Lynx!,.. Rowynn called out as she approached him,.. We're going hunting, are you coming?
No!, he grunted as he leaned sleepily on his tent, you guys can go, I'll stay back.
Alright then, she turned back to face the others,.. everyone else follow my lead, she heartily announced as she began walking ahead like a shepherd leading her flock.
Orea observed Rowynn and Lynx's interaction from a distance, watching as he leaned sleepily on a tent, she concluded Lynx had decided on staying back,...
As thoughts of her dream continued to play in her head, an idea came to mind.
...........
I'm staying back, Orea announced as she joined her friends,..you guys can go on without me.
Kymani moved closer to her as he whispered..'are you sure you don't mind staying back,..with 'him'?,.. he glanced towards Lynx
She smiled in response, I think I can manage, thanks Kymani
Fine stay, Zara joined in,..but you get the smallest portion of whatever we find, she pouted while she followed behind Rowynn
..'See you later', she added.
Bye, Kymani greeted simultaneously as he followed suit while Orea responded with a wave.
Valtor, who stood opposite, moved closer giving her a chaste peck on the cheek. She blushed on impulse, instantly grateful for her dark skin as she probably would've turned bright pink with a paler tone.
Be careful, his soft but deep voice brought her back to reality, she smiled, nodding in understanding as he began moving ahead to join the others.
Few minutes later, after the group had been gone for a while, Orea got up from her spot and began walking towards Lynx who remained in the same position, still leaning against the tent. Only this time, he seemed less sleepy.
Feeling the approaching footsteps, Lynx glanced towards it's source,
Why didn't you go with the others?, he asked on noticing her
Because I wanted to talk to you, she approached him
About what?, he spat
Sitting on the ground next to him, she paused a while before responding, softly..
You remember me, don't you?
Why should I, he asked without paying her any attention,..have we met before?
She glared at him, getting annoyed at his nonchalance..'You used to work for a fishmonger?, you would come every day to a riverside in my hometown just to make a living, do you remember that?', she huffed. Successfully gaining his attention, he whiplashed towards her..
You had a vision?, he asked instead
Do you remember that or not, she repeated
Yeah, his gaze shifted, I remember.
So you were able to recognize me?
Not at first, he returned his gaze to her,
I didn't fully recognize you till we spoke later at night.
why didn't you mention it, she inquired further
You obviously didn't remember me, so I didn't feel the need to.
Orea looked away as she thought of her next line of questions..
Do you remember anything else?, she spoke up after a few seconds,..Like how you ended up here, or how you got those ice powers?
No, he replied as he sat up a little,..but I do remember seeing you by that river everyday while I worked, his gaze remained fixed on her,..
We would always glare at each other without ever saying a word...,Why'd you always stare at me like that anyway, he wondered
Curiosity, she shrugged. I wondered what you were doing in my hometown and why you couldn't just work from your place,..you obviously didn't belong there and I rarely saw people with your skin tone.
Mmm.., he nodded in understanding while staring at the ground.
What about you, it was her turn to ask, what's your excuse for staring back?
Don't know, I just did?, he replied without taking his eyes off the ground.
Hmm..she mumbled, refusing to buy his response.
Noticing the awkward silence that followed, Lynx decided to change the subject,..
He cleared his throat as he adjusted his sitting position,...About the symbol in my vision, he began, immediately earning Orea's attention.
I'm listening, she glanced at him in anticipation.
It was an 'S', like the letter, he replied
An 'S', she repeated,.. meaning what?
I don't know,..a company logo perhaps?, it was on the vehicle of people who stole me away, also on their gadgets and clothes.
And your friend was there too, he added.
Valtor?,..Orea mumbled in thought
He had the same symbol on his shirt and he was with them,.. somehow.
I immediately recognized his face on sighting him, that's why I was quick to attack.
Finding it difficult to believe, Orea looked away, confused,..' It doesn't make any sense', she glanced back at him,
If he's one of them, why's he stuck here, with us?
I don't know, he admitted,..Maybe he's here for a reason.
Orea shifted her gaze again, as she stared at a distance, getting even more confused till she zoned out.