OTHERS: Five elements

CHAPTER 2.7: FIRE

2 July 2031, 6:50 AM

The next morning I woke up early, it was almost seven o'clock. My eyes opened slowly, adjusting to the dim, flickering light seeping through the blinds of the motel room. I could still feel the warmth of Deniel’s embrace from the night before, and for a moment, I allowed myself to relax, letting my mind linger on the memory of his touch, his voice, his promises. I reached across the bed for him, but my hand met only empty sheets. I blinked, confused. The spot beside me was cold.

Sitting up, I glanced around the room. It was a bleak, rundown space with peeling wallpaper, stained with a yellowish tint. The room had a single dim, naked light bulb hanging from the ceiling. The carpet was worn and dirty. A small wooden table sat crookedly in the corner, one of its legs held up by a stack of old newspapers. The dresser opposite the bed was chipped and scratched, with one drawer missing. Everything about the room was lifeless and dark, with an eerie silence hanging in the air.

I felt a chill run down my spine, and my pulse quickened as I realized Deniel wasn’t here. I called his name softly, feeling a strange unease settling over me. A faint sound came from the bathroom, the only other door in the room. It was the shallow sound of someone breathing heavily, strained and uneven. Heart pounding, I slid off the bed and approached the bathroom door, which was slightly ajar. I pushed it gently.

There, standing in front of the cracked mirror, was Deniel. His face was tense, his expression twisted as he stared at his reflection with a look I had never seen before. His breath came in short, sharp bursts, and his shoulders rose and fell with each heave. I took a step closer, whispering his name.

- "Deniel… are you okay?"

Slowly, he turned his gaze toward me, and when I looked into his eyes, a chill deeper than anything I’d ever known gripped my heart. His eyes, once warm and full of life, were now dark and cold, filled with something raw and terrifying. There was no trace of love, no hint of recognition. His gaze was pure, unfiltered hatred.

- "Deniel…?" I stammered, backing away as he took a step toward me.

Without a word, he lunged his hand seizing my neck with a force that left me gasping. I felt his grip tighten, squeezing the air from mine lungs as my vision blurred. The man I loved was gone, replaced by a stranger with a monstrous strength. I clawed at his hand, my nails digging into his skin, but he didn’t flinch. He lifted me off the ground effortlessly, holding me by the neck with one arm as I struggled helplessly.

My feet kicked wildly as he held me aloft, my mind racing with a whirlwind of panic and confusion. I tried to call out his name, to plead with him, but his grip was unyielding, and no sound escaped my lips. Just as I felt my vision starting to darken, a look of agony flashed across his face. He dropped me suddenly, and I fell to the floor, gasping and coughing, clutching my bruised throat.

Deniel clutched his head, his fingers digging into his scalp as he groaned in pain. I scrambled back, barely able to catch my breath, watching him as he staggered back, his face contorted with torment. For a moment, it was as if he was fighting some invisible force within himself, struggling to regain control. Not waiting to find out what would happen next, I forced myself to get up and I ran out of the motel room screaming for help.

I collided with two men dressed in dark uniforms. I recognized them from yesterday, soldiers from the World Safety Organization. They were known to hunt Others, the mysterious beings who used to be humans but they changed in ways that defied explanation. One of the soldiers stepped forward, with concern flashing in his sharp eyes.

- "Miss, are you okay?" he asked, his voice steady.

- "Please!" I gasped, "He’s… he’s not himself. He’s dangerous!"

- "Where is he?"

- "In the room" I said, pointing with a trembling hand.

The second soldier, a tall, rugged man with a commanding presence, exchanged a glance with his partner.

- "Mark, stay with her. I’ll handle him."

Mark nodded, then gently placed a hand on my shoulder, guiding me behind him for safety.

- "You’re safe now. Just stay with me."

His voice was calm, but his posture was alert, his hand already reaching for the gun holstered at his side.

Suddenly Deniel appeared, his eyes wild, his movements almost inhumanly fast. The other soldier reacted immediately, pulling his gun and shouting Deniel to stop. Deniel hesitated for a brief moment, his eyes narrowing as he sized up the threat. Then, with a low, guttural snarl, he ran away, moving with a speed that took my breath away.

- "Damn it! I’ll track him down. You get her home, and be careful" said the other soldier to Mark.

Mark nodded, his jaw clenched as he turned back to me. I was shaking, my face was pale as I clutched my arms tightly around myself, trying to steady my breathing. He reached out, placing a firm but gentle hand on my shoulder.

- "Come on, let’s get you somewhere safe."

We headed towards my house. The streets were quiet, it was still morning. My mind was a whirlwind of emotions—fear, disbelief, and a deep, aching sadness. I couldn’t reconcile the man I’d just seen with the Deniel I knew and loved. As we walked, Mark kept a steady pace beside me, his eyes scanning our surroundings. He didn’t say much, but I could feel his protective presence, a small comfort in the chaos.

- "I… I don’t understand" I whispered. "He was fine before… last night, he was fine…"

Mark glanced at me, his expression softened.

- "Sometimes, things happen that we can’t explain. But I promise, we’ll do everything we can to help him. You just need to focus on staying safe right now."

As we neared my home, Mark paused, turning to me with a serious expression.

- "You’ll be okay here. Just stay close to your family, and try not to go out alone. We’re going to find him, I promise."

I nodded, though the fear gnawing inside me made me doubt his words. Could they truly save Deniel? Or was the man I love gone forever? I entered my house. Everyone was still sleeping. I snuck into my room so my family wouldn't hear me. Within moments I drifted off, with thoughts about Deniel.