Let me make myself clear: I don't want to die to leave the world—hell no. Why should I die and not them? They need to think I'm gone while I'm somewhere breathing and watching. That's not asking for much, is it?
However, opening my eyes to find myself not in a lake, my thoughts return to Enchen. Immediately, I jolt upright. That guy, for some reason, has become my nightmare.
I move my eyes forward to the water, and at the horizon, the sun is rising. "Where... the hell am I?"
I look around as I'm sitting on the sand. But all I see are bushes behind me.
Uneasy feelings settle in my mind. Everything went according to my plans; the place is good for me to hide, but with my defects?
I shift my gaze to the left. My eyes aren't playing tricks on me, are they? They widen, not wanting to believe the sight before me. This can't be true. My heart quickens as I gaze in that direction.
Not too far away is a silhouette. I want to deny it, but the voice in my head grows louder with each passing second.
I remember leaving him on the boat. How and why is he here?
I crawl over to him. Looking at him closer confirms that this is the boy who saved me from Enchen's dagger. Did his boss turn on him?
I move my hand to his neck to check his pulse. F*ck! He's alive. This is a problem. I didn't plan for this. Glancing at my crippled legs, something clicks in my mind.
Damn, I can't stop the smile spreading on my lips. If there's someone I can use in my situation, it must be him. When will I ever get someone who knows me without harmful intentions?
But first, let me be sure of that. I move my hand, searching him. I find a small knife and a wallet with some credit cards.
Now, it's time to bring him back to reality. I raise my hand and land a slap on his cheek. The slap is personal.
He wakes up abruptly and starts coughing uncontrollably. He stays like that for a moment before stopping and looking around.
"I should be thankful you're here, right?" I ask slightly to make him aware of my presence behind him.
He turns around with wide eyes, and without wasting time, I press his knife to his neck. He freezes.
With a chilling voice, I ask, "What should I think of your presence here? Your answers will decide the weight of this knife."
I use the phrase he once used on me, but I mean it. If he's like the others, he should die.
His forehead wrinkles as he feels blood trickling from a small cut. If he knows me, he should be aware that this isn't a joke.
"You didn't deserve to die..." he says through gritted teeth.
"Oh. I don't think I deserve to live either."
I notice his hand moving to grab a stone. So, he's a troublesome one. He quickly moves to hit me. I move aside as I swipe the knife across his hand. Now we face each other—the difference is that his upper hand has two sliced cuts.
I am at a disadvantage with my legs, so I don't want unnecessary fights. I lower the knife.
"I don't remember dragging you with me, even if I wanted to. Why are you here?"
He shoots me a hateful look.
My memory becomes clear: when I jumped, this guy followed. In the water, he helped me. My heart races as I try to figure out his reasons. I stare at him, failing to say anything.
A while later, he stands a couple of paces away, staring at the water. I only watch his back, unable to move. It seems he won't make any decisions soon.
I throw myself on the ground and stare at the sky. I touch my empty stomach feeling too hungry.
For almost half an hour, I remain as I am, and eventually, I close my eyes to sleep.
At that moment, I hear footsteps approaching slowly. They stop near me. There are only two of us on this beach, so I have a good idea who it is.
He slowly picks up the knife lying beside me, but I remain rigid. Knowing what he's about to do, I sigh inwardly. Why did I expect that he followed me to rescue me? He probably just wanted to be the one to kill me.
Even I would be surprised if he chooses to help me. But still... it's frustrating. I'm okay with others hunting me, but him... it's too frustrating. He shouldn't have pretended to help me. Damn him.
The knife doesn't land on me. Instead, I hear the steps moving away. I open my eyes and witness the silhouette disappearing into the bushes.
"Argh, nothing better."
I turn my eyes back to the sky slowly, whistling a melody that pops into my mind. In the eerie silence, the melody sounds sorrowful.
I hold my stomach, but whenever I try to think about what I can do, it's annoying. "So cruel"