INOYA
I was cold and numb, I could not move my lower body. Yukitaro left the room. The sun shone a mellow light. The clock showed 5. I held my breath so that I won't rage. It left me breathless for a while. All I could do was stare at the ceiling and think about nothing. I was emotionally drained and too exhausted to fall asleep. I closed my eyes in despair.
When I opened them, I saw Yukitaro beside my bed, holding my wrist and checking my pulse. "How long did I sleep for?" I asked stirring, trying to get up. My bandaged arms were not strong enough to haul myself up. "Not long." Yulitaro assisted me in sitting up and leaning on the headboard. "Dont force yourself. The poison's effect is still going on. You might not be numb anymore but you are still vulnerable." He said with concern. The curtains were drawn and the candlelight flickered. Multiple shadows danced on the walls like moving pictures.
"I wish I was more careful and watched over you." He regretted looking at the floor. "This wouldn't have happened if I was not reckless," I admitted. "Im sorry to have caused danger to you and Ishimi." I grieved. "Stop blaming it on yourself." He blurted in frustration. He balled his fists, not in anger, but in shame. "Sorry," I repeated, hanging my head. He shook his head in disapproval.
We sat in uneasy silence. My eyes grew heavy despite the long sleep I had. Yukitaro took notice and forced me to lie down. "Your body heals relatively faster than a typical person, which takes plenty of stamina." He examined me with those stormy eyes. "It's natural to feel exhausted," He explained, gripping my shoulders tight. "And besides, it's late." The clock showed 10 minutes past 8.
"It's not that late though," I argued. I did not want him to take care of me. "I'll be sleeping soon too you know." His strong hands wouldn't budge. "Alright, Im already asleep." I let him get the sheets on my shoulders. I snuggled the blanket. Yukitaro sunk into the armchair and kept watch. "You know," I started wearily. "I could sleep by myself." He tilted his head to the left. "I know, but something feels weird." He glanced around skeptically. "But don't worry. Get sleeping already." He gently chuckled.
As usual, weird dreams kept flashing but one nightmare was all I could remember: I was in a meadow with blue skies and green grasslands and a broken mirror in front of me. It showed multiple reflections of me, but the one in the center looked off.
She had a weird background, a rather maroon sky. She offered a hand. I backed off, but she wore a grin so familiar, I could not help but keep looking. "One day, when I rule over the lands, I will burn everything." Her piercing voice echoed. It did not sound like me, instead, it sounded like that voice that possessed Ishimi. Her eyes were not mine, they shone differently, with fury and a hint of vengeance.
"When I'm finally set free," She cautiously built up my curiosity. "BEWARE girl." She barked. I stumbled back and fell on my bum. "Everything you love will be gone with a snap," She warned. "Just like it did to me." She shrieked with hysterical laughter, causing the mirror to shatter. The ground dissolved under me.
I was screaming in a murky teal surrounding. As I did, bubbles rose above. I couldn't quite grasp what was happening, but my chest was compressed. I quickly inhaled, but cold and sharp needles pierced every inch of my lungs and throat. I held my breath as I realized the danger that awaits: Suffocation and possible death. But my mind did not panic. It was not satisfied with this life and had already given up on hope. "Dont die yet, Inoya! You are going to obliterate me." A tiny voice pleaded, but I had no intention of living. I sunk further with tunneled vision and, my head was clear and thoughtless. The water lapping in my ear did not bother me now and neither did breathing in the salt water.
Something seemed to have ruptured below me as water swelled and thrust past me. It urged me to rise to shore. Push after push, shove after shove, the water wouldn't stop bothering my serenity. I tried to follow its lead but my limbs were tired out. I flailed around but it was no use and that was fine by me.
A hand tugged my shirt, but I no longer cared as I painlessly bobbed up to the surface. I coughed, gasped, and screamed all at the same time. But the eerie silence lingered. My chest spiked as I spat out water. I laid back with my eyes closed, the dark pink shade I now saw was not as peaceful as the black one. I could feel myself getting dry, the water being sucked out of my lungs, hair, and clothes. A warm blanket touched me. I could feel my heart pumping with difficulty, it just wants to stop and rest. But it doesn't because it beats for something. I sunk into my third slumber this day.
A faint voice called my name. It felt so far and fuzzy. Someone shook my body. A cold hand felt my forehead and neck. "Inoya, hold my finger if you can hear me." Yukitaro's voice panicked as he kept his hand close to mine. I slowly closed my heated fingers and pressed his gentle palms and he sighed in relief. "Keep breathing, okay? I'll be back soon." He shakily pulled away his hand.
My eyes fluttered open. The feeble, soft sunlight dazed me as it shone its first morning rays. The faint silhouette of the mountains rolled into the horizon. Birds chirped and wailed in the trees, the crabs hopped into the sea from the sandy beach. A scurry of squirrels scattered from a walnut tree. I was lying on smooth, wet grass. Yukitaro bent and inspected Ishimi who had a gentle expression and a flushed face. Yukitaro's pale water bubble bounced a few inches across his forehead, keeping him refreshed.
I rolled to my side and faced them. "Inoya you need sleep. Please don't get up. I'll be with you after Ishimi." Yukitaro weakly requested without looking at me. I did not get up. I clasped the blanket as I watched Yukitaro do medical aid on Ishimi.
I was still bandaged all over. The ends of the ones on my arm came loose.
When Yukitaro was done, He turned to me. "You are still awake." He sounded surprised. "Are you feeling fine now? Does anywhere hurt? Do you have any problem breathing? Suffocation?" He shot questions. "Im fine. Although I won't prefer drowning again. Where are we?" "At the base of Mochi Mountain. Ishimi needs us to climb it." He looked towards the far-off horizon. "But right now we need some resting." He sounded exhausted as he laid down and took deep breaths.
"How did we reach here?" I compelled. My mind worked like clockwork, rewinding to Ishimi's mansion. But I couldn't take hold of any memory of the journey. "You were asleep after the poisoning and we left Ishimi's home before you woke up." He started rummaging through his bag. " Let me explain while you eat." He offered a sandwich with some leaves in it. I snacked on it while Yukitaro's tale bewildered my mind.
YOU ARE READING
Runaway Angel
AventuraThe legend of the black winged angel happens to be true. Inoya possesses those wings. She seeks protection on the sacred mountain of the cats. She is being chased by two groups: One wants to use her as a weapon, the other wants her dead. She has to...
