your name?"
She smiled brightly up at me, her earlier anxiety completely gone "Rina. What's yours?"
"Andrew." I answered quietly, my gaze bore into hers, no apparent reason why. I just liked looking at her, and that's the only logic that made sense then.
"I like that name." She grinned at me, a big contrast to what I saw earlier.
"I like yours too." I blushed as I said the words; they felt awkward. She blushed too, a beautiful crimson color coating her cheeks. I looked out to the entrance of the cave, checking on the weather. I sighed, it was still raining terribly, and it seemed like it wouldn't have ended for awhile. Before I could notice I was talking aloud, the words escaped me. "I hate the rain."
She was still smiling "I like it; I think it's really pretty!"
I looked at it strangely, trying to see it. All I could see was a cold, harsh, and dreary environment. What was "pretty" about it?
"The way it sounds, the way it looks, it's all nice." She frowned, trying to figure out how to say what she wanted to say. "It's like hearing my mama's and papa's footsteps." She decided with a grin towards me. I didn't comment as I closed my eyes, trying to hear what she described. And for a brief moment I could hear my parents and packs steps with the rain.
I paused and opened my eyes, as the reality of it sunk in. I was alone. I turned my head to Rina who I noticed was still cold, trembling slightly. Without another thought, I went over to her and laid against her, earning me a light purr from her. I didn't say anything, as my thoughts were so cluttered with fragments of memories, the time I spent with them. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to expel the thoughts, wanting them to go away!
Exhaustion got the better of me then, as I quickly lost consciousness, more tired than I first thought. I remember my dream, so vividly, even now. Me and Rina were together, lying in each others warm embrace. She looked up to me and licked my cheek with a small giggle. I grinned back at her before I snuck a quick nip at her ear, as she let out a small squeak, before ending up tackling me, pinning me to the cave floor. She looked down at me for a few moments, before lowering her head to lock her lips with mine.
I awoke with the brightest blush I had felt up until then. That was such a strange dream, but it was nice, feeling so content with... I froze as I realized she wasn't next to me anymore. I looked around sharply, a tad worried. "Did she already leave?" It was my only concern. I didn't want to be alone, or more specifically, I didn't want her to leave yet. I let out a relieved breath as I saw her walking around, inspecting the cave walls curiously.
"How long was I sleeping?" I asked with a small whine that resembled a yawn.
She looked back, her lips almost forming a wide "u" as she answered "Not long." She paused if she realized something. "Where do you live?" She asked bluntly.
I winced "No where; I don't have a home..." I said slowly, glancing down, not wanting to meet her gaze.
"Huh? Everyone lives somewhere, right?" She seemed so perplexed by my answer.
"I don't." I said, my voice barely more than a whisper. She seemed to think about what I said before she suddenly giggled.
"Follow me!" She sang as she ran outside, her footsteps soft against the earth, almost silent as she turned around to face me. And at that moment, sunlight broke through the clouds, illuminating the forest scene around her. She smiled angelically, as the sunlight shone on her wet fur, almost making her glow. I couldn't breathe at how beautiful she was, and then she spoke the words that started everything.
"Come home with me."
Tears fell from my eyes as a bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I laid my head down in the grass, letting the pain overtake me, silent sobs shaking me. And from my lips, I whispered a quiet truth "I love you Rina..."
________________________________
Lata's POV:
I stared out to the forest, my brow creased in an odd worry. Andrew had walked off after everyone ate, he tried to keep his expression stoic, but I could see the haunted look behind it.
To be honest, I had no idea what to make of him. Every single male had used me after they had me help them. Every one of them...Never hesitating, never trying to cloud their intentions, always being blunt...and what they did to me when I wasn't willing. I shuddered involuntarily, as I squeezed me eyes shut, my head lowering as those memories bit at me.
But Andrew...he flat out declined it, actually seeming angry that I asked him! He treated me like I was more than a toy. No one ever had done that. I was always something to be fucked then left like a piece of trash. Still, a part of me still didn't trust him. Granted he was different from other males so far, but...
Either way, I owed him; he saved me, and had for a moment made me feel slightly more like I was a Pokémon. If anything, I could show him trust. Though it was almost painful of how much I had to force myself to lay my head on him when I fell asleep, and how uncomfortable it was walking next to him. Each time I expected him to suddenly turn on me and hold me down to...
