Seb and Erica were finally sober enough to take their own sweet time to stroll the way home.
Erica's shape was better and it was kinda nostalgic for both the pals since they have taken a late night walk together. They walked and talked through the journey.
Seb revealed everything Erica blurted out in her drunken state and scolded her for not informing earlier.
Erica just laughed and waved it off as if it was nothing. She didn't bother with it much.
Her innocent laugh clearly said that she didn't want to trouble Seb with the petty problems when she's been busy enough.
Her time was more important than aiding Erica.
Seb blamed herself not realizing this intimate friendship earlier.
Her sentiments strengthened more as she assured that nothing was more important than Erica.
Everytime there is new friendship born, certain incidents occur during that journey of the friendship.
It either ruins and end it, or strengthens and makes the bond more unbreakable.
This time, Seb's and Erica's bond went up to the level where they will have blinding trust no matter what.
"Next time if there is any McGrover around you, then watch me close", Seb said.
Erica sulked and shrugged her shoulders, but she was pleased inside.
With her near, it was really a pain. Seb would surely take well care of her!
"They won't even dare to cross your path ever...", Seb broke her knuckles and laughed.
This time, Erica was little terrorised by the look on he face.
"You...don't have to go that far", she said.
"You don't tell me", Seb shut her up,"You've done your part, now I'll do mine".
Observing Erica's shunned face she continued,"You...don't have to carry both of our problems on yourself form now on okay? Let me do the heavy work for you".
And that brought a polite smile and a nod from Erica.
Even though Seb was trying her best to act casual, it's not friendship if the other half can't tell your mood without asking.
Erica was clear headed enough, and she was best at judging Seb's mind through her face. No matter what hard she tries to pretend.
This time too, she knew Seb was blabbering way past her limit.
That was not what describes her.
She's being bothered.
And she's trying to get that out quick by talking a lot.
And for the time, there was only one thing which could disturb her.
Erica didn't want to bring it up since Seb wasn't willing, but it couldn't be helped.
What's the point if only talk out about the problems of one of them.
Though everything happened because Erica started the conversation being ignorant, Seb doesn't have to suffer like this.
It needs....healing...from both sides.
It's only up to Erica now to settle it down.
"How can you do the heavy work if you yourself have such heavy weighted head?", she spoke.
Seb looked up at her with big eyes as a confusion.
"Have you ever tried to know where you went wrong?", Erica directly jumped to the point.
Just then Seb knew what was she directing at.
That's one question which is still haunting her.
Their last conversation was recalled all over.
Such a vain to throw it back, it returned again!
Her heart contracted with pangs of pain.
Iven...
-No....
-This time, you know that you are at fault right?
Seb just nodded hesitating.
The fact that she was guilty was killing her.
Erica was purposely scavenging it out so that she can face it head on.
-Did you ever try to know what he felt beyond your point?
-I just let things be how they were.
-You never took the initiative...
-No
-...nor did you let him....
-Neither
-The things he said me, I'll never understand him. Do you?
-Getting a moon crater is easier than that.
-But you know what?
-What?
-I could say one thing from how Iven appeared today.
-How?
-Being such a difficult person, he only and solely expects you to understand him. Doesn't matter who he is, or what he did...I can tell he is openly honest only to you. So are you. And whatever
happened today, because he's never received what he deserves from you. That's what driven him to his limit.
Seb looked in Erica eyes with her pitiful ones.
She siding with him after what all he said?
Or it's just piercing her because whatever she said was indeed true and hurt the ears.
Why is he the victim up to such a point?
-Didn't you hear what he said he did to me? Yet you're rooting for him?
-The matter between you isn't that simple. And if you seriously had detested that, you never had to hide it from me. You're not that weak to succumb to him. If you wouldn't have settled it already,
there was no chance that things were still so smooth between you two.
-Your investigation level is beyond expertise!
-Right?
"That's not the point here", Erica was serious this time," You let him get away with that because you didn't want to resist, am I right?".
"Don't remind me how degrading I've been", Seb shook her head away.
