The boy from the woods (Goldric)

Chapter 10: an Exchange with Luz

Monday/9th day at the blight house

Hunter's pov

It's 4 in the afternoon and me and Edric are walking through the woods. So, I can meet with the person I am dreading meeting, I don't know how she feels about me after learning that my only reason to exist is to serve Belos. Doesn't matter what I was made for and of. Right?

I am panicking and having an existential crisis when Edric takes my hand. I look up at him and see him facing ahead like he doesn't know we are holding hands but of course he does as he is tracing circles at the back of my hand with his thumb. Even with this small act I am brought back to the real world, and I am being held here, my thoughts no longer to much for me to bare.

I squeeze Edric's hand to show my thanks and I feel a lot better. Worried and unhappy still but better. When we arrive in front of the clearing which the weird house that the owl lady lives in is in, Edric turns to me.

"You don't have to do this you know I can clearly see you panicking. If you are just doing this to prove something to me, you don't have to because I already trust you." He says looking at me sadly.

"I know" I respond, "I'm doing this for me because if I am to afraid to talk to Luz then how do I know if I am string enough to face my fears of never being good enough." I say truthfully, looking away from Edric. He doesn't question me, but he takes my hand again to help me feel more comfortable, because he can easily tell I am afraid out of my mind.

We walk a few steps out into the clearing when I am tackled by the owl? tube? Worm? Thing.

"Yay the angsty kid is back." It says and my reflexes kick in. I kick it of me and get into a fighter's stance. "Geez, I was just being friendly." It said looking upset. I glare at it, but I decide that if I want people to trust me, I am going to have to be nicer.

"Sorry" I mutter but I don't fully relax. I see Edric laughing at me and I blush slightly. When the bird tube slides/hovers away to get Luz I mutter under my breath. "And people say my voice is annoying." Obviously, I say it loud enough for Edric to hear because he starts laughing again but even harder then before. By the time Luz comes out Edric only just stops laughing. I step back a bit, slightly scared Edric holds out his hand for me to grab it and I take it and move slightly behind him. Luz stops a little bit away from us smiling kindly.

"Hi Hunter." She says cheerfully.

"Hi hum- I mean Luz." I say using her real name, taking a cautious step forward. I keep stepping forward until I am to far forward to hold Edric's hand. By then I feel more comfortable to be with Luz alone. I turn to Edric and smile softly. "Hey, Ed, I think I'm ok now to talk with Luz. I sort of want to talk to her alone." I say awkwardly rubbing the back of my neck. "But you can go talk with Eda maybe. I'll only be a few minutes." I say hoping Edric doesn't think I am hiding something from him. Edric just nods his head and smiles.

"See you in a bit Goldie." He says and then enters the owl house. Once he is far enough away from us that he doesn't hear Luz turns to me and steps closer to me but only a few steps.

"Is it alright if I hug you?" She asks looking like she really wants to hug me, so I nod my head and she launches herself at me. I am startled for a bit, but I hug her back. "I've been so worried about you. I thought you would get caught or hurt or worse hurt yourself because of what we heard." Luz says sounding close to tears. When she pulls away, she looks defeated. I have honestly never seen her look like this, and I am worried.

"Luz it's ok I'm safe and fine even though I don't know why you care I am not even supposed to be real." I say the last bit sadly and Luz gives me a sympathetic look. "But it doesn't matter about me." I say shaking my head. "Are you ok?" I ask concerned "I have never seen you look so down like this."