Dark Soul Base
" It was a trap . Wasn't it ? " , Ryan asked nonchalantly though he could already guess the answer judging by his friend's appearance .
The other person nodded without saying anything .
" So , we were right . " , the other person just gave another small nod .
........
Shawn had just come back to the base and to his relief only Ryan happened to be there , at the living room . Therefore , he was thankful that he could go to his room without facing the series of questions which would have completely overwhelmed him by now if any of the other people of the base saw him in this condition .
Shawn continued walking towards his room without saying anything to the person at the living room . And words were not needed either , just by taking a glance at his appearance , a look of understanding flashed in Ryan's eyes as he silently followed behind Shawn . Only upon entering the room did he ask those questions .
" Why did you go then ? I warned you , so many times . " , Ryan said again . Though he thought that the other person won't answer to his question , to his surprise , Shawn started in a low but steady voice , " I went there even after knowing that it might be a trap means I definitely had some reason . "
Ryan could sense that too , still he said , " What could the reason be that you didn't even consider the threat ! "
" Think yourself , you would definitely realise it . " , Shawn said as he sat down on the couch and started taking off his shoes .
Ryan thought for a while and in no time his eyes lit up , he said , " It can't be ... "
" It's exactly what you are thinking . "
Ryan remained silent for a moment and spoke up , " That Riley turned out to be really smart . "
" He is . "
" So , we didn't choose the wrong person . "
Shawn nodded .
" Anyway ..... " , Ryan spoke up again , " Let me help you ... you look awful . "
Ryan was about to reach out to him but Shawn stopped him , saying , " I am fine . "
" Yeah , yeah , I can see that . " , Ryan said looking at Shawn's hand which was covered with dried blood stains , he twitched his face and continued , " You stink of blood , just how much did you bleed ? " , Shawn didn't reply and grabbed the cigarette box from the table . Ryan couldn't help but frown at his action .
" Are you out of your mind ? Don't you know , you should not smoke when you are injured ! "
Shawn didn't pay attention to his words and was about to light the cigarette but before he could Ryan snatched it from his hand .
" Your wounds need to be healed . " , he said .
" They are already healed . "
Ryan was more than surprised . He said looking at Shawn questioningly , " What ? "
" My wounds are already healed . " , Shawn repeated .
" When did you start healing your own wounds ? "
" I did not . "
" Then ? "
" I don't know . "
" What do you mean by you don't know ? You don't know how your wounds got healed ? " , he said .
" Right . " , he replied . Ryan raised his brows at him . Shawn made a done face and started in a straight voice , " In the course of running from there I felt the pain slowly easing down , when I was at a safe distance I checked my wounds ..... I saw that the bleeding had stopped and the wounds had already started healing . "
" On their own ? "
" Of course , it can't be on their own . But I didn't see anyone near me . "
" How can that be possible ? ..... Don't tell me , someone from the angels was attacking you with their healing power ? " , Ryan said with a chuckle .
Shawn also laughed and said , " May be that's what happened . " , although he said that in a joking manner actually he was quiet serious about the matter . He was going to reach for the cigarette again but Ryan kept it out of his reach .
He said , " I am fine now . So what's the matter ? "
Ryan said , " At present , instead of smoking you should eat nutritious food to revive your health . "
Hearing his tone Shawn couldn't help but say , " Oh , don't act like Aaron ? It doesn't suit you . "
Ryan said , " Huh , I am not acting like him , I'm stating facts . " , after a moment he spoke up , " Anyway , you haven't eaten , right ? Let me bring something for you . " , with that Ryan left .
.........
" What is this ? "
" Can't you see ? It's milk . "
" I can see that but why did you bring milk for me ? Am I a kid ? There is no way I am drinking this . "
When Ryan said , he would bring some food for him Shawn didn't think much of it but who would have thought that his friend would actually appear again and that too with a glass of milk . Seeing the glass Shawn's face twitched instantly because ever since he was a child he had a great amount of dislike for this very drink . No matter what , it was always hard to make him drink milk . Ryan knew about his friend's dislike for this particular drink as well still he held the glass towards Shawn with a toothy grin . Of course , Shawn refused to take the glass . And like that their silly argument started .
