The Unlikely Hero: Daji - Book 2

4. A Trap

4.A TRAP

Huang Jin stayed outside, laying down on the dock, one leg bent and her arms behind her head, as she stared up at the night sky. Goosebumps covered her skin, as a rush of cold energy swept over her coming from behind her. She looked upwards from her position on the dock and saw the form of Jiang Cheng approaching her. Her heart skipped a full beat and she froze, her eyes locking with his piercing grey ones. They seemed to be on fire as he stared sternly at her as he advanced towards her.

She sat up quickly and stared at the valley wall across the river trying to find anything to look at other than the fierce gaze digging into the back of her skull. Heavy footsteps stopped behind her. She could feel herself shrinking inwards as the guilt washed over her and the resentful energy that normally lay completely still seemed to swirl in her chest a tiny bit.

"Jiang Cheng..." She whispered.

"Don't you Jiang Cheng me! How dare you use my name like that! You!" He angrily spat.

Huang Jin didn't know what to say. She couldn't come up with the words. Her mouth hung open slightly as her eyes darted back and forth as she tried to speak, but nothing came out. All she could feel was her guilt washing over her and robbing her of her speech.

"You have nothing to say to me?! I saved your life! I shared my spiritual energy with you!" He yelled angrily. His face turning from anger to sadness almost instantly as the zidian on his finger began to glow and he clenched his fist. He stared at her trying to will her to say something...ANYTHING. But, she just sat there staring at the canyon wall. She couldn't even look at him...

"Do you not even care?" Jiang Cheng mumbled sadly as the purple glow died instantly and his face fell. Huang Jin turned around as she heard the sadness in his voice. Her eyes watering with unshed tears. "Jiang Cheng...I..."

"I don't want to hear it...I don't want to hear any of your lies." He said in an empty voice.

Huang Jin got up immediately and reached for his hand. But he backed away sharply and pulled his hand away just as she made it grab it. "No. I don't want you to touch me." He turned and began to walk away, tears now streaming down his face. He didn't want her to see them. He had wanted her to explain why she had left. He had come out here to confront her and to get an explanation, and she had ignored him again.

Huang Jin stared at the ground. What could she say? What could she do? The words that she wanted to say, that she needed to say, caught in her throat.

He took a deep breath and concentrated on the anger so that he could stop the tears and uncomfortable ache deep within his chest. Never will I waste another minute on that woman, he thought to himself. "You are welcome for me saving you. You owe me nothing. I will make sure we see each other as less as possible. It will be better for both of us." He said curtly and walked away.

Huang Jin stared after him and finally her legs gave out. Tears streamed down her eyes as she watched Jiang Cheng leave. Why couldn't she say what she had felt in her heart? Why couldn't she just say she was sorry and thank you? Why did she have to always hurt the ones she cared for?

She sat on the dock for what seemed like ages. Her heart ached like never before. The sad expression that Jiang Cheng had left with had almost broken her heart. His facial expression was etched into her mind.

The seal that was holding the curse marks harmful energy began to crack. She could actually feel it deep within her. It was like a knife had stuck her right in the lungs. She felt like she couldn't breathe. She let the feelings fill her as she lay on the dock. She knew she needed to get control of this, but she needed to let this pass. She had to be clear headed.