It ticks, but I didn't die.
The weapon is empty, and so is his eyes. They are still full of tears that I can still see despite the thickness of the fog caused by the called rain.
He was suffering, not because of the death he has caused, but the weapon he created.
"I'm sorry."
It was the only word my mouth can let out. The weapon in his hand still pointed at my forehead despite nothing coming out.
He was trying to kill me.
But to my luck, it didn't happen. I was again given a chance to prove myself worthy beside him.
"Y-you people are sick in the head, heart and literally in your fucking entire being. Killing thousands of people just to keep your ideology."
His eyes regain its former light but it was only rage and fury that I can see.
"I gave you my trust, but you all betrayed me. I shouldn't have warn you, I should've demonstrated it.
This time, I will be the one that will invent, a weapon capable of mass destruction. I will instill fear to all of you until you all crumble."
I can't move, his intimidating aura pressure my entire being, I can only look at him with great fear.
After that, he walked away, far, far away. Until his silhouette lost to the thick fog.
-----
I traverse across countries, not knowing where I would go. I just kept going until my knee collapsed. It was a day like dream only meant to be broken when awaken.
Unfortunately, it was all real.
My eyes open, in front of me is a ceiling made by sandstone. I look around and find all of it similarly made by the same thing.
I was hoping on getting up and getting ready to prepare my revenge, not until I found a lady dress in light clothes. Her figure is of that a slim but tall, she's brown but with an ear of a bunny. She's something I would ask, how did that happen?
She's tanned obviously with those clothes despite the clear sun strucking this place.
"You've woken. I'm glad."
She said with a gentle tone similar to that of a worried sister.
"You've been a sleep since a day, I'm worried you might've gone long sleep. It would be pretty troublesome."
I can only admire her relaxing expression as she tries to complain about me.
"I'm sorry for being troublesome."
She flustered.
"N-No... It was actually... Okay... It's just... It's kinda,.. I mean, it's kinda sudden for someone to knock on my door which is a male and ask for my help... You know... It's... Shocking and... Surprising."
She seem embarrassed, and trying to evade my staring eyes. She don't have much that self confidence.
"You're pretty."
"P-pretty what?? Pretty dark, huh? I'm sorry,.. I'm born like this."
I see.
She's a victim of discrimination.
"Where are we?"
I asked, trying to change the topic for now.
She told we were in a desert north from the lands of the human kingdoms. This place is isolated since being hot and all, people don't like taking detours.
"Why are you alone?"
With a pretty and smart girl, who, despite having low confidence, still care for others.
"I'm... Black."
She held her arms trying to show me her warm looking skin. Though I don't have anything I scorn about it nor anything I found disgusting.
Her face suddenly reddened. Knowing nothing, I asked.
"Why?"
"You're didn't react... T-that's... That's impossible."
She withdrew her hands and grab the rags wet in water she gave it to me after that.
In a desert, fresh water is rare. To be given one is a gift comparable to a diamond.
"You are very kind."
I said before taking her offer.
"I-I'll be leaving you then, the weather's not good today so I have to... Return the clothes I washed."
Yeah, she's really a wonderful person. Kinda ironic that she, who is supposed to be despised and discriminated, not only by the humans, but also by her own kin, acts more humane than them.
"Because of that, I almost forgot those deaths I should carry. I got carried away by this commercials and even try to forgot about it.
It's a memory not worth keeping after all."
I just continued washing myself with the rag until the sandstorm came. The windows were shut closed and all of the holes that may cause destruction of the walls are patched.
"What magic do you possess...??
"Friedrich Gutenberg, You can call me Fred."
"Fred... Rich is better! It sounds like you're wealthy?"
Oh, what a cute childish expression?!!
"Then, rich is now my name."
I jokingly said. But to her eyes, it was genuine. No way you can find a person this genuine but also dumb at the same time. Not in this world.
Though I know many people doing dumb things for a dumb reason.
"So what magic do you have?"
I answered her with an embarrassed face.
"Nothing."
But instead of receiving a cliche reaction, I find the lady bunny with a sparkling eyes.
"T-Thats amazing! How do you not have powers?!!"
"Ahmm... I just don't have it."
Her face became a little disinterested. She was a little embarrassed too for acting a bit childish in front of a man which she only realized just now.
"By the way, what's your name?"
Trying to change the topic, I asked.
"My name's Yrea, but you can call me Rea."
A pretty name, a name that suits her.
"I meant to ask this, but, how did you end up here?
A question I want to hide, but lying in front of her is something I would feel guilty about.
"I ranaway."
"Runaway, from who?"
"The ones who told me to trust them."
I made sad face, enough to be noticed by her.
"I'm sorry."
She apologized.
"It's okay."
After that, she leaned her head to my shoulder, easing my mind from the chaos running rampant within it. It was relaxing.
...
It's been weeks, and I have fully recovered. My burned wound had recovered and my former figure has return.
I was planning on leaving but before that, I'm gonna ask her to accompany me. I don't intend to leave her in her lonesome after taking care of me for weeks.
"Yrea."
I caught her attention, she turn her face to me with interest while pounding the meat in the table.
"What is it, rich?"
I hesitate to ask, the wounds she heal, the things I ate here. I don't want it to vanish but I also feel guilty to let her decide to leave this place which she called home for years.
"I... It's... I wanna ask you something."
She turn her and made a curious face.
"Would you come with me if I ask your company as I travel through the desert?"
She stop, hang her head for a minute.
"Yes, yes, I... Of course, I will!"
Her face suddenly turn red as tears flow from her eyes. I made a sigh of relief after knowing her true feelings.
She was only looking for someone who can save her from this slow death that awaits her.
"We'll leave tomorrow, is that fine?"
"Yes!"