74 Back and Forth 2

"Hm? Where are you going?" His subordinate, Zachary Verus, a man that had the same stature as him, asked.

"Back in my cell."

"You still haven't touched your food though?"

"I'm not hungry."

"Come on, man. They won't let you go. Why don't you sit down and eat even just a little?"

"... alright."

"That's good."

Dylan sighed as he looked at the food on his tray, but he ended up eating it anyway. Despite the unpleasant serving, the flavor was enough to stimulate his appetite. He left half of his meal then he drank a cup of water.

"So, any news about that woman you are searching for?"

"None. I asked already and they didn't have anyone by the name of Emersyn Lachlan."

"Did you bribe them?"

"What else can I do?"

Zachary cackled as he downed the cup of water. "Aah! Do your best, man."

"To escape?"

"Pfft! As if! I am not talking about that. Though you can, but you really can't. What else can you do but wait until she's caught? The Blanche is already involved in our case. Those troublesome people. Tch."

"Maybe she's hiding somewhere where no man can reach..."

"This is the Blanche, man. Even they have to search every corner of the world just for that woman. They won't let her go once she is caught."

"Haa… don't crush my hope, Zach. Let me hope!"

"No can do!"

Suddenly, a bell rang then they simultaneously stood up.

"Well then, see you next time, brother."

"Sure, Zach," Dylan said before exiting the cafeteria with the rest of the inmates.

When he entered his cell, he sat on his hard bed. He looked outside and he could see the dark sky that contained a few stars. He laid down on the bed as he put his hands behind his head then watched the night sky. Maybe, just maybe, that he was watching the same sky as Emersyn. The last time he saw the woman was already a few days ago and it was an awkward parting between them. Well, for him, it was. He wished that he could've went too or just tailed them. Suddenly, out of nowhere, he could hear a rustle inside his cell. He didn't pay attention to it at first, but when it happened again, he slowly turned to look at one corner of the room. He became alert once he could see a silhouette of a person.

He whispered, "Who's there? Show yourself."

"Emersyn…," he called.

"Yo, Dylan," she turned to look at the man before him then smiled sweetly.

"How… how did you enter this prison? Especially, this cell? You don't have a key in your possession or anything. I didn't hear the lock turning either."

"If I told you, will you believe me?"

"Depends..."

"I walked in the shadows."

"... for some reason, I believe you."

Emersyn giggled.

"What's so funny?" Dylan asked with a smile.

"Well, you're the first normal person I told it to. Trust me, I never expected your reaction."

"Hoh. I see. How are you these days?"

"Hmm… I have been fine---wait, there's someone coming," she said as she immediately hid in Dylan's shadow.

"... it really is true…," he muttered as he laid down and pretended to sleep. He could hear the heavy steps the patrol guard took as he checked every cell. When the guard was done checking the last cell, he exited. Dylan remained still, his eyes never left his shadow. Moments later, Emersyn's head emerged then her whole body came next.

"Hmm… he's still on the gate..."

"You… can see him?"

"No, I am only sensing him. So, I have been saying, I am fine. I was hiding in a different place with sir Ashford. Though it is only temporary until my business with the Blanche is settled. Also, I have been looking for you."

"... different place? Where is it exactly?"

"... somewhere you can't reach. Hmm… maybe, yet?"

"Wait… are you going to confront the Blanche?! You can't do that! What if they killed you?!"

"I have a rough idea that they will do a different method to detain me."

"Haa… so, what are you going to do here?"

"I am still not sure, but do you want to stay here?"

"... what kind of question is that?"

"If I break you out of here and they miraculously found a trace of me, then you'll be in danger too. However, if I took you in that different place, I will be the only one who will be in danger---ah… the Blanche is also in that place..." she said as she clutched her head. "Everywhere we go, we will just be like a trapped mouse."

"I'll stay here. I don't want to give you more troubles."

"Alright. Do you have any idea where Penelope is? I can't find her."

"All of the servants of the Voltaire are distributed to rich people all around the globe. I don't have that extensive of a network, so I can't do much. What do you have in plan though?"

"Train until my body is strong enough to face the Blanche. I also wish that they won't look for me in that place..."

"... I hope so too. Be safe, Emersyn."

"I'll find Penelope as I visit you. Is that okay to you?"

"What for?"

"I want information in your side. Also, to provide you with food."

"... I would love that, but how?"

Emersyn laid out her hand and a basket appeared out of nowhere and fell on her hand. She offered it to Dylan then smoothed out his unruly hair.

"I saw you didn't like the food here that much. I packed you enough food to last you for a week. This basket is like a dimensional pouch that could stop the time once you inputted food there. Eat as much as you can. You can just hide it under your bed. But once they checked on this basket, unless it is you, it will only be books inside. I took a precaution just in case. Then… take care, Dylan."

"Wait..."

"Yeah?"

"Can you stay for a couple more minutes?"

"I can."

"Then, please."

"Mhm. So, what do you want to talk about?"

"Nothing comes to mind at all."

"..."

"I just wanted to see you," Dylan said as he looked directly into Emersyn's captivating red eyes. He could feel himself being swallowed by the depths of her eyes.

Emersyn smiled then petted his head. "How about experiencing being in the shadows?"

"You can do that?"

"Of course! I am the monarch of the dark! Just kidding. So, grab my hand," she said.

"Uh… okay," Dylan hesitated as he gazed over at Emersyn's opened palm. It looks… so soft and very feminine. He slowly grab a hold of her hand as they sunk slowly in the shadow of the room. "... woah… I am liking this feeling..."

"It is fun. I want to take you out of here, but I still am not adept to clear the traces I left. Though it is almost perfect… we are still found out in the mountains."

"No, this is fine," he said as he looked at their hands. "I have you with me. This much is fine."

"Hoh? Am I that dependable? I'm honored to know that."

Dylan smiled then they emerged out of the shadow. Emersyn breathed out then the whole atmosphere was cleansed. She said, "I will try to do the same to the other cells, so you don't have to worry about being in danger. I will be going now, Dylan."

"Okay."

"..."

"..."

"Can you let go of my hand now?"

"Ah! Sorry!"

"Shhh!!!"

Then Emersyn disappeared.

"What's wrong in there?!" A guard suddenly appeared outside his cell.

"Ah… well… I just had a dream..."

"While you're standing? And what is that?"

"What is?"

"That basket."

"Oh. Well… didn't I bring it here? It's all books."

"Hmm… go to sleep now."

"Yes, sir!"

***

Emersyn went back to the hut where they first opened a portal, but before she could even step on the mountain, her alarm signals were ringing out loud. She stepped back. She tried entering the premises through air, but it didn't work either. There was… a barrier. Probably to alert the Blanche in case someone or something entered the mountain, birds or bugs.

"What troublesome people..." she murmured.

When she came back to the point where she exited the second portal, there was already a yellow line surrounding the area.

"... troublesome people indeed."