Imperfect Love

Part 21

Kaaya POV

After our little heated exchange, Ruben and I didn't talk to each other for the rest of evening/night. I headed back inside and slept on the rug while she so generously took the cot. 

In the morning, I smelt a fire outside and looked to see Ruben cooking something. My stomach grumbled and Ruben gave a smug, hate-filled glance at me. I rolled my eyes and decided to explore the surrounding woods to see if I could find berries or something. I didn't know where the direction of the village was so I just hoped that I wasn't walking right to it. 

As I continued my scouring for edibles, I heard a twig crack near me. I knew that Ruben wouldn't just make a small sound..no she would be stomping her way toward me if she even had the energy to do that. I immediately looked around suspiciously. 

"Who was that? Come out immediately. I already know you are there." I stated firmly. 

More leaves crunched behind me and I swirled around me eyes that I hated so much. 

"Archis. What the hell do you want?!" I was so angry at him for basically tempting the crowd to round against me. Yes, Ruben initated the doubt, but Archis was one who basically hoarded the crowd to attack me. Stupid boy. He doesn't know a thing except his ego. How did he even find me? 

He smirks at me. "What? You didn't like me show out there Kaaya? I was doing it all for you babe." I resist the urge to curse him out and decide to be the bigger person and stare at him emotionlessly. 

He continues to come closer and grabs my arm. I quickly resist and try to push him back with my other arm which unfortunately falls captive to his other hand as well. 

"Archis, let go of me! I swear to god! If you don't-" I was rudely cut off. 

"If I don't then what? What b*tch?! What are you going to do about it?! Now, that I think of it, there's no one here, maybe now I can final-" 

Smack.  I forcefully pulled one my hands out of his grip as it travelled toward my hips and slapped him across the face. He immediately reacted by putting his hands around my neck. 

"Why, I ought to.." He applied more pressure as I struggled to get his hands off my throat. Suddenly, he was shoved off of me. My first reaction was fear as I thought that Adler found me. But, as I saw Ruben beating Adler up, I exhaled in relief. Thank goodness. But, then I realized that Ruben was really beating Archis. He was bleeding from his head and eventually stopped resisting. Shoot. I quickly grabbed Ruben's arm, preventing her from hitting Archis again. She shoved me off. 

"Ruben stop! He's unconscious! Possibly more!" I yelled to her worriedly. Although I hate Archis, I don't want someone to die right in front me. I already have one bloodthirsty monster after me, I don't want to see unnecessary blood. She stopped and stepped back. I quickly put my finger under Archis's nose to check his breathing. 

"He alive." I said mostly to myself. I hear Ruben scoff behind me. "What the actual hell is wrong with you?? You almost killed someone!" I feel my anger coming back at her. 

"Well, if I didn't get him off you, who knows what would have happened. Listen here girly, I hate types like you. But what I hate more are boys who take advantage of women. You should be grateful I didn't just leave you here." She says condescendingly. 

I take a deep breath as try to formulate a coherent response. "Look, thanks for your help I guess. But, please. Let's try to act civil for once. I apologize for anything you thought I did wrong, but you didn't hear my whole story. Would you please just listen to me and let me explain before coming up with your own conclusions?" She just rolls her eyes and scoffs. I assume that is a yes. I know this woman did just save me, but boy is she really getting on my nerves. 

I look back Archis and look at Ruben in panic. "What are we going to do about him? The villagers are going to track us through him!" Self-preservation comes first before any grudges I have. 

Ruben just nods toward a direction which I assume is the village and puts her finger against her mouth as a shh sign. I am about to tell her off again before I hear faint voices coming the direction she indicated. We quickly exchange a look to rush back to the cottage. We are panting-well I am panting- by the time we reach the cottage. 

Ruben looks at me expectantly and I realize she is waiting for me to continue the story. I give her a grateful glance and continue. 

"Adler, the kraken boy, kidnapped me. I didn't even know he was kraken until much later. And contrary to what you think, I did not sleep with him!" I explain. "I am not sure if you believe me, but I swear on everything. After all, you saw how I reacted with Archis." I say a bit sadly.

I look up at Ruben sitting on the bed and she just looks at me with an emotionless look in her eyes and walks out the door. 

"W-wait!" I feel pathetic for calling out after her, but this isn't fair! 

"Here." I almost run into her as she hands a bit of toast she cooked on the fire. Oh. 

"Thanks, I guess." She smiles very slightly and I smile brightly at her as I realize that I gained a new comrade.