artifice || offgun

ii.

A strong gust of wind blows from the East, whistling against one's sensitive hearing; as if it was a whisper, a forewarning of a tragedy that will unfold. The dry leaves danced in the air, speck of dust twirls with it. The once peaceful stream now bothered as ripples of water formed on its surface.

If you've known the weight of your actions, would you still do it?

Off still did it. He knew his recklessness would lead for great consequences and yet, he still did it. He hid behind the pretense of other's willingness to do it with him, feigning innocence as if his hands weren't once covered with his prey's desperate cries.

He knew it yet he still did it. The intoxicating sensation creeping through his veins were incomparable to the dull and monotonous days of playing safe. He did it for he wanted to test if he could get away with it.

Off always wanted to break his restrictions and experience the thrilling future, being defiant to the rules of majority. He wanted to prove something, that even though he was reckless, it won't matter since he can play with fate; and now with his lips twitching into a playful smile, he uttered the forbidden.

"Gun," He said nonchalantly, reading the name that was written on ground; waiting for the occurence of the legend. "Gun, Gun, Gun," He repeatedly said, lifting his arms as if he was offering himself.

He waited but nothing happened, boastful as he was still alive and well, in contrast of Tay's story, "See? It's just pure nonsense. I don't get what you're being scared of," Off snickered at Tay, whose face now plastered with great horror. Tay's orbs dilated when he heard the cursed name, shivers running over his skin as he feels a watchful eye on them, "Gun, Gun, Gun," Off chanted again to mock the other and unexpectedly, Tay suddenly pushed Off's shoulder, stopping him from saying any more of the name.

"You don't know what you're doing! You will regret saying that name!" Tay shouted on the top of his lungs, throat hurting from the sudden raise of his voice. His face both shows worry and fear, hands trembling as the cold wind touches his cheek.

Thin lines formed on Off's forehead, offended by the sudden temper of the other. He then grabbed Tay on his collar and growled at him, throwing him to the shallow stream. "I completely know what I'm doing and it's proving how stupid your legend is," Off scoffed while looking down at Tay, spitting on the ground before turning his back on him and walks away; completely unaware of the sly smile plastered on Tay's face.

Several sunrises passed since Off uttered the forbidden, nothing exceptionally happened except for the repeated occurrences of his dreams. Often found himself dwelling on the complexity of the forest; moonlight hiding behind the dark clouds of the night sky as he runs desperately for his life. He was chased by unknown and his head was ringing for plead of help. He felt the shivering cold of fear and yet, his heart felt warm as his hand was tightly holding someone else's. For numerous nights, he had always seen the silhouette of this person; confusing him of its real identity.

"It's just a dream," Off mumbles to himself when he snaps from his trance, disregarding the thought of it as he deems it unnecessary. He is wandering around the vast forest, avoiding his usual spot as he didn't want to see or have the presence of Tay around him. Off was still mad for the other's sudden outburst, thinking that it was just an old story that no one should be sensitive of. He lights himself a stick of cigarette as his sharp orbs scans the surroundings, noticing that he had been walking deep in the woods.

He shrugged it off, for he knows that he will find his way back. He has just been following where the stream was coming from, having it as a guide when he decides to go back to the village.

Off has been walking for a long time, with his third light in between his lips, he suddenly felt a shiver running through his spine which caused him to stop. Once again, he wandered his gaze and unlike before in which he took note of the scenery, he did it this time to inspect if he's with someone; or rather, if he's being observed by someone.

He frowned when the wind blows past him, tousling his neatly combed hair. "The fuck is that?" Off mumbled to himself and strides once again, ignoring the fleeting feeling of watchful eyes on him. He annoyingly kicked the stones on his path since he felt sour on the sudden creep on his skin. The twigs were cracking beneath his sole and occasional chirping of birds echoed in the tranquility.

Off eyes squinted when he saw a structure from afar, hastening his pace to have a clearer look on it and halt; he stopped by the end of the stream where he saw a seemingly old ruins by the other side of it. The structure was barely holding its form, scattered rocks all over it as it seems to collapse by its old nature.

It was undeniable that he was mesmerized by the striking beauty of the ruins, even though he was standing by a distance, a glimpse of it captivated him. The wind blew once again, an eerie silence commenced. Off scanned his surroundings again, anxious for unknown reason.

'Help me,' A soft whisper caressed Off's ear, making him to defensively look back, only to see the gloomy forest. His gaze darted on the ruins once again, feeling a familiar warmth on his chest.