Crossing Illusion: Reflection (Book 1) #Wattys2017

Chapter 9: Recover and Return

Aroma of medicines fill the white room. Young man with silver hair is lying in his bed, reading newspaper.

"Group of cultist arrested! 7 out of them wounded in their resistance against the police, 1 dead in the in incident."

He raise his eyebrow. "I guess the dead one was him." He remember the one that he killed, that vampire in black hood. He still question if killing him was the right decision, but in that situation, it's only meant for self defending act.

He rest his head and the pillow, brushing his hair gently. Warm afternoon light lit the room from the window. He think about the past incident. The vampires, the cult, and that man... the one who tore that scar on his body. The one that send him to the hospital, taking him off from his duty until he recover.

The solitude atmosphere break as knocking sound heard. "Noir, you awake?" Hair in black swept, seen as he halfway open the door so he could peek. "Almer... Come in." Noir reply with a smile. He still seems need rest, as his smile seems so frail.

Almerich enter as he put a bouquet beside the flower vase in its cupboard. "You felt better?" He ask. His tone was so calm, it flow with kindness. Definitely, seeing his best friend in such state was a big hit for him.

"More or less.. The wound already close, and I already had enough blood." He speak as he touch his band wrap, the stinging pain still remain. He doesn't remember clearly the scene where they carry him to the ambulance. His mind was blurred, but he heard they call his name. They all worried.

"Thank goodness.." Almerich seems relieved. "I'm so worried when I see your blood won't stop flowing." He try to remember that scene. Sanguine drip constantly flow and forming pool around the unconscious body of the white haired one.

He remember his face, his loathing smile as he disappear in that night. "That damned guy... When I see him again, I will make sure I crush him to pieces!!" The red eyed boy thought, he try to hold his anger. He doesn't want to spoil the peaceful evening with anger, especially when his friend was still recovering.

Noir know Almer much, he probably set a goal of vengeance on the scarlet one. He won't say no, as it would be a lie if he told him that he wasn't mad at the one who defeat him in such way. However, he know he shouldn't be obsessed by it. He still recovering, Noir doesn't want to trouble anyone.

"Now, now.. Don't mind him, Almer. Let it be." The wounded one try to calm him down. Almerich doesn't respond directly, but his eyes told me that he definitely worried. "What?" He ask uselessly. Noir smiled, "You think about Varain?", he ask.

The black haired boy nod, it was an unusual for him to be so straight on his reply. "I can't let him go after all of that... I will..." He took a slight period, his tone seems forced out of hesitation. "...Kill him?" The white haired boy tried his guess. He snatched that word right from his mouth.

Almer look down. His reaction speak more than word. "Almer... listen to me... Last night, I had no choice but to kill someone..." He start to speak, gently. "It doesn't felt good. I felt like my soul shaken, trembling, as I see his dead body. Question if it was actually the right thing..." He pause, taking the right second to speak.

"Almer..." He continue. "After you try to kill someone, what lies next only question. You doubt yourself, you ask... Either you find regret or guilt, its all tormenting. Someone could seek redemption, someone haunted by what he done for the rest of his life.. I don't want you to be like that."

After the speech end, the room back to the silent. The red eyed one mind it deeply. He know what he meant, he already realize it far before he even know. Yet sometimes, human had no choice when they pushed by the cruel wheel of fate to make simply two decision; Kill or be killed.