I shook my head violently, trying to deny myself of that thinking. I guess all I could do was to do my best to trust him.
I suddenly remembered one of the ones Derek and Andrew introduced to me. Amal, I recalled, was his name. I saw something when I met him, something in his eyes that told me just what he had gone through. He had that same glazed look in his eyes that I knew I had. Without another moment, I decided to go and talk to him; someone who knew that pain.
I looked around the clearing, quickly noticing that Amal wasn't here, neither was Darcel, just Tina and Derek, sitting next to each other. I was rather wary of Derek, since nothing he did seemed to be real. Namely the fact of how he knew my name when I never even told him. I started speaking uncertainly, trying to keep my voice calm "Derek? Where is Amal?" I heard Tina almost instantly transition into her position as translator for us.
He turned his head to face me as a quick gleam came to his eyes "Ah. He left with Darcel." He moved to face the forest, and for a moment his Iris seemed to glow brightly, before quickly going back to its normal state "Yes, he's not busy; go through there, just a few yards." I gulped as I nodded, feeling an odd fear of this creature. I couldn't stop the question from going through my mind, "what was he?"
Suddenly he spoke again, and I swore I could understand him "That... is a question best left unanswered." I blinked before running off to go find Amal, ignoring what just happened.
Dashing through the forest, I wondered what I was going to say. Not a single idea, just this strange need to talk to someone who understood. Yet I didn't get quite far as I heard the snap of a twig a close distance behind me.
I froze, realizing that someone was following me. I twisted around to see a very livid glare coming from an Umbreon. I swallowed, realizing that he had caught me a long ways from the camp. Images flashed in my mind at what I suspected his motives were, but before I could scream he spoke. "What did Andrew do to you?" HIs voice came in a slight growl. I frowned, realizing that the one standing before me must be Ares, the only person I hadn't met yet. But... what in the world did he mean by that?
"What...do you mean?" I asked, my eyebrows rising in confusion.
"What really happened? What did Andrew do to you?" He looked at me warily, as if dreading my answer.
"Nothing? I was being attacked and he saved me. Why?" I looked at him, as his frown deepened.
"He didn't hurt you at all?" His tone was filled with skepticism. Why did he keep thinking that Andrew did something to me? Granted, I thought he would harm me at first, yet so far did nothing. If anything, he has been kind and understanding.
"No, not at all! Why do you think he would!?" I returned his heated expression with one of my own.
He smiled mockingly "Lata, do you know what he's done?"
"What?" This conversation seemed to be getting more and more baffling...
"He's the reason my entire family is dead." He snarled, rage blazing in his eyes. The pain and anger in his voice made me step back, eyes wide in shock.
I had no decent response; the only words I spoke were a disbelieving "What?"
"My sister, my mother, my father, my unborn sibling...All. Dead." He paused to look down; I could hear the gnash of his teeth snapping together "All because of him!"
That didn't make sense, not at all. Andrew saved me, that's not how a killer acts. But a part of me believed it. I saw him fight, and he was brutal, not a single ounce of mercy. It made me reconsider what I had just decided.
"Lata, you should just leave here. It would be for best." He whispered before turning and walking back, not another word. I had no idea what to do. Amal's words when I met him just added to my uncertainty. "Don't worry, these are all nice people, they won't hurt you."I knew nothing about Andrew, or any of them. Ares was the only one who thought I should leave; Amal's the only one I feel like I can trust completely. You can't fake that pained glazed look.
In the end, rather than risk it, I decided I would leave. Why should I burden them? Andrew saved me, instead of just owing everyone else just as much, it'd be best to just make it seem like I was never there. However I needed to go back to the clearing first, since I had no idea where I actually was at the moment. So I walked, feeling an odd sense of regret at my decision.
It didn't take long to get back, and when I did I noticed Derek was holding a large, strange, wooden object. The body of it seemed to be like a slightly squished grape, with a long stick jammed into it. Odd metal strings stretched and tied onto it. I ignored it, no point in asking what it was.
"I see that you've met Ares, Lata." Derek suddenly spoke as I entered the space, Tina translated, tone and all. I froze, now that was creepy...
"Yes." I said diplomatically.
