Only Human

Home ch.22

Three years have passed. I am no longer 16. I am around 19 years old... So why can't I just grow up and walk up to the cave saying "hey, long time no see, I found this boy and he says he lives here. Is that true? Ohhh it is? Okay, well here you go, you're welcome, goodbye forever again!" Misaki sighed. She rolled in the mud once again and noticed the boy staring at her strangely. If they smell him before I get him there... Wait. She sat up. I don't know if there are people in the cave that are dangerous. I have to deliver him to his parents. I have to disguise myself. She paused. I think I can use the thick cloak thing I have in my back pack. But it'll be suspicious if a young lady dressed in a large dark cloak, that looks the exact age that I would be, and not to mention my tiny body that everybody must know. Then she got an idea. She stood and took the dark cloak out of her backpack. She spread it out on the floor and rubbed multiple herbs on it. I'll be a crazy medicine witch. They can be small and shady and no one will question them. I can use my backpack to look like a hunch back. She slipped on her backpack and draped the cloak over her body. And after furiously rubbing her body with herbs and mud, she was sure she did not smell human from there boy's scrunched up face. He pinched his nose and reluctantly took Misaki's hand. Misaki approached and ignored all the stares. The cave had gotten more populated. Her feet and hands shaked violently. Her heart raced when she entered the cave. The boy has begun to pull at her hand. She kept his hands in hers and slowly let herself be pulled. She kept her head low under the hood of the cloak. Don't look at them. Don't look. They probably know your eyes too. Don't look. I may look like an old witch, but my face doesn't. Keep your head down. She kept her eyes on the ground. They had paved the ground so there were no bumps. Just a straight, sidewalk-like ground. She jumped at the boy's sudden scream. He was pulling her faster and she struggled to keep up as an old lady. Then the boy let go and Misaki froze at the second voice she heard. "Oliver!! Oliver!!!" Misaki could faintly see the bottom of a green leafy dress appear and the boy's feet disappear. "Oliver!!! Where did you come from!? How are you okay!!?" She heard multiple kiss sounds and a second pair of feet approaching quickly. Then her suspicions were confirmed. "Olive!! Is.. Is that!?" "Gorru!! It's Oliver!!!" Misaki's body froze. The boy.... The boy I rescued... Is Olive's and Gorru's son. I should've known! He had his father's hair and his mother's eyes!! "Excuse me? Ma'am? Can you hear me?" Misaki jumped. Olive and Gorru had stepped closer. "Are you the one who found Oliver??" I can't talk to them. They'll know I'm not a old witch! Misaki nodded. Olive started to walk forward, to hug Misaki. Misaki jerked back. Then a strong chill went up her spine when she heard another set of feet approaching. Those steady footsteps. Their heavy and strong. I...I know those footsteps. I know them way too well. They've been haunting my dreams. Her heart raced and her eyes gushed out tears. "What's going on here? Is that..?" "It's Oliver!! It's Oliver Roku!!" This is going to kill me if I don't leave. They noticed the tears dripping from her face and Roku walked closer. Misaki jerked her body back. I have to get out. I've been here too long. Get out. Misaki started to turn when the boy spoke up. "Roku's" Misaki's body went freezing cold. No. Don't say it. Don't say it Oliver. "Huh? Roku's?" "Oliver what're you talking about?" "What about me?" His voice sent lightning through Misaki's body. Get out! Get out now!! She started to briskly walk to the exit when she heard small steps behind her. The boy got to her quickly and pulled on the cloak. Misaki twisted so that the cloak stayed on and she turned to the boy. He looked up at her, confused at her wet face. "Roku's!" Then before she could jerk away, the boy's hand darted to her neck and pulled the necklace out. No!! No! No! He'll- the heavy footsteps stepped closer fast. "Wait, that's--" Misaki's instincts kicked in and she pulled away from the boy. Darting to the exit. At first she heard no one following. But then the heavy footsteps quickened and were approaching quickly. "Wait!! Why do you have that!!?" His voice was angry. Her heart was throwing itself against Misaki's chest rapidly. Get away! Get away!! Everybody turned to watch the commotion, and that's when Roku demanded what Misaki feared. "Block the exit!! Stop her!!!" Her legs flew faster than what she remembered and her body was mixing both hot and cold feelings in her body. People started to block her way. She swayed and ducked under arms, avoiding the people. Misaki's throat choked at the sudden wind that burst behind her and from the sound of it, Roku was flying. "Hey!! Stop!!! Why do you have her necklace!!?" His wings were stronger. Way stronger. His shadow hovered over Misaki and she began to panic. His claw fingers grabbed hold of Misaki's hood and almost clawed into her scalp as they ripped the hood off. She fell to the floor and covered her face, her long hair had been ripped out of the rope that held it up. Her black long hair shaded her face as it scraped against the flat ground. Roku landed over her and grabbed her shoulder. No!! But it was too late. He was too strong. He twisted her around and and pinned her on the ground. Her black long hair swept out of her red teary face and time stopped.