The streets were dimly lit and still as the night sky stretched above. No moving creatures, only the leaves that danced with the soft breeze mocked the stillness of the night. It was cold and the night seemed to draw on – an endless state of darkness, silence and stillness that would only amount to isolation and insanity. Well, this is nothing new to him for all his nights were the same -- unending and isolated.
Just like any other night, he spent it lying on his bed and looking at the ceiling. He had done nothing but to think of answers as to why this happened. Occasionally, to keep himself from falling asleep without a reasonable answer, he would glance at where she first entered his room and hoped that maybe she might just enter again. "You're losing it," he sneered to himself. False hope was his only form of comfort only to be followed by a bitter realization that what he hopes for may never happen.
He turned to his side and dug his face into his pillow. The pressure on his head awoke his almost sleeping brain and he continued thinking. Slowly his eyes began to close.
A shadow stood high up a street post, surveying the area, making sure that there would be no disturbances that night. Her hair blew as the breeze passed her. The evening breeze brought with it the scent of newly bloomed cherry blossoms as it blew throughout the whole area, announcing that spring has finally arrived. Indeed, it was spring in every sense: the blooming flowers, the sun shining bright and life coming back into the world after the dead cold winter. For her, the seasons do not exist anymore. There was no spring, summer, fall or winter. She was simply in an abyss, forever wandering through its depths.
She cannot blame anyone for this state. Her decisions have led her to where she is.
She took a step forward, her foot suspended in midair. If she moved, she would fall and land face down on the ground. She smirked at that fact. Moving from the top of the street post to the ground unharmed was child's play for her. She took a step forward and it looked as if she was about to fall, but she disappeared. Like she thought, it was child's play as she landed safely on the ground.
She started going through the streets, her robe billowing behind her. She wandered for a while, taking each turn that came her way. She was supposed to be patrolling the streets, but she decided to just walk around just this once. She did not recognize the houses she passed at first, but as she went on, each house stirred something in her memory. As even more houses passed, she started recognizing the streets she used to walk on.
She turned a corner automatically. She knew where it would lead, yet her body went on despite her mind protesting. Her heart was restless.
Her feet stopped in front of the house she once stayed in. Without any hesitation she went to his window, trying to conceal her presence as much as she can.
Just when his eyes were about to close completely, he felt an odd vibe. He quickly went under the covers and peered through the thin sheets. It wasn't crystal clear vision, but you could still decipher one thing form another.
She entered through his window and walked over to his bed. She watched over him, just as she did the night she left. What was different about it was the fact that he was under his covers. But, she would rather have it that way than to see all the fresh wounds he acquired in battle.
He could see her. After months of aimless searching there she was again.
She sensed movements beneath the covers, but she deduced them to be involuntary. But as the movements became more and more obvious, he was moving as though he wanted a clear view of her; she stood back a few feet and navigated her way to the window.
He was awake.
She jumped out of the window and ran -- ran to no specific place. He grabbed the sleeping plush toy at his feet and placed its mouth against his lips. He did not bother with its loud protest and decided to worry about how traumatic his action was later. He jumped out of the window and hurried after her. She was already two streetlights away from him.
She ran fast, but despite that he still gained on her. She went through unfamiliar alleyways and turned every other corner thinking she could lose him. But that was simply naïve; he lives here, this is his territory. There was no way he could get lost.
He ran after her, reading each and every one of her moves. He knew each corner and pathway that she ran into. There was no way she could lose him this way. She has lost.
She turned another corner, only to find herself at the mercy of a dead end. Wishing that he was still far was the only thing she could do. She could not run for there was no place to run to.
He finally caught her.
Cornered, she stood in front of him head bowed. She refused to meet his eyes for it would cause her mind to wander through memories past. She did not tremble for there was no reason to. She kept her gaze fixed on her feet and ignored the closeness between them.
He stood in front of her, staring at her bowed head. His hands reached for her arms. He pulled her closer to him. Hands still gripping her arms, he tightened his hold. The gentle squeeze on her arms relaxed her, for it seemed to return her to the situation at hand. Yes, without looking at his eyes, her mind wandered still. He shook her, asking over and over "Where have you been?" Her mouth did not part, not once. Her lips stitched, suppressing words that wished to come out. Not getting an answer, he bit his lower lip; it was quivering – something out of his nature. None of the strongest men could ever make him tremble. However, this woman in front of him had done him no physical harm nor has she made contact with him in any way – and that was exactly what made him tremble. It was the sense of distance between them that held him tightly at the throat that he could hardly speak to her anymore. His hands squeezed her arms out of nervousness.
His hands travelled up to her face, caressing it gently. He tilted her face to meet his. He wanted to see those large eyes of hers to give him some answers. Thick strands of hair covered her eyes, blocking them from his gaze. For that, she was thankful.
He knew he wouldn't be able to look at her eyes despite his efforts. He brought himself closer to her, resting his forehead on hers. She was still unresponsive. Her cold manner froze him in a state of frustration. What can she get out of doing this? For countless nights that thought buzzed in his head leaving him tossing and turning searching for answers. But despite his efforts, the exhaustion puts him to sleep.
She stood still and continued to gaze at her feet. His hands have left her face and were now at his sides. He walked a few feet back and raised his hands in defeat. "You win," he said glumly, "you win. I hope you're happy" he tried to look at the expression on her face despite the strands of hair. He could not see any change. He took a deep breath and dropped his hands. He turned on his heel, his back now facing her, "I'll see you around". With that, he started walking and disappeared into the darkness.
She stood there as the wind blew the strands of hair out of her face. There were no more tears to fall for him for her heart has finally closed.
Now their game of cat and mouse is over. The mouse has finally driven the cat away for good.
She has won.
A/N:
First of all, I am very sorry for this very late update. I've been gone for almost a year because I concentrated on other things, but still here it is, a new chapter :D.
About the previous Chapter 2, I didn't think it would fit the current flow of the story so I fixed it a bit.
Anyway, thank you for sticking with this story.
~randomnessonhigh