Weak-willed

After that day, Helia decided she would wear her down more often. She found herself in the library again remembering the book she had wanted yesterday. It was still out of her reach of course.

"Hello Helia, do you need someone tall to grab that for you?" Musous said as he approached her side, smiling brightly.

"Yes, if you do not mind it." She replied, feeling her cheeks get warm.

He smiles and grabs the book and hands it to her. "I have actually read that one, it is a good read, I hope you enjoy it."

"Thank you, Musous." She smiled and sat down at the nearby table and opened the book.

"Always a pleasure dear Helia." He winked and walked away.

She had barely started reading the first sentence when her friend, Hanari, interrupted.

"Helia? I'm sorry to interrupt your reading, but can we talk?" the tone of her voice suggested it was serious. Helia looked up from her book to see also a troubled look on her elven friend's face.

"You're not interrupting me Hanari, what's the matter?" she said as she placed her book mark in place.

"I um, I don't know how to say this, but you know Musous, the mage that was just over here with you?" she started to stutter as she spoke.

"Yes?" Helia's curiosity piqued even more now.

"Be careful around him, I have heard….things." Hanari's tone lowered because he was still in the room.

Helia's curiosity got the better of her now; she knew something was off about him, but now to hear someone, especially a friend confirm such. This concerned her. Hanari sat next to Helia at this point and whispered the rest and she almost could not believe it.

"He won't be able to do that to me, don't worry." Helia said, placing a gentle friend on Hanari's shoulder.

"I know, I will let you get back to reading, but just consider what I said, I care about you Helia, you're one of my closest friends." Hanari said as she got up.

Helia nodded in response and Hanari nodded back before taking her leave. Time flew before Helia knew it and she had forgotten to eat once again as she finished the book. It wasn't until she got up to stretch and felt light headed before she realized such. She shook her head slowly before she started to exit the library. Her hands trailed along the walls as she walked down the hallways heading to the larder for a snack. Musous popped up beside almost startling her.

"So, was it a good read?" he asked her, then he stopped which forced her to stop so she could answer.

"Oh, yes, it was, I missed lunch just reading it, but that is nothing new." She replied, her stomach growling as is to confirm.

"Oh dear, I'm afraid you missed dinner as well, would you like some company? You look like you need help walking." He asked in a gentle, soothing voice.

She looked up at him preparing to tell him no in the nicest way she can, but accepted his offer. He smiled and put his hand gently on the small of her back and walked with her to the larder. When they got there he grabbed the handle and turned. "It's locked I'm afraid." He said in a sincere tone.

"Are you sure? I thought they didn't lock it." She said as she reached her hand to the knob, but stopped.

"I thought so too, maybe they're cleaning right now, let me walk you back to your room." He said and started to walk again.

Helia had no choice but to follow, she feeling a little dizzy now and had to lean on Musous a bit for support. Despite what she had heard, she felt comfortable with him right now. It felt like they had walked the halls forever, she looked around and noticed they were in a deserted part of the tower.

"I think we passed my room" she said as she started heading back out to the hallway, but stopped.

"Don't worry, you'll be fine Helia, I happen to be a healer." He smiled and closed in on her. "Just lay down" he said.

She looked around, there was nothing but walls and ground. "Where?" she asked, confused and started to worry. She suddenly fell to the ground with such force that it dazed her, Musous at her side.

"Uh oh, you fell." He said with an evil smile. Helia started to scream, but no sound came out.