Beneath the Armor

Chapter 9: The Arrival of Danger

Chapter 9:  The Arrival of Danger

Serriene's POV

A small cabin hidden deep within the forest. The aftermath of their escape has left them both physically and emotionally drained. Kane is nursing an injury from Dash’s katana.

Nakaharap ako sa bintana, ang malamlam na liwanag ng buwan na dumadaloy mula sa mga puno. Tahimik ang buong kwarto, tanging ang mga pilit na hinga ni Kane ang naririnig ko paminsan-minsan. Tumingin ako sa kanya, pinagmamasdan siyang nahirapan habang nililinis ang malalim na sugat sa braso niya.
"You're terrible at this," I said, my voice cutting through the silence.

He grimaced, not looking up. "I’ve had worse."

"And somehow, you're still here."

I pushed myself up from my seat and grabbed the first-aid kit from the table. Kane gave me a wary look but didn’t protest when I knelt beside him.

"Let me," I offered.

He didn’t say a word, but the tension in his shoulders eased as I carefully unwrapped the makeshift bandage. Blood had soaked through the fabric, and I winced at the sight of the wound.

"You could’ve gotten yourself killed," I said, my voice tight.

He smirked faintly. "Comes with the job."

"Is dying part of the job, too?"

The sharpness in my voice made him pause. Our eyes met, and for a moment, I found myself looking away, my focus shifting to cleaning the wound.

"You don’t have to worry about me, Serriene," he said softly.

I wasn’t sure what to say, so I kept working, trying to ignore the way my heart had skipped a beat at his words.

"I’m not worried," I muttered, though I wasn’t sure it was true. "I just… I don’t want someone else’s blood on my hands."

He chuckled quietly, though it was tinged with exhaustion.

"You’ve got a strange way of showing it," he teased.

I couldn't help the small smile that tugged at the corner of my lips. "And you’ve got a strange way of thanking someone who’s trying to help you."

I finished tying off the bandage and sat back, letting out a quiet breath. Napansin ko na medyo nawala yung tensyon sa katawan ko. Parang mas kumportable na kami ngayon.

"Why do you always put yourself in harm’s way?" I asked, my voice softer now. "It’s not like you owe me anything."

He hesitated for a moment, his gaze softening as he studied me.

"Maybe it’s because I don’t see you as just another client anymore."

I froze. I didn’t expect those words. I looked down at my hands, unsure of how to respond. I wasn’t sure how to feel. Huwag na sana niyang gawing komplikado 'to.

Kane stood and tested his bandaged arm, his movements slow but determined.

"You should get some rest," he said, his voice steady. "We move at first light."

I nodded, but then my voice caught on a question I hadn’t meant to ask. "And you?"

"I’ll be fine."

As he turned to leave, I reached out, grabbing his wrist gently, stopping him. I barely whispered the words, but they felt louder than they sounded.

"Thank you. For everything."

Kane looked down at my hand, his expression unreadable. There was a moment of silence, and I realized how close we were, the air between us heavy with something I wasn’t ready to name.