Damnation Of Devotion ✔

3: Saw No Blood But Heck, Check

{ AHT }

I trudge through the forest with Ki in mind... I'm a goner now. She chooses me? That puts a last charge into my heart.

I'll fall for her one day if I keep seeing her. Aside from her sinful behaviour, her wisdom, compassion yet ruthlessness, and merriment are dragging me. Who knows what's more to her that will make me fall deeper? But if Ki reciprocates, I'm not 'spirit' enough to be with her. If I run away, not only my heart will break, she'll lose a friend too. Ugghh I'm stuck here.

I look up to the starry sky for any sort of guidance, peeking behind the thick trees. They hate me... Although I remain hopeful that They will forgive me.

"Books! Get her books."

Talking to myself like a madman for the entire journey to stay sane. The trail from here is at least familiar now.

____________________

The town is brightly lit in my view, bustling with too many people. It's not a happy atmosphere because they are either busy preparing for war, affected by war, gossiping about war, or all three. Never changed since I was last taken here. I huff, step on the pavement, and pace towards the nearest bar.

I hope the forties will end already.

The bar had been refurbished. Different since I last entered here. Clean wooden beams and ceilings and smooth grey walls, which are littered with liquor bottles and pictures of American soldiers. What surprises me is that the bar owner added dead animals' heads on those walls. When did he have the time to hunt?

"Chatterbox! Long time— What the hell happened to you?" Vivian fucking shouts.

My eyes bulge, motioning at her to keep it down! Her voice is raucous all the way to the door, where I just duck and enter and gain attention from bar patrons. I nod at them apologetically while heading straight to the counter, sensing their judgemental looks.

Gritting my teeth at Vivian, I warn, "Can you keep it down?"

"Thrive on the attention! Water as usual?"

She must be kidding me. When did I ever want attention from this town? Especially the way I look? Before this haggard appearance, however. "Yes, and stop calling me chatterbox."

"Can't promise you."

"Whatever." One time I rambled, and she calls me chatterbox ever since. I hate it.

Came across this town when I was on the way to Alaska. Bad time to travel, but I heard long-lost books were found over there and I couldn't wait around. Because of my bloody impatience, I was captured by corrupted socialites. Slaved to mine for whatever metals they had for three months—I counted the days—in a faraway place.

With Theodore as an exception, Vivian is the only friendly person around here, even though I know she acts like one because she wants to bed me. Because I'm an exotic thrill to her. She called me as this had put the final nail in the coffin to be my friend.

She's pretty and all and men fawn over her, though I don't get her appeal. Her moral values and mine are worlds apart anyway. She has a husband and a few kids, a happy family despite these trying times. I can't imagine why she would throw it all away for a short thrill.

Honestly, I have no friends where I can be as I am. Maybe Theo... I'd been trying in this bar with several patrons and they were intimidated. Some were defensive. If not for loneliness, I wouldn't visit this stupid bar. I don't even like alcohol. But do I regret coming to this ignorant town? Did I regret being stupid and letting my guard down and getting captured?