Continuing On With Our Lives

Chapter 2

Natalie blinked.

"Sir? Could you... please show yourself?" She asked.

Akefia snaked down the pillar he was on slowly. He was hesitant about revealing himself to this girl.

She seemed trustworthy enough.

But... so was she.

He took a deep breath and stepped out into the light.

Natalie gasped when she saw him. "It's you.." She whispered in wonder. "Except... you're not wearing a mask anymore..." She said.

Akefia nodded slightly. "Are you afraid?"

The blonde was motionless for a moment.

Then she finally answered.

"No."

Akefia was amazed when she said that. "Does this scar not repulse you?" He asked quietly.

Natalie sighed. "I've learned to be accepting of things like that... How did you get it?" She asked.

"An accident." Akefia said quietly.

"Oh." Natalie said, sensing he didn't want to talk about it.

"May I ask a question?" Akefia asked.

Natalie nodded. "Be my guest."

Akefia stepped closer to her. "Why did you come to find me?" He asked.

Natalie looked at the ground. "I wanted to know..."

Akefia stared at the girl. "You wanted to know what?" He asked suspiciously.

She looked up. "Why you wanted Courtney so much."

Akefia stayed silent. Why did he want Courtney so much? It all seemed so overrated now that he looked back.

He actually felt bad about terrorizing Courtney, she really was a nice girl.

He felt terrible about everything.

I wish I could just take it all back.

"Akefia?" Natalie's bell like voice cut into his inner monologue. "Are you alright?"

The former phantom nodded.

"I just want to say that I'm sorry." He said.

Natalie looked perplexed. "Why?"

"I heard Jade was murdered."

Natalie looked at the ground, her vision clouding in rememberance.

"Do you have any idea who did it?" Akefia asked gently, seeing the girl's pain.

Natalie nodded numbly. "He was caught and sentenced to death." She said quietly.

"Did you know him?" He asked.

"No. But mother did, apparently," she said, "He kept claiming he was my father; but according to mother he died when I was a little girl."

Akefia was silent. Sounds like she had a rough childhood.

"Akefia? Why do you live here?" She asked.

Akefia sighed. "This place... was the only true home I have ever had." He murmured.

"My mother.. She took care of you?" Natalie asked, recalling her mother's story.

Akefia nodded. "She was like an older sister or a second mother." He said quietly.

"She was like that to everyone." Natalie said.

"She was the kindest, most wonderful person I've ever known." Akefia said.

Natalie nodded. "Akefia?"

"Yes?"

Natalie's feet shuffled nervously against the ground. "Would you like to come stay with me? At my place, I mean. It's what she would have wanted."

Done. Sorry for the short chapter; it felt wrong to continue it further.

REVIEW for more. ;)