SILVER EYES (GXG)

Chapter 55: A Promise

My mind felt like one of those whirlpools formed by ocean currents, spinning uncontrollably. My back was killing me, like a thousand needles piercing my spine. I tried to move, but my whole body ached. The cold atmosphere pressed in, and I felt a hard wall behind me. I coughed and tasted blood in my mouth.

"Here." A voice said.

I opened my eyes. Bars stood in front of me, and a faint ray of light peeked through a small window high up near the ceiling. A silhouette watched me.

"It's a napkin. For the blood." The voice said.

It took me a few seconds to focus. My eyes hurt as if I had been staring at the sun for too long. The first thing I saw was a hand reaching through the bars of the cell where I was trapped, clutching a piece of white cloth. Then I gazed at his face: red paint under his eyes, the black tattoo of a wing on fire. His hair was almost shaved, his face skeletal. He looked thinner than the last time I saw him: Michael.

"Am I dead?" I asked.

"No, but I'm not sure 'alive' fits either." He said.

"Very funny."

I took the napkin and wiped the blood from my mouth. Seeing him didn't surprise me. Somehow, I had expected this moment would come. There was no nostalgia or sadness, just a hint of anticipation. After all, five years had passed. Who were we now?

"I thought I would find you." I said.

"But this time, it was me who found you." He said.

Silence. He looked so different. There was no trace of the young, frightened boy he had been. He seemed calm, self-assured, and wise. His facial bones stood out sharply.

"You're too thin, Michael."

"Rowand." He said.

"What?"

"That's my name, Rowand. No one calls me Michael anymore."

"Can I ask why?" I said incredulously.

"I had to leave certain things behind." He explained.

I moved closer to the bars to see him better. "Have you left me behind as well?"

"I don't know yet. Who are you?" He asked leaning in.

I puffed. "You know who I am."

"The last time I saw you, you were a Narval Officer and this time, you and your friends came to attack us. I have no idea who you are."

"I'm not a Narval Officer anymore and you were the ones attacking us first." I stated. "Where's Heather?" I blurted out.

Michael scoffed. "I wondered when you'd ask."

"Where is she?" I said more firmly.

"Funny, she asked the same thing about you."

"Answer, Michael." I repeated.

"Rowand." He said with a tinge of anger in his voice. "Why do you care so much?"

"I care because she matters to me. Just as you care about Erik." I said.

Michael blinked nervously. It was as if my words had struck a raw nerve, piercing through the tough facade he wore.

"Erik is gone." He said.

"No, Michael. Erik is not gone."

"Liar." He said.

"I'm not." I said.

"You won't manipulate me this time." Michael opened the grey metallic door behind him to leave.

"Wait!" I said while taking out the gift Erik had given me for him. "Here, judge for yourself. Erik gave me this for you."