Another Lost Soul

Chapter 8

Once the animal stopped at the center of the woods and we all climbed down, both Alenor and Jalaiah began to stretch out their arms and legs. I simply adjusted my scarf. "Where are we?"

"It's a cemetery." Jalaiah looked around, eyes trailing the deep red moss covering the ground and trees.

"I have more questions." I brushed off my arms and glared at them both.

"Not the time."

"Shut up." I stepped forward and grabbed Jalaiah by the collar. "What did he mean by apprentice?" I kept my voice quiet.

"I'm gonna scope out the area, make sure we weren't followed this far." Alenor stepped aside. "Don't touch him, Jalaiah."

"Alenor was your teacher. He taught you how to use magic safely until you lost your memory."

"Why did I lose my memory?"

"...you should go with Al and take your hands off of me."

"You seem to have the answers I'm looking for. Why should I leave?"

"So I can continue to show restraint from eating your limbs. Let go of me and leave my sight."

I hesitantly let go and followed in Alenor's direction. Red vines curled at my feet, nicking my ankles with thorns that made my skin itch.

I can sense a faint movement far ahead of me. By the electric pull against my chest, I can tell that it's Alenor. I quickly ran over to him and grabbed his wrist. "Talk to me."

"About what?"

"Why didn't you tell me we knew each other?"

"I didn't want to. It's that simple."

"Bullshit."

"I don't have the energy to argue, can you just be quiet?" He hunched over a bit, holding an arm over a deep wound in his stomach. "I'll tell you what you want to know just let me rest."

I feel bad for him, but I can't help growing annoyed with his lack of empathy. "I'm sorry about what they did to you back then."

"We're all sorry about something. Don't let my pain be what absorbs your apology." His eyelids fall heavy, body relaxing as his expression becomes heartbreakingly distant.  "I wish I could accept it, trust me."

"Those kids you killed-"

"I think from now on, you should stick with Jalaiah. I'm just...I'm a mess." He lifted his hand and stared deeply into his palm, his thick blood forcing his fingers to stick together. "For your own good, you should stay by his side." He covered his deepest wound again, frowning. "He's a very safe man to be around."

"You found me. I'm staying with you."

"Are you some kind of dog?"

"I'm not." I knelt down and adjusted the broken chain around his neck, gently pulling it off of him. Scattered burns laid beneath the metal that had nearly burrowed into his skin, but I just tossed the chain aside. "Nevertheless, if you take in a lost dog, it's your responsibility to take care of them. Isn't it?"

He says nothing and picks the chain up from the ground, the metal glowing a bright yellow on contact with his fingers. I can see that it stings. "I can barely keep myself alive. What makes you think I can handle you as well?"

"Alenor." I gently pulled the chain away from his hand, eyeing the burn marks it left on his palm. "I want to stay by your side."

"No you don't." He scoffed, laughing emptily as softly knotted hair fell over his eyes. "Do you think I'm some kind of savior just because I helped you find your way? I'm nothing of the sort. Look past your feet for once."

"Why don't you use yours then?", I glared at him. "Get up off your ass and act like the man you are. You're still alive so as far as I can see, you're just wallowing in self doubt. You've got two feet, so move forward."

"Do you not understand?" He slumped. "I'm a killer."

"You were." I stood up and held out my hand. "But that's behind you and you've gotta keep walking or it'll stick to your back."

He stared at my hand, his own trembling at his lap. "I feel like I'm watching everyone through a glass wall. Like I'm on display. I don't want to be a killer but it's all I can see."

"Because you were on display." My chest tightens at the thought of others watching him in that arena for entertainment. "You have control of your life now, so why are you still sitting in that arena?"

He hesitated, grabbing my hand and pulling himself to his feet. "I'm standing."

"Then get yourself out of there."

He smiled weakly, eyelids falling halfway as he laughed. His voice rippled through my stomach, making my knees weak. "You should head back. Leaving Jalaiah alone is a bad idea."

"But-"

"I'll be back soon." He rested his palm on my jaw and traced his thumb across my cheek. "Don't worry so much, Kid."

My heartbeat sped up as his hand slid down my neck, patting my shoulder. "Okay."

"Go on." He moved his hand to my chest and pushed me back softly, my stomach overflowing with a feeling I couldn't describe if I tried. Was he always this captivating?

Maybe it's the way his blood matches the moss covering these trees or simply because of his peculiarly cold hands touching my skin, but my mind began to adore the idea of him. 

"Are you spacing out?" He leaned close to my face and cocked his head. "Earth to Amir."

"What?" I flinched.

"Get out of my face, Boy."

"Right! Sorry." I ran off, easily finding Jalaiah. He was holding a large possum up to the animal that brought us here. The giant cat took it and laid down. "General!"

"How'd it go?"

"Good."

"Why are you all red?" He stepped over to me and held the back of his hand to my forehead. "Are you sick or something?"

"I'm fine, just a little tired. When can I go home?"

"Where do you live?"

"...I'm staying with Alenor at the moment."

"I'll take you back when he returns."

I guess I don't really need my things. They have shops here.