MORSSORSTERRA, The Birth Of The Savior

12| A WAILON

Dublin, Ireland.

AS EVENING SET OVER THE QUIET FAMILIAL STREET OF HER HOME, Zahara's lone figure sat in her car parked in front of their cozy home - where she'd lived her entire life and felt protected and safe. But today, even the one place she'd always felt protected felt defenseless.

Though she'd stopped crying, her eyes were red and puffy. She prayed internally that her father wouldn't step outside their house right now. She doesn't want him to see her in this state...she doesn't want to make him worried.

She stared blankly at the sky, her mind reeling from the weight of her mistake. The blue sky was gradually darkening, while the moon slowly emerged, casting an eerie glow. She felt like the entire world was against her - as if the sky was going to crash down on her at any moment. She also felt like the moon was leering down at her tauntingly, condemning her for her sinful actions.

She watched as heavy snow flakes cascaded on the ground. The snow was so white and untainted, she felt guilty and scared apparently because she's bound to taint the snow with her presence and sins. She's a bloody murderer - her hands stained with the blood of her best friend. A person like her doesn't even deserve to gaze and appreciate such stunning view talk more of stepping on it and staining it with her agony and misdeed.

Just as she thought she couldn't bare the silence any longer, a black car pulled up behind hers. Her heart skipped a beat as she saw Orion, the one person she had called in desperation, steps out of the car.

He walked towards her car, his expression solemn and perturbed. She felt a lump formed in her throat as he opened the door and sink into the passenger seat beside her.

"Hey," he said softly, his voice docile and bothered. "What'd happened to you? You didn't sound okay and you look like hell."

Her hands trembled as she clutched the steering wheel, her knuckles white with tension. Her eyes filled with fresh tears as she turned to face Orion. She threw her hands tightly around his neck, his body quivering with convulsive sobs, her tears soaking the back of his white shirt. Orion's arms encircled her, hugging her close as she poured out her grief and guilt.

"I'm so sorry, Orion...oh God, I'm so sorry. I shouldn't be bothering you with my shits. But...but, I can't help it. You're the only one I can trust," she hiccupped against his chest, her voice a low whisper.

Orion's hands stroked her hair, his voice soft and comforting. "What'd happened to you, Zahara? I promise, you can trust me."

Zahara's grip tightened on his shirt, clinging to him like glue, as if it will kill her to let go. Her anguished words trembled out in a desperate confession. "I never intended to hurt her, I swear, it was a moment of recklessness. My best friend - Cheryl - I accidentally found out that she wasn't who I thought she was. She's a native of Morssorterra kingdom... and surprisingly, a 'terra' royal, but hides behind a false identity. She has falsely accused my family of wrongdoing, shifting the blame onto me as part of her vendetta. I caught her gulping human blood. We were arguing, and I just...I didn't mean to hurt her, I just lost control of my Neogapulla, and I killed her. Now, she's gone, and it's all fault. I'm a murderer, Orion."

Orion's embrace was tight and comforting, his voice filled with shock and disbelief. "Oh my God, I'm so sorry, Zahara," he whispered, his voice laced with empathy. "I'm here for you now, we will get through this together. It's not your fault, believe me. I'm sure she purposely provoked you, knowing well enough that you'd recently shifted and your Neogapulla hasn't been stable. She's not a good friend."

A fresh surge of agonized sobs emits from within her, her body trembling with remorse. Orion held her close, his own eyes welling up with tears as he tried to soothe her. "But I really never meant to hurt her, Orion, I loved her. She was my best friend. Now, I've blood on my hands."