Ehehe, soo sorry for the late update, but I have found some time from re-writing to whip up this chapter. It's kinda angsty. Please read and review!
Ahiru's POV
I felt as if the life in me was being sucked out, as if it were the end of the world. I couldn't breathe at all. I struggled to get air but it was like I was in a vast world of nothingness and was reaching for something not there, wasting my life away. It hurt that bad.
I was immobilized in this dark, awful world and I needed to get out. I wanted to see Fakir, with his usual scowl on his face. Despite his cold-hearted attitude, I believed that he was actually a warm marshmallow inside. Hey, it was the only way I could analogized him with something. He was my protector, my shield, always being there when I needed him most. And when he wasn't, he still chased after me, vowing to keep me safe at all costs. He has given me so much when I didn't deserve it. After all, what was I to him? Nobody, that's who, a girl he felt sorry for when he found me beside the river.
Abruptly, a shaking motion cut me out of my thoughts and I struggled to pay attention to what was going on. I was still in the unpleasant area but at least I was detecting signs of consciousness.
Ahiru… A wistful voice said. It broke my heart to hear somebody say my voice like that, but it was full of eloquence and emotion that I had to keep listening to what this person said.
Please wake up, Ahiru…
Ahiru, it's only me…
I love you, Ahiru… I swore I heard those words. Somebody…loved me? Me? Clumsy, ditzy Ahiru. How could anybody love me? Those words got me going and I heard voices again--more clearly.
"Her heart rate is beating now. I think she has gained awareness already." I groaned weakly and my eyes fluttