Bound by Metal: The Different One

Problem IX

When I close my eyes, a painful memory comes back to haunt me.

It was the day that my freedom was stripped from me, the last day I saw the view at the top.

The day I was betrayed.

But it shouldn't have bothered me, not anymore at least. It was all just a simple falling out, and he is already paying me back for what he has wronged me. So why?

Why was it so painful? Did it always hurt? Or was there something else coming back to bring forth suppressed anger, resentment, or depression? Was it even a memory or was it a fear that I have developed for the future that I am now envisioning?

I'm scared of what faith has laid out before me.

A quick rest, a chance to revise their plans for their escape from the wretched island. Riko places his finger upon the crumpled paper, upon two curved lines on the map. He peeked over to Addie who loomed over him, staring and listening intently upon his words as he looked back towards the map. "Here, this indicates a slight indent in the landscape of the area. We'll head there as soon as it gets dark, I don't want to run into anymore surprises on this island." He checks on her again and looks at her now swollen ankle, "And it's best if we rest so you don't strain your ankle further." Her eyes look towards his, tracing his line of sight to her ankle as she spoke with a monotone voice, "I'll be fine, I can manage just fine." His eyes narrow as she says this, his expression a bit dim as she tries so stubbornly hard to not make him worry, which just backfires upon her. Behind the thin smile he gave her, he gritted his teeth in frustration, leaning towards her slowly till he was just an inch away from Addie's face. "No can do," he objects firmly, quickly picking her up without given her a chance to react and bolted into a run. He could feel her latch onto him, a reasonable response to his sudden capture of her, her hold on him getting tighter as she buried her face in his chest out of fear for him dropping her. His forced smile slowly turned into that of a genuine one, amused that he had instilled this feeling of terror within her.

Up ahead of their path where the forest began to open up and the vegetation dimming as he ran, they came to a clearing below a cliff high above them, curved slightly in its might. Within the towering rock there was a cave eroded within its crevices, an old home for a long dismissed animal. It provided the necessary shelter that they needed, Riko still carrying Addie as they entered within its domain. From the inside, it was deep and nicely carved out in its smoothness of the walls, piles of twigs, leaves, and logs occupying the dusty floor. Gently, he placed her against the rocky wall, grabbing a nearby log and placing it under her swollen ankle to lessen the amount of blood flow within the area of injury. "If something bad happens we won't be able to make it off this place," he glances at her and grins, "so won't you please stay still for a bit, so it won't hurt more than it does?" His grin slowly morphed into a calming smile, slowly sitting next to her as he closes his eyes. Even in the pitch black darkness that his eyes provided him, he could still imagine the upset expression upon her face as she usually had. "Now's not the time for rest," she angrily stated as he opened his eyes slowly to look towards her. With a slight chuckle, he wrapped his arm around her, pulling her close to his chest.  "Don't overwork yourself. How could you get a boyfriend if all you do is work and no play?" He smiles, hugging her tightly. "Just relax, Addie. If you want you can think of me." He laughs a bit awkwardly to himself, looking away slightly before resting his eyes once more. God, Riko, that was so lame. Now she probably thinks you're a weirdo or some pervert. Smooth move, Riko, smooth move. He felt a weight upon his chest, looking down towards a sleeping Addie, a small smile upon both their faces as they rest together.

