Eucentria: One Moonless Night

Chapter 5 - A Hint of the Past

One Moonless Night

Chapter 5 - A Hint of the Past

One after another, the shrunken Quis regain their former shape and size. They spring back to life and rejoice as they are reunited with their friends. The cave filled with joyous noises and cheers from the little creatures. They are now free.

"I still can't believe you killed Sherry." Levi states in disbelief, breaking my line of thought as I stare at the happy bunch of Quis. We were seated on the far side of the cave, near the entrance and leaning against the wall.

I lower my face and hide in between my knees and arms. The image of the old woman's body being swallowed up by the cauldron flashes back and I shudder. Once again, I am reminded of the hideous scenes that occurred while I was fighting for my life and the Quis' freedom.

You just had to say it.

Remaining silent and unmoving, Levi realizes the gravity of his words.

"Oh, well it's not like you killed her on purpose, right?" He laughed nervously. "I mean, you didn't mean to kill her. It was just self-defense. Ha-ha."

He rambled on and every time he mentioned the word 'kill', I would flinch.

Making no progress in the conversation, his laughter died down and said, "I'm not making you feel any better, aren't I?" His words, regretful and sad. I could almost see him lowering his head.

I did not reply nor was I planning to. I knew what I did and I could not find the words to say what I was feeling.

Even through all those tears I had shed, my heart would not stop aching. No matter the reason, I can't deny that my hands are tainted. I can't turn back time.

Tightening my hold on my knees, I bury my face deeper and I suddenly feel Levi's warm hands caressing my back. With every stroke, tears finally fall down from my swollen eyes and unto my thighs.

I let myself drown in my own resentment and mourn for the life I had accidentally taken. As I do, Levi's comforting hand keeps soothing my quivering body until my sobbing stops.

We sit there in silence and let the sound of the waterfall envelope us.

Minutes pass and our time of tranquility was brought to a close when we find the Queen of the Quis in front of us.

"Lady Aurelie, you did not kill the witch." She stated and I look up. "She was already dead." She added.

My brows scrunched, Levi and I glanced at each other in confusion.

Her words rang in my ears but I could not consider them honest. How could I? I saw her flesh and blood right before my eyes.

"W-what do you mean?" I stutter in a hushed tone, not sure if I want to learn the truth or not.

The little sprite lifted her body and flew to be level with my face. "When she was in your world, she died of a car accident, did she not?" She asked, voice small yet hold an aura of authority.

"Yes, she did. It was on the newspaper." I answer, recalling my mother who was reading the newspaper at that time. I held my hand out to her so that she could stand on it.

She landed on my palm and continued, "She really did die that day. When I first saw her, she was not even recognizable as a human and her body was transparent. She could not accept the fact that she had died. So, she went on to possess a body residing in this world that had died recently. Her attempts on returning were all futile, not because she used the wrong ingredients, but because she no longer belonged in the world she came from." The Queen explains and I try to take in all the information as best I can.