BEYOND THE RED SKY

12. AN IMMORTAL

12. AN IMMORTAL

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I've told you before. I would never let anything happen to you. Never. Never.

It had been days since my escape attempt. Leonas was able to say a few words about my pouch in the kitchen, although I steadfastly refused to talk about it. The conversations I had witnessed with Rina and Celina, Leonas and Arlen's emphasis on the one in the kitchen as the one who had to die, and Leeme's attempt to kill me were proof that I shouldn't trust anyone here.

I was sitting on the bed. By the door was the pouch I'd left in the kitchen that night. There was only one reason they brought it to my room. They knew I was going to leave that night. But I couldn't leave. I didn't even know how far I'd travelled, and I wondered what had happened to the survivor of the two elves, and how Arlen had killed that creature. I had vaguely noticed the creature turning to dust and Arlen's sharp teeth and dark wings. I wondered what exactly he was and where he hid his frightening side. And I was afraid of him, a truth I was afraid to admit even to myself.

I took my head in my hands and just sat on the bed. My stomach was ravenous and I had no strength left. I still hadn't eaten anything and I was about to starve to death. Even though I intended not to eat, I didn't know how long I would be patient. I was trying to be patient by pushing my hunger limit, but my body was getting weaker. I took a deep breath and closed my eyes, I wanted to be alone with my thoughts. With the opening of the door, my thoughtful gaze turned to the person who slipped in through the open door. I squinted my eyes, trying to understand who it was.

"Oh my God!" I said inwardly, this was the first time I had seen Arlen in such a tired and exhausted state. His skin, which was always glowing and immaculate, was now marred by bruises under his eyes. When he walked in wearing a white shirt buttoned haphazardly, I felt like swallowing my tongue. From the expression on his face, I realised that he was also having a hard time. Seeing him in this state made me feel even more uneasy.

When my attention shifted to the clothes he was wearing, I could make out his shapely pecs through the open buttons of his shirt, and his black trousers fit him neatly, accentuating the contours of his body. When I couldn't stop watching him, I forced myself to turn my gaze upwards. He ran his hands through his messy hair and closed the door behind him. Despite everything, she looked flawless. Even her fatigue couldn't stop her from being attractive.

I wanted to ask, "What are you doing here?" but I couldn't find my voice. My eyes followed his every move. As the echo of his footsteps echoed silently around the room, I noticed the concern on Arlen's face. He obviously had something he wanted to share.

"Good morning. You look well," he said in a forked voice. His fatigue and exhaustion were evident. I realised he was worse than I was. Killing that creature must have taken his energy. Just killing that huge creature must have been a big deal. I wanted to ask him about it, but he wouldn't open his mouth.

When Arlen tried to smile, I noticed the blue sparkles in his eyes. He seemed sincere. We looked at each other in silence for a while. Then his eyes shifted to the pouch by the door and his brow furrowed. When her lips parted, I hoped she wouldn't go there, but she didn't.

"This pouch... You planned to leave. I realised you would try it one day, but what I didn't know was why you wanted to join the immortal side. Would you like to talk about it?"