"And I see that you want to leave." I stepped back at that, honestly scared. What else did he know about me?
"I know that what you're about to do is go back to living a hell." He whispered, plucking a string, sending a strange noise through the object. I didn't comment. "Lata, I want to ask you. When you saw him fighting, what was he doing? Why was he fighting the way he did?"
"He...was doing it to save me. From being..." I went silent then.
"You can understand why he was so ruthless then." He sighed, turning a strange white square on the top of the long stick. He was right...
"I'm just going to be a burden. It's enough that he has saved me, you don't have to take me in." I said, not managing to hide the regret in my voice.
"Are you telling me you'd rather go back out there and return to that life?" He looked at me knowingly. I didn't have an answer. "Lata, you aren't a burden, and you won't be. Also, it'd be best to disregard what Ares said."
I blinked in confusion "Why?"
"He's... He was young, barely older than a few months when he lost his family. Andrew was there to blame, the one who took his sister away from them, as he thinks. It keeps him alive, and there's nothing I can do to convince him otherwise." He explained eyes on the ground as if in pain. It wasn't until a few seconds later when I realized something.
"The one who took his sister?" What did that mean?
"Andrew and Ares sister were mates." He answered hesitantly, as if he feared giving away too much. I blinked my eyes a few times at that. I...didn't expect that at all, for some reason. He seemed incredibly young to have had a mate.
"Will you stay Lata?" He quietly asked. I was still just so uncertain but...I would give it a chance.
"Yes, I will...Thank you Derek, for keeping me."
"Don't thank me, Lata. You have no idea just how important you are."Chapter End Notes:I really hope I can get the next chapter out sooner
The words were barely more than a harsh whisper as I trudged slowly through the forest. Today, it seemed, the memories were impossible to avoid. Every single thought tore at me, their blades jagged with the torment of loss and hatred, as if trying to cut free the long suppressed images. I was far more aware of why Ares was gone now, which just, again, brought back Rina's image in its perfect detail. I choked back a sob as her image stung me the most. I kept walking through the forest, the green and brown seeming to blur around me at the moment. In all honesty, I had no idea where I was going, but location didn't seem to matter, the thoughts just kept on stabbing at me.
Even despite the memories that Ares brought on, something even worse kept prodding the wounds, something that, to me, made absolutely no sense. Lata was the one who truly caused the memories to come back in such a blinding clarity. So powerful that I had to leave our clearing. Maybe it was just how I found her, maybe my protective instinct kicked in and it was reminding me of... I changed my line of thought to something else entirely, just not wanting to think about Rina.
Ares was young, and went through the pain of loss just as well. Instead of just living, I could tell what kept him going. That odd justified hate of his, something that I'm constantly feeling the effects from it. I knew who he blamed it on; for his parents...and his sister. Pain raced through me as my legs gave out. Knowing that I couldn't escape it today, I just let it come. However, I permitted myself just one memory, and today, it would be of how me and Rina met. The memory came back as fresh as spring water in my mind...
_______________________________________
I was wandering through the forest, the reason why remained so unclear in my mind. Was I lost? Or was I banished for some reason? It didn't matter, but my mind was curious for every detail of the moment. I suspected banishment because, simply, I had heard my mother and father arguing with the pack leader. But again, as I said before, it was unimportant. The only thing that mattered would be here soon.
It was very stormy that day, pouring rain, smashing against the ground angrily. The sky oddly colored, and the clouds a very pale gray, allowing the world light; just making it ghostly. White mist made every part of the forest faint and pale, the storm seeming to suck most of the color out from the world. I was an eevee then, and my mane was rather uncomfortably pasted to the rest of my fur. The cold chill in the air, oddly enough, was the only thing that bothered me; I wisely despised the cold even back then.
I was so tired, weak, and depressed then, just desperately trying to find shelter from the cold unforgiving storm. In fact, I wasn't even sure why I kept trying! I was utterly alone, left for dead. No one was going to really care if I just stopped trying. Back then; the concept of cowardice wasn't something I had thought about.
I was about to settle for the underside of a tree as shelter, when I heard something odd. It was shaky and soft, like something was in pain. I thought for a moment before I realized it as whimpering and sobbing. I swung my head around, trying to find where it was coming from. I might not have had a reason to keep going, but someone else was trapped out in the storm, and I couldn't just leave them to die.
