Chapter 8

Never

"Hello, Softy! Hey!" Xylon's familiar taunt made me roll my eyes. I turned around, facing him head-on. "Don't greet me like that! How many times do I have to tell you that my name is not Softy?" Irritated, I turned away and took a step to distance myself.

Yet, Xylon swiftly grabbed my arm. "Come on, let's go home," he insisted.

"Let me go!" I struggled against his grip.

"You're so stubborn!" he exclaimed as he pulled me along.

"How did you even find me here?" I asked, my irritation mounting.

"You've been gone for quite some time. What did you expect? My conscience wouldn't allow me to abandon you. And why are you out here, all alone in the middle of nowhere, Miranda?"

"Why do you care?" I retorted, desperate to break free. "I just wanted some solitude."

"So, you crave solitude. But why?" He paused, and our eyes locked. "Are you trying to relive the passion we shared yesterday? Huh, Miranda?" His face came close to mine, almost brushing against it.

"What?" I swallowed, taken abac