Invisible String

Chapter 2

Aden was woken up by the cold night air slipping in through a nearby window, moonlight spreading a faint glow around him. The door swung open, and Psyche entered with a small lantern, surprised to see him awake.

"You're awake," she noted, approaching the bed. "How are you feeling?"

Aden shifted just a bit, feeling the soft pillow behind his head. "A bit better," he replied, noticing the soft shine from the lantern lighting the room.

"I just realized I haven't introduced myself. I'm Psyche," she introduced herself with a warm smile. "Raquelle is the one who helped me bring you here, and Aydelia is the one who took care of your injuries."

"Are you hungry?" she continued, her expression brightening slightly. "I could bring you some leftovers, if you'd like."

Aden pondered, then nodded. "I think I could eat," he said quietly, realizing he hadn't had a proper meal today.

Psyche gave a quick nod and turned to go, leaving Aden alone in the room.

As he lay against the pillows, he took a moment to absorb his surroundings. The subtle rustle of leaves outside the window added a sense of calm to his mind. After a few moments, Psyche came back, carefully balancing a small plate with the leftovers.

"I hope it's still good," she said as she set the plate on the table beside him. The aroma of the meal hung in the air, reminding him just how hungry he was.

"Thank you," he said, looking up at her with appreciation. He picked up the spoon and fed himself, savoring the flavor. "This is really good."

Psyche smiled, watching him eat. "I'm glad you like it. You can go back to sleep after eating. Just leave the plate on the table."

Psyche walked out of the room and found Raquelle waiting for her with a suspicious look.

"Why are you so eager to help him?" Raquelle asked, placing her hands on her hips.

Psyche was caught off guard at Raquelle's question. She averted her gaze, trying to sound casual. "He just needed help, that's all."

Raquelle raised an eyebrow, unconvinced. "You know I can see right through you, right?"

Psyche sighed, realizing there was no point in pretending. A small, shy smile tugged at her lips. "Alright, alright," she admitted, her cheeks warming. "A face like his shouldn't be covered in dirt. It's... almost a treasure, don't you think?"

Raquelle leaned in closer, smirking as she took in Psyche's flustered state, then suddenly burst into laughter. "You're unbelievable," she said, her amusement clear.

Psyche crossed her arms, pouting. "It's not just about his face," she argued, her tone conveying her protectiveness. "I genuinely wanted to help him. He was hurt, and it's the right thing to do."

Raquelle's smirk grew, her tone playful. "Oh, of course, it's not just about his face," she teased. "I'm sure you would've been just as eager if he looked like the grandpa next door!"

Psyche's face turned even redder, her embarrassment overwhelming her. "Ugh, shut up!" she huffed, turning around. She dashed off, leaving Raquelle laughing behind her.

***

The next morning, Aden opened his eyes, feeling more rested. As his vision cleared, he caught sight of Psyche at the doorway, peeking in with a curious look.

Their eyes met, and she stepped into the room with a set of clothes in her hands. "Good morning!" she greeted him with a cheerful smile.

Psyche placed the clothes on the bed and added, "These are the clothes I borrowed from the neighbor. You can wear them."

Aden felt uncertain about accepting the clothes. "I... I don't want to be a burden," he murmured, looking down.

Psyche waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry about it," she said. "It's totally fine."

Aden hesitantly agreed and reached for the clothes on the bed. With some effort, he pushed himself up and sat on the edge of the bed. Psyche held out her hand, and he took it, feeling the warmth of her grip.

Once on his feet, Aden swayed slightly, but Psyche steadied him. "I'll help you to the washroom so just take it slow," she encouraged before they made their way slowly to the washroom.

As they reached the washroom, Psyche helped Aden settle onto a small stool near the basin. The room was simple but tidy, with a small mirror and shelves lined with jars of herbs and soaps.

"Take your time," Psyche reassured him, placing a small bowl of water in front of him. "You can wash your face and freshen up."

Aden nodded gratefully as he splashed cool water on his face, feeling more awake with each drop.

As Psyche turned to step out to give him some privacy, Aden reached out and lightly tugged at the edge of her dress. She stopped, looking back with her brows furrowing in wonder.

Aden looked up at her, his gaze hopeful. "Do you think I could stay here a few more days? I don't have anywhere else to go," he admitted.

Psyche paused, her heart softening as she looked at him. His pleading eyes and vulnerable expression made it impossible for her to refuse. After a short while, she gave a small, understanding nod. "Of course you can. You need more rest to get better, anyway."

Aden let out a sigh of relief and released his hold. A faint smile crossed his face, the weight in his chest lifting a little.

Psyche mirrored his smile before leaving him to finish washing up. She stepped out and headed to the kitchen, where Raquelle and Aydelia were already preparing breakfast.

"There you are," Aydelia glanced over her shoulder from the stove as Psyche walked in the kitchen. "How's that guy?"

"He's washing up now," Psyche replied as she joined them at the table. "He seemed better when I checked on him."

She took a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing, "It's probably best if he stays with us for a few more days... just until he's fully recovered."

Raquelle's tone turned cautious. "Are you sure? We barely know him."

Aydelia spoke up, turning away from the stove. "Well, he's still too weak to be on his own. A few more days won't hurt, I think."

Raquelle's gaze shifted between them, uncertainty still apparent. She breathed out and eventually agreeing, "I guess we can't just send him off in that state, can we?"

A wave of gratitude washed over Psyche, beaming her expression. With a lighter heart, she quickly moved to help Raquelle and Aydelia, slicing vegetables and arranging plates for breakfast.

After a few minutes, the door to the washroom creaked open, and Aden stepped out, making his way to the kitchen, drawn in by the sound of chatter and the delicious smell of food being prepared. He was fully dressed and looked more refreshed, despite the bandage around his head, which framed his damp but neatly styled hair.

As he arrived in the kitchen, Raquelle looked up at him. "Take a seat," she instructed, gesturing to the empty spot beside Psyche. Aden nodded and settled into the chair.

"Have this," Psyche insisted, offering him a bowl of steaming stew alongside some freshly baked bread. Aden couldn't help but experience a deep rumble of hunger in his stomach at the sight.

Aydelia walked over and settled into her chair, adding more dishes on the table. "Feel free to help yourselves to breakfast, everyone," she invited.

With that, the atmosphere lightened as they all settled in to enjoy breakfast together.