On my way to hell

chapter 12

Alexandra Bario

Feeling this sense of safety is a rarity for me, but I know I'll cling to it with everything I have until I can no longer. It's a fleeting treasure, and I intend to savor every moment.

After a hearty breakfast filled with laughter and playful food fights, I had every intention of heading to the forest with my friends to search for Leonarion. Just as I was about to step outside, Christopher suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling me into his room. The door clicked shut behind us, and I felt a rush of irritation.

"I know you want to go," he said, his tone serious, "but right now, I need to sort through some things that confuse me about you."

I opened my mouth to protest, but he raised an eyebrow, his expression daring me to argue. I took a moment to collect my thoughts. It wasn't just about the search; I could see that understanding someone deeply required asking questions.

With a resigned sigh, I relented. "Fine, but for every answer I give you, you have to share something about yourself that I don't know."

A flicker of surprise crossed his face, quickly replaced by a grin. "Deal," he replied, leaning against the wall, arms crossed, clearly enjoying the challenge. "Let's see how this goes then."

The room felt charged with anticipation, as if we were on the brink of unraveling secrets and mysteries hidden beneath the surface. I could sense the weight of his curiosity mingling with my own, making me acutely aware of how vulnerable sharing could make us both. "So, what's your first question?" I asked, steeling myself for the journey ahead.

"You told me that you were scared of heights, but Elira said you were the best in the class," Christopher remarked, his brow furrowing slightly as he searched my face for the truth.

I took a deep breath, knowing I had to be honest. "I was scared of heights until I met you," I confessed, feeling the weight of vulnerability settle on my shoulders. "In class, I couldn't show that side of me, so I faked being confident while flying. Plus, we didn't fly that high, so I managed to keep my panic attacks at bay."

As I spoke, Christopher's expression softened. He reached out and took my hand in his, the warmth of his grip grounding me. "I'm glad you had it in you to keep facing your fears," he said, his voice low and sincere.

His support made me feel lighter, as if the burden of my fear was being lifted, even if just a little. I glanced down at our intertwined fingers, realizing how his presence made everything seem less daunting. "Your encouragement means a lot to me," I admitted, looking up into his eyes. "It makes me want to face whatever comes next, especially if you're by my side."

Christopher smiled, a hint of mischief glimmering in his eyes. "Then you're going to need all the courage you can muster, because I have more questions lined up for you," he teased, his playful demeanor bringing a lightness to the moment.

"Now it's my turn to ask you," I said, leaning in with curiosity. "Tell me more about how you met Nyxalith?"

Christopher's expression shifted from the soft warmth he had been radiating to a quick flash of shyness. He rubbed the back of his neck, a nervous habit that only made me more eager to hear his story. "It's kind of an embarrassing tale," he began, his voice low and hesitant.

"When I was just 13 years old, I ran into the forest after pulling a prank on my brother. I hid his sword in a place where he would never find it—at least, that was the plan. But of course, he found it... covered in crystals." He chuckled at the memory, and I couldn't help but smile too.

"As I ventured deeper into the woods, I stumbled upon a small dragon sleeping in a sunbeam. When I approached him, he opened his multicolored eyes, and I just knew I couldn't leave him there all alone. So, I tried to pick him up, but..."

His voice trailed off, and I raised an eyebrow, urging him to continue.

"But I fell right into a puddle of mud!" He laughed, shaking his head at the memory. "The dragon, seeing my predicament, helped me stand up. It was like he could sense my embarrassment and wanted to make it better. After that, we walked back to the castle together. I ended up getting two weeks of being grounded by my brother so we could make up."

I couldn't help but grin at the image of young Christopher, muddy and humbled, befriending a dragon. "That's adorable," I said, unable to suppress my laughter. "I can only imagine how cute you must have looked back then."

His cheeks turned a faint shade of pink, and he looked away, clearly flustered. "Yeah, well... it's not one of my proudest moments," he replied, his tone still playful despite the embarrassment. "But Nyxalith was worth every muddy step."

As I giggled at the story he had just shared, Christopher's expression shifted to one of genuine curiosity. "Now, Starlight, tell me why you were running that night." The moment hung in the air, a palpable tension as I felt the weight of his question settle over me like a thick fog.

A shiver ran down my spine, and I could feel my heart rate quickening, anxiety creeping in as I stared into his warm, inviting eyes. They were like a safe harbor, yet the storm within me stirred. I could sense his desire for honesty, the unspoken promise that he wouldn't push me too hard.

"Look," he said softly, tightening his grip on my hand, grounding me further. "You don't have to share everything, but I just want to know who you were running from." His voice was calm, but there was an urgency beneath it that made me realize how important this was to him.

I took a deep breath, gathering my thoughts like scattered leaves in a brisk wind. "I was running from my family. That's all I can tell you for now." My voice came out more fragile than I intended, and I could see the concern etched on his face, deepening the warmth between us. The shadows of my past loomed large, and I feared that sharing too much would unleash them.

In response, he enveloped me in his arms, the warmth radiating from him wrapping around me like a protective shield. "Hey, this is progress," he murmured, his breath brushing against my ear. "I'll keep you safe from your family, no matter what." His promise sent a surge of warmth through me, mingling with a flicker of hope.

Feeling the tension in my muscles ease, I glanced out the window, where the sun streamed in, casting a golden glow across the room. The vibrant colors of the day felt almost magical, lifting my spirits. "It's beautiful outside," I said, attempting to change the subject, my voice barely above a whisper. "I wish we could just forget everything and enjoy it."

"Then let's do just that," Christopher replied, a grin breaking across his face. "How about we go for a walk in the forest? I could use some fresh air after all that talking."

I smiled back, feeling a sense of excitement bubbling up inside me. "That sounds perfect."

As we got up from our cozy spot, I felt a flutter of anticipation. The day was bright and alive, and I knew that stepping outside into the warmth of the sun would help clear my mind. Together, we stepped out, ready to face whatever the day had in store for us, with the promise of safety and companionship lingering in the air between us.