Chapter 12.
Navsegda.
The storm outside raged on and the sound of the howling wind increased by the minute. The glass on the windows clattered as the frost settled on them, creating icy patterns. Kai sat alone in the room and listened to the music of the winter.
-Why are you sitting in the darkness?
Tala came in and switched on the lights.
-Aren't you cold?
Kai nodded.
-Breakfast is ready, you better hurry or we'll be late to school.
And he left. But Kai didn't move a muscle. He just sat and stared into the empty white outside. That emptiness that is what filled him every day, that guilt of happiness and joy while the person he owned so much was missing, maybe even dead. Was that called betrayal?
-Kai?
He got up and walked lazily to the kitchen, putting on a smile for Tala.
-What did you make?
-Pancakes.
Kai groaned and slumped down on a chair.
-I feel like I'm going to be obese if you carry this on…
Tala turned from the stove looking worried.
-What are you talking about Kai?
/And now he's gonna tell me how fit and thin I am. /
But that wasn't what Tala said…
-You already are.
-…Tala…
The car felt cold as the two boys got into it. Kai started up the car and changed the gears.
-What about your seat-belt?
Kai smiled at his lovers concern.
-What? Do you think it would still fit?
-…no.
For that, Tala received a death-glare but he laughed it off.
The road was empty as always but to Kai something felt wrong. A familiar feeling or presence crept on to him, like someone other than Tala was close by. He looked to the dark trees on the side of the road and saw a…
Figure.
-Kai! What are you doing?
He had stopped the car in the middle if the road and jumped out like there was no tomorrow.
-Rei!? Is that you?!
He ran to the spot where he had seen the shadow of the person but everything looked the same. Behind him he could hear Tala. Kai knew that he would be upset but that moment he needed to find his friend. He ran about screaming Rei's name until his voice became hoarse. Tala wouldn't look at him, he just cried. The fog seemed to hang heavily upon the forest, like all the sins on Kai's shoulders. He dropped to the snow and cried.
He didn't care anymore if that was weak, or bad. He didn't want to give up but he knew that he was only human and to bare all those things upon his shoulders was just too hard.
They rode to the school in silence, both deep within their thoughts.
-Hey! Kai, Tala! Haven't seen you guys in ages!
-Hey Tala!
People greeted them like nothing had happened and for once in a long time the two felt like normal human being with happy lives and little worries. They knew that it wouldn't last, that at the end of the day they'd go back to what they really were, their real lives.
But they enjoyed everything while it lasted because they knew the price of life.
The bell announcing lunchtime rung and everyone noisily exited the classrooms, off to the cafeteria. Tyson pushed through the crowd and caught Kai by the collar.
-Hey, where you off to?
-The same place as you.
-Great, then we can walk together.
/Oh happy days…/
But Kai's happy thoughts were interrupted when a hand wrapped itself around his shoulders and soft lips connected with his cheek.
-I'm getting rapped!
-And that will be all for today, you may leave class and remember that you have and essay to hand in tomorrow morning, if anyone doesn't have it, I expect it the next day. You are dismissed.
-Hey Kai, I'm staying for the clubs meeting, I'll catch up with you at home.
-Sure.
Kai switched on the heater and sat unmoving in the car.
-I want too much. For once I was granted what I wanted and yet that wasn't enough for me is it? Well Kai? What is it that you want?
I want Rei.
Forever.