Chapter 16: A strange surprise

"What do you want?"

"I...just wanted to talk to you..."

Malene closed her eyes and listened to the sound of the wind. How dare he come and disturb her moment of peace!

"Oh, and what have I done to deserve such an honor?"

"Malene, don't be like that..."

There was something different about his voice. It was no longer the hard and icy voice from earlier. Now it was soft and gentle, and a tad familiar.

"I just wanted to apologize..."

"Well fine. Apology accepted. Please leave now."

" No Malene...I mean about last week..."

She jerked around quickly to face him. Last week? Wasn't it only a few hours ago that she met him? She felt something being thrust into her hands. It was her broken sunglasses.

"What the...where did you get this?"

"Please don't tell me that you don't remember..."

Out of pure instinct, she reached up and touched his cheek, which was wet with a single drop of liquid.

A tear?

"No..."

"Malene, it's me."

"No!"

She jumped up and ran, but a strong gloved hand caught her wrist.

"Malene, please, listen to me!"

"No! You're lying!"

She tried to break free from his grip, but he only held on tighter. He then pulled her closer to him and wrapped his arms around her in an attempt to stop her struggling.

"Let go of me!"

"Please, just listen...please Malene, I saved your life twice, you owe me that much."

"Alright, but let me go first."

"Promise me that you won't run away."

"I promise."

As soon as his grip loosened, she quickly stepped back, but as promised, she didn't run.

"Please tell me what's going on."

"You have to promise that you'll believe me."

"How can I promise that? I don't even know who you are!"

"I was born as Cryptomelane Heliodor Celestite. Ever since I was young I was always by myself. I grew to be like I am now, but there was always one person who could make me feel normal, the one who could bring out my true colors. That was Garnet. You were the only other person who ever had the power to make me smile. I don't even know why."

"But...why did you go all silent on me when I woke up?"

"I was shocked. I didn't mean to be like that...I'm sorry."

He reached over and pulled off her phantom mask. Tracing the scar on her eye, he tilted her face up towards his.

"Open you eyes Malene...please...for me."

She did. Slowly and sadly, she opened her eyes, her ivory orbs glowing in the moonlight. He gently planted a light kiss on her forehead and replaced the phantom mask on her face.

"Get some sleep. Tomorrow we're going after that stormy bastard. I've got an old score to settle."