"It's not the term, it's because you don't want to", Erica said,"Do you not realize it yet?".
-What?
-You, will never cease to act on impulse Seb!
-I know.
-One thing, say, what is it that you feel now if I say his name?
"It...aches", Seb took a while to say it,"My.....heart aches". She closed her eyes.
"Because you miss him", Erica guesses,"Did you two argue ?".
Seb didn't reply any further.
She couldn't.
The thing which could have been solved with being hyper, she led it to it's utter destruction.
She remembered his eyes, which looked so lost and broken the last time she saw him.
But only now she can realize it.
Everything, his every move and expression with a inside meaning to it, only now she can understand them.
But it was too late....!
"But....", she spoke under her breath with regret,"...I let him go".
Erica slowly turned at her with an unexpected look on her face.
"I let him leave me Eric", Seb confessed with remorse,"I walked away from his life".
-Seb....
-He said to get out of his life, he didn't want me anymore!
-He said those?
-Yes...
-And you even believed him so easily?
Seb raised her eyes at her exclamation.
She nodded bewildered.
-Didn't he try to stop you?
-It's all over already.I left him in the same dungeon from where I worked hard to drag him out from.
-No...it means it all just started for you guys. You can bring him back again.
Seb was a twinkle of hope in her eyes.
Erica chuckled at her own theory.
Seb stared and waited for her to explain clearly.
-Even though I can say that none of your words were truly meant merely driven by rage, you still believed each other without a second thought. Is it that easy to drive someone important out
from your life with just a gush of words?
-He....didn't mean them?
-Trust me Seb! Iven must be suffering way more than you are now. You are feeling guilty, but he's bearing the fault. After all when he shoved you out with those words.
-.....Are you saying true?
-All you guys need to do....is talk now! Trust me on this.
-And....will it work?
-This time, you need to take the initiative. Because, he won't do it!
-What if.....he really meant what he said???
-Iven is not that courageous! He must be tearing hair off his head now.
-So.....should I?
-Totally!!!
Seb was showered with hope.
Erica managed to bring her old self full of confidence back on track.
Else she was depressed to the core this time.
Never been this down before!
Slowly, a faint smile painted on her face....
Erica smiled brightly at her.
-If you say so....let's go!!!
-Go where?
"Go and meet him", Seb was beaming with excitement.
-It's too late!!! Just give him a call.
-Why call him? Since he lives nearby!
-Here? It's an isolated area Seb, no one lives here.
-10 minutes walk from here!!!
-It's only the Dockyard ahead!!!
-That's right! Wanna dare to go?
Erica couldn't have said no.
She just smiled giving in to her.
Seb went ahead and held Erica wrist and marched forward.
Erica adjusted her jolted spectacles and tried to keep up.
She sure got her spirits back!
But all of a sudden out of thin air, a shadow appeared and blocked their way!
It has casual locomotion style, not seeming in a hurry.
It happened to stand without any move.
But it was clear that it had business with them.
The area was desolated for natives to walk around at that hour, so it was suspicious enough.
It made the 2 lass immediately go alert and pause on their steps.
Erica was unable to clasp the situation, but Seb has constant eye movements and kept herself on guard!
Slowly the individual started approaching them.
Seb took a step backwards.
He made his way purposely under the lamp post.
As soon as he revealed himself and came into vision, Erica could relax her face with ease.
She seemed relieved.
As soon as she turned her face gleefully at Seb, her face lost it's previous ease.
Seb's expression isn't what it should be.
There was an alarmed frown on her face.
She was not keeping it cool.
Her hold on Erica's wrist tightened too!
"Iven?", Erica nevertheless started to speak,"We, ...I mean Seb...was just coming to see you".
Seb's look was eerie towards Iven.
She didn't speak yet.
Something was amiss!
"Sure why not!", Iven spoke,"Why don't we go to my place? You can lead Sybelle".
Iven's mannerisms struck even Erica.
Seb had been struck at the moment she saw him.
Only to clear her doubt.
Now he made it complete obvious!
There was no illusion!
It was him!
She can never mistake those dark eyes, that heavy voice....