I began sniffing, looking around, trying to figure out where the cries had come from. My thoughts however, were elsewhere. Something about the voice seemed to call to me, like it was designed for my ears to hear. Though the thoughts for this moment were rather odd, I couldn't have resisted them. The voice seemed so beautiful, it held a middle ground; not high, low, not sharp, not soft.
The voice of an angel.
I noticed her then. Even as an eevee she held such a pure beauty, something that made my heart race, my face flood with heat, and made me have this inexplicable urge to reach out and kiss her. She was under a tree, trying to have some form of protection against the terrible storm. She was shuddering from the cold winds and rain, small whines echoed quietly in the air around her, as she curled up, trying to fight the cold.
I inched towards her, trying to not frighten her. "Hey, you alright?" I whispered. She looked up at me to show the most beautiful bright blue eyes I've ever seen.
"I...I got lost from my mama...I'm scared..." Tears rolled from the corners of her eyes, looking as if she was about to break down.
"What happened?" I tilted my head curiously.
"We...we were walking, my Mama was getting some food. I saw a butterfree and chased after it...then I heard a big boom." I learned later she meant she heard thunder. "And...I got lost." She began to sniff and shake, about to start crying again.
"Let's try to find a cave, okay?" I suggested, my gaze locking with hers, and feeling that odd rush in my heart. She looked at me for a few moments before nodding warily and getting up. She was soaked, her mane plastered to her body, as well as her tail dragging along, weighted from the water it absorbed.
We began walking, the only goal in mind finding shelter. Instead of looking out, my mind was elsewhere. Focused on the strange appeal the scent of her fur had, the way her presence made me smile and stare. The way her footsteps held the same appeal as music. How perfect the chocolate color of her fur was, slick and smooth, as well as how bright her eyes were.
Back then, I had no idea what the hell was wrong with me. As a kit, I couldn't figure out why I was so focused on her, nor could I explain the odd butterfree's in my stomach.
I blinked as we reached the edge of the forest, only to be greeted by a wall of rock, which I nearly walked into, head-first. We stopped as I looked around trying to see if I could spot anything, luckily a few feet in front of us stood a cave; almost seeming to beckon us to come in. I ran in, the eevee following right behind me, I could hear her let out a long pleased breath as she laid down, clearly happy to be out of the rain.
The cave was simple, and warm; brown walls and floor, and a strange air of comfort. Though I wasn't sure if that comfort was the cave's doing, or if it was the eevee's. I stared at her for a moment, before asking simply "What's your name?"
She smiled brightly up at me, her earlier anxiety completely gone "Rina. What's yours?"
"Andrew." I answered quietly, my gaze bore into hers, no apparent reason why. I just liked looking at her, and that's the only logic that made sense then.
"I like that name." She grinned at me, a big contrast to what I saw earlier.
"I like yours too." I blushed as I said the words; they felt awkward. She blushed too, a beautiful crimson color coating her cheeks. I looked out to the entrance of the cave, checking on the weather. I sighed, it was still raining terribly, and it seemed like it wouldn't have ended for awhile. Before I could notice I was talking aloud, the words escaped me. "I hate the rain."
She was still smiling "I like it; I think it's really pretty!"
I looked at it strangely, trying to see it. All I could see was a cold, harsh, and dreary environment. What was "pretty" about it?
"The way it sounds, the way it looks, it's all nice." She frowned, trying to figure out how to say what she wanted to say. "It's like hearing my mama's and papa's footsteps." She decided with a grin towards me. I didn't comment as I closed my eyes, trying to hear what she described. And for a brief moment I could hear my parents and packs steps with the rain.
I paused and opened my eyes, as the reality of it sunk in. I was alone. I turned my head to Rina who I noticed was still cold, trembling slightly. Without another thought, I went over to her and laid against her, earning me a light purr from her. I didn't say anything, as my thoughts were so cluttered with fragments of memories, the time I spent with them. I closed my eyes tightly, trying to expel the thoughts, wanting them to go away!
