"If they need us, I am sure they will call us. What would be the point in running in there and then everything being alright? A scream is nothing to panic over, they been screaming the whole time we been here. If you're so worried, then be their guest and help them." There was an apathetic gesture towards the rock formation ahead of them.
Tsk⊠What sort of idealistic world is his head trapped in? His eye brows were set like deep set buckets but his gaze held upwards not really looking at the sky patching itself through the trees but engulfed in thought. He barely heard Klaus.
What is the point of us? Why four? Who or what designed this? ⊠âŠ
ââŠBastards." Jalen snapped back to see Klaus storm towards the rocks. Tantrum princeâŠ
He sighed, âAt least he went.â resting his head atop his hands.
âWhich is more than we can say about you.â A sharp force embedded itself into Jalenâs side, he cried out as he jerked upright clutching where his bite wound was, it was raw and fresh blood broke free. Jalen winced with laboured breaths as he raised his head to meet his rude assassin.
âTender. Weak.â It was a girl. Jalen couldnât place the face though. âItâs because of men like you that chivalry died.â Stunned silence was all Jalen could retort before he ducked his head. His whole body shuddered before shaking and the girl peered at him inquisitively albeit annoyed. He wasnât cold but masking a fit of laughter that had taken hold, it crescendo-d out of him haphazardly with stabs of pain from his injury choking it up while tears formed at the corners of his eyes. âSTOP IT!â The girl jammed her hand across and connected with his cheek. The laughter rescinded, leaving a small chuckle to leak out.
Turning his head back toward her, he locked his eyes with hers. He could see her grit her teeth. âWhich highschool drama spat you out?â A smirk pasted across Jalen. The girl however wasted no time, a foot forward with the other raised and kicked out in front squarely planted itself in Jalenâs chest and he found himself grounded again, this time restrained by a weighted leg. âQuiteâŠ. Quite a kick, I take it the label human doesnât fit you.â The revelation wiped the glare and angry intent from her face, as she retreated from pinning him. He wobbled and grunted as he forced his way to his feet.
âWhat are you?â Jalen demanded, noticing how ticked off she still looked at him.
âNot what. Who. The âwhoâ answers the âwhatâ, but share that with a degenerate such as yourself? You jest.â It was a cold reply, which felt surprisingly normal and welcoming to Jalen, he couldnât take it seriously.
âThatâs alright, âGuess Whoâ was never a fortĂ© of mine anyway; we can skip it.â He sighed, but coughed through, rubbing at it his side. âWhatâs the game then⊠as much as I live for these unexpected socials.â
âNo game. Youâre an unfit companion. Elimination is all thatâs fit for you.â She darted forward again, cape fluttering behind. Jalen bent his knees and pushed his feet to a wider stance. The collision pushed the mysterious attacker backing, and she flipped over landing gracefully back on the balls of her feet, though wary.
The dust cleared, Jalen stood firm, arms intersecting in front of him, âNice attack.â He complimented, though it came across patronising.
âHow?â The question hung, as she ground her jaw tight. A bead a sweat dropped from Jalen, realising that her burning intent towards him actually strengthened him. âYou should have bled out alreadyâŠâ
âWhatâŠ?â Jalenâs eyes widened, he could see her staring directly at where his remaining wound was, So it wasnât coincidence, she kicked there first⊠âYou set your dog on me!â Jalen pointed out accusingly at her.
A fist returned knocking Jalen a few steps sideways but he ducked the next and side-stepped the following, finally catching the fourth and pushing her back with it. She landed on the ground backwards, cursing as her hood flopped down atop her. âYouâre unbelievably dense, you know that⊠why arenât you deadâŠâ Tears beneath the obscuring hood dropped onto her knees.
âIn earnest? Iâm not sure, thereâs nothing I did in particular. This damn wound wonât seal but itâs more an inconvenience than a threat... especially with all this negativity floating about, Iâm fortified.â Jalen himself lowered in front of her, squatting.
âNegativityâŠ?â The tears stopped and there was silence while she absorbed the information. âIs that why you damn all those around you?â
Is that why you damn all those around you?
Is that why you damn all those around you?
Is that why you damn all those around you?
Is that why you damn all those around you?
Is that why you damn all those around you?
The question echoed within Jalen, and his balance failed landing him on the ground, his arms braced back. Is she saying that Iâm doing it for power or that the power makes me this way⊠âItâs... It's actually a... pain,â Jalen confessed solemnly, his mind racked with thought, âToo much and... I... I overload, unbearablyâŠâ Jalenâs head rose to hers again, âAre you suggesting... that my attitude and behaviour is... is... is geared this way... purposely?â Jalen hated the thought of being controlled. Me. A puppet. A puppet to a stupid power.
âPuppet to the Queen.â The girl spoke emotionless as if reading facts.
âNo!!â Jalen screamed, kneeling over, âI wonât⊠wonât be.. CONTROLLED!â The girl looked with stunned eyes at Jalen, He was shaking feverishly and tears down streamed from him. All my life⊠ALL of it⊠None of it was truly my own⊠Itâs all lie. Who I am⊠Itâs all a lie⊠Blood started to un-clot from his side and the girl could see his strength flow out and fail.
Her eyes furrowed as she stared at Jalen. They furrowed further just before she spoke. âI bit you.â She lowered her hood and grabbed his wrists. The blurry eyed man lifted his head and in a flash she pulled him closer, her mouth pressed to his. Jalen froze. Pulling away the girl stood, blushing. âYou wonât bleed out now. No more puppet or I will return...â She ran off into the woods with the last of her words.
Jalen let his body rock forward, planting his head onto the ground. âToo muchâŠâ