Chapter 226 - Not Partners

"But that still begs the question: why?"

Trisha continued as she looked at Teren's eyes, trying to sympathize, trying to be the bigger person.

"At this night," she continued under the breaking dawn, "I've killed innocents. However, I wasn't forced nor was I threatened to do so. I'm aware that my actions will kill but I continued doing so. Is it because I'm furious?"

"If I'm right, are you trying to say that my actions have a cause too?"

Teren asked her without turning around to face her.

"Duh, who doesn't have a cause for their action?"

"Does that validate what I've done?"

To this, Trisha frankly replied:

"No, of course not."

Teren nodded but Trisha continued.

"You should be condemned for it. But that doesn't also mean that we should ignore the cause."

"... I see. You've matured in that short period of time."

Teren glanced at her which she smiled and nodded.

"We always do what we think is right. So, do you have a cause or are you just a psycho?"

"What if I told you I was the latter?"

"I don't think you are so you can skip that part."

"Then I'll go get straight to the point."

"I would like that."

Teren then faced Trisha and he continued-

"You're an abnormality. Someone who shouldn't exist yet exists. As you said, everything has a cause and that cause is also a reason. Are you just that rare fluctuation or was this planned? To know that, I want to see what you will be once you've reached your potential. What was planned for you? What's your role in this?"

"Role in this? What is 'this'?"

With her sharp intuition, Trisha quickly found that there's a context Teren omitted.

"It's honestly all complicated, I just can't be bothered to explain everything right now. In short, something big is going to happen now and you seemed like an important piece in the bigger picture."

"Yeah, that does sound complicated."

Trisha saw down on one of the rubbles she moved and patted the spot beside her which Teren sat on.

"So, did you predict that I will hear you out once I've matured? If so, that's some bold prediction."

"No, I just want to see how would you turn out, that's all."

"Did you find the answer already?"

"No again, you just became stronger. I still don't see the point of it. Are you really just a coincidental fluctuation here and at this time?"

"You sound as if you're at the center of the world."

"No, I'm not and that's why I'm boggled on why you're here."

"..." Trisha became silent before speaking again, "So I'm really that special, huh. I wish I wasn't."

"Hm," Teren breaks out a slight smile, "I know that feeling."

"But let's be positive and not be suicidal like what you attempted earlier."

Trisha stood up and offered a hand. Teren didn't why she would do that but accepted anyway, letting him stand up, however, Trisha didn't let go of his hand. She looked at him with an earnest look.

"Teren"

She called.

"Thank you"

Immediately making Teren confused. What did he do to receive gratitude from her? Shouldn't he be the one apologizing?

"Maybe I feel this way because I was greatly relieved but I want to thank you for not really killing my mother."

"What are you saying? I still showed yo-"

"It's easier for you to actually just kill her and take her head. But you went through all the effort to get something as realistic as the thing you gave me. It's untasteful but still, it opened my eyes. Did you also plan that?"

"Not at all."

"Hehe, well, at least it did open my eyes. I wasn't fucking ungrateful to them. I opposed them thinking what they did was bad but here I am, turning my back to those I've hurt."

Trisha looked down as she clutched onto Teren's hand.

"I see, then that's fortunate."

"And that's why I asked them that I will be gone for a while."

"Huh?"

"Let's continue."

Trisha then looked up to meet Teren's eyes.

"You do realize that the only thing left is sexually traumatizing and humiliating you."

"..."

Trisha thought she was already determined and was about to agree but the answer was stuck in her throat. But Teren didn't let her continue.

"If you're a hundred percent willing, that would be weird and wouldn't be traumatizing. Let me do the rest."

"Haha... you really know how to scare me."

At that moment, Trisha sweated a little as she regretted her decisions. But if anything comes to worst, couldn't she just escape his grasp? From what transpired earlier, she could've killed him if only not for...

"So, who's that woman earlier?"

Trisha let go of his hand and asked for which Teren didn't answer.

"Let's just talk later, I still have school. I have to go home now."

"Okay"

Teren nodded and didn't gesture any goodbye and just left.

"..."

"..."

"..."

"Are we going in the same direction?"

Teren turned around and asked her.

"Huh? Umm, of course, because we have the same destination?"

Trisha said as if it's a matter of fact which baffled Teren.

"Same direction? I said I'm going back home now."

"... wait, was I not supposed to come with you?"

"You're really weird, you're willing to follow your torturer to his house."

To this, Trisha lightly laughed.

"To be called weird by the weirdest guy I know, it sure feels... weird. Don't be like that, we're kinda like... partners, right? It's not like I'm not benefitting from this nor are you permanently hurting me. I'll also consider you the giver of trials."

"That sounds like I'm always doing you a favor. Also, we're not partners."

Teren began to walk again which Trisha followed.

"Why not?"

"It's because I already have one."

"Oh... is it that woman earlier?"

"Yeah"

"Who exactly is she to you?"

"... my ex."

"Your ex... right... " Trisha nodded before she realized what she just heard, "Your ex!? Woah, but you hugged her and told her you love her?! So did she dump you!? Holy-! I want to hear more!"

Trisha aggressively asked.. Since she wouldn't relent and they have a lot of time before he reached home, he eventually told her the story.