Beyond the Lamppost

X. Hidden

Chapter Ten:

X

Hidden

I don't know how long I stayed there curled up in the ground. My tears stopped falling long ago but my heart is still breaking.

I kept on creating plans inside my head and had come up with the simplest one.

Knowing the new king doesn't know I still existed. Maybe he can't harm me anymore. I'll just wait until he'll lift the blockage of the portal and I'll leave. All I have to do is stay hidden, live, and wait. Nothing can go wrong with that, right?

I wiped away the dried tears with the back of my hand and I felt something. It's too cold. With the worn-out dress I wore, how can I only felt this now?

I stood up and started making my way out of the cave. It was dark outside. How long have I been sitting there?

And then I remember their timelines.

18 hours in a day. Sure it is now nighttime. Where could Albrecht be right now?

And in an instant, I saw him shoving wood in an open fire, like a campfire.

"You should make yourself warm. Nighttime here is way colder than on the other side." He said making some space for me to seat in.

"Have you been there?" I asked. He looked at me and smiled for a second. I sat beside him but gave enough space between us.

"I had." He handed something to me. "Eat this." For some time we just stayed there quiet and watching the fire dancing with the frequent cold wind. "I've been there a lot. Sneaking, most of the time."

I remained silent waiting for him to tell me more.

"I was mostly with Oliver at that time. Visiting Agnes from the other side." He smiled sadly. "How was she by the way?" He asked but I don't know who she's talking about.

"I knew no one named Agnes." He nodded and sigh. "But the Oliver you're talking about is Oliver Lewis, right?"

"Yes. He'd been badly hurt the last time I remembered. How was he?" There's hope in his voice and I don't want to break it. But I can't lie. He deserves to mourn for someone he loved but lost.

"He died." I sadly said. I think about the moment I saw his tomb and I felt the heaviness in my heart returned.

"Oh. Agnes must be too broken at that time." I saw him wiping his tears off secretly. "She loved him too much. She even risked her life to help us make you escaped." I gasped in realization and the heaviness doubled. I think Agnes he's talking about is Mom. Sena Lewis. Oh God! Two people had risked their lives for me. But I don't think I deserve this chance.

I started crying again remembering the way she cared for me. All the times she sacrificed for me. Even her life and freedom just to raise me all this time.

"I think they're both at peace now. I think they're together somewhere they both can be." I said in between my sobs. I want to console him but I ended up consoling myself too.

This day is too painful that I don't think I can take it.

For those few hours, we sat there silently mourning. He lost his friends and I lost my family in both worlds. Where should I go now?

I laughed inside my head.

Living life like this is as good as not living at all.

"Maybe I should just wait until the block in the portal will be lifted." I started saying my plans to Albrecht. "The king may never know I was alive. That should guarantee him my death."