Recalling of Hue

Chapter 9: Beginning

"Falling in love is easy. Being in love is harder."

-unknown

Viella

I groaned as I tried to make my way back to the camp, my little toes hurting as I continued to wander in this dark, isolating place. I felt the trees look at me, their twisted branches reaching like skeletal fingers "Teacher?" I said pitifully, my tears threatening to spill as I hugged my doll tightly.

I hated being alone, but I didn't think I would experience it for the rest of my childhood, which felt heavy for a human child to feel like she's the only one who is alive, when she's actually surrounded by a crowd of people.

A rustling sound came from one tree behind, I turned to see but none I saw "Teacher...? I'm scared" 

This time my tears didn't hold back, instead, they rolled down my cheeks. We finished making our themed mask and we explored the camp while wearing it, but I got lost in the forest after following a rabbit even though the teacher clearly said that we should not wander around the forest and stay near the camp at all costs, which was a dumb Idea, I know. Now here I am trembling to death, afraid that I'll never get back to the camp.

Another rustling was heard and my legs felt weak due to the immense fear, I fell to the ground and cried loudly, thinking someone would at least hear me. And someone actually did, unfamiliar footsteps approached the pathetic little girl on the ground, I looked up to see a boy with a fox face mask reaching out his hand "Theo?" I asked, he tilted his head. No...this cannot be Theodore, Theo doesn't have golden eyes. Those visible glowing eyes in my time of need inside the darkness "Teacher is worried about you, and so is Theo" He replied nonchalantly, but somehow I felt a bit of warmth in his voice.

I stood up and hugged him tightly while Tears streamed down my face as I wailed loudly, my sobs echoing in the silence "I was so scared" I said between my cries, I felt him hesitate to caress my back for comfort, Then, as if he had finally made up his mind, his hand gently rested on my back "Come on, we have to get back" this time he spoke softly. I pulled away and wiped the tears from my face, The boy took my hand gently and led me out of the dark forest back to the camp.

I opened my eyes, to see a man sitting on the driver's seat, driving. He was wearing a fitted dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, revealing his muscled forearms. A waistcoat was visible beneath his shirt, accentuating his broad shoulders and tapered waist. I couldn't see through his face because of his dark hair. 

I was startled by the sudden presence of a man standing beside me, and my instincts kicked in. I reacted quickly, throwing the suit jacket off my shoulder, not even knowing it was a suit jacket, my body tensed for a fight. He turned to face me and I was surprised to face those golden eyes "Luciano?" he smiled at me "You're awake Carmine" His focus returned to the road, and I sighed in relief and looked out of the window. 

Is my time really running out, that I started to dream about what happened in my childhood? "Is it sunset or sunrise?"

 I asked, my voice dry. Just as I was about to look at him, I saw him already looking at me, handing me a water bottle "Sunset my love"

 He had that neutral look on his face as if it was normal for him to call me 'my love', I took the bottle from his hand while stuttering to say 'thanks'. I heard him chuckle while I cleared my throat "So...how did you find me...?" My voice was a hushed whisper, how did he know my location when I didn't even know where I was? "Through your new bodyguard," his voice falls into a serious tone. 

Umeko? What does she have to do with this? "she's a friend of mine, and she asked me if I could track your phone because she was tricked into following a decoy, and then you suddenly disappeared right when she returned to the parking lot,"