Exhaustion got the better of me then, as I quickly lost consciousness, more tired than I first thought. I remember my dream, so vividly, even now. Me and Rina were together, lying in each others warm embrace. She looked up to me and licked my cheek with a small giggle. I grinned back at her before I snuck a quick nip at her ear, as she let out a small squeak, before ending up tackling me, pinning me to the cave floor. She looked down at me for a few moments, before lowering her head to lock her lips with mine.
I awoke with the brightest blush I had felt up until then. That was such a strange dream, but it was nice, feeling so content with... I froze as I realized she wasn't next to me anymore. I looked around sharply, a tad worried. "Did she already leave?" It was my only concern. I didn't want to be alone, or more specifically, I didn't want her to leave yet. I let out a relieved breath as I saw her walking around, inspecting the cave walls curiously.
"How long was I sleeping?" I asked with a small whine that resembled a yawn.
She looked back, her lips almost forming a wide "u" as she answered "Not long." She paused if she realized something. "Where do you live?" She asked bluntly.
I winced "No where; I don't have a home..." I said slowly, glancing down, not wanting to meet her gaze.
"Huh? Everyone lives somewhere, right?" She seemed so perplexed by my answer.
"I don't." I said, my voice barely more than a whisper. She seemed to think about what I said before she suddenly giggled.
"Follow me!" She sang as she ran outside, her footsteps soft against the earth, almost silent as she turned around to face me. And at that moment, sunlight broke through the clouds, illuminating the forest scene around her. She smiled angelically, as the sunlight shone on her wet fur, almost making her glow. I couldn't breathe at how beautiful she was, and then she spoke the words that started everything.
"Come home with me."
Tears fell from my eyes as a bittersweet smile tugged at the corners of my lips. I laid my head down in the grass, letting the pain overtake me, silent sobs shaking me. And from my lips, I whispered a quiet truth "I love you Rina..."
________________________________
Lata's POV:
I stared out to the forest, my brow creased in an odd worry. Andrew had walked off after everyone ate, he tried to keep his expression stoic, but I could see the haunted look behind it.
To be honest, I had no idea what to make of him. Every single male had used me after they had me help them. Every one of them...Never hesitating, never trying to cloud their intentions, always being blunt...and what they did to me when I wasn't willing. I shuddered involuntarily, as I squeezed me eyes shut, my head lowering as those memories bit at me.
But Andrew...he flat out declined it, actually seeming angry that I asked him! He treated me like I was more than a toy. No one ever had done that. I was always something to be fucked then left like a piece of trash. Still, a part of me still didn't trust him. Granted he was different from other males so far, but...
Either way, I owed him; he saved me, and had for a moment made me feel slightly more like I was a Pokémon. If anything, I could show him trust. Though it was almost painful of how much I had to force myself to lay my head on him when I fell asleep, and how uncomfortable it was walking next to him. Each time I expected him to suddenly turn on me and hold me down to...
I shook my head violently, trying to deny myself of that thinking. I guess all I could do was to do my best to trust him.
I suddenly remembered one of the ones Derek and Andrew introduced to me. Amal, I recalled, was his name. I saw something when I met him, something in his eyes that told me just what he had gone through. He had that same glazed look in his eyes that I knew I had. Without another moment, I decided to go and talk to him; someone who knew that pain.
I looked around the clearing, quickly noticing that Amal wasn't here, neither was Darcel, just Tina and Derek, sitting next to each other. I was rather wary of Derek, since nothing he did seemed to be real. Namely the fact of how he knew my name when I never even told him. I started speaking uncertainly, trying to keep my voice calm "Derek? Where is Amal?" I heard Tina almost instantly transition into her position as translator for us.
He turned his head to face me as a quick gleam came to his eyes "Ah. He left with Darcel." He moved to face the forest, and for a moment his Iris seemed to glow brightly, before quickly going back to its normal state "Yes, he's not busy; go through there, just a few yards." I gulped as I nodded, feeling an odd fear of this creature. I couldn't stop the question from going through my mind, "what was he?"
Suddenly he spoke again, and I swore I could understand him "That... is a question best left unanswered." I blinked before running off to go find Amal, ignoring what just happened.
Dashing through the forest, I wondered what I was going to say. Not a single idea, just this strange need to talk to someone who understood. Yet I didn't get quite far as I heard the snap of a twig a close distance behind me.
