Chapter 3
To live in hearts we leave behind
Is not to die.
Thomas Campbell, Hallowed Ground.
"Leon. Hey, Leon, I need some help out here."
What is it now? Can't this guy take care of himself yet? I slowly stood up, leaving my room and heading out of the house to where Maron was screaming.
"What?" I demanded.
"What do you mean, what? There's a monster out here!" He was waving his arms around frantically, pointing in the direction of the so called monster.
"It's a bite bug." I still couldn't believe this guy. He was panicking about a damn bite bug. Even the children of the village weren't afraid of bite bugs.
"Leon, don't just stand there with your hands on your hips. Do something about it."
I sighed, drawing my twin pistols from my waist. I took one shot at the bite bug. It fell to the floor dead.
"Thank you."
I shook my head, still in disbelief, before heading back to the house.
I've got to get out of here. It's driving me crazy. Sure, Winhill's a nice place to live for a while, but then, well it gets boring. All I have to do here is fight a few little monsters. Anyone could do that.
Well, maybe not anyone. Maron couldn't. I kind of feel sorry for the guy. Everyone says he's not been the same since his sister died some twenty years ago. He still hasn't gotten over it. Apparently, she died giving birth. The father was a foreigner and never came back for her. I guess that's why nobody likes strangers here.
Still, they took me in, and I'm grateful for it. Maron was the one who found me on the beach in Esthar whilst he was out fishing. He took me in, gave me somewhere to live. All I had to do in return was kill a few monsters, keep the town safe.
I guess that was okay for a while. I just want to get out of here. Same old routine every day. I need some excitement. Something to keep me occupied so I don't spend every hour of every day thinking.
But what I want more than anything is to remember. Remember what happened before.
I opened my curtains, looking up at the sky. Getting late. Maybe I'll go get a drink.
Walking down the stairs, I noticed a strange sound coming from the living room. Sounds like someone crying.
I stood at the door trying to be as silent as possible. Maron was in there, looking at all the stuff his sister Raine had left him. He pulled out a musical box with a couple dancing on top. He wound it up and the music started. It sounded familiar somehow.
Suddenly I wasn't in that room anymore.
I was stood in a large, spacious ballroom with my back against the wall and a glass in my hand. I was wearing some kind of uniform, maybe from the military or something. Glancing across the room I noticed the floor was full of couples dancing.
And then, I saw her.
An angel.
She looked at me, her deep brown eyes boring right into the depths of my soul. She pointed towards the starry, night sky and walked towards me, the heels of her shoes clicking against the floor. I took a deep breath and composed myself.
"Hey. You're the best looking guy here. Dance with me?"
Why would she want to dance with me? Look at her, she's beautiful.
"I don't dance." It took all I had to refuse her. I just really don't like to dance.
"I get it. You'll only dance with someone you like." She wasn't going to give up that easily. Moving her hand towards my face, as if trying to hypnotise me, she said, "You're going to like me, you're going to like me. Did it work?"
Yes.
"I told you, I can't dance."
"Don't worry. You'll be fine." Despite myself, I let her drag me onto the dance floor as the music started.
That music.
It was the same.
She placed one of my hands on her waist, and took the other in her own. Her touch made me shiver, it was so gentle.
I started to dance in time with the music. At least, I tried to. I don't know how to dance. Soon I was tripping over my own feet. I'd had enough.
I tried to leave the dance floor, but she dragged me back and made me try again. It didn't matter, I was still clueless.
After a few seconds, I managed to crash into another couple. I thought she'd be mad, or at least a little embarrassed, but she pulled her tongue out at the two people glaring at us. And then…then she smiled.
Something in that smile made my heart melt. I was entranced by it. Before I knew it, I was dancing as if I'd been doing it my whole life. I actually started to enjoy myself.
We both stopped dancing, staring at the fireworks outside. Looking back at each other, I found myself staring into those eyes. I leaned forward, hoping to kiss her, but she pulled back.
"I've gotta go." She smiled as she walked off the dance floor, leaving me gazing after her.
"Leon. You alright." Maron was shaking me by my shoulders.
"I'm fine."
"You look like you've blacked out or something. You sure you're okay?" I nodded. "Fine. Get some rest or something."
"Yeah. I think I'll do that." I climbed back upstairs, lost in thought, and lay on my bed.
Who is she?
Thanks to:
Amber Tinted
CTHKSI
Riona
LeopardDance.