Jail of Freedom

Time Bender

"Oh. Eric Hyung?! Why are you here already? I am supposed to bring her there! You always cheat!" Andy cutely stomped on the ground with dissatisfaction on the tone of his voice. His mini tantrum caused the ground to protrude and from it, he bent down to get a very clean pillow? WHAT KIND OF SORCERY? I know we are on a death bed kind of location but – this is astounding.

"What are you talking about? Check the palm of her hand and see what I am talking about. She's been here for so long; she won't make it if she doesn't reach my castle now. Just continue talking in my castle. I prepared a banquet for all of us. And you my lady will be our guest." Eric's tone of voice is still as appealing like the last time he spoke to me. I on the other hand would still like to punch his face. All of the shades of their unclear intentions are in a loop inside my head.

I checked my palm and saw that one of the orange dots is starting to get almost transparent and without any warnings, Eric snatched the pillow from Andy's arms and enveloped me with it in his wide arms. Black wings started to occupy my vision as we ascended in an instant. Eric's wings made us escape the graveyard in no time.

As my face pressed down on the pillow that Andy lent, I smelled a relaxing scent of vandanna orchids. Now I understand why he's always sleeping underground. This is so soothing.

"Chelsea, right?" Eric spoke above my head confirming my name.

"Why - ?" I responded in displeasure. I don't still feel great about seeing him again.

"Thank you for doing your best. Thank you for being the only person who worries about the kids genuinely. I really appreciate it." Eric's words sounded so sincere without his tempting tone of voice.

"The kids are safe. They are all in my castle and are sleeping peacefully. I will explain to you everything once we get there. In exchange for that let me just do one thing -" His mighty grasp started to loosen up while we were flying. I ended up on a free fall scenario and just hoped that I can wake up.

Isn't this the normal set up in a dream, like when you fell from high places and you close your eyes tightly in between screams of despair, you'll wake up in the end? But to my surprise, no matter how many times I tried to wake up – I can't because I am already awake and aware that it will be my death as soon as my human body hit the solid crust of this place.

It was then when Eric circled flying next to me and held me before it's too late. It woke me up from the fact that I do still not believe in them. This made me realize that he is testing me.

"Why didn't you shout for help?" His voice sounded so demanding. What is he even expecting?

"WHAT?!" I screamed at him as I lost my patience from his mind games.

"People normally have loved ones, those people whom they call when they are about to die. Why – " He sounded so frustrated.

"I am not special to anyone. I am all alone. I don't even have parents. Just like what you said on your bar, nobody will even care for orphans if they die." I grit my teeth as I replied to his selfish act. My tears gathered already on the edge of my eyes. This, this is something that I never opened up to anyone. This part of me is the thing that I tried to hide from all the people around me.

"You poor thing, I – I'm sorry." Eric cleared his throat as he embraced me tightly against his chest.

I just admitted it once but it felt like a chunk of misery was removed from my heart. He didn't judge me. Instead of an insult, I received an apology for the first time of admitting my weakness. He didn't made fun of my pain, I was consoled after a very long time of dealing with this unwanted anguish alone.