[ENG] The Exiled : Dark Stars

ลำดับตอนที่ #14 : Reunite

13

The Exiled: Reunite

I was terribly injured and flying through a thunderstorm. The clouds flashed as I ran away from the Wolves with no destination in mind. My eyes were blurry, and I could not see far ahead. Their howling and footsteps chased after me. The memories of the day I ran away from the Wolves was fresh in my mind. It was night time, I lost my way, and they wanted more than anything to wipe me off the face of the world.

My cuts stung terribly, and my legs felt like they’re going to peel off the rest of my body at any moment. I tapped the wind with my foot and lunged forward clumsily. All of my energy had been used to summon an extra-large swarm of butterflies, and now, as you can see, I’m as tired as hell.

The wind suddenly gave out, and I found myself falling face first into the ground at the acceleration of 9.8

I could see the umbrellas of the street vendors grew closer, and before my eyes got stabbed by a wire sticking out of nowhere, something smacked into me hard enough to change my direction. The thing that smashed into me was holding me and landed with an ugly crack. It was Raleigh.

“Bloody-shuck.” Raleigh used his favorite phrase for calling the most terrible situations. “You look like a dead dog pushed in a grinder, soaked in vodka and shoved into a freezer.”

“Thanks.” I managed to thank him sarcastically. “The Wolves. We have to run.”

His dark colored clothes and hair seemed to blend in the darkness of the city. His hair had droplets of water trickling down, and his shirt was plastered to him, making his every muscle visible. He ran under the tollway where it’s dark, and called a cab, me still in his arms. I felt terrible, exhausted, dizzy, and most of all, his body heat is cooking me alive even in the rain.

“We don’t have money, uncle.” He said in a hush. “But she needs a hospital.”

The cab driver waved us off and pulled away. Raleigh glared at him and ran to the other side to catch a free red bus from the people’s tax. The bus that looked like a tin can but drove like Fast and Furious. I earned people a lot of curious glances. Many of them offered plasters, betadine, and some wipes and handkerchiefs. Some passenger even offered to take me to the clinic. I thanked them weakly and tried to guess where Raleigh was bringing me. I heard the clink of the Wolves. They didn’t dare chase after this bus in Bangkok’s terrible traffic and the driver’s lunatic driving. 

We arrived at a cream-colored mansion on the outskirts. Elliah ran up to us and took me to the bathroom.

The bathroom was big and clean. After observing myself in the mirror, I understood why Raleigh chose to use his reserved ‘bloody-shuck.’ One of my eyes was purple, and both had dark rings underneath. My wrists and ankles were red and scruffy. The burn caused by Ilya turned into a nasty patch of skin. The face staring at me in the mirror was as pale as a boiled egg. On my body were numerous tiny cuts that went all the way to my inner thigh. Hatred and rage filled my heart but also fear. I feared that devilish childlike smile. I feared those green eyes, bright and beautiful, staring at me. I feared his hands. When images flooded back, I squeezed my eyes shut and covered my ears, suppressing my cry. I must have moaned by mistake because Raleigh barged into the bathroom that I forgot to lock.

“I told the lady about you.” He said, blunt but with a hint of gentleness. “You need to wash up. The passengers on the bus were kind enough to give me some betadine. These don’t sting like alcohol does. I’ll…get a towel. Do you want to wipe yourself or shower?”

That was the longest monologue I ever heard him made.

“…Thanks.”

“You didn’t answer my question.”

“I can’t…think.” I crouched on the cool marble floor, absentmindedly tracing the delicate patterns. “I’m scared.”

“Sorry. I can’t…I don’t know how to deal with…” Raleigh stumbled to find suitable words. Instead of staring at his feet in defeat, he crouched next to me and brought his face close so that I was staring right into his abyss-like eyes.

“You’re safe here.” He said. “I told the neighborhood a murderer was running around. A Wolf cannot fight a gun. This place could be our temporary sanctuary.”

He pressed his hand to my forehead, warmth running into my head. He blew on his hand with a gentle poof. It was like casting magic.

“There. No more pain.”

“I’m a bit too old for that trick, but thank you.”

He tried to smile, his face was awkward, and so he dropped it and changed into a sullen expression.

“I’m sorry I wasn’t able to save you.”

“It’s the Wolves’ fault, not yours. I’ll be strong.”

I stood up. My legs were trembling but I managed to hold still. After Raleigh had left the bathroom, I locked the door and hopped into the bath. My mind wished to erase the memory of everything Ilya did, but my head played it over and over like a recurring nightmare.