==This chapter snuck up on me…but that's no problem! It's just more content for you :3 I hope you enjoy this special chapter!==
Sleeping With Sirens - "Alone" feat. MGK
Could you check my pulse for me to see if I'm alive? 'Cause every time that I am near you is the only time I feel alright. If there were any way I could think to turn back time, I'd stay here with you. Sometimes I sit and wonder, sometimes I feel like letting go. All I know is no one should have to be alone.
Haunted: Collapse into Caliginosity
Chapter 18:
Disembodied
She fell asleep while watching the whirlwinds. We were sitting in silence, watching nature take its course. Her cheek rested against my arm. I was just lost in thought. Eventually, her head dropped, and I sensed how her breathing had slowed.
Knowing it was pointless to stay any longer, I wrapped her up in the blanket and carried her back to the village. It was a long and dangerous journey, but I had to get her back. It was one problem to keep her asleep and another to pass through the forest where we encountered the bears. I had to keep my guard up, all while keeping her head perfectly balanced in the crook of my arm.
I was thankful for her low bodyweight. Carrying her in my arms was different from carrying her on my back. My hold on her had to be kept secure. If she slipped, she would awaken. I had to be careful and act as if I were carrying an infant.
I kept finding myself looking at her peaceful face. In daylight, I could already see how glimmering the sun would be against her skin, and how her hazel eyes would dazzle between the rays. She seemed one with the heat of summer, while I was one with the cold of winter. There was just something I couldn't quite get straight in my mind, and that was how I could've crossed paths with her. I never meet strangers as interesting as her. She was very…inviting…like how a stuffed bear is to a young child. Ever since I discovered the location of God's gift of beautiful nature from the legend, I wanted to keep it a secret, but…I just had to share it with Macca. I'm very pleased that she enjoyed seeing it, but I brought her in the middle of the night. She was exhausted from the lack of sleep. My new objective was to return her to the house and put her to bed, and then leave. I should've never been with her in the first place. Surely someone back at the monastery has awoken and discovered my empty bed, probably Kai. Luckily for him, I wouldn't be in the refrigerator this time.
Macca's face would every now and then have an expression on it from her mysterious dreams. From what I observed, I tried to figure out what could possibly be going on in her head. She mostly expressed confusion, concern, and annoyance. Dreams are usually inspired by real events, so considering dreams I've had myself, and including our adventure tonight, I could propose that she was going on some kind of adventure with an imbecile.
Her shoe snagged a shrub branch and broke it. I immediately stopped and looked at her with slight panic. I watched her eyes drowsily open. She made eye contact with me, but it was quick to see that she was still asleep. She tried to roll onto her side while still in my arms, so I had to make some quick adjustments. She stopped moving once I held her comfortably. It turned out I had to hold her like an infant, after all. The mothers in my old village always held their sleeping babies like this: I kept her head snug in the crook of my arm and kept her legs supported with my other arm, my hand, unfortunately, had to also support her rear end, but how else could I hold her without waking her?
Once I detected her silent snores again, I continued my trek, keeping my focus on the surroundings more than I have been. I avoided the different plants, sensing the stale scents of the bears from earlier. The only sounds were the crunching of the snow underneath my feet. There were no birds or squirrels or rabbits out. It was just Macca and me.
"Zane," a distinct voice called.
I came to a complete stop and looked down at Macca, but she was still fast asleep.
"I choose you," the voice continued.
"Hello?" I timidly said.
Macca momentarily shook in my arms, reacting to something in her dreams, but she was still fast asleep.
"Protect her."
I searched the area around us, not sensing any other presence. "Who's there?" I whispered.
There was no reply, but at that moment, something icy and airy passed through my entire body, sending a deathly shiver down my spine. It was no wind. I held Macca more securely before hurrying away to escape the spirit in which I had encountered.
I changed point of views! XD But only temporarily. I just hope I do a good job writing in Zane's perspective. If you think so, let me know :)