Tales of Six

Chapter 26 : Red eyes

Kaen opens her eyes and sees a grey ceiling. Standing up from the elevated metallic bed she was lying on, the smooth white stone feels cold under her bare feet.

Now on the ground, the ceiling feels very high, and a man easily twice her height comes to her with a big smile. He kneels and hugs her. His face is blurry and when she turns around, the bed is gone. She turns back and so is the man. The room she was in is now dark, and it feels hot. She keeps looking around her to understand, and suddenly a face appears.

It seems human, its eyes are closed, but the skin is all red, almost burned, and it has black horns. She feels a sharp pain to her side, and at the same time the eyes open and stare at her. Their iris is of the purest red she has ever seen and it fills her with terror.

Kaen wakes up in sweat, hyperventilating. She looks around her and she's home. In her room. In her bed. The morning sun timidly shines through the window. She notices Savyna by her side, worried. For a second, her red hair scares Kaen by association and she flinches away. Recognising her friend, she calms down, but Savyna saw that. The pain comes back and makes Kaen wince.

Savyna, distant and with little compassion- You should rest.

Then she stands up and leaves the room looking sad and disappointed.

---

The sun is rising and the air is brisk. The streets are still quiet as most of the city is just waking up. Sitting at the table outside, Phil turns to Savyna impatiently.

Phil- I heard talking ! Is she awake ? How is she ?

Savyna, walking back to the table- She... she'll be fine. *after a moment* Thanks... for helping out.

Phil- Of course ! She's saved me before, it's the least I could do to return the favour.

Savyna- Before ? Before the whole... capturing thing ?

Phil- Yeah.

Savyna, pensively- Hmmm. She seems to have a tendency to get involved in other people's lives.

Ribanur- For the better I hope !

He startles both girls and they turn to him surprised. He leaves his room through the central hallway and comes to sit with them on the porch.

Savyna, stands up suddenly uncomfortable- I-I can leave if you want me to, I don't want to impose. I was just-

Ribanur, calmly and with a soothing voice- Why would I want you to leave ?

Savyna, looking at the ground in shame- ... I'm... Because I'm a...

Ribanur- You're a friend of Kaen's, and that means you're a friend of mine. You're welcome to be here and to stay as long as you are comfortable.

Savyna, clearly disturbed and hesitant, sits down slowly- I...

Ribanur- Now, have you girls had anything to eat yet ?

Phil- No but I'm starving !

Savyna stays silent and avoids eye contact.

Ribanur- I can make eggs and toast, we have butter, jam, and salted ham in the coldbox.

Phil- Oooh I once read that butter spread on bread makes the bread taste more and reveals the inner flavours.

Ribanur- Of course bread and butter is deli-.. wait.. "read" ?

Phil- Well... I haven't had the opportunity to test it, so...

Ribanur- Alright, what bread do you want ?