The suffocating heated air had just render saving the full built over six feet man difficult. Luckily the fire of circle that Aurelia created moments ago happened to be near the front door that's the only surface that hadn't been leaked with gasoline. But since the fire is in circle shape, she struggled to get through it and dragged the man outside.
"Simon!" With strained voice she shouted, just to check if the man is still conscious. The call had never been answered even after minutes of Aurelia coughing and the occasional creaks and grunts of the wooden materials that are threatening to collapse. So she decided to take the matter into her hands.
Ever so slowly she ducked her body so she can breathe the little air below and find a cloth to distinguish the lesser round of fire nearby. Wiping the floor in the process, she's careful not to near her body anywhere in it so the gasoline she poured on the ground would not cling to her and eventually toast her.
After the effort that she will undoubtedly grade an outstanding A, she managed to grasp the shoulder of the man that's in a crouched position that to her relief still heaving a breath. As the much-needed air decreased little by little and the surroundings began to be in haze because of the fire that's is now getting stronger, Aurelia pulled up herself and helped Simon to a position where she can see his face.
It's pale but nonetheless still handsome as ever.
Her mind feels woozy because of the gasses that clouded around but also because of worry as the man still didn't react to the touches. It will be impossible to drag the man all by herself out of this situation. That she created in the first place.
With some colorful words, she cursed what she's been thinking doing this all.
Be it setting the house on fire or returning just to save the man.
Instead of wasting time mulling over her ever-so-changing moods and ridiculously rushed decisions, she started to undressed the man and herself leaving just the undergarments. It's to prevent their selves catching the fire. She decided that it's not best to stay for too long inside of this house so she yanked the unconscious heavy man to his feet and tried to stride long enough to reach the door faster.
Though it's easier said than done.
Yet after 900 years of trudging, that's what it feels to her, with Simon on her side they finally managed to breathe the not-so-fresh air outside of the door. The heat from their back and the cold night air from the front give Aurelia goosebumps.
It's fortunate for them who had no neighbors that can see them bold in this kind of weather and in this kind of situation. Still, they have no other choice as the house is still under the merciless dancer of reds and oranges that's toasting it at the moment. Including their clothes and other necessities.
Because she of-fucking-course forget to at least get the key for the car or the key that she had been initially stolen, she knocked her knuckles on the windows with force that break it, with endless repetition of course. The car went crazily, sending waves of alarming sounds but she didn't bother and just get on with it with Simon in her grasp.
She tossed the heavy man on the passenger seat and she claimed the drivers. Now with the enclosure that gives them little warmth and comfort, she tried to tap the man again.
Of course, she didn't waste the opportunity to slap him with strength that turned his head to the side and marked his defined cheeks.
That seems to do the trick.
Simon gasped as he coughed like he was just woken up after death. That's indeed he went from. When he got bearing to his surroundings, he didn't hesitate to grab Aurelia's neck and forced her to the car window's corner.
"What the fuck do you do?" Because of the near to death situation moments ago, his voice is strained with exhaustion and out of breath. Aurelia just gasped and circled her much smaller and slimmer hands on Simon's own that straggling her.
"I...I set the...the house, on...fire" Aurelia managed to squeeze the words as she felt the force on her neck. The man clearly was taken aback by the mindless confession. Though he knows that it's true the girl indeed the one who caused the trouble, he didn't expect her to confess that and be sounded almost clueless but still guilty.
It's as if she knows that she does it but at the same didn't.
"Why?" Turning his hazel menacing eyes into slits, he finally released the grasp on her. Aurelia coughed and coughed as the man had discharged his hands from her neck. She feels it bruising but didn't bother to care at the moment.
"I want to escape of course." She sussed and in times like this did she realize how sharp her tongue is. Her voice although tired from the adventurous disaster, clearly held eagerness and if not much more irritation. It seems that the man already forgets she's still a hostage and still wanted to be freed.