" Look , milk is very good for health . So stop talking nonsense and drink it . "
" No way . "
" What's wrong about milk ? "
" I don't like it . "
" You like it or not , since I already brought it you have to drink . "
" I won't . Couldn't you bring anything else ? "
" No . This was the easiest thing to make . "
" Make ? What did you even make ? You just poured it in the glass . "
" That also takes some effort . So , stop arguing and drink . "
" No . "
" Do you want me to call Aaron ? Are you sure , you can handle his motherly care when he would learn about your condition ? If you don't want me to tell him , just drink it . " , Shawn made a displeased expression .
Aaron had a caring nature which was obviously a good quality but there was a problem . Most of the times , his concerns were too overbearing and his caring acts felt like tortures . Ryan used to tease him a lot about it , sometimes calling him as 'mother' , sometimes 'mom' and many other things . So the thing was , nobody wanted to go through such extreme care and Shawn was no exception . Therefore , as Ryan expected , Shawn finally took the glass , his expression still hesitant .
Ryan spoke up , " Don't make such face . Just try , what if you like it this time . "
Shawn took a small sip and his expression became more disgusted than ever .
" What the h*ll is this ? "
" Milk , what else ! " , Ryan said with a straight face .
" I know that too but what did you add in it ? " , Shawn asked with a bitter expression .
" Strawberry syrup . " , Ryan said nonchalantly .
And Shawn started again , " Who told you to add such thing ? You know that I don't like anything sweet . Then why did you add it and how much did you add ? It tastes disgusting . "
" Normal milk is kind of bland so I thought adding some flavour would make the taste better . "
" Who told you to think that hard ? "
" Oh , just look at yourself being so picky over food . Like this , how would you set good example for your future kids ? "
Shawn choked on air and said , " Future kids ? Aren't you thinking too far ? "
" Why ? It's not impossible . You have a girlfriend and ..... "
" You have a girlfriend too . Why don't you try it yourself ? " , he cut him off .
" No , no , I'm quite happy as I am . I don't want anything more . And I'm not very fond of kids . But you ..."
" Same with me . " , he said without giving him the chance to finish his words .
They looked at each other for some time , both of them knew that the argument was too silly to continue , so neither of them spoke anymore .
" Is it really that bad ? " , Ryan said .
" Wanna try ? "
" No , thanks . Then should I bring something else ? "
" No , it's more than enough . "
By the time Shawn had already freshened up , now he was wearing a casual black t-shirt , so the marks on his hand were clearly visible . Though the wounds were already healed the reddish cut marks of the wounds were still present but they didn't seem to be serious in any way .
As Shawn began to drink the milk with an unhappy expression Ryan checked the faint marks on his right hand carefully . After a moment , he spoke up , " It's so strange ! " , Shawn looked at him but didn't say anything , Ryan continued , " Normally , when spirit power is used to heal someone it leaves some marks on the person's skin which stay for some days . But interestingly , there is no such mark on your skin . "
" I noticed that too . " , Shawn said without much expression , " What do you think is the reason behind it ? "
Ryan thought for a while and said , " Probably it was very mild spirit power , so it didn't leave any mark . "
" Mild but effective . " , Shawn remarked .
" Indeed . "
They remained silent for a moment . Then Ryan spoke up , " Isn't it interesting ? Someone came with the purpose of harming you but ended up healing you instead . I am getting really curious about this person , I must say . "
Shawn didn't say anything as he was thinking about the same thing .
Suddenly Ryan said , " I think , this person secretly has crush on you . "
Shawn looked at him with a 'done' face as Ryan grinned at him .
Shawn held the glass towards Ryan , he looked at the glass and said , " What ? Just finish it already . "
" But I think , you need it more than me . " , Shawn replied .
" What ? Why ? "
" So that you can get some sense in your brain . "
" Are you trying to say , I'm senseless ..... Huh , tell me then , do you have any better explanation about the person's doing ? "
Shawn had nothing to answer so he remained quiet . But in his mind , he couldn't help but become more curious about the person's identity .
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Next morning .
Angel Base .
Enilese was watering the plants in the garden . She had a soft expression on her face which meant that she was in a much better condition than before . She was engrossed in her work that's why she didn't hear the light footsteps approaching her . So she jumped in surprise when a voice spoke up from behind her , " Leaving behind traces in a controversial scene is never a wise thing to do , you know that ! It can put you in a really difficult position . "
She turned around after subsiding the primary shock and found Riley standing there with his arms crossed .
