Present Time,
ACHERON'S POV
After breakfast, I went out to act like I needed to borrow someone's phone, but I just took a stroll in the woods and, after some time, returned to the cabin.
When in my room, I checked the latest news and there was none regarding Zeda, myself or Kamaz.
'Of course, he had it wiped clean immediately!'
Zeda had her bath and I could not help the joy that filled my heart when I saw that the clothes I had gotten fit her perfectly.
She asked where I had gotten them and why I had feminine polo shirts and joggers in my closet and I had to make up a lie.
Whether she believed it or not, I could not tell because she said nothing.
Zeda and I played some card games that I had stacked away.
She was lively - as lively as I thought she would always be. Her genuine smiles evoke something sweet from a condemned soul like mine.
The way her eyes would water hard when she thought something I said was funny never ceased to amaze me. It was like a charm and I racked my brain and everything regarding me just to fetch out whatever that could make her laugh.
She didn't force anything.
This morning, I confirmed the angel that she is. The birds that had perched on the window over her head never did so in the past. For every time I had spent the night in that room, the birds chirped from trees miles from the cabin.
In the middle of the day, I went out again and came back without any result.
After dinner, when I stepped out to pretend to use a phone or phone booth, it seemed she could no longer keep up with the suspense and the rejections, and when I came back without an answer, she said, "I do not know the name of the street where his mansion is but…"
She described Kamaz's house almost too perfectly and I had it saved in my head.
I could tell that the only reason she was telling me was because she was worried about Kamaz, not even herself.
"You really do want to get back to him. Don't you?" I asked, a searing pain cutting through the top of my heart. My voice was as neutral as it could be but the emotions that travelled my body were raw… unrefined and close to wild.
"Yes. He must be so worried about me.
And because I do not want anything to happen to Julian and also Falkur…they must be thinking the worst of my health right now.
I'm sorry for putting this on you because I know the media would also be all over once they see you, but I need him to know I am alright," She said quickly.
"If he gets to know you are alright, will you choose to stay with me?" I asked.
I know my question was out of nowhere, and it put her off balance - it was so clear in her eyes that I did not need another to point it out.
She tried to pull a genuine smile,
"I could come to visit you sometime, but I'll keep staying with Mr Ragnar. I'm sorry" She added.
It was a little diplomatic, but it was better than having her say she would not want to be under a roof with me again.
"That is better I guess!" I said with a smile.
As she went to bed, I wanted to ask her if I could lay next to her on the bed…just so I could listen to the rhythm of her heart but a small noise had distracted me.
I went to check on it and by the time I came back after discovering it was nothing, she was fast asleep. Or pretending?
Well, I couldn't tell because she was turned to the wall and her body was motionless. She also doesn't like skin contact with others.
Again, I lay on the floor.
The next morning, I went out, and this time around, I tried to reach out to Falkur, but no one picked up my calls.
After two happy trials and no one answered, I went back to the cabin.
When I got there, the way the front door hung open had me pausing.
Large prints of footwear caked with sand and mud close to the front door had me confirming that someone had broken into the house.
'Could it be Kamaz? Has he found here already?' I thought as I went through the back.
The back door was also wide ajar and I rushed right through it.
"Zeda!
Zeda!" I called but there was no response.
Close to the kitchen, there were droplets of blood on the floor and my blood ran. It was clear that it wasn't Kamaz that was there.
If he was here, he would not have left in a hurry. He would have waited for me to get back. If it was Kamaz, everywhere would not look so scattered like a group of thugs had passed through.
If Kamaz was here, there wouldn't have been blood stains because there would have been no need for a scruffle, especially one that resulted in a blood smear.
"Arrrggghhh!" I groaned as I flipped one of the couches in anger.
I looked outside and I saw the clouds darkening.
The sun had barely come out…why is the cloud turning dark?!
The feeling of a shadow passing was the response to my question.
'Because Kamaz is in this region and his mood is almost rocket high on bloodlust!'
I turned towards the door and Falkur walked in.
"We can't thank you enough for rescuing our beacon of hope but we need her now.
Where is Zeda Professor Acheron?" Falkur asked as he paused having taken about three steps in.
"You and I know we do not want a war to start " Falkur said, his eyes daring.
"A war cannot be avoided every time, Mr Norma, but right now, I'm also not in the mood for one with you.
Check your phone, I stepped out to reach you after sacrificing a lot to get your phone number.
And when I came back, I met this place as it is. With Zeda absent.
We can fight much later.
But right now, I want to also find My Zeda" I said as I faced him squarely.
I could tell he was ready to pounce on me, ready to fight. And while he seemed close to a worthy opponent, I did not have time to bicker with my fists.
"She is not yours…" I heard his voice say behind me.
Outside, the skies rumbled and thunder clapped.
"Never was…never will be!" His hoarse voice grunted darkly.
It was my dear brother, Kamaz!