Night came quickly as the two passed the time in the den. Riko opened his eyes, about to get up but paused as he felt the weight of Addie increase, still peacefully asleep as she leaned upon him. He smiled gently and slowly moved her away, trying his best not to wake her. He stood and stretched, looking out the opening before heading back in to silently check her ankle. It looks like it has gotten better but best not to move so roughly. His eyes wandered toward her sleeping face once more, a sigh in relief escaping him through his soft smile. "I'll be right back Addie," he softly whispered to her, leaving the den in an effort to scout the area. Traveling only a small distance, he inspected the area, relaying a mental map as to where it would be safe to escape towards in any case of their situation turning for the worse. With a satisfied expression, he began to walk back. His mind was replaying the course of escapes when suddenly something disrupted his flow. The sound of still rustling and soft stomps and careful recklessness emitting in the distance. Riko laid low, crouching as he slowly approached it, a thick branch in hand as his eyes leered towards the area. One strike, I need to be swift and end it in one go. The unknown thing stopped in it's movement, providing Riko the moment to pop out and strike. But he stopped himself, as the brown locks of hair swayed in his stead, preventing him from moving any further. "Addie," he quietly shouted in surprise, "what are you doing walking around? Your ankle is still healing from the mess earlier." Slowly, her eyes peeked from the curtain of hair to look up towards him, her worries slightly dismissed at the sound of his voice. "I was worried about you...and I feel just fine, it's also healed,"she practically whispered the words to Riko, deception reflected in her eyes, letting out a little sigh as he noticed this. "Addie, you suck at lying you know that?" He shook his head in disappointment. "I'm well aware that such serious sprains and swellings won't go away so soon, especially in an environment that lacks the necessary equipment to help do that. Even which, it wouldn't be 'healed' so soon." Riko walked over to her and placed his hand upon her shoulder. "Of course, rather than hearing me lecture you, it'd be much better to just rest. The night is still young after all." He gave out a little chuckle and headed back inside, trying to start a small fire as Addie later joined him and watched in a daze.

The fire began to glow and grow, Riko smiling as it did so. "This is just for now, i'll kill it later on so it doesn't attract too much attention." His eyes wandered onto Addie as she quietly watched him, "what's this? Choosing now to be obedient?" He laughed and tended back to the fire, hearing no response as his face showed a little panic. "I'm joking. I'm just really glad you're not pushing yourself," he smiled slightly as he poked the fire with a stick, stray ashes flying off. "Who knows what I would've done if something had happened to you,"he mumbled low to himself so that only he could hear his thoughts spoken aloud. His eyes were distant, the fire reflecting in them made them much more melancholy. "Disobeying you is pointless," she replied, breaking the silence of the night, "in truth, after all, you're pretty stubborn yourself." The silence soon returned to the den, Riko's eyes still attentive upon the twitching flames. "Riko...can I tell you a secret," more words broke the silence as well as his train of thoughts as he glanced over to her with a slight smile. He got up from near the fire and relocated next to her, sitting down quickly as he looked towards Addie. "Of course, as long as you're comfortable with it," he watched as Addie smiled feeling her hand brush against his as he adjusted himself beside her. She twirled her hair around her finger, bowed her head, and looked down at her hands that folded on top of one another on her lap. "Well you see...," she shook her head awkwardly. Taking in a deep breath, Addie looked up at him, "I'm...." She took one last deep breath before she spoke again. "Never mind." Riko winced at her actions and the pauses of her words, ruffling her hair as he slowly got up and stretched. "In due time then. You don't need to push yourself, just let it come naturally," he turned his head slightly, a soft smile upon his face as he went back to tend to the fire, "just like your swollen ankle, don't force yourself." It took a little while before Riko began to burst out in laughter, hearing his own words made him feel foolish. He could hear her sigh in confusion behind him and then suddenly a small giggle was let out as he quickly turned to her in shock. Addie was too much in a giggle fit to notice Riko staring at her, only ever looking up simultaneously as he turned away, his face flushed a rosy red. It's been so long since I've heard her giggle. Took me by surprise... Clearing his throat, his words hesitated to come out as he looked towards her, "you really want that lecture, don't you?" Her cheeks were pink as she looked toward the ground, her smile still showing its after effects upon her bright face. "Lecture me as much as you please. I'm almost as stubborn as you," she stuck her tongue out, teasing him. "'Course you are," he let out a little chuckle, "I learned that first hand."  He quickly looked over as the fire began to burn low, rushing over and beginning to kindle it. A little sigh escaped him as he saw it come back to life. "Just a bit, hang in there a bit little fire," he made a small prayer, exaggerating his pleas. A small yawn called to him once more, turning his head slowly as he saw Addie doze off. How cute. He reached over and gently swept the hair out of her face, softly kissing her forehead. "Sleep a bit more, you'll need all the rest you can get," a smile crept upon his face as he watched one do the same to her, returning back to the fire so that the night wouldn't freeze them.

The night was silent, its inhabitants playing a soft lullaby to Riko's and Addie's sleep.

If only it was kept just like this.

As the moon had reached its peak and the fire had soon died, the faint sound of choppers resounded across the land.