Seb knew who was it!!!
"Yeah right, Seb....", Erica was on her way making towards Iven when suddenly Seb grabbed back her arm and pulled her behind herself.
She stood covering her.
"Stand back Eric!", she hissed,"This person is not Iven!".
"Not Iven.....", Erica looked back at him. He was absolutely alike though,"But he....".
"I'll explain later, don't leave from behind now!", Seb ordered.
Erica obliged judging the look in her eyes.
Suddenly the 'Iven' in front let out a deep maniacal laugh,"You're sharp enough for your age, you could tell well".
"It's you who is foolish!", Seb grunted at him,"The moment somebody called me by my full name after 10 years, I knew it wasn't a good call. I can never forget those lifeless eyes which once
tried his luck already. Never again!!!'.
"Seb who is he?", Erica asked restlessly.
"He's just an impostor, know this much Eric", Seb replied.
"That's once thing which really makes me angry", a smug looked appeared on his face,"I have my own identity you know".
"You have no business here Iason!", Seb snarled at him.
-You see, the last encounter you had with my men didn't appease me quite well. Though I wanted you unharmed, but it's a pity things had to come to violence. You guys were not obedient.
So I had to make my appearance this time.
Iason's voice wasn't liked much by Seb.
Things won't go good, she knew and braced herself up.
"I see that you haven't got your bodyguards today", Iason continued,"My boys were even more eager to see you and them today, isn't it Heeld?".
"Indeed!", a rough voice came from within the darkness aside.
Seb recognized him in no time.
Heeld, the most notorious guy of the gang.
Slowly there were more who started to appear.
Seb recognized all of them.
Them, and there were more.
"I'll give you 2 beautiful choices", Iason started again,"Either you take me to Iven's hideout...or we'll just force it out of you. I would suggest you cooperate, Sybelle!".
"What the hell you've been getting yourself in to Seb?", Erica scolded whispering to her.
Seb mind was messed up.
There was no way that she would sell out Iven and the others.
And with so many of them, it's impossible for her to fight her way through.
Especially when Erica was with her.
She can't get away with herself and protect Erica altogether.
She wasn't blessed with any useful idea at the moment.
Her calmness got the worse of her.
She was panic stricken, but still tried to talk her way out.
May be she could drag the time how much ever possible.
"I choose....", she started to speak slowly,"....to refuse either!", her reply was hell bent on.
Iason tsk tsked and shook his head sticking his lower lip out.
His pretense pity was despicable!
"My boys would be very sorry you see", he sighed and looked away.
Seb didn't care about herself as long as she could bail Erica out of the situation.
She wasn't suppose to be here.
And she cannot be involved in this.
She started worrying as Erica tightly held her sleeve. She was sensitive and was trembling already.
She can't let her get her because of her issues.
She covered Erica's hand with hers to assure her.
The only way left....if she would give in, than she might be able to escape!
But judging Iason, the risk is too high to take.
Iven had warned her from Iason being the most cunning and untrustworthy person ever!
If the fight breaks out, Seb won't be able to fight back so many by herself putting Erica in danger.
Her leg was still injured and not treated properly yet.
She has already lost her strongest point of attack through her legs.
Things were worsening!!!
How much she missed Yuka and the others that time!
Putting everything aside, she saw that the boys were already moving her way.
She started building her strategy without waste thoughts.
There was no open way.
Only she noticed that there was no one approaching from behind yet.
If Seb can buy enough time distracting them, then Erica can escape.
That was the only way left now!!!
She turned her mouth at Erica with her eyes fixed at front, whispering as low as possible,"Listen carefully Eric, as soon as I charge, you turn back and flee as quickly as you can. Do not look
back at any cost!!!".
"You're asking me to run away? I'm not leaving you behind!", Erica fiercely protested.
-Not a very good time to argue" Seb clenched her teeth,"You'll have to get away fast. I'll be counting on you. Go to the dockyard when things are down....and get Iven!".
-What about you?
-I'll manage to survive. Don't waste a single moment, and get Iven okay?".
