"#####$?"
Nila asked.
"Sorry—" Kael rubbed his eyes.
"I haven't… slept in days… can you repeat what you said?"
"I've… asked this for the second time… you alright?"
"Sorry… just repeat yourself."
"Alright."
"How old… are you, Kael?"
"...I… was eleven… when I first woke up there…"
"No—wait. Ten? Maybe…"
"Eleven. Eleven, Kael."
"Right… right. Eleven."
…
"You've been in the lab for…?"
"Three years…?"
"Four."
"You've really lost track of time… Kael."
"What does that mean…?"
"Not good news."
"Oh… well." He sighed.
"Anyways, I'll be with Raegal for a while," she said, getting up from her chair.
"You give the girls some company."
"Where are you two heading?" he asked.
"Searching for some safe place… this place isn't safe."
He nodded.
He got up from the chair.
His leg was almost healed—only some rashes.
Harsh rashes, to be precise.
He didn't care.
He looked out the window.
Buildings were burning—great red flames.
"It was Ryuzaki." Noir said, taking a long pause.
She laid back on the sofa.
"I can barely… rest."
"I can't sleep."
"I hate my life."
"I hate everything, in fact."
"You hate me too?" she whispered.
"…" Only the sound of the wind gushing the curtains could be heard.
"Yes. I hate you too."
She laughed.
"Oh… you don't!"
…
She took a long pause.
"It's been tough. I know."
Kael laid down on the sofa.
He looked at the pendant.
He reached into his pocket.
"I'm ready."
he announced.
"You sure…?" Noir whispered.
He took out the letter.
And tossed it into the scorching flames of the bonfire.
"Good job," she said, patting his shoulder.
"It reminded me of him… even more."
"I know."
"And I know why you threw it," she whispered.
"You still miss him."
"I…" He froze.
"You're right."
"I do…" He held his head in both palms.
He couldn't forget him.
The more he tried.
The tighter it clung.