37. Threads of Fate

"When we are born, a red string is tied around our pinky finger connecting us with the one person we are meant to be with. No matter how far or how much time has passed, no matter where they may be, the connection can never be broken. The string gets tighter the closer the two are to each other and once tightened it will never become loose again. It can be painful to separate from the other. While strings may tangle or become knotted they will always fix themselves in the end. That is how two people are connected."

Sophia finished and looked over at Albel. He was looking down at her like she was crazy. He held up his hand in front of her face. "Do you see something there that I do not?"

She shook her head and smiled. "The string is invisible, you can't see it."

He turned from her and started walking. "Then how do you know it's there?"

It was dark and the streets on Elicoor were only dimly lit by kerosene lamps. Sophia hurried to follow him, not wanting to be left alone in the dark. "You just know. There must be something that explains true love."

Albel mockingly laughed. "Love is such nonsense. People are drawn together by two things, lust and loneliness. Love is just an excuse."

Sophia stopped and watched him walk away. "I believe in love."

Albel didn't stop at the gates of the city but continued out towards the fields. "Good for you. Go believe it with some other fool."

Sophia sighed deeply and watched as his form was swallowed by the darkness.

Albel stopped out in the field. The moonlight was the only illumination from the dark shadows of the earth. That girl got under his skin and he didn't like it one bit. Every breath she took, every word she spoke seemed to penetrate his defenses more. He just couldn't take it anymore; he had to kill something.

His crimson eyes scanned the darkness looking for the slightest movement. Finally he spotted three monsters in the distance. Lightning fast he was upon them, hacking away at their flesh, spilling their blood on the cold ground. He quickly killed off the first two but took his time toying with the third much like a cat plays with a mouse before killing it.

Soon he had had his fun and once again he was alone. His need satisfied he made his way back to town. As he neared he could see she was still where he left her. She leaned against the cold metal of the gate, her eyes closed, the light from the street lamp making her look slightly angelic. He stilled for a moment still hidden in the darkness and drank in the image. She really was getting to him.

As he approached her she opened her bright green eyes and looked at him. He knew what she saw was a mess; he was still covered in blood from his hunt. He stopped while directly in her line of vision knowing she would be able to fully see how violent he was. "Why did you wait?"

She moved to stand in front of him. Her face was almost expressionless as she looked him over. "You shouldn't have to be alone all the time. I just thought you would want someone to walk with." Then she turned and started walking towards the inn where they were staying.

He looked down at his hands in the light. They weren't as bad as he thought they would be the blood spatter was minimal. He couldn't help notice the ring of blood that had formed around his pinky finger and for a moment he almost thought he felt a slight tug in the direction the girl had left.

He scowled down at his hand and quickly wiped the blood off. That girl would be the death of him.