Ensnaring Darkness

XXVIII. In which he considers giving up

The overwhelming grief and fear had made it impossible to breathe. Julien shot up, eyes unfocused and body trembling as he looked around expecting the demon to be in front of him.

His blue eyes collided with stormy gray ones and the turbulent emotions promptly faded away.

His heart slowed down and hot tears brimmed at the corner of his eyes as waves and waves of relief spread through him.

Without thinking, he flung himself to Knox, clinging to him tightly. His soft sobs reached the visitor's in the tent and their hearts inevitably softened.

Knox expression remained unchanged but his right hand gently patted Julien's back.

Kayla who was just a few feet away was itching to snap a photo and share it with her friends. This heartwarming sight is rare to come by!

"You're safe now Julien." Knox's low and deep voice reverberated straight to his heart. It was then that he realized he'd been hugging Knox!

Julien stiffened, his blue eyes widening in horror and embarrassment. In his shock, he didn't even register Knox using his name for the first time.

He immediately pulled away. His head bowed down as he wiped his tears and try to hide his burning cheeks from view. Knox peered down at him, his expression unfathomable. "Are you feeling alright?"

Julien hurriedly nodded his head. He couldn't even meet his eyes! Due to this, he didn't notice Knox eyes narrowing as he gazed at him.

"It seems you're unfit. You should go home." The cold voice made Julien's eyes snapped to his. The memory of Henry, the demon and Knox tied up in strings flashed vividly in his mind. Julien was very clear on what had happened. It was neither an illusion nor a nightmare. It was real. The mission's details from the app had hinted on the malice deeply hidden in Sans Soleil and he experienced it first hand.

"What happened?"

"Their facilities is unsafe. You lost consciousness while you were locked up in the room." Knox explained, brows furrowing even more in disdain. 

Julien didn't know how Knox's memory was altered. But it was for the best. Otherwise, how was he to explain everything that happened? 

He also had no idea how they were both saved. Perhaps Henry was able to save them at the last second. Pain throbbed in his heart but coupled with fear for Knox's safety, his determination to accompany Knox grew.

"I-I won't leave. I'm perfectly fine sir!" As if to prove his words, he stood up. His hasty action made him dizzy and he lost his balance. Knox was quick to catch him and steady him on his feet.

"You call this fine?" Knox asked coldly. Julien stiffened and bit his lip.

"Just a bit of rest and I'll be fine! Please let me come with you!" He raised his head and stared determinedly at Knox's gray eyes.

Knox didn't respond for a long time. It was then that a scream was heard from the haunted house once again. Julien froze at the sound, he thought he just imagined it but another scream was heard, followed by another and another. The shrill sound sent goosebumps to his skin.

The sound of jingling bells reached Julien's ears. He peered at the haunted house entrance. The sound was getting louder and coming from inside.

Not a moment later, a round, black and furry creature now with three gauzy and wavy tails darted out of the haunted house. Of course, only Julien could see it.

Mumu looked around, baring its teeth at some people. It especially looked grumpy and irritable under the sun but when it spotted Julien, it's blue eyes sparkled and not a second later had jumped to his arms.