Artemis

06

"So, uhhm, where do you keep Liger?"

"Oh, he sleeps on that cave, with Lyra and Dreamer." Artemis answered while playing with Sweet, she glances at Light and she couldn't help but to chuckle when she saw his confused look.

"Lyra is a leopard, and Dreamer is a red fox, I found Lyra when she was just a cub and so is Dreamer, both of their parents were captured by poachers." She added and played with Sweet then she suddenly froze when they heard a loud thunder followed by a flash of light and she started to feel anxious.

"Are you okay?" Light ask worriedly and Artemis gave him a light nod.

"Wh-why don't we call it a night ---a –and have a goodnight rest." She suggested and shrieked when another thunder louder than before roared the sky.

"Shit! Shit! Shit!" she cursed while covering her ears and curve herself like a person inside an egg.

"Hey, it's okay, it's just a thunder." Light whispered trying to soothe her but it's not working for another thunder came and this time she cried in fear.

"Shit! Shit! Please---just---make it stop---make it stop---please---I'm begging you." She said stuttering, her eyes are firmly closed and her body is starting to tremble making Light more worried about her.

"Artemis, hey, it's okay, it's going to be okay." Light whispered and rub her back at the same time, but just like before, it's no use. Sweet, the sugar glider is also trying her best to keep Artemis calm but she's still trembling in fear and she looks so terrified.

"It's not a gun, not a gun. It's not a gun." She whispered to herself but enough for Light to hear. He couldn't help but to feel miserable for Artemis. For the past ten years, she's enduring her fear of thunder, her fear of the gun, all by herself. Without anyone to comfort her, aside from the animals around her, who is also very sensitive about loud noises. She may look strong and stalwart, firm and protective, but the truth is that she's lonely, sensitive and afraid, just like any other nineteen-year-old girl. And it makes Light want to protect her until his last breath.

He gently held Artemis's face and make her face him. They look at each other's eyes as if nothing else matters then he softly puts away her tears using his thumb. Artemis slowly calms down while staring at Lights ocean blue eyes and felt his soft and warm hands on her cheeks.

And in no warning, she felt two strong arms wrap around her as if securing her safety, assuring her that everything will be fine. She never felt like this before and she felt so overwhelm with Light's presence and warmth.

"I'm here for you, always."