Helix

Chapter 16 - Toph

Elaena stayed in my room until dinner, when I helped her to the dining hall. All afternoon, I wanted to hold her and tell her that everything was okay, because, underneath her strong appearance, her eyes gave away her hidden vulnerability. I was exactly like that – too headstrong, too assertive – before, too.

Heh, look where that got me.

I knew Elaena wouldn't listen to me about not teaming up with Hady. I guess I'll just have to watch her on Monday, then. Meanwhile, about the Leo guy...

A fire burned in my eyes as I polished my sword. I hadn't done anything as Christopher Devron for a while, I thought maybe some people forgot about me. Some people like Leo needed a lesson on respect and fear. Too bad I couldn't taint my hands with his blood, and I promised Elaena I wouldn't do anything too crazy.

You got lucky this time, I thought. I polished Shadow once more, slid it cleanly into its sheath, and looped it over my belt. When I stood up, it swayed a little, bumping on my right leg cooly.

People like me always traveled in the night. Within the night is where we belonged, where we were free. We were born to blend in with the shadows, leaving no trace or connection with the light.

That's what we did, and what we were; and once you were in, there was no way out. It was actually kind of ridiculous that I now had Elaena to worry about. Elaena was the lemon-scented gust of fresh air when everything else reeked of rotting fish at an abandoned harbor. She shone such a bright aura that even I, the darkness, felt compelled to preserve her untainted image. No, I couldn't let even a speck of dust gather on her dress, much less than some Leo whatnot.

I had already gathered beforehand where Leo lived, so as soon as night settled – which wasn't that soon after Elaena left – I leaped out of my dorm. Sternly, I shuffled to Leo's dorm in total silence, blending in any darkness showered on this earth.

Before long, I arrived in front of a red bricked dorm building that resembled a cozy cottage. A welcome mat on the ground pictured a playful puppy saying, "Welcome!" in big red letters. Some wind chimes dangled over the door, but its sound was muted from lying against the door. I didn't bother to knock. Swiftly picking the lock with some metal wires I prepared, I pushed the door open and slid in. Inside, the dorm was just as cozy looking as the outside, but there was no one there except an untended fireplace crackling away in the corner, illuminating the wall in an orange glow.

I checked the area around me again for people before deciding to move upstairs to where the bedrooms were. When I ascended my last step, however, I was met with two surprised eyes that belonged to none other than Leo.

"Nice to finally meet you, Leo," I said coldly. He jumped a little, suddenly scrambling for a weapon. I saw his battered sword leaning against the handrails, so I promptly threw it carelessly over my shoulders. It clattered down the staircase in uneven clanks.

"Uh, hi, d-do I know you?" Leo stammered. He was clearly panicking right now, a few beads of sweat starting to form on his forehead. Smiling nonchalantly, I hopped over the last step and edged closer to Leo wordlessly. With every step I took forward, he retreated back, until his back was completely pressed against the wall. "Look, I don't know why you're here and what you're trying to do, but if you leave now, I'd be willing to pretend none of this happened."

"If I wanted you dead, you would've been dead a thousand times over by now," I gritted. "You should be thankful nothing happened today, because otherwise, you wouldn't even be in one piece right now."

Leo shuffled to his right. Hovering his arms in front of him in an active stance, he snarled, "I don't know what you are talking about, but I'm giving you one last chance to back away."