Ara : I Know...

Chapter 3: Finally...

I awoke many nights later and after many nights of training. My head was throbbing. I looked to my bedside hoping to see that glass filled with my master's precious blood but instead I found nothing. Maybe he is still resting.

I get up and wander to the window. The sky was still painted in oranges and purples yet the sun was already below the horizon. I could see no other house just plenty of trees. The lawn was meticulously taken care of. Who does the yard work? The yard itself was too large for one person alone to care for. I turned from it and prepared myself for the night.

Nearly an hour later, I sat waiting for my master to come but he didn't. Instead I left my room and wandered into his. I didn't bother to knock. I just opened the door and peered inside but he wasn't there. His room was empty.

I left to search for him. I went down hallway after hallway until I found the large room that had held many immortals on the night of my immortal birth. It was empty except for one other person. I knew this person. Their back was to me. I turned to leave before he saw me.

"Are you looking for your master?" It was already too late. I was spotted by Taeyang.

I turned to see him approaching me. I remained silent.

"I guess your master has told you about me. I bet he told you not to speak with me and to stay far from me, right?" He asked as he got closer to me.

Still I didn't say a word.

Taeyang looked to me. I turned away from his gaze. "Your master is with my halfling. They left just after the sunset. Hansol went to feed." Taeyang begin to walk passed me.

"My master told me not to be around you but he never told me why?" I looked to him. Taeyang stopped just a few steps from me. "Why are you two enemies?"

"Hansol is not my enemy. I am his enemy and if your master hasn't told you then I won't tell you either." Taeyang turned to leave again.

"Does it bother you that your halfling is with my master?" I asked.

Taeyang turned to me with a half smile. "You are bold. Do you really have no fear of me?" Taeyang took a step towards me. "I am a full immortal and I could snap every one of your bones. I could reach my hand into your chest and pull your still beating heart from you. Do you have no fear?"

"I am sorry my question was a bit too forward." I put my head down. "I don't fear death. I find comfort in it. My life is no prize. Death would be welcoming." I looked up to the full immortal.

Taeyang looked to me confused. "How can you say such words? You have the gift of immortality in your hands."

"My parents took me to a candy store and left me there. I was beaten in the orphanage they placed me in. I ran away and was beaten by the street thugs. Before my master took me in I was living behind a dumpster. I hadn't eaten in days. I was probably close to death. Now this." I looked to my hands. "One day I must take a life just to survive. Death would be a nice break from this life. I have no fear of it or you." I confessed honestly.

Taeyang continued to stare at me. "Does it bother you that they are together?" He asked after a long silent moment.

I fidgeted with my fingers. "I am thirsty."

"That never goes away, whether you are halfling or full immortal." Taeyang turned from me again. "He probably won't be back until before sunrise. My Jiho loves the vibrant night life." Taeyang started to walk away from me.

"You haven't answered my question." I walked with him.

Taeyang stopped mid-step. "I am thirsty too."