Soulbound: Embers of Defiance

Chapter 34: The Night We Almost Said It

Desperation gnawed at me. Where could Caleb have gone? The moon hung high in the inky sky, casting an ethereal glow over the compound. Defeat threatened to consume me, but then, as if in answer to my silent plea, a flicker of light caught my eye. It was Elyse's light ball, hovering near the window, emanating a soft, ethereal glow.

Hope surged through me. Could it be...? With a silent prayer, I approached the window, the cool night air washing over me. The light ball pulsed, as if beckoning me to follow. Without hesitation, I threw open the back door and slipped out into the night, the light ball leading the way.

We moved with a silent urgency, weaving through the familiar, yet strangely alien, paths of the forest. The soft hum of the light illuminated the way as we descended a steep path, the sound of a babbling creek growing louder with each step. Finally, the trees gave way to a clearing, revealing a small, moonlit lake. Its surface shimmered like a sheet of polished silver, reflecting the soft luminescence of the celestial orb above.

And there, on the shore, a lone figure sat slumped at the water's edge, silhouetted against the moonlit water. A dark head was buried in its hands, and every few moments, a small pebble arced through the air, skipping across the water's surface before disappearing into the depths. My breath hitched in my throat – Caleb. He sat motionless, his entire posture radiating an aura of deep dejection.

A wave of relief washed over me, so intense it almost brought me to my knees. Gratitude welled up for the silent guidance of the light ball, which, sensing my relief, drifted over to Caleb, hovering gently beside him.

Hesitantly, I took a step forward, the light ball shimmering a path across the moonlit water just ahead of me. Each step echoed in the stillness, the crunching of leaves and twigs the only sound besides the gentle gurgle of the nearby creek. As I drew closer, I could hear the ragged rhythm of his breaths, a counterpoint to the symphony of the night. Finally, I stood just a few feet behind him, the light ball hovering between us like a watchful guardian.

"Caleb?" I whispered, my voice barely audible above the soft lapping of the water.

Startled by my voice, Caleb jerked upright, a flicker of surprise crossing his features. He quickly swiped a hand across his face, trying – but failing – to hide the glistening remnants of tears on his cheeks. The moonlight cast long, inky shadows that accentuated the redness of his eyes and the slump in his shoulders.

Shame bloomed in my chest, hotter than before. This wasn't just about suspicion anymore; this was about the pain I had caused him directly.

"Hey," I said softly, my voice thick with emotion.

He looked at me, his gaze raw and vulnerable, a stark contrast to the usual stoicism he wore like armor. "Kira," he acknowledged, his voice rough and choked.

The silence stretched between us, heavy with unspoken apologies and lingering hurt. Gathering my courage, I lowered myself to the ground next to him, the cool grass a welcome contrast to the turmoil within me. We sat in silence for a moment, the only sound the gentle gurgle of the nearby creek and the chirping of crickets in the distance.

Suddenly, Caleb's gaze darted towards the light ball hovering between us, its soft glow illuminating our faces.

A flicker of annoyance crossed his features. "Elyse, you can go," he muttered, his voice barely a whisper.

As if on cue, the light ball pulsed once, then with a gentle hum, drifted away, disappearing into the forest in the direction of the compound.

Caleb exhaled a shaky breath, the sound heavy with unspoken emotions. Now that we were truly alone, the weight of the situation pressed down on me.