I froze, realizing that someone was following me. I twisted around to see a very livid glare coming from an Umbreon. I swallowed, realizing that he had caught me a long ways from the camp. Images flashed in my mind at what I suspected his motives were, but before I could scream he spoke. "What did Andrew do to you?" HIs voice came in a slight growl. I frowned, realizing that the one standing before me must be Ares, the only person I hadn't met yet. But... what in the world did he mean by that?
"What...do you mean?" I asked, my eyebrows rising in confusion.
"What really happened? What did Andrew do to you?" He looked at me warily, as if dreading my answer.
"Nothing? I was being attacked and he saved me. Why?" I looked at him, as his frown deepened.
"He didn't hurt you at all?" His tone was filled with skepticism. Why did he keep thinking that Andrew did something to me? Granted, I thought he would harm me at first, yet so far did nothing. If anything, he has been kind and understanding.
"No, not at all! Why do you think he would!?" I returned his heated expression with one of my own.
He smiled mockingly "Lata, do you know what he's done?"
"What?" This conversation seemed to be getting more and more baffling...
"He's the reason my entire family is dead." He snarled, rage blazing in his eyes. The pain and anger in his voice made me step back, eyes wide in shock.
I had no decent response; the only words I spoke were a disbelieving "What?"
"My sister, my mother, my father, my unborn sibling...All. Dead." He paused to look down; I could hear the gnash of his teeth snapping together "All because of him!"
That didn't make sense, not at all. Andrew saved me, that's not how a killer acts. But a part of me believed it. I saw him fight, and he was brutal, not a single ounce of mercy. It made me reconsider what I had just decided.
"Lata, you should just leave here. It would be for best." He whispered before turning and walking back, not another word. I had no idea what to do. Amal's words when I met him just added to my uncertainty. "Don't worry, these are all nice people, they won't hurt you."I knew nothing about Andrew, or any of them. Ares was the only one who thought I should leave; Amal's the only one I feel like I can trust completely. You can't fake that pained glazed look.
In the end, rather than risk it, I decided I would leave. Why should I burden them? Andrew saved me, instead of just owing everyone else just as much, it'd be best to just make it seem like I was never there. However I needed to go back to the clearing first, since I had no idea where I actually was at the moment. So I walked, feeling an odd sense of regret at my decision.
It didn't take long to get back, and when I did I noticed Derek was holding a large, strange, wooden object. The body of it seemed to be like a slightly squished grape, with a long stick jammed into it. Odd metal strings stretched and tied onto it. I ignored it, no point in asking what it was.
"I see that you've met Ares, Lata." Derek suddenly spoke as I entered the space, Tina translated, tone and all. I froze, now that was creepy...
"Yes." I said diplomatically.
"And I see that you want to leave." I stepped back at that, honestly scared. What else did he know about me?
"I know that what you're about to do is go back to living a hell." He whispered, plucking a string, sending a strange noise through the object. I didn't comment. "Lata, I want to ask you. When you saw him fighting, what was he doing? Why was he fighting the way he did?"
"He...was doing it to save me. From being..." I went silent then.
"You can understand why he was so ruthless then." He sighed, turning a strange white square on the top of the long stick. He was right...
"I'm just going to be a burden. It's enough that he has saved me, you don't have to take me in." I said, not managing to hide the regret in my voice.
"Are you telling me you'd rather go back out there and return to that life?" He looked at me knowingly. I didn't have an answer. "Lata, you aren't a burden, and you won't be. Also, it'd be best to disregard what Ares said."
I blinked in confusion "Why?"
"He's... He was young, barely older than a few months when he lost his family. Andrew was there to blame, the one who took his sister away from them, as he thinks. It keeps him alive, and there's nothing I can do to convince him otherwise." He explained eyes on the ground as if in pain. It wasn't until a few seconds later when I realized something.
"The one who took his sister?" What did that mean?
"Andrew and Ares sister were mates." He answered hesitantly, as if he feared giving away too much. I blinked my eyes a few times at that. I...didn't expect that at all, for some reason. He seemed incredibly young to have had a mate.
"Will you stay Lata?" He quietly asked. I was still just so uncertain but...I would give it a chance.
"Yes, I will...Thank you Derek, for keeping me."
"Don't thank me, Lata. You have no idea just how important you are."Chapter End Notes:I really hope I can get the next chapter out sooner