Chapter 52 - Never Felt Secure

Tyrone frowned as he walked towards Raine. The woman was too domineering, but then he already expected this much the moment he agreed to work with her.

Remaining professional, he joined her on the bed, but he didn't lay down. For now, he rested his back and head on the headrest like Raine beside him.

"You look like you have some thinking to do," Tyrone commented. He had noticed how Raine was in deep thought when he came in, and he wondered if it had anything to do with him. She has been staring at him ever since he came into the bedroom. She didn't even blink an eye. 

"Do you have a twin brother?" 

"I'm the only one in this world. Why?" Tyrone replied with a question of his own "Is it because of the man you mentioned before? You said that I reminded you of him. Who is he? Does he look like me?" 

Raine smiled, "You two have the same hair and eyes. I honestly don't remember that boy's face, but the hair and eyes…" She paused, trying to drum up a proper description as if the lollipop boy was standing right in front of her. He was looking into his eyes as she spoke, "I can remember them clearly. They blend well together, to the point that it made him look so unique."

Raine continued, "I particularly like those clear bluish-grey eyes. It was the first time I stared into someone's eyes without the fear of having to judge whether I needed to kill someone or not. You see, my eyes are like a decree. A decree on whether to let a person live or die." She confessed. "If these bloody eyes of mine saw a mutant in that boy's eyes, then I can't guarantee that I could have saved him that time. You two are the same, Tyrone. Surprisingly as it may seem, I can't tell whether you are human or a mutant whenever I look into your eyes."

A beat passed before Tyrone responded.

"I don't think any of that is important in judging one's life. Humans or mutants, whatever their kind might be, deserve to live. Especially when they mean no harm to others around them," he whispered.

Raine kept quiet for a moment, letting the words brew inside her head until she decided to speak what was on her mind. 

"Tell me your darkest secret," Raine whispered, though she already knew that she would most likely not be able to squeeze anything out of Tyrone.

"I've lived alone my whole life… I'm always running around in circles without even reaching a dead-end up to now," Tyrone answered with a clenched jaw.

"You talk in riddles, darling. I guess you don't trust me enough to tell me your darkest secrets. But anyway, I could be your dead end," Raine weakly whispered with a snigger.

Tyrone chuckled, "You're clearly tired if you're speaking like that. Go to sleep. I'll let you comfortably snuggle up to me this time."

He had sensed how exhausted Raine was. She sounded pretty sad too. Seeing that nothing had been happening, Tyrone didn't wait for her to snuggle up onto him. Instead, he took the initiative to instantly pul Raine into his arms with a hug. He knew that he was digging his own grave again, but his body seemed to have a mind of its own that even if he tried to pull away and keep his distance from her, especially his heart… he only ended up doing the exact opposite.

Raine smiled and whispered, "I feel safe and comfortable in your arms. I'm sure you won't harm me no matter what."

"Yeah, I won't. I promise," Tyrone whispered as he gently stroked Raine's hair. 

Could he really keep that promise, however? He simply didn't know…

*****

After some hours of sleep, Raine woke up with a smile on her face. It was still dark out, so she didn't bother getting up from the comfortable bed just yet. Tyrone felt really warm, so she snuggled into his arms some more. However, something felt wrong… Fur? She could feel the sensation of fur on her skin.

At the disturbing sense of wrongness, Raine opened her eyes, only for them to widen in horror when she saw a werewolf beside her with its red eyes glaring at her as if it was staring deep into her soul. She tried to move, but her body didn't budge. Something was not right! Why couldn't she move?

"Did you really think that I'd be here beside you just because you and your uncle wanted me to do some jobs?" 

His voice… It was Tyrone's voice.

"Tyrone?" Raine gasped. She couldn't believe it. Tyrone was a werewolf?

She heard his loud laugh as he scorned, "You and your father do not deserve to live. I will kill all of you in the Moon Clan. You're also responsible for why I'm alone, cursed to be without a family and a home!" The werewolf howled, "I am the true ruler of the Moon Clan! The one who possesses the royal blood of Yue! Do you really think that I'll let you and your horrendous father take over what is rightfully mine that easily? You've shed blood in stealing what is mine. And now, I will also shed blood in reclaiming what is mine!"

Raine couldn't even move as she felt his strong hand begin strangling her neck, choking her to death while his claws pierced her skin. Was this really her doom? Why wasn't she fighting him, when she could easily take him?

Instead, she could only stare into his eyes as hers welled up with tears. She was gasping for breath as she whispered, "I-I'm sorry… I'm so sorry..."

Raine knew that she was going to let it happen. It wasn't because she couldn't fight him even if she wanted, but because she had this guilt in her that had been haunting her for all these years. The guilt she had carried for such a long time that she wanted to be free of. That was probably why she couldn't move even though she knew very well that she could have easily saved herself. She was willing to accept her fate… her death in his hands…

*****

"Raine! Raine!"

Raine jolted out from her sleep. She was bathed in sweat.

"Are you alright? You were having a bad dream," Tyrone worriedly spoke as he handed her a glass of water. "Here, drink some water."

"A bad dream…" Raine whispered.

"Yes. I've been trying to wake you up, but you keep murmuring something like 'I'm sorry' the whole time," Tyrone said.

Raine looked at Tyrone, then at his skin. No furs… He was perfectly human.

"What's wrong?" Tyrone asked when Raine suddenly touched his face.

Raine couldn't help the tears falling down her cheeks. For the first time since they met, she hoped that Tyrone was not Nathaniel. 

Tyrone pulled her in, not asking or saying anything. He just tightly hugged her and gently patted her back to comfort her, assuring her that everything would be fine.

She had never felt secure in her entire life… not until Tyrone showed up in her life.