Hellbound Hearts

23. A Peaceful Day

The next day, my mind is filled not only with my own concerns but also with thoughts of Cody. For some reason, he occupies my mind more than he should, adding to the chaos in my already overloaded brain.

Still, I'm used to living with a constant flow of thoughts, so it doesn't hinder my daily activities. I manage to complete my tasks efficiently. After finishing my shift, I feel an urge to change my surroundings.

As soon as Eleonora takes over, I leave the bookstore. With no particular destination, I pause to breathe in the fresh air. As I absentmindedly stare at my sneakers, I don't notice someone approaching.

"Going somewhere?"

I look up at the sound of a familiar voice. A few steps away stands Cody, smiling gently when our eyes meet. I notice a large bag slung over his shoulder.

"Just clearing my head," I chuckle, raising an eyebrow. "And you? Decided to move out?"

"On the contrary, moving in. Just picked up some stuff from home."

"Everything okay?" I ask immediately.

Cody looks confused for a moment before realizing what I'm actually concerned about.

"No one caught me. I don't think I'm being followed 24/7," he jokes but then ponders. "Probably?"

I can't help but snort.

"Even demons have more important things to do than stare at your pretty face," I blurt out, once again marveling at my lack of a filter.

Cody doesn't laugh or frown—he just offers a slight smile.

"If they admired from a distance, I wouldn't mind at all."

We exchange a few more words, and although I sense it's time to part ways, I find myself lingering. I can't quite understand my body's reluctance to leave, but my mind has already decided on my next move.

"Would you like to go for a walk together?" I hear myself ask.

"Why not."

*

Since we don't have a particular destination in mind, we wander through the busy streets for a while before stopping to grab a bite.

I realize we're talking quite a lot, and it feels new to me. Not only because Cody is usually reserved but also because I rarely engage in long conversations about everyday topics.

Besides the other shopkeepers on the street, I don't have many ordinary friends, so I'm not used to chatting with people. But this conversation feels surprisingly pleasant, not annoying.

After eating, we continue our walk. As soon as we step out of the restaurant, Cody stops and frowns.

"So, you don't like Italian food. Then why did we go there?" he mutters.

"Never said I did, but business solidarity matters in this neighborhood. The restaurant owner often visits us," I shrug. "Besides, it looked like you enjoyed it."

"I did, very much. You probably would too if your taste buds weren't ruined by all the spicy food you always eat," Cody snorts.

"My taste buds are as tough as I am," I grin.

"But your brain is wooden. Just like your jokes," Cody retorts, making me laugh.

"That's rude. I want a refund for the meal," I say, extending my hand playfully.

Cody gives my hand a critical look.

"Wood ignites easily," he remarks, calmly walking around me.

"Alright, there's some truth to that. I'll let it slide this time!" I call, catching up with him.

After walking a bit further, we sit on an empty bench in the park. The place is bustling with people, and everything feels incredibly alive. I unintentionally fall silent. Cody seems to be enjoying the view as well.

"Can't remember the last time I had such a peaceful day," he finally breaks the silence.

"Is it really that bad at the bookstore?" I ask, genuinely curious.

"That's not what I meant. I just haven't had such a long walk in a while. You know why," he says, quickly turning to me. "Sorry, I don't think you want to talk about it."

"I'm just glad we're talking at all," I say with a smile, marking another small victory in this friendship. "Was it scary, even in a crowd?"

"You never know what might happen. But that's not the only reason."

I signal my interest with a look.

"I used to spend time in nature with my parents. Even a simple walk felt like a little family getaway," he says.

I remember what Balthazar told me, and my heart sinks. I don't know how Cody feels about discussing this, but I don't dare change the subject. I want to hear more, and from him directly—not through others.

"What happened?" I ask, hoping not to shatter the fragile connection we've built.

Cody stirs the ice in his drink with a straw.

"Two years ago, we had an accident. I was the only one who survived. I still have scars that remind me of that day," he sighs deeply.

A part of me feels glad Cody trusts me enough to share this, but another part feels awful. Not everyone needs tragic experiences to have a story to tell.

"Sorry. I shouldn't have asked," I mumble apologetically.

"Since you started."

I turn my head toward Cody and freeze for a moment. I guess he's used to people pausing when they look at him. In the short time we've known each other, I've realized he attracts attention not only because he's handsome but because there's something more to him.

He's quiet but not painfully shy; it's more like a conscious choice to observe rather than get involved. But despite that, he can't stay invisible. It quickly becomes clear that in a sea of faces, you've found someone different.

"How do you feel after all this?" I ask, realizing I've been silent and staring for too long.

"For a while, I blamed myself for surviving alone. But soon strange things started happening, and my focus shifted from grief to survival. I stopped tormenting myself and eventually came to terms with it. I'm not saying I'm a hundred percent happy now, but I guess there's never complete peace," Cody sighs.

"Sorry for bringing this up," I apologize sincerely. "I just wanted to know more about you. It feels like you know everything about me, and I barely know you."

"You don't share that stuff with just anyone. Besides, you kept your big news from me for a while too," he smiles and takes a sip. "I thought you'd realized we've reached the 'friend' level."

I'm at a loss for words, so I just sit there, looking a bit foolish. Cody chuckles.

"You're terribly inattentive when it comes to simple things."

"You were never a simple thing," I sigh with a smile. "Catching demons is way easier than understanding you."

"Yes, definitely more complicated than you," he says sarcastically.

"Maybe, but only because my existence is so complicated. I don't remember who I was for most of my life. I don't know what's truly mine and what isn't. Sometimes it feels like I'm learning to be human from scratch," I say with a bitter chuckle. "It's like learning a foreign language. I understand the basics, but the nuances feel foreign to me."

Cody shakes his head.

"We're all learning, but from what I've seen, you've already surpassed a lot of humanity. Some people don't learn that until death. And it's not a bad thing that you're a bit different. It's fucking impressive."