Sustainable

Chapter Four

Ariel

"What do you mean, me?!" I hissed angrily, and he was instantly taken aback. My chest rose and fell visibly, and my fists balled up in anger. "I just saved your life, and all you've got to say is 'It's you'?" My rage flowed freely, and I made no attempt to stem it. "I could've left you there; but I didn't. Especially since you totally scammed my sister today..."

"Wait, what?" He cut me off, utter confusion written across his face. "How do you know I did that...?" Confusion was replaced by suspicion, and his green eyes narrowed. "I changed my face at that shoddy building..."

"For your information, that 'shoddy building' was my first home!" I shouted, and I quickly pursed my lips. He stared at me oddly, and I turned around. Feeling ashamed, I allowed my long hair to create a pale curtain between us. I sighed, knowing I had given away too much information to keep quiet now. He stared at me expectedly, rightfully awaiting my reply. "Your eyes," I began, and he sighed in happy relief.

"My eyes?" he laughed, and turned his grin to me. "That's all?"

"And, I can..." I squirmed uncomfortably, not sure how to vocalize it. "I can sense something... off, about you. You're not the same as everyone else. You're different. I could tell when you were returning that so-called ring to my sister."

His face showed surprise, and he said rather sharply, "So-called?"

"I know it's not real. My sister had it melted down last year and sold the gold and diamonds separately. She told everyone she lost it so no one in my family would ask questions." I thought for a minutes, and added, "In a way, she thought she was scamming you with a replica."

"Why are you telling me this? You could easily have let me walk away, none the wiser. Why have you followed me?" His eyes were vicious, yet desperate - like a trapped animal.

"Because," I swallowed hard at the thought of saying this out loud. "I'm like you. I'm different too."