Among The Ruins

C H A P T E R 1 8

DAVID frantically scanned the area, his eyes darting to every shadow, every cluster of undergrowth, desperate to catch sight of Zarinna's familiar form. Where could she be? Each passing moment intensified the knot of apprehension tightening in his chest, no matter how much he tried to quell it.

Why was he so concerned? He dropped his gaze to the ground, questioning himself. Had he ever felt such worry for anyone like this? He shook his head, forcing the thought away. Now was not the time for self-reflection. For all he knew, Zarinna could be in danger while he stood idle. Though rarely spoken aloud, he knew of small pockets of trouble—groups who sometimes wandered these lands. Zarinna, alone and vulnerable as she was, could be in peril. David closed his eyes for a brief moment, calling silently to God, seeking calm in the storm of his emotions.

"Zarinna!" he shouted, but the only response was the whisper of wind through the trees, soft and indifferent. He moved swiftly to another stretch of the path, scanning each side as he went, every sense straining. He heard footsteps behind him.

"Any sign of her?" Gina's voice carried, tinged with worry. Turning, David saw her and Sir Luke approaching, relief mingling with tension on their faces.

"No," he breathed, forcing a small smile. "I see you've come, Sir Luke."

"Yes," Luke replied, his tone clipped with concern. "I heard Zarinna went missing. I've already alerted the others—they're coming to help with the search."

"That's good, Sir." David nodded, tapping Luke on the shoulder before turning back to the path. "For now, let's split up. I'll take this direction." He moved quickly, relief washing over him that assistance was on the way.

After what felt like an eternity, David came to a halt. Exhaustion weighed on him, but worry and desperation clung more heavily, wrapping around his shoulders like a shroud. He closed his eyes, counting each ragged breath, trying to summon a fragment of peace amidst the turmoil.

"Father," he whispered, voice low and earnest, "please... please help me find her."

He opened his eyes and advanced again, following a path that sloped downhill. Every tree, every rock seemed more menacing than the last. As he prepared to turn around, the soft sound of sobs reached him. His pulse quickened. Instinct guided him toward a boulder, moving carefully around it until he reached its far side.

"Rinna?" His voice was steady, though his chest heaved. He saw her there, sitting on the ground, her cheeks streaked with tears glinting in the light. Relief surged through him, and before he knew it, she was rising, a tremulous movement that mirrored his own racing heartbeat.

"Manung!" A silent gasp escaped him as her arms wrapped around his neck. For a moment, he could not move, stunned by the warmth and weight of her presence. He felt her ragged breathing against his chest, the shuddering of her body vibrating through him.

"I thought no one would come," she sobbed, words muffled by her tears. "I thought... I thought—"

David lifted his arms gently, responding to her embrace, his voice soft and steady. "It's okay," he whispered, smoothing the back of her head. "I'm here now."

To his surprise, her embrace tightened further. His stomach lurched at how close she was, and he could almost hear the pounding of his own heart. What is happening? he thought in silent confusion. He kept one arm pressed against her back, the other resting lightly on her head, reminding himself to breathe even as his pulse thudded painfully in his ears.

Slowly, her arms loosened, retreating to rest against his chest. "How do you feel now?" he asked gently. She lifted her head, meeting his gaze.

"M-much better..." she whispered, voice fragile.

"Hey! I think I've found he—woah," Mr. Sepnayen exclaimed, halting abruptly. He immediately averted his gaze upon recognizing the intimacy of the moment.

"What's happening here?" a woman's voice demanded. Flustered, Zarinna kept her gaze down, stepping hastily away from David. Lauren's eyes studied them sharply.

"Uhm..." Zarinna began, her voice timid as she wiped her tears away. "I'm sorry. I was just—" She inhaled deeply, searching for words.

"It's okay. She was just afraid, that's all," David intervened, hands at his sides, trying to ease the tension.

"Ow-kay!" Mr. Sepnayen said, breaking the thick silence. "I guess this issue is solved, then. Come, Ma'am Zarinna, let's get you back to the camp." He tilted his head toward the white fabric she still clutched, letting out a quiet chuckle. "I think I know the culprit behind all this, and it's right there in your hand."

Zarinna unclenched her fist, revealing the tear-stained white flag.

"You got it, Mr. Sepnayen, you got it," she said softly, shaking her head. A smile unknowingly tugged at David's lips as he watched her, fascination creeping in.

"Zarinna!" a voice called, drawing their attention. Luke reached her swiftly, placing a hand gently on each of her shoulders.

"What happened? Where were you?" His concern was palpable.

"Oh no, your jeans are torn," David noted, glancing at her legs. She was bleeding.

"Here," Luke said quickly, removing his jacket and wrapping it around her waist to cover the exposed wound. David lowered his gaze, discomfort prickling at him.

"Thank you, Sir Luke," she murmured, offering a faint smile.

Glancing at them briefly, David stepped aside and began to walk, the others following.

"I've texted the others," Mr. Sepnayen said. "Dinner will be ready as soon as we arrive."

"That's great, Sir Maurice!" Lauren beamed. "I'm starved!"

David heard Luke asking Zarinna questions, and she answered them all. Does she ever keep secrets? he wondered, feeling a twinge of irritation. He had found her—why was he unsettled?

"It was back when I was fourteen," Zarinna began, her voice steady yet heavy, gripping his attention as he walked. "Something... something really terrible almost happened to me on a large boulder many years ago. So whenever I see something like that, I get this wave of anxiousness and all sorts of mixed emotions—especially when I'm alone. I can't even think clearly or act logically."

Lauren scoffed. "What sort of 'terrible thing' could have caused that much trauma? Were you almost sacrificed to a god or something?" The sarcasm in her voice silenced Zarinna immediately. David frowned, disapproving of Lauren's careless, un-Christlike words.

Zarinna said nothing more until they reached the clearing at camp. She pressed her lips together, offended but choosing restraint. If only... if only you knew, she thought, but she resisted speaking.

"Zarinna," Luke's voice broke through her thoughts once more, softer now. "I noticed yesterday that you really like barbecue. I know a great place that serves it wonderfully. If you want, I can take you there sometime."

Zarinna opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted when she heard David clear his throat. The man beside her refused to even flash her a gaze, wonder surged Zarinna of his unusual silence.

Maybe he's mad because I embraced him without consent. Zarinna bit her lip in embarrassment. And there goes another piece of your dignity, girl, good job!

"Zarinna?" Luke's voice tore her from her thoughts.

"Ah, yes, the barbeque. Sure! Just inform me when."