Flashback:
I wipe my tears away after a few minutes of crying in his arms.
Dang! that was way too romantic if I may think about it right now. ^_^
"Where have you been? why did you show up just now?" my voice still a little hoarse from my sobbing. Yeah, yeah, I admit, I am a cry-baby… sometimes.
I didn't hear any response so I look up to him and saw a bit of displeasure painted all over his face. wait, did something happen to him? I'm not sure so I tried asking again but he only walk pass through me.
"Let's go." he coldly utters. I turn to where he was heading and I could feel his same old icy behavior while looking at his back. Where is my tenderhearted Liam who was with me earlier? tsk! what a bipolar guy! I snorted before catching up on him.
"Hey wait for me!" I run to where he is and held his arms tightly. Guess I am afraid to lose him again.
"Do you really have to hold tightly? I cannot walk properly." Liam spouted.
"No. I won't let go. I can't lose you again." I lazily stared at him.
As soon as we reach the exit, Liam showed me the other path he found but we decided to do it tomorrow since it's already getting late. We rode on shadows and since the travel was a bit long, I tried pestering him about what happened to him and there, he told me all the things that had happen to him while searching for me.
He ended up falling into the river and it drenched his whole body! he didn't have much time to dry his clothes since he was determined to find my whereabouts as soon as possible. Unluckily, he ended up in a lone house somewhere in this mountain and found a weird old woman. he didn't want to stay at her place, however, the old woman seems to possess divine powers since she guessed Liam's concern at that time.
"Are you perhaps looking for your woman?" the old woman weakly uttered. Her eyes were obviously weak due to her age.
"Have you seen her, grandma?'' he politely asked.
"No, I didn't. You were the only person who came after so many years." The old woman nonchalantly answered.
"B-but how did you know that I am looking for a woman?" he got curious.
"I just know." the old woman laughs mockingly. Liam was about to sit beside the old woman however, he paused upon hearing her mocking laugh. Just who is this woman anyway? Is she crazy?
"I'm sorry for disturbing your peace grandma, but I must go and find my companion." He emotionlessly uttered and started to walk away. However, the old woman called out.
"Young man, why don't you stay for a couple of hours and help this old woman for the meantime?"
"I'm sorry, but I got to go…" he responded and resume walking towards the east direction. But then, he heard another insulting laugh from the old woman. eh? She's definitely insane! He thought.
"Young man, I'm telling you to stay not because I need you but because no matter what you do and where you go, you will always end up here again and again." she warned. Liam raised his brow annoyingly since he didn't understand what the old woman was saying so he continued trekking some narrow paths.
He's been walking for an hour now but every time he sees an exit, he always ended up to where the lone house was. he was confused at the beginning but he slowly understood what the old woman had said. Look like he needs some kind of a ritual before he could get out from that mysterious place. So he went to search for the old woman.
He's been knocking for how many times now but the door wouldn't open. Did she possibly leave? He thought. guess he didn't have a choice but to wait outside the house.
After a few more minutes, Liam jerked unknowingly when he heard a whisper behind his ear.
"You startled me old woman!" he bawled after jumping to his feet. Dang! that was a little bit eerie! But then, the old woman answered with a crisp laugh. Did she wanna play hide and seek? tsk!
"Grandma, please tell me how can I get out from here." He firmly asked.
"Young man, if you want to get out from this place then you should do as I say." She smirked teasingly. Liam was assessing the situation when the old woman spoke again. "Don't worry about your woman, no harm shall come near her. if I were you, you should worry about yourself." she stared at the young man who was completely drenched with cold water.
"Why don't you dry yourself first?" she offered. "While waiting, please feed my chickens at the back, then after that, help me gather the goats and cows who went at that direction." The old woman was pointing her staff towards the west direction. However, Liam couldn't see any single animal at the area where she was pointing. Is she being serious? or is this the punishment of being rude to her earlier? Liam couldn't figure out but he chose to obey the old woman's words. Guess it was better to do what she says rather than stay in that place forever. He resolved.
***
Yana couldn't stop laughing when she heard Liam's story. "So you were saying that after all the things you did for her, that was the only thing she told you?" her laugh annoyed Liam. Where did she get the nerves to make fun of him despites knowing that it was all because of her that he has to suffer much?
Yes, Liam told Yana how the old woman tricked her into doing unnecessary things just to get out from the place. Could you imagine Liam running with all his might trying to chase some goats who were too naughty not wanting to go back home? he was so mad that he wanted to butcher every goat and cows he sees! He even risk rescuing a young goat who fell and was trapped in a cliff? Good thing it didn't die since it was caught in between two rocks.
He was so mad because after all his efforts, the old woman finally told him that there's no special rituals needed to be done. He only needs to wait until the sun goes down before he could find the right way. The old woman didn't explain the reason though because it has always been that way since the day she settled on that mountainside. Weird. Liam thought.
Liam's body was sore all throughout the ride but Yana didn't know it. looks like she's having a blast while teasing the man who had a bad day.
***
Back to the camp;
"You don't have to do that Grace. We have our physicians checking out on him." Asher told the woman who was busily preparing Liam's medicine.
"I know but I am too worried about our brother Liam. it's better to have someone watch over him every now and then." She affectionately answered.
Asher could sense something isn't right at the current setting but he couldn't figure what that is. he can't possibly think that Grace was doting on Liam since they only consider each other as siblings. Yes, that's right. it's an affection of a sister towards her brother. Asher comforted himself.
Contrariwise, Grace was so worried when she overheard Lei speaking to Yana about Liam who was sick. and without any reservations, she went to the infirmary and took some medicines with her and rushes to the camp.
Her heart ached seeing how the man she loves was suffering from a high fever. Therefore, she decided to stay right beside him until he gets well. but when she heard about the journey Liam had with Yana yesterday, his mind went frenzy.
"No!" she shouted within her as she gritted her teeth. "That woman is getting on my way… I must--- I must eliminate her as soon as possible!" she hissed annoyingly.