I fell back into the cell, sinking onto the cold floor with my back facing the bars, feeling more defeated than ever before. I had been so close – I had actually seen beyond the door – when I was caught again. How pathetic was this for an exorcist general to be caught not only once, but also again when she was attempting an escape?
Sighing heavily, I shut my eyes, placing my face in my hands. Now I was completely alone. Why was I the only general who had failed to escape on top of it all?
I pressed my hands even harder to my face. What did the Noah even want? According to them, they were just keeping us locked up here so we didn't cause any trouble. Scratch that – it wasn't a we anymore; it was me.
I felt a warm, steady air blowing against my neck. Figuring the Noah had turned on the heat, I chose to ignore it until I heard his voice. "Why do you look so down, beautiful?"
Just when I had thought there wasn't anything worse than being the only general that couldn't escape. I spun around, staring at Cross with wide, petrified eyes. "You were caught too?"
He smirked his lopsided grin and shrugged, sitting cross-legged in front of me. "I was almost there when I realized you weren't behind me anymore. It took a moment of debating, but in the end, I realized that it would be a waste to give up this great opportunity of being alone with such a lovely woman!"
I groaned loudly, falling onto my back and pressing my hands against my forehead. "Tell me that's not the real reason you're here?"
Cross put his hands on either side of me, leaning down so his body was only inches away from mine. "I can't think of a better one."
I suddenly regretted lying down. Using my arms, I pushed myself backwards and sat up, leaning against the wall. "Lay off, Cross. Sorry to disappoint you, but you would have been better off leaving when you had the chance. I'm not like the other girls you know – I'm not going to believe all your bull."
Cross sat up straight again, laughing at my bitter tone. "Ouch, that was harsh, Cloud!"
"Good. Just as I intended."
He slid across the ground, sitting next to me again. "I suppose the other two got away, then."
I rolled my eyes. "How convenient. Don't tell me you paid them off to get some alone time with me or something like that."
His face lit up in shock, and for a moment I thought he was offended by my assumption. "Now why didn't I think of that? We could have done this a lot sooner!"
I couldn't resist it – I elbowed him roughly in the side, not caring how childish I seemed. "You never learn a thing, do you?"
"Never!"
I let out another groan; shutting my eyes and leaning my head back again. The cold wall was good on my pounding head. All the aggravation and stress of being not only captured but also trapped with Cross was really wearing me down. What I really needed was some more sleep, but that wasn't easy with Cross around.
"You know," he began again after a moment of silence. "Lulubell is the one watching us."
I waited for him to continue, but he didn't. I shrugged, opening my eyes to peer over at him. "So?"
The corner of his mouth began to raise and I shut my eyes again, not knowing if I should even bother listening to whatever he was going to say next.
"I'm sure she's bored," he began, "and she seems like the type who wouldn't mind if we put on a show for her-"
"Cross, if the Noah don't kill you, I will."
"How? If you're going to do it with your whip, I wouldn't mind one bit!"
My eyes flew open, glowing angrily at him. "No," I corrected in an impatient tone, "I'm going to have Lau Shimm slowly dismember you with his teeth and then devour all the little pieces."
He cringed. "For such a beauty, you've got quite a sick mind."
"I'm a general, aren't I? Besides, you shouldn't judge a book my its cover, not that you read or anything."
He ignored my last stab, slumping down onto the ground. "Well, then, Lulubell's just going to have to be bored tonight. I'm going to sleep."
I pulled my legs to my chest, nudging myself further away from where his body was sprawled out on the ground. "You do that."
He fell silent almost immediately. It was as if he had a switch that he turned on and off, to talk or not to talk. I wish I knew where it was so I keep him quiet.
I stared out of the bars, replaying my attempt at escape over and over again in my mind, trying to figure out how I had been caught and the others hadn't. Even Cross had had a choice to stay or to go. What was wrong with me lately?
It was probably a good thing that some of us were still here, though, since Sokaro and Tiedoll's Innocence were still in the Noah hideout.
Cross was sound asleep now. he rolled over, his hair flowing out across the ground so it was within my reach. I stared at the long, red strands, and had the sudden urge to run my fingers through them, just to see what it felt like. Obviously, many women found Cross attractive, but I had practically no idea why. Either the other women were insane, or there were some redeeming qualities in him, even if they completely disregarded his personality.
Hesitantly, I reached out and placed my fingers in his hair, slowly running them through it. His hair was so soft-
Cross rolled over so fast that I hardly had time to pull my hand back. He smiled at me. "I caught you two days in a row!"
My mouth was hanging open in complete shock, and it took me a moment to recollect myself. When I did respond, I was gasping. "You were awake…again?!" His only answer was a broader grin. I clenched my fists at my sides, feeling color rushing to my face. "Do you ever sleep?"
"Not when there's a pretty lady around."
I once again buried my face in my hands, shaking my head in disbelief. With both of us up, this was sure going to be a long night. Suddenly, I was missing the other generals. A lot.