Chapter 3: An Understanding

They reached the exit and a tall gate stood before them.

"Wait here," Delsin athletically climbed over it, unlocked it on the other side and opened for Sebastian to get through.

"Hurry!"

Sebastian quickly did what he was told as Delsin bolted the gate back in place.

"I know a shortcut through the woods," he gestured him to follow. "Come on!"

Sebastian doesn't know if he should follow obediently. He barely knows this young fellow yet for some unknown reason, he already gave him a sense of security.

"What's wrong?" Delsin was looking at him with concern. "If we don't hurry, he will catch up with us."

Sebastian gazed back at the warehouses behind them before turning back to Delsin, "Yeah…let's go."

Delsin then fished out a small pocket flashlight from his vest pocket as they drew closer to the wood. "Can't venture without a light…stay close. It's easy to get lost in these woods."

Sebastian stared at the woods in front of them. He felt extremely uneasy when he sees the trees and its branches engulfed in darkness by the night. Like as if they will come to life sooner or later to lunge on him.

Since it's the only route to the town, he had no choice but to brace through. Luckily he had someone to accompany him. But this person who called himself Delsin Rowe; is he human?

Both paced through the woods with Delsin as the guide. He knows the way well and soon they reached a clear river. Sebastian could see the reflection of the moon and stars on the surface and it was such a beautiful sight that he was mesmerised by it. Sadly he couldn't stay long to admire these nature beauty.

He followed him down the river path until they reached a steep rocky slope.

"You might need to thread carefully from this point," As Delsin climbed his way down. Sebastian was astonished by how he moved, climbed and leaped. In just seconds, the young lad was already at the bottom of the steep slope, waving at him.

"Your turn," he called out.

"If only I'm younger…." Sebastian mumbled. He slowly and cautiously steadied his footing on a rock to test out whether it can support his weight before proceeding. He was about halfway down, when he suddenly lost his balance and slipped.

"SEBASTIAN!" he could hear Delsin calling out his name.

He shut his eyes tight and shielded his face with his hands, ready to embrace whatever pain and injuries he's going to get however nothing happened.

He slowly opened his eyes just to see Delsin looking down at him. He found himself in Delsin's arms again. Feeling something's not right, Sebastian looked down and was shocked to find they were already on the ground.

"What just happened…?" He was utterly confused. He looked up to the rock slope, back to the ground then to Delsin. He swore he was felling seconds ago and now he's here, unscathed.

"What the hell is going on here?" Sebastian yelled, unable to keep it to himself anymore. "First was that doctor and his doll trying to abduct me, then you came along in that smoke form and now this!"

Delsin tried to explain but Sebastian already began wrenching himself free. The young man lost his grip on the detective that both fell onto the ground with a soft thud. Delsin then tries to help him up however Sebastian shoved him as he quickly backed away from him towards the trees.

"I always wanted to ask you back at the warehouse," Sebastian asked, without even taking his sight off him. "Are you a human?"

"I am," Delsin answered his question. "Just different in a way."

"Different? What do you mean?"

Delsin closed his eyes before letting out a sigh. "I'm not supposed to tell this but…I...I'm actually a Conduit."

"Conduit?" another question raised.

"Humans born with special powers…" he scratched his head. "How do I explain this? It's something like…you know like X-men."

Delsin doubled over. (He's so going to kill me if he finds out about this…)

Sebastian gave him a suspicion stare in return while Delsin was unsure whether to continue his explanation.

"Look…" he raised both his hands. "I'm really sorry if I scared the hell out of you but I really mean no harm. I just want to help. Please trust me." Then again he gave an apologetic look, "I'm sorry but it's the only way I can saved you from him."

Upon hearing this, Sebastian felt extremely bad. After all Delsin did saved his life back at the warehouses and again from the rocky steep slope yet all he ever did in return was yelling at him instead of thanks.

He slowly walked back towards Delsin. "I should be the one apologising. I mean…you saved me twice yet I…." he looked at him. "Thank you."

Delsin, felt rather surprised and smiled in return. "It's ok but I'm glad you decided to trust me."

"Really?"

"Yeah, mostly those whom I tried to help ended up shunning me away. Or worst fired their guns at me," he admitted causally.

"Oh my…" Sebastian was kind of taken back by his comments.

"Well now you know I'm a Conduit and a good one too," Delsin placed both hands on his waist. "I'm sure we both can come to an understanding. But can you promise me to keep it as a secret?"

"You can trust me as how I trust you now," Sebastian smiled back. As they both looked at each other, Sebastian had this sense of familiarity; that they met before and knew each other for quite a while.

"Let's go shall we? Delsin said.

Sebastian nodded.

Both made their way to the nearby town.

END OF CHAPTER 3