Behind Those Eyes | Aonung (Enemies to Lovers)

21. spider

*Author's Note*

Hi, you guys!

I'm back from Vacay, but um, I'll be gone again for another one for the next couple of days. So, here are two chapters!

Most likely, I will not be able to update again until close to the end of next week again. So sorry, y'all! Much love to you guys for always being so patient and understanding <3

P.S. I will update another chapter for tomorrow before I leave!

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Sky People.

Burning the homes of the villagers and torturing them. A large boat with humans lingering on it was stationed in the water facing the village.

The sound of gunshots echoed in the night and Katiya began to panic, her heart beating against her chest, as Aonung stirred awake beside her.

His low groan drew her attention back to him, and her heart skipped a beat when she finally realized what had transpired between them.

But it didn't last long.

As she was about to get up, ready to return and find her siblings, her mind was occupied with the danger and destruction that awaited them in the village.

Aonung suddenly grasped her forearm and stopped her as he sat up to meet her eyes.

"Wait," he said, averting his gaze to the flames in the distance.

He drew a sharp breath, reeling in the realization that the Sky People had somehow made it to this side of the reef in search of Katiya and her family.

Slowly, his worst assumption became a reality.

"We have to go—" Katiya spoke quickly, not wanting to waste time.

But Aonung tightened his grip on her forearm, refusing to let her budge.

"What are you doing? Let go! They need us, we need to—" she said angrily, attempting to pull free.

"Just wait, damn it!" Aonung hissed, yanking her close to him.

He paused, his eyes softening when he met her worried gaze. It was the second time he saw fear in her eyes, her expression similar to that of when she found out he left Loak stranded at Three Brothers' Rocks.

"Look, they don't know we're here," he said quietly, his voice less strained. "If we go through the jungle and approach the village from behind, we can find the others and leave."

Katiya blinked, suddenly dazed as she slowly nodded.

They made their way through the jungle, fast on their feet, but careful not to make too much noise. In a few minutes, they reached the edge of the jungle and saw the villagers clustered together, weeping for the loss of their homes.

At the sad sight, Katiya's heart broke as she was reminded of her own home being burned to ashes. She wanted to stay, to help them, but her siblings were her priority.

"Oh, man..." Aonung murmured, examining the flames engulfing the Maruis and feeling the heat on his skin. Until now, he had never seen anything like this.