"No, not that, why did you save me?" As if hearing her thinking out loud, Simon cleared. Aurelia left an Oh sound and scratched her cheek. Then, she shrugged as she really didn't know why. She didn't also know why she did set the house on fire to burn the man if she can just escape peacefully.
So of course she didn't also know why she troubled herself to save the man that she very much trapped.
She genuinely didn't know why.
"I don't know, I just did." She admitted aloud and if not for the man who's also familiar in and out of mental facilities, he will not pick up the quiet struggle on her voice. She sounded much like him when he's forced to talk to the doctors that branded him as a sadistic lunatic. The tone of voice sounded emotionless and blank but still aware of what she did.
"Ha," Simon pushed back his hair that covering his forehead and snort. He also didn't have a clue about how his companion and ex-victim mind works. As they're alike but still different at the same time, it just proved that the girl is the personification of the word contradiction.
She's an enigma that he wanted to solve.
"You told me, we're alike," Aurelia spoke after minutes of just their labored breathing and the crackle of the burning house. "I know, from the very beginning that you're right." She turned her head towards Simon as she continued, "But I'm truly conflicted with all of this, also with the fact that I may or may not feel remorse for the crazy things I do." She disclosed as she nervously fiddled with her hands. It's unnerving to admit her crimes to the man that tortured and kidnapped her but feel necessary for some reason.
And it felt suffocating but still a relief at the same time. The knowledge that she can confide her secrets on another person that also lost in his sea of thoughts.
"Why are you saying this to me? I don't care, we're different." Simon said with venom that's not that strong. Aurelia shrugged at the man that first claimed they're alike but now denying it.
Though yes, they're different with the one that's still lost in what she really is with the blurred line of normalcy or craziness and one who is still lost with how he thinks he's normal but at the same time obsessed with the fact that the world needs justice. But with these, at the same time draw them closer, proved they're alike. Aurelia realized that the crazy man really did attract her because of the fact that he's twisted and his gorgeous face is just a bonus.
And she knows that the man is interested in her because of her intriguing past. That by this time, he undoubtedly has already suspicion with what is true from the different presented version.
"We can help each other you know," After pondering about the line for a while, she finally suggested. Simon laughed at that and damn, that sounded delicious in Aurelia's ears. She wondered why in the heavens did they made this man so attractive, at least in her eyes.
It's hard to find crazy people attractive to normal people, aren't they?
"Pft. I don't need help, baby girl." Simon refused, his tone is insulting if not defensive. Aurelia shakes her head and clamps her hands on either side. The warmth on the car didn't do much in the chilly weather.
Or is it because they're just in their underwear?
"I think you misunderstand me, Mr. Miller." She cocked her eyebrow, "I'm not suggesting a one on one, heart-to-heart session because I decline to believe I'm crazy. Because I'm not," Simon snorted at that. It sounded absurd even for the one saying it because it's the line every mentally ill people declare. "Instead I want to find my true self. I'm aware I do confusing things at times," The man in front of her gave her a pointed look, "Okay, I do confusing things all the time," she sighed, "If you just help me to discover every side of me, I think I can help you with your job."
Simon eyed her like telling her it's a ridiculous idea. It is, she's aware of that but at the same time, she's curious about her own identity. She didn't know if she's bipolar or does have multiple personalities or maybe both. She wants to discover it herself which practically means she will eventually kill people on the way as she did before. But she's certainly didn't kill people just that.
She thinks it has to do with retaliation.
Revenge.
But she didn't have an urge or bloodlust.
No, of course not.
"And why would I trust you?" Simon challenged her, his hazel eyes looked mystically glossy with the lighting of the burning house on the front of them. Aurelia shrugged because it's true, she's not someone he can trust. She's aware that another side of her wants to strangle the man and just slit his throat because of the tortures she suffered. Though, if she's being honest it didn't affect her that much.
"I don't know, find it out. But first I think we need to find clothes right?" She said with a smile and Simon just shakes his head like she's hopeless.