WHEN NIGHT COMES

FORGOTTEN ENIGMA

"Chay."

"Chay."

"Wake up, love."

The golden rays of the sun touched Porchay's face. It was warm, like a good cup of tea; like a warm blanket during the winter. Warms and soft hands caressing his locks, he just wants to stay like this forever.

It was one peaceful afternoon. The wind was blowing calmly through the leaves of the trees; birds were singing melodies Porchay was happy to hear; the ripples of the rivers he could clearly hear from afar where the children plays cheerfully in the waters. It was so peaceful and Porchay felt a sudden wave of satisfaction in his heart.

He was lying down on the grass under the shade of the tree with the person he was so sure to spend his lifetime with. And it makes his heart jump with happiness knowing the fact that she loves him as much as Porchay loves her.

"Love, I need to go back."

But of course, a day must come to an end; just like how the twilight slowly stealing the light and turning it into night.

Lucy cannot stay the night. She wasn't even allowed to go out of their house but always manages to run away and go to her lover. She always manages to sneak out of that cage-like, suffocating house to go to Porchay and have a breath of life.

Their love is forbidden. Lucy was from a well-known family full of riches in the world while Porchay is just an ordinary boy, working in a pub as a janitor. But the two caught each other's eyes and immersed in their own world during that night Lucy was out with her friends to have few drinks because finally, she has come of age to drink.

And just like that, sparks that were so little ignited the fire within them that became uncontrollable.

"Let's runaway together Lucy."

And Porchay mean it. He really meant it. He cannot bear another day without his love. He felt as if, anytime, he could lose his dear Lucy. He doesn't want that. Porchay doesn't want to be apart from his lover.

"You know we can't Chay." She softly answers.

Porchay got up and get a hold of Lucy's hand. He held it firmly; caressing it with so much care and love.

"Is it because of what I am; Of who I am?"

Lucy aggressively shook her head in disagreement and cupped Porchay's face with her two small hands that feels so soft to the touch, Porchay is melting.

"Listen to me love," she breathed out; looking at Porchay's eyes. "I love you no matter what you are or who you are, okay? Please, just try to understand me."

And that's what Porchay has been doing all along. He's been the understanding lover, the patient one. He never wanted to impose anything on her. The last thing that he wants is to be a burden to Lucy. What Porchay wanted was to be her anchor, her support because Porchay knows very well how Lucy is being treated in that house.

"I understand love."

Lucy smiled at him as she stood up and fixed her crumpled skirt from sitting on the ground. It's time for her to go back to that house; act like a good daughter as she should be; follow every order, every command his father will tell her.

"I love you."

But before Porchay could even say 'I love you' back, Lucy is already on her foot, walking away from him. Leaving Porchay there, under the shade of that tree where their little love story grows. He watches her silhouette disappear not knowing that it would be their last moment as lovers.

--

"Lu-Lucy... Why?"

But all Porchay can feel now is the dagger slowly, painfully piercing his skin.

"I'm, I'm sorry Chay."

And Porchay can feel the knife being pulled out from his body only to be put back again and again and again; blood spilling on the ground; Porchay throwing up that crimson red blood.

It was painful he cannot even feel anything anymore. It was like his body became numb but can still feel that pain, not from the dagger, but from his heart.

It was painful; so awfully painful that the person you love was actually the person who will end your life. And Porchay could feel that pain he was already crying hard while clutching on his lover; or can he still call her that?

Can he still call Lucy his love? Would he be able to still call Lucy his forever?

Then suddenly, Porchay can hear screams; screams of people asking for help; hopeless screams of Porchay's people asking for help. He wanted to go to them; to help them but he himself is also hopeless right now.

NO!

His pack. He cannot let someone kill or even hurt his pack. The pack that he protected his whole life. The pack that is basically his whole life.

"Nooooooooooo!"

Porchay was struggling and fighting for his life. Why can't he turn into his wolf form right now? Now that his people need help; now that his people are dying right in front of his eyes. Why can't he be that powerful Enigma right now? Why is he also slowly dying down?

"Why?... Lucy, why?"

"I-I don't have a choice." Lucy answered in a trembling voice. "He will kill my mom."

So, it was her father all along. But he trusted her, with everything he got, he trusted Lucy.

"I trusted you!"

And with the energy left of him, Porchay harshly pushed Lucy away from him; not minding his wounds; not minding the pain. All he could think right now is to save his pack; to save those kids, the women being slaughtered by these humans. But he was losing so much blood his vision is getting blurry; his lungs are painfully burning from lacking of air.

He cannot save his pack anymore. He is slowly losing his life now the last thing he heard was a loud thud he is so sure that it was his head hitting the ground and the voice of man walking towards him.

"You look awfully bad Enigma. I told you humans cannot be trusted."

Trust.

Loyalty.

Love.

Happiness.

BETRAYAL.

Porchay wanted to laugh at himself for believing the humans; for believing that their kind and humans can co-exist together, that can live harmoniously together. 

But it was but an illusion.

"Do you want me to help you?"

It was a taunting question. Porchay knows that if he agrees, he will face consequences later. But if he won't take up the offer, his pack will forever perish. So, with the life left in him, he tried to answer though it is already hurting just to let out his voice.

"Y-Yes..."

The next thing he knew he wasn't the same anymore.