A Man for Himself (Norton X Eli) [Identity V] *UNEDITED*

Chapter 23 - It's All Coming Back

What Eli and Norton had shared the previous night seemed to have happened ages ago. The Eli who had sat with him at the table was not the one the prospector had showered with kisses and held. This was the Eli that was guarded by Naib. This was the Eli that found favour in everyone's eyes. This was the real Eli.

In retrospect, Norton could've taken advantage of the seer's drunkenness and claimed him as he'd always wanted. Yet he didn't. The sight of that damned ring made him stop.

That damned ring.

Eli's image was of an almost immaculate being who had dedicated everything to his fiancée, yet the seer resembled none of that when they were together the yesterday evening. This person he'd known to be loyal to his fiancée had actually let Norton do as he pleased. He had even invited him to the bedroom. This had caught the prospector completely off guard that he had to leave to think it through.

Norton had been restless ever since. Seeing Eli today looking all handsome and confident as if he wasn't writhing in pleasure the night before made him regret his decision to leave. He wondered if he would ever get a chance to be that close to Eli again seeing as Naib's eyes seemed to be observing him all the time. He wondered if he would get a chance to see that Eli again.

"Is something bothering you, Mr. Campbell?" he heard Helena ask.

The blind girl's blank stare was focused ahead of her, her cane creating soft taps against the floor as she walked alongside the prospector down the hallway that led to the waiting room.

"Nothing. What made you ask?" Norton replied, brows raised.

"I may not see it, but I can sense that you're troubled," Helena confessed, sounding curious. "Even distressed. Agitated. It's a first, so I couldn't help but notice."

Norton was silent for a moment, contemplating on whether he should humour the blind girl or not. After all, there wasn't really a reason for him to give an explanation.

He decided not to say anything.

He noticed Helena nod knowingly, picking up on Norton's refusal to explain. She would figure it out. In fact, she probably already knew. Norton pining on Eli wasn't exactly a secret anymore especially because of Mike's loud mouth.

They reached the waiting room soon after silence fell between them; but since Naib and Eli hadn't arrived yet, the blind girl remained to be his only company.

"By now, I'm sure you already know everything about the game and this manor," Helena said as she took a seat for herself and sat down. She rested her hands on the table and clasped them together. "Sorry for not disclosing the details to you. We're not allowed to tell the newcomers anything save for the basic rule. You had to experience everything for yourself. We all had to."

Norton shrugged. "It's alright. I've been through worse."

Helena smiled, but it lacked sincerity. She looked as though she's almost offended by his nonchalance. "What's your plan now?"

The prospector took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, thinking. "I plan to win all of my matches," he declared. "Perhaps I will impress the owner of the manor enough to let me get my reward and out of this hellhole."

That's right. Norton had never lost since he arrived. He's too good for this game. This was why he believed he had a chance. Perhaps the owner would take notice of him and allow him to demand for his freedom.

"I hope you succeed in your mission." Helena dipped her head. "I'm counting on you to be the first."

As soon as the seer and the mercenary joined them, the door on the other side of the room swung open to let them into the hallway that led to the new area. Naib and Eli were walking ahead of him and Helena. Norton kept his pace slow for the blind girl to catch up. Not that she needed any guidance. She looked excited and determined to explore the new place. As for Norton, he wasn't really interested. At least he wasn't until the concrete floor and claustrophobic walls ended to give way for the vast night sky.