The Risen HODWII

Chapter 18 : Mischief

**Lucas' POV**

The moment we reached the house, the girls were already waiting for us outside. It warmed my heart the moment I saw her. When Stella looked at me, her eyes sparkled with happiness as she smiled and ran toward me.

I took my eyeglasses off and hid them in my pocket as I put my rifle down and opened my arms for her with a smile on my face. She jumped on me, hugging me tightly. "You really missed me that much, huh?" I teased.

She pulled out of the hug and faced me, pouting. "You scared me."

I couldn't help but peck her lips. "I told you I'd come back for you," I said, smiling.

"I love you," she softly stated, which made my heart go insane. My heartbeat was pounding too fast... my world froze while looking into her mesmerizing blue eyes. Even with her eyeglasses on, my hazel eyes fit perfectly with hers.

"I love you too." I smiled and hugged her back once again. "You don't know how much you made me happy today..." I softly whispered in her ear.

"Don't you have plans to go inside?" Xenon coldly asked, breaking our moment and harshly walking inside.

"Tch. Claire hasn't come yet?" I asked Stella after I pulled out of the hug. She nodded.

"I see." Smirking, I nodded in understanding.

Xenon will have a hard time dealing with us without his girl, just like I had a hard time dealing with these lovebirds before.

But now, my girl is already here... with me.

I picked up my rifle and held her hand, looking at her cute face once again. "Let's go," I said and started walking, but suddenly froze when I felt Stella didn't move from her spot.

I turned my back and faced her. "Can we talk?" My heart hammered loudly when I heard her voice... dull.

I nodded. "We are already talking."

"Come." She dragged me instead.

"Where are we going?" She continued dragging me until we reached the baywalk.

She stopped and looked at the sunset. I faced it as well and was amazed by the scenery from here... It's beautiful.

"I want you to know something about me." Her voice was still dull but held seriousness. I knew then that I was with... Uno.

This is what I've been waiting for.

"What do I need to know, Stella? What really happened to you? Tell me... please." I faced her this time.

She intensely looked into my eyes. "If I tell you, will it change everything? Will it change what we have right now?" she asked, her face wearing no emotions at all.

"No... maybe... yes...? I don't know. All I know is that my feelings will never change and my heart will always beat for you," I said with determination. Whatever it is, I know that my first love will last forever.

"I was a witness... of the dark world." I stiffened, and my forehead wrinkled with curiosity and confusion.

Witness of the... dark world?

She faced the scenery in front and started speaking. "When I turned ten, I was kidnapped by men." She started, and I froze with mixed emotions.

Her disappearance meant... she was... kidnapped!? For two months!? "What the fuck did they do to you?" My voice rose out of anger.

"They put me in a cage where I witnessed... everything." I could feel her aura turn dark. "Children had their own cages, and in sight were their... operations."

"What operations?" I was furious, but curiosity crept in.

"They operated on the children... taking their blood and organs out... to sell on the black market." My hair stood on end... in terror, and I could feel my blood boiling.

"You... saw it?" I asked, unable to believe what I heard... she saw it!? I couldn't handle that!

She nodded. "For almost two months. Children crying in pain, loneliness, and fear. No anesthesia... just a brutal way of operating. They are animals. They are evil. All of them... they shall die." Her voice was venomous as her hands clenched in anger.

I slowly held her hand, and she faced me, this time her eyes watery. She suddenly hugged me as she burst into tears.

I caressed her back, comforting her. "If I cried a lot, they would choose me... and kill me, Lucas. I... I... only had your handkerchief, and I was thankful. I always remembered your words that... I just had to look at it, and I'd stop crying. It was effective." She loosened her grip from the hug and wiped her tears as she smiled at me. "It saved me... you saved me from death."

I was stunned by her words... she hung on through my... handkerchief?

So that was the reason for her sudden behavioral changes... her anger and bravery separated from her softer side. She resisted the emotions that wanted to come out during those two months... afraid she would die.

Her emotions depended on what she chose until it affected her mind.

I kissed her forehead, closing my eyes and feeling that little moment last. Looking into her mesmerizing eyes, I said, "I love you, Stella, and it didn't change after what I heard. Instead, I fall deeper in love with you. My girl is so brave." I smiled. "From now on, focus on me... on us. Forget that past and let's make a beautiful present."

She gave me her sweetest smile. "Thank you."

I cupped her cheek and leaned closer until my lips met hers, and we shared a soft, passionate kiss... feeling the love... that has always been there.

She broke the kiss and smiled. "It's already getting dark... we should go." And once again, she dragged me, but suddenly I realized something and stopped.

"Wait." She stopped, facing me with a questioning look. "How did you manage to escape?" Curiosity filled me.

It was impossible that she turned Uno and killed them all.

She smiled mischievously. "Forget the past and let's make a beautiful present, Lucas." She said and started dragging me once again, wearing a smile.

I shook my head and followed her.