Guardian of my Heart // Keesoul

Unraveling Threads

Chapter 26: Unraveling Threads

Soul stood at the top of the hill, the cool night air wrapping around him like a shroud as Keeho and Jiung disappeared into the darkness. Anxiety churned in his stomach, and he felt as though the ground beneath him was shifting. The stars twinkled overhead, indifferent to the storm brewing within him.

He paced back and forth on the blanket, glancing frequently at the spot where Keeho had last stood. Each passing second felt like an eternity, and he fought to quell the unease that was bubbling up inside him. Why were they leaving? What could be so urgent?

Just as he contemplated walking down the hill to find them, he heard footsteps crunching on the grass behind him. Soul turned, hope surging through him, only to see Jiung approach. His heart sank. "Where's Keeho?" he asked, unable to hide the worry in his voice.

Jiung's expression was grave. "He'll be back soon. There's something we need to discuss, and you need to be prepared for what's coming."

Soul's brows knitted together. "What do you mean? Is he in trouble?"

Jiung shook his head, his features softening slightly. "Not trouble, but... complications. His mission isn't as straightforward as you think."

"What do you know?" Soul demanded, the urgency in his voice rising. "Tell me!"

Jiung took a deep breath, glancing back in the direction Keeho had gone, as if ensuring he wouldn't be overheard. "Keeho is a guardian angel, Soul. He was assigned to help you for a reason."

"I know that! But what does that mean for us? For him?" Soul's voice trembled as he struggled to process the weight of Jiung's words.

"It means that he's here to help you learn how to be happy, to find friends, to feel comfortable in your own skin," Jiung explained. "But it also means that he has a deadline. When he completes his mission, he has to leave."

The revelation hit Soul like a punch to the gut. "Leave? But... I thought we were..." He couldn't finish the sentence, the words caught in his throat.

Jiung stepped closer, his expression earnest. "You have to understand, Soul. Keeho cares about you more than you know, but his purpose is to help you find your own path. It's not just about him. It's about you learning to thrive."

Soul felt a pang of betrayal. All this time, he had believed their bond was more than just a mission, but now the reality of it was crashing down around him. "I don't want him to leave," he murmured, the fight leaving his voice.

Jiung placed a hand on Soul's shoulder. "Neither do I. But this is part of who he is. You need to talk to him when he comes back. You deserve to know how he really feels."

Before Soul could respond, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed from the path leading back to the hill. Keeho appeared, breathless and disheveled, a frantic look in his eyes. "Soul!" he called out, his voice strained.

"Are you okay?" Soul rushed to meet him, the concern evident in his tone. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong.

Keeho nodded, though the tightness in his expression suggested otherwise. "Yeah, just a little... busy. I need to talk to you, but we have to go somewhere first. It's important."

"What's going on?" Soul pressed, feeling the panic rising within him again.

"Let's go." Keeho grabbed Soul's hand, pulling him down the hill, Jiung following closely behind. The urgency in Keeho's grip sent a shiver down Soul's spine.

They walked in silence, the tension thick in the air. Soul's heart raced as he tried to process the whirlwind of emotions surging within him. Why did Keeho seem so different? Why was he dragging him off in such a hurry?

Eventually, they arrived at a secluded spot away from the school grounds, a small clearing surrounded by trees. The moonlight bathed the area in a soft glow, and Keeho finally stopped, turning to face Soul. "I need to tell you everything," he said, his voice serious.

Soul nodded, trying to steady his breath. "I'm listening."

Keeho took a deep breath, explaining how he had to leave because he had no choice.

Soul's heart ached at the admission. "Why didn't you tell me sooner?" he asked, feeling betrayed and vulnerable all at once.

"I was afraid," Keeho admitted. "I was afraid of losing you before I even had the chance to get to know you. But now, the closer we get, the harder it's becoming for me to let go."

The revelation hit Soul hard. He stepped back, his mind racing.

Soul felt a whirlwind of emotions—anger, confusion, hurt, and a flicker of hope. "You shouldn't have gotten involved with me if you were just going to leave!"

"I didn't know!" Keeho shouted, frustration bubbling over. "I didn't know I would feel this way about you. I just wanted to help you, and then... it happened. You captured my heart, and now I don't know what to do."

Silence enveloped them, the weight of Keeho's confession hanging heavily in the air. Soul's heart raced as he struggled to process everything. Could he truly trust Keeho? Did he want to?

Just as he opened his mouth to respond, a bright light flashed overhead, illuminating the clearing. They both looked up, startled. From above, a figure descended, ethereal and radiant—the unmistakable silhouette of a higher guardian angel.

Keeho's face drained of color as he stepped back, anxiety flickering in his eyes. "No, not now..." he murmured.

"Keeho," the figure called, its voice resonating with authority. "You've been summoned. It's time for your next assessment."

Keeho turned back to Soul, panic in his eyes. "I have to go... but I promise, I'll explain everything. Please wait for me!"

Before Soul could react, Keeho took a step toward the figure, but not before glancing back one last time, a mix of determination and fear etched on his face. "I'll come back for you, Soul. I swear!"..

And with that, Keeho vanished into the light, leaving Soul standing alone in the clearing, the weight of his absence crashing down around him. The night was silent once more, but the echoes of Keeho's words lingered in the air, a promise unfulfilled and a heart left aching.

˚　　　　✦　　　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　　 . ✦　　　 　˚　　　　 . ★⋆.

　　　.   　　˚　✭　 　　*　　 　　✦　　　.　　.　　　✦　˚ 　　　　 ˚　.˚　　　　　✭　.　　. 　 ˚　.　　　　 　　 　　　　 ✦

Will soul mates cross paths again??