Episode 25: A Gruesome Episode
The herbs…
Where is it…?
I did not know how long I had been running.
Was it a few minutes…?
Three hours…?
To me, it felt like a lifetime.
Kurapica-san…
Please do hang on…
I'll bring the herbs for you…
As fast as I can…
It was so hard to run in a skirt. The stray branches and brambles kept clawing at it as well as my face, arms and legs, holding me up.
I could possibly care less about the stinging pain as the razor-sharp points pricked my skin, leaving small open wounds.
I crashed through the undergrowth, tumbling as I ran on.
The herbs…
They should thrive when they are near a water source…
But…
Where is the water source in the first place…?
It took me a while before I found a river.
Perfect…!
They should be here somewhere…
I ran forward and began my search.
It took me a few seconds before I took notice of those herbs. Actually, it was easy to spot them since these herbs are quite large in size and they are usually neon green in colour making it hard to camouflage with their surroundings.
There they were, growing on a rock that was protruding out of the water.
I went over to the riverbank and tried to get hold of the herbs. However, my hand could barely even reach them for they were too far out of my reach. Undaunted, I tried again, this time moving nearer. I could feel the spray of water splashing onto my face as the river water rushed by in strong currents.
The currents are so strong…!
If I were to fall in…
I would be instantly swept away…!
I shivered a little when I thought about it.
But, Kurapica-san…!
Just a little further…
I stretched my hand as far as it could go and managed to grab them.
Got it…!
However, just as soon as I caught hold of the herbs, I lost my footing and tripped, plunging head-first into the water.
" Aaahhh! "
I resurfaced a moment later, coughing badly as the water went into my nose and mouth, choking me.
" Someone…please help me! " I screamed out, trying my very best to hang onto the rock while the currents tugged forcefully at my body.
" Anyone, out there?! Please help me! " I cried out again.
This is bad…!
If no one comes…
Then, I'm done for…!
I'll die, drowning…
" Someone! " I called out again, desperately. " Please I need your help! "
Despite this, I still held the herbs in my hand.
Kurapica-san needs this…!
" What are you doing down there, little girl? "
I turned my head and caught sight of a man with red hair standing there with an amused smile on his face. That was the last thing I saw before my head went under as I lost my grip on the rock. I squeezed my eyes tightly shut, praying that the stranger would save me or else, I will drown.
The lack of oxygen available to my lungs made my head spin as I struggled to stay conscious.
Please…
Help me…
Someone…
Anyone…
That was when I felt someone's arm wrapping around my waist and pulling me upwards.
Gently, he laid me down on the grass, soaking and dripping wet as I struggled to catch my breath after being in the water for so long.
" Th-Thank you, " I wheezed, breathlessly. " For saving me. "
The man smiled at me.
Inwardly, I shivered at the sight of it. His smile was inhuman, devoid of any emotions. It was like he was smiling just because he wanted to. I was a little afraid of my rescuer but I did not show it.
" What were you doing there in the first place? " he asked me.
" I was getting these herbs for my friend, " I answered shyly. " And that was when I tripped and fell in. "
Boy, I am still not good around with strangers…
" You are one lucky girl, my dear. Well then, I'm off, " he told me and walked off.
It was then that I remembered.
" Uh, excuse me – "
However, the stranger had already vanished.
I forgot to ask his name…
Stupid me…!
I shrugged my shoulders and ran in the direction from whence I came; turning once more to look back but there was no one there.
Anyway, thank you…
Whoever you are…
For saving my life…
Then, I turned back front, my eyes filled with purpose.
The Gods…
They have spared my life once again…
After five years…
It is a sign…
That I still have to live on…
However, this time, it's different…
I have something to live for…
And that's for my friends…
Who would always be there for me…
And I for them…
Kurapica-san, I'm coming…
So…
Please wait for me…!