Intertwined

Apology

An hour already passed when Hyuk and Ravi had left to get some food and necessities, leaving me stuck in this place with N. I had detested many times but he still stayed. My grudge against him still lingered and for the petty side that I had, I distanced myself from him for as long as I could to prevent any opportunity of communication. Our quietness added up to a building air of tension that proved too heavy for the both of us. As much as I didn't want to say a single word to him, I needed to get out of this place.

"I'm going to explore," I pardoned.

"I'll go with you."

"No. I'm going alone." I walked the beam to the nearest staircase.

"Mani please-" N pleaded.

"Just leave me alone for a bit. I need time for myself." I said quietly.

He opened his mouth to say something but he cut himself off. I took his silence as my chance to walk off. Tsana trailed behind me, whining and crying for me to pick her up. I pulled her over the bar handles and went upwards. Tsana followed and hopped over each step with nearly every grain of effort she could put in while I took each step at a leisurely pace: N disappearing behind the wall that separated us.

The sunlight pierced its light through the shattered windows, displaying a dim, dusty air that engulfed the way. Patches of concrete had been missing from the walls and ceiling, revealing the internal metal wires and blocks hidden behind the rugged walls. Each step follows with a cloud of dust flying in the air; Tsana sneezes occasionally as the dust covers her snout. Behind us, I see the two trails of footprints we leave on the thin layer of dirt coating the floor. The atmosphere felt heavy with unseen past life that attached to this abandoned building yet a sense of calm and openness still welcomed me.

I walked up the rest of the stairs to the end of its path where an empty, spacious room stood. The air sat still, waiting for something unknown to both itself and I. An eerie feeling sent a shiver down my spine in the spots of darkness but it left under the areas where light shined. Specks of dust and dirt danced in a uniform speed, dispersing in most directions. A yellowed window sat lonely across the room, flaunting a worned out pair of curtains. There was a hole that opened from the middle to the top of the glass, allowing gusts of cold air to seep through from the outside. Whiffs from the aftermath of a rainy storm invited me to glance through the opened window: spots of the blue sky dotted the sheet of grey clouds, allowing a small ray of sunshine to peer through.

Cloudy, rainy days were always a favorite, though I would admit to have my moments of gloom. I smiled as the cold, moist air kissed my face, easing me from the wierd atmosphere the room had. Tsana jumped into my arms and embraced the fresh air along with me. It was nice and comforting. The chaos and problems I dealt with lingered over my head, even if it were in the back of my mind the thoughts would haunt me; thankfully this quiet time took some of that tension and put me at an ease, only to be cut short.

"Mani,"

My body tensed up.

"Please, let me speak." N said.

"I said I wanted to be alone." I kept my eyes forward, looking to the sky.

"I was a complete dick to you yesterday and I'll admit it wasn't your fault." His foot steps cautiously came over.

I stayed quiet, refusing to reply and I caressed Tsana's fur as a distraction.

"I know you don't want to talk to me but please let me tell you I take it back." N said. "I knew your insecurity and I poked at it without a second thought; the loss of your family made you vulnerable but I still attacked you, bringing you down further."

He continued to speak but my body shook from emotion; my throat burned as I supressed my urge to cry out; my eyes watered but no tear had yet fallen; my heart thumped hard and it heated from my hiding. Words can't be taken back, I thought. He stopped talking. He must've read my mind.

"I did." He answered.

My body slumped from guilt. How can I feel so much hate for him yet feel something much more? I looked back  and made eye contact with his teary eyes. His shock caused him to stumble back, putting a slighter distance from us. The atmosphere no longer felt eerie but heavy again.

"I'm sorry," He whispered and began to walk away. My heart felt like it had torn into two.  Why am I more torn than I should be?

"N, stop." I finally said.

He skidded and finally paused, What.

Don't go. I thought. Let me sink this in.
I really wanted to forgive him. Who would have known an Angel could be so emotional? let alone my feelings be so in tuned with his... Is this a part of my gift?

"I'll let it slide." I said. "I'll let this pass, but you're not 100% forgiven."

The atmosphere slightly shifted. N's body was still slumped but it has straightened a bit. Perhaps I need to focus on more important things: Alieah and Kai.

"I'll let this slide because we need to bring back my brother and sister." I said, "We can't just come into tension at start of this mission, so you're off the hook."

"Thank you," N replied.

"You're welcome."

I caught a glimpse of his chest glowing   a blue color. What is that?
Before I could ask any questions, my stomach growled again.

"Where are they at?" I blurted hangrily.