"Seb I swear, if you dare have a scratch on yourself.....", Erica's voice was cracked.
"I trust you Eric, I'll be relying on you", Seb sadly smiled,"Now get ready! Here it comes!!!".
One of the thug was near enough and he straight went for Erica.
She shrieked out loud.
"Oh no you don't!", Seb immediately sprang and pulled a punch across his chin knocking him down,"Not on my account. Now Eric!!! GO!!!".
Erica was already on the move, she tripped and stumbled but still ran.
All she could do was to keep out of Seb's way.
Few of them started to give chase, but Heeld stopped them.
"Let the lass go!", he said,"Our prey is this one. Take her down, and don't underestimate her at all!". He said sharply.
Seb was completely trapped inside their circle.
They were walking towards her at once.
Studying their faces, they weren't going to hold back this time.
And as a trend, they carried iron rods just like last time.
Seb just smirked,"Is it fair? So many against one?".
Iason snapped his fingers from outside,"Haven't you ever heard? All's fair in love and war. And when it comes to tormenting my little brother on the field of love for the sake of love, that's
what I'm best skilled at. You'll be the broken one Sybelle, but he'll suffer all the pain".
"You dirt!!!", Seb barked,"Iven's not that that weak to be broken down by this. You're mistaken".
"No Miss. Sybelle", Iason said,"You're mistaken! You still don't know his weakness level. You can, if you can walk through this wave now".
"Bring it on jerk!!!", she challenged.
The boys literally pranced on Seb like a pack of wild dogs on their prey!
But Seb wasn't anyone to let herself be preyed on.
She bounced back with equal defence.
She loathed cunning and treacherous opponent the most!
And they were just the ones to define it!
She wasn't backing off by being pounced from every direction.
Her reply of attack was intense and strong for even such an inhuman and exteme measure!
She received blows on her back, waist and arms all at same time.
It was growing difficult for her to keep every blow at bay.
There was no chance for her to even attack any move.
She was barely blocking all the beatings.
All of a sudden, her ignorance took over all the uncountable blows.
Among the showers of iron rods on herself, she started losing strength. She was avoiding the severe ones with much extreme techniques.
If she gives up, she'll be completely devoured!
None of her strategies proved helpful anymore.She was exhausted and panting to her limit.
But they kept on coming at her nonstop!
She might have to succumb to them soon any moment now!
Suddenly, Seb missed one of the swings at her, as it went straight at her wounded area.
She screamed out loudly, as she fell on one knee.
Her wound opened up again!
She was using her leg less lest it would worsen, but it didn't even help anymore!
She pushed off 2 men and tried catching her breath, and clearing her blurry vision.
But she wasn't even spared a single second.
A stinging shock passed like electricity through her spine.
Her nape has been hit with a rod!
The pain was so jolting and effective that Seb felt it up to her fingertips.
As if she's been tasered!
Her limbs gave up on her, and her senses denied to obey her anymore.
She clasped her head from behind as her sight was slowly deflecting from her control.
Her body started to turn paralyze as the world around moved in rotations.
There was no clear sense of her in her surroundings.
Without any more hope of support, Seb collapsed on the concrete!!!
The break out was rather quick this time!
Seb wasn't in form at all.
Rounds of laughter arose.
Iason finally was able to bring Seb under his control.
They stood and enjoyed while she suffered.
Seb wasn't completely out cold by then.
Her vision fluctuated, but still persisted.
Her body trembled still under the effects of that merciless hit!
She could still move her right hand up to an extent limit.
She pushed herself hard enough just to acquire enough strength to pull out her phone out of her pocket and push the speed dial in front of her mouth.
It rang!
In front of her lips!
She could no more move.
She could no more see or feel.
Only her lips shivered.
She laid motionless.
Only one thing left before she completely passed out was, her voice.
The ring was answered.
"Belle?", said a voice which Seb pleaded to hear for a while longer if possible, but now she doubted if she was hearing it for the last time.
She couldn't answer instantly.
She took time and gathered her left over energy to call him back to her.
"Iven.....", came her misty dull voice after a second.