"Shh, keep it down—she's still asleep."
The voice jolted Kia awake, pulling her out of a deep slumber. She squinted into the morning light, trying to piece together her surroundings. Her headache had dulled to a manageable throb, but a wave of confusion washed over her. What time was it? How had she ended up outside, wrapped in the chilly embrace of dawn?
Her gaze settled on Kura, who was still asleep beside her. Despite the hard concrete wall he leaned against, he looked surprisingly peaceful. The blanket draped over her was the same one she had given him earlier, and she couldn't help but wonder why he had returned it to her. A small, unbidden smile tugged at her lips as she thought about the gentle gesture, but her curiosity remained.
As she pondered this, Kura stirred, his soft groan pulling Kia from her thoughts. He blinked awake and quickly flushed with embarrassment upon realizing she was watching him.
"I'm sorry," he mumbled, his voice barely audible. He turned his face away, clearly mortified.
Kia's heart went out to him. Gently, she brushed the stray hairs from his face, her touch light and soothing. "It's alright," she said softly. "You needed to rest too."
As the morning light cast warm, golden hues over them, Kia felt a deep sense of comfort from the presence of her friends. The moment's tenderness, with Kura's peaceful sleep and the blanket's warmth, felt like a small oasis during their recent chaos.
Yet, the warmth of the dawn was overshadowed by the heaviness of Pierre's earlier behavior.
His abrupt comment about waking Kura and his sudden departure left a palpable tension in the air. Kia's mind raced with worry and confusion. What could have caused such a sudden shift in his mood?
Hina, sensing the change in atmosphere, leaned towards Rhys. "Is it just me, or did that seem... off?" she asked, her eyes reflecting concern and curiosity.
Rhys, usually so composed, looked troubled. "Off. Though he might just be having a bad day," she said, her tone betraying her unease.
Hina stifled a giggle, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "I thought you were the master of bad days," she teased, nudging Rhys playfully.
Rhys's lips curled into a reluctant grin. "Touché. But even I haven't reached the level of mysterious mood swings."
Kura, who was still adjusting to waking up on the cold floor, observed the exchange between Hina and Rhys with a touch of wonder. He marveled at how their playful banter could lift the group's spirits even amid tension.
A small, thoughtful smile played on his lips as he considered the dynamic of their group. Despite the awkwardness of his position, he felt a sense of belonging and warmth in their camaraderie.
"Are you two always like this?" Kura asked, his voice tinged with a mix of amusement and curiosity.
Hina winked at him. "Only when we're trying to keep things light. It's a survival strategy."
Rhys nodded, her expression softening. "Yep, laughter is the best medicine—even if it doesn't always work on bad days."
The light-hearted banter provided a temporary escape from the underlying tension. Kia appreciated the moments of levity, but the unease surrounding Pierre's behavior remained at the forefront of her thoughts.
She couldn't shake the feeling that something was deeply wrong, and the need to understand what had caused Pierre's sudden shift weighed heavily on her.
Rhys placed a comforting hand on Kia's shoulder. The gesture was small but carried a sense of solidarity.
"You should talk to him," Rhys suggested softly. "It might help clear things up."
YOU ARE READING
Cloak and Dagger
Mystery / ThrillerThe risk of betrayal made her feel unusually alive. When people turned against her, she wasn't surprised; it was like enveloping herself in an old, worn blanket-cold, and familiar in a terrible world. She knew all about this and accepted it like it...