As she recalled his words a small frown appeared on her face as she didn't understand what he was talking about .
" What are you saying ? " , she asked in confusion .
Riley was a man of few words , so when Enilese asked the question he didn't speak further , rather he simply took out something from his pocket .
As he held the item in front of her she finally realised what it was and almost immediately waves of nervousness started clouding her heart . It was a small piece of cream coloured cloth which had a distinct print of vines and flowers , it seemed to be torn from some dress . Enilese stared at the piece of dress intently , she knew this piece very well , she knew where it was from , how could she not know ? In fact , she was wearing the dress just yesterday , moreover when she came back she noticed that a piece of the lower part of the dress was missing . She kind of guessed at how it might have been lost . Actually , when she was running from the face off ground her dress got stuck against one of the thorny bushes which had grown all along the way , at that moment she just pulled her dress to free it from the thorn , her dress must have got torn then . She didn't think much of it yesterday but she didn't expect that the piece of dress would fall in the hands of one of her members .
" This ..... " , she muttered subconsciously .
" Is yours . Isn't it ? "
Enilese looked down not knowing what to say , she couldn't even find any word to deny it .
Actually , the use of vines and flowers was a signature designing technique of a popular brand called G&B . The brand was famous for producing soft yet vibrant coloured dresses with light yet distinct patterns of vines with flowers . Enilese mostly wore this brand and let's say , in her group , she was the only one who had this kind of casual yet elegant dressing style . She knew , if the piece of dress fell in any other member' hands they would've guessed it too that it belonged to her .
She was still looking down when Riley spoke up , " I won't waste any more time asking you whether you were there or not because it's quite evident that you were . But I want to ask , why . Why did you go there ? Don't tell me , it's the mere curiosity again ? You know , your mere curiosity can be suspected as something else if others get to know about your actions . " , he stopped speaking to let her answer . Yet Enilese didn't look up neither did she try to say anything .
Riley looked at her and said , " What kind of mistake have you committed that an ever upright person like you can't even dare to meet my eyes anymore ? ..... Why are you so afraid of your thoughts getting exposed ? .... Just what are you trying so hard to hide ? "
Enilese turned to the side and said after some time , " There's always something which one cannot share no matter how much they want to . I also have some feelings which are extremely personal and I don't want to share them with anyone ." , she said as she thought in her mind , ' Because I know , no one would understand me ever . '
After a moment , she started again , " You are right , I was there and I won't try to deny that either . But please don't ask me why , because I myself don't know why I went there . But I can swear that I have no ulterior motive against my members , I would never do anything that can bring danger for my group . " , as she said that she recalled Selina's words that the dark souls would probably be more aggressive after the incident and she couldn't help but accept the fact that the angels could've succeeded in capturing the dark soul , following his blood traces if only she didn't interfere . Yes , she healed his wounds . She has no particular reason about why she did so but at that time , she felt that it was the most right thing to do .
" Are you sure ? " , she came out of her thoughts at his words .
She started again , " I know , my actions are indeed suspicious still I request you , please don't read my thoughts . Please . "
Riley remained silent for a moment and then spoke up , " I don't misuse my powers unless I have to . " , he said as he held the piece of cloth towards her . She took it from him , he turned to leave and said again , " And no matter how suspicious you seem to be , their primary suspect would always be me . "
Enilese understood what he tried to say . Riley was already suspected of having joined hands with the dark souls because the angels were certain that there was a someone among them who was working against them and Riley's mysterious nature seemed to fit perfectly with the scene . She was also not completely doubtless about him but at least she knew that the mission didn't fail because of Riley's probable trick but because of her interference . But still he would be suspected for it .
Riley could've used the piece of cloth against her which could , though very slightly , turn the suspicion towards her . But he didn't do it . So , no matter what suspicions she had for him , she couldn't help but feel thankful for his consideration .
" Thank you for not informing others . I really would have to face a lot of questions if they got to knew about it . " , she softly said .
" Don't worry about that . " , he walked forward , after a few steps he stopped , he turned his head a little and said , " You know , everything is fine , as long as , you don't regret your own actions . " , with that he walked off .