Chapter 285 - Crippling Hesitance

Rustle!

Leaves?

My body was cold. 

My feet were colder. 

My hands- they were so- tiny?

Blood?

Rain?

Storm?

Lightning?

Why was it so dark?

I didn't know why but my body just kept on getting colder and colder and colder and colder and….

My ears were ringing… 

My body going numb…

I was… dying….

"It's okay!" Someone shouted. 

Someone was here. 

With me.

Holding my hand.

Maybe a boy?

Maybe a girl?

I didn't know. 

I couldn't think. 

Almost as though… I was falling asleep…I was dreaming. 

ARGH!

I woke up. 

What the hell?

'The hell was that?'

"You, okay?" Marg turned on the nightlight. 

The darkness cleared slightly and I could see around me. My head throbbed. 

Marg was holding my hand, looking at me. 

Meanwhile, I was sweating, I was sweating way too much. 

"A dream… no, probably a memory." It hurt to talk. 

The nurse had mentioned something about how I might be getting memories back by dreaming.

But that wasn't just a memory. The feeling, the sensation, the cold, I could still feel it. 

I couldn't forget it. 

'What happened?'

I was still breathing rapidly but, I did feel a lot calmer as I held Marg's hand in mine. "Don't worry, it's nothing serious."

She was really concerned but she didn't say anything about it. 

Though I had a feeling she'll let mom know in the morning which will make everything a bit too complicated. 

For now, though, I had to get some sleep. Cause it was 2 AM in the morning. 

***

As expected, Marg told mom and though I properly explained that this was normal, she was hellbent on securing sacrifices. 

Auntie and my cousins had left before I woke up, but if they were here: or to be more exact if John was here, he'd have run and brought back kids without even letting these guys finish. 

So really, I was glad John wasn't here anymore. 

Though at this point, I didn't know what to be glad about. 

"Enira's still in the saber you know."

"The black core would be here today, so everything would be fine. Besides, your uncle could just go and snatch a dozen or so strong cores. It'll be fine."

Uncle did not want to go, judging by that expression, but-

"It won't be fine. I'm not letting you people go kidnap and kill kids."

I almost got disgusted glares from my family. It was almost as though I was the one who wasn't talking sane.

Dad looked out of place as usual, so I guess I wasn't the only one. 

I took a deep breath. "I know you guys care about me more than just some random kids but, sorry, I'm not having any of that. Besides-" I stared at mom. "Didn't you say you didn't want me to grow up as a villain?"

"But you're not doing anything. We are-" 

Sigh. 

"Oh, forget it." That said, I walked straight out of the front door and well- got stopped. 

Apparently, I'd forgotten about something. 

"Lieutenant."

Lieutenant Demeris was just outside the door. He was actually about to knock when I opened the door. 

I was still inside and him, outside. 

This wasn't the best of time.

"Helio." He nodded. "Ah, how I have missed this day, to reunite- ah, the travesty and the-" He went on. 

My memory was still hazy. 

What the hell was wrong with this dude?

Did he hit his head on the way here, or was it that our little family squabble rendered him mad?

The former seemed to be more likely. 

"Everything okay?" I whispered. 

"I'm supposed to be a passing poet remember?" He whispered back. 

Wait, really?

I vaguely recalled something about that. Though he wasn't even remotely poetic, if anything. 

And he didn't quite try to sound poetic for the last two days either. So, what was up with this?

"So, what do you want? I'm assuming, you'd want answers, or are you cutting to the chase and want my help with something?"

Mom and the rest were still back there, looking this way.

"Ah, such stern words!" He was desperately trying to act, but it was just getting on my nerves. "The general shall have a word." 

That said, he quickly turned on a Holo screen and held it in front, his back a bit too straight. 

"Morning, General."

I actually didn't know how greetings and all that worked in the army. 

I kind of didn't care either. 

"Morning." He looked as macho as ever and his gaze seemed to signal that he meant business. 

"Sorry to cut to the chase but, I'm busy with things as they are. I'd appreciate if you didn't give me any particularly time-consuming jobs right now." I wasn't in the best of mood either. So, I didn't feel like doing anything right now. 

But I did promise them I'd owe them. So, if they really wanted me to do something, I couldn't really say no. after all, I wouldn't have been able to save Marg otherwise. 

So, I did feel indebted to these guys, though I knew they were only helping me cause they wanted my help later on. 

'Oh yeah, I haven't thanked this guy, have I?'

"Actually, for the time being, I'm fine with just getting some information. You see, I've been getting reports of Aliens, invasions, and all that but, those are just reports. And all of that has you in the middle. Would you mind telling me more?"

So, basically, he wanted to connect with me more? This guy was shrewder than I thought. 

"I would actually. Let's just say, the amount I can tell you would depend on how much of a favor it is to you. For example, if I were to tell you everything, I wouldn't be obligated to help you in the future. In other words, I won't owe you anymore. But if you insist on keeping that owing part active and just want some info, I could-"

"Tell me everything you know. This concerns the whole planet. we can't afford-"

Well, I did have him there, I suppose.