Guardian (A Guardians Novella) SLOW UPDATE [Modified]

Chapter 7: Tip of the Iceberg

"So, um, what is it I have to do? I mean to complete your bond thing?"

Ryan never noticed how dainty Keaira was. She sat across from him in a dingy little burger joint wearing an oversized sweatshirt with disheveled hair, and still he felt as if he were looking at something delicate. It made his blood boil to know that his grandfather thought she was unworthy of his protection and incapable of being strong by his side. He felt himself getting mad all over again.

With a hint of concern, Keaira interrupted his thoughts. "Did you hear me? Are you okay?"

Ryan shook himself back to reality. He nodded. "Yeah, I'm fine. Your job in completing this bond is to accept me. How this is done is pretty much a matter of circumstance. That's what makes it difficult. It's not something you can force, but it's something you still have to put conscious effort into."

Keaira leaned forward onto the table. Ryan looked her directly in the eyes as she spoke. "You said that if the bond wasn't complete you'd get sick. How does that happen? Why is that such a big deal? Is it like a cold?"

He ran a hand through his hair. This was difficult to explain. "Bonds are connected to a Guardian's soul, basically. To have an incomplete bond cyphons energy almost like a gaping hole in the spirit. The bond is a mutual energy transfer. If a circuit is broken, the energy eventually runs out."

Ryan felt a tinge of sadness as he watched her expression turn from one of curiosity to one of horror.

"Does this mean you're..."

He nodded. "I am slowly dying."

There was a deafening silence between the two of them. He could feel her. Neither one of them could make eye contact.

"Stop doing that."

Keaira was confused. Neither one of them had done anything for several moments.

Ryan sighed. "Stop feeling guilty. It isn't your fault. If anything, I'm pissed that my own grandfather would be willing to stand by and let me slowly fade away." He grabbed her hand. "Please do not blame yourself. Look at me."

Keaira held her head low and refused to look at him. 

"Keaira, look at me." Ryan moved around to the other side of their table and squatted down next to her chair. He could see her tears. "Why are you crying?"

"Because", her voice had come out shakily, "if I wouldn't have been where I was, none of this would be happening to you. You were just trying to complete what you needed to do and I got in the way."

He stroked her face. "Hey, this is not your fault. We can't help fate or chance. We just go along for the ride."

Keaira nodded and grabbed his hand from her cheek. He has no idea what he's getting into with me. What if he'd rather slowly die than deal with the monsters inside of me? This is only the beginning.