Eladea: A Hopeless Age

Chapter 21: Sage

Chapter 21: Sage

Omg I am SOOOO sorry about the super long wait T-T
I was super busy and totally forgot about it, and the only time I had to write was at night but I was always so tired I just couldn't. But I'm here now so that's what counts. At least you'll get a new chapter in only like three days at least.

But anyways, here we goooo~

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He lets out a short but agonized scream, his hands raking through his long hair. He clenches and unclenches his fists, breathing heavily. Soon, he moves towards a tree stump. He kicks it, over and over and over. Fat tears roll down his cheeks as he pounds the wood with his full-force. He kicks for so long I think it might never stop. Then, finally, he pauses, his breathing labored as sweat pours down his face. He breathes deeply and lets loose another blood curdling scream of pain and anger. He crumbles in on himself, dropping to his knees.

Another man walks towards him, his hair white and pants orange. The man crouches next to him, his voice loud in the now silent forest. "Liam is everything-" He pauses as his friend crumbles into him, sobbing uncontrollably.

I gasp as I'm brought back from the scene and back into my own body. I'm staring down at my knee-high boots, my hands settled in my lap. It takes me a moment to realize I'm shaking, tears streaking down my own cheeks. A warm hand is placed at my elbow that makes me jump. I look up and sigh with relief when I meet his face.

Lance pulls me into him and I wrap my arms around his waist tight. I squeeze my eyes shut as more tears come. I try to focus on his breathing, the rise and fall of his chest. His heartbeat, the steady thumping in my ear. The way his jacket feels. The cool leather caressing my face.

Oh Liam…my sweet Muffin. What have I done to you?

"I told you you wouldn't like it." His voice rumbles in my ear. I slowly pull away, wiping my eyes as I do.

"It hurt. Seeing him like that. But I'm glad I did. I wanted to see him." I look up at him, meeting his concerned gray eyes. "Is that really happening right now?" My throat constricts. Is Liam really going through that? Is he really in that much pain?

"Yes," His voice is soft as he answers. "It is. But you don't need to worry. He's not alone." He tries for a smile, and his attempt makes me smile as well. I can't help it.

"Is that how you've been spying on me all these years?" I ask with a laugh, wiping my nose on the back of my hand.

"Ha, it sounds kinda creepy but yeah." He scratches the back of his neck. "Sometimes I would check in on you only to find you changing or bathing" his cheeks are red hot as his eyes go wide.

"I would look away immediately! It's not like I watched or anything!" He tries to explain, the tips of his ears red hot. I burst out laughing, unable to contain myself.

"Are you serious?! That's amazing!" I barely make out, trying to catch my breath. He chuckles, smiling warmly at me. I finally calm down, settling my giggles. He stares at me, his gaze loving but…guilty?

"But other times…I would see some things that made me sad. That hurt. Like how you saw Liam just now. I would see you having breakdowns and panic attacks with no one there for you. It would just be you, curled up in your room for hours on end with no one there to calm you. Or hold your hand. Or whisper that you're gonna be ok. I wanted to be that for you so badly. But I couldn't." His voice is tight with emotion as he takes my hand. He runs his fingers over my calluses, his eyes not meeting mine.

He saw those? He saw me during those moments? Did he see that time with Ivar? What did he think? Oh goddesses did he see that one panic attack I had where I screamed his name over and over? Oh the things he must have felt…