Chapter 8

Amilia rushed inside the restaurant. Her nose was blaring and out of breath. She stopped at the door to pause and collect herself and gathered enough breath. She then strides until she reached Lizzie’s back. Zephyr looked at her. His eyes were still that blank stare that you will be sucked in if you are not careful. Lizzie too looked over to see her friend, sweating and gasping for breath.

“Amilia, what happened to you?” Lizzie stood up to aid her friend.

“Stay away from him, Liz” Amilia pulled her friend behind her and stand as a shield.

After spending an amount of time with him, Amilia developed a fear and somewhat braveness of things she thought she can handle. Whatever those are. So far, the thing she can handle was to throw daggers at him with her eyes. But she can’t let Zephyr know.

“So, it’s you,” Zephyr said sounding like she was looking for her for a long time.

“What do you want?” Amilia answered her with a low and warning tone.

There was always something weird about him. From the first day, she saw him until the day of Stacey’s incident. His bent back and the hollowness of his eyes gave out a creep.

“I don’t mean harm. I’m just giving a warning to your friend.” Zephyr looked over to where Lizzie is standing. Amilia moved her protectively at her back.

“What is it?” Amilia eyed the guy. She was not very fond of that guy but she wished he was here. The saying was true, a desperate situation calls for a desperate measure or something like that.

“You are sucking the life of your friend.” He said that made Amilia’s eyebrow crease in confusion.

“Your body needs the energy to function normally. Humans get this by eating. Since something is missing inside you, a big part, your body looks for another way to consume that energy. Unconsciously, your body was sucking the life of the closest person to you.” Zephyr explained.

“You probably didn’t get hungry this day. Or your senses are probably getting dumb. Soon you will cease to experience getting tired feeling sleepy.” Amilia paused for a moment to think.

Yeah, she didn’t feel hungry earlier until now. But she felt tired. She still felt exhausted after running that short distance. But… he said… Now she wanted to see that man. At least she can get a confirmation if this thing she’s hearing with Zephyr is real or not.

“How do you know that?” Amilia demanded. Her hands tightened around Lizzie’s wrist but not to the point of hurting her.

“Trust me. I know these things more than anyone.” He answered. Amilia didn’t believe it fully.

“We need to get out of here. It’s not a safe place to talk about it. Besides, I’m sensing something dangerous.” Amilia nodded but not to Zephyr.

He was walking around the restaurant as if he was strolling in the park. He wasn’t looking at them, he was looking for something else. A victim maybe? A lost soul? Or a sinner? She didn’t know. But it would just take a little side glance and they would come into view.

“Here!” Amilia risked a shout. She didn’t bother if she would be making a scene here. Or she would embarrass Lizzie. As long as he would look their way and go to them anything would be fine.

“What are you doing?” Lizzie slapped her arms lightly, scolding her. Even Zephyr was confused at her actions. But Amilia doesn’t care. She was more focused on getting his attention.

After what felt like an eternity, he regards her with a glare. Amilia smirked, actually feeling proud of herself for making him mad. Well, that’s a first. The usual blank face was now etched with rage.

He walked towards them. Every step is a promised vengeance. Amilia almost shrinks in her place. This is not good. Not good at all. He stopped inches before her. His eyes blared with unseen fire. Amilia visibly gulped.

“You just did something bad, woman” He hissed. Amilia almost clasped her hand and pray for forgiveness. Almost.

She suddenly remembers the situation she was in before he appeared. She had wished for him to appear but what now? What should she do next?

“He knows about you!” She pointed her finger to Zephyr and blurted out. Not a wise thing to say.

Very clever, Amilia. Real clever.

She shushes her contradicting mind and stands straight. All the while he was looking at her watching her every move with a still furious glare.

“Well… Uhm…” Amilia was lost for words. Unable to look at him, she diverted her eyes to the ground. Well, look at that! A small scratch. The cleaners here didn’t do their job properly.

“It’s here, right?” Amilia looked at Zephyr in shock.

“I can sense him. It’s here with us.” Zephyr had a panicked look on his face. He looked around for a while before settling his eyes on Amilia. Frightened.

“You called it! You!” He raised an accusing finger towards her that startled Amilia and scared Lizzie out of her wits.

“Amilia, what is happening?” Lizzie demanded, her voice shaking.

“I… I don’t know.”

Zephyr was trembling. His frantic eyes were scanning the place and occasionally landing on Amilia as if looking for a hint or something.

“We need to go. Now.” Zephyr looked resolved.

He would drag the two if needed. They just need to get out of the place. Zephyr felt the threatening presence of something near them. And he did. Clasping her hands around Amilia he drags her out of the restaurant. Lizzie followed, scared, throwing side glances at the watchful eyes of the people in there.

Once outside, Zephyr didn’t let go of Amilia. Instead, he hailed a cab. Amilia didn’t protest when he motioned her inside followed by a bewildered Lizzie. Poor her. She throws an apologetic look at her friend. Not saying a word of explanation. Not yet.

When Zephyr settled himself in the front seat, Amilia then looked back. He was standing at the entrance. Amilia sent him a meaningful look and hoped that he got the message.

Well, shit! If he doesn’t.

They rode in silence. Amilia watched the scenery goes from city buildings to a house. They were in the farthest village in the city. The one which was filled with different types of people. Amilia felt Lizzie’s trembling hand around her own.

She looked at her friend. Lizzie was an easily frightened type of girl. She would jump in just a slight sound of a scattering mouse. And in this kind of situation, Amelia was surprised that she wasn’t bawling her eyes out.

She was just quiet. Taking in everything even though she doesn’t comprehend everything. Amilia interlocked their fingers and gave them a reassuring squeeze. Lizzie looked at her through her hooded eyes. There was a ghost of a tear but despite that Lizzie smiled. A small and sincere smile.

She placed her head on Amilia’s shoulder and sighed. She snuggled close as if looking for protection. Amilia patted her head before placing hers on top. They would forget everything that happened that night. Or what might become of them when the car stops.

But in there, in the comfort of each other as they close their eyes and drifted to a short nap, they put aside everything. Just them. Zephyr looked at the rear-view mirror. A mix of worry and regret was etched on his face. He wanted to tear apart the two because they were in a dangerous setup but he can’t find the heart to do it.

He just leaned his head on the car seat and closed his eyes. Removing the two out of his sight. Oblivious to someone sitting at Amilia’s left side. Who was watching them with almost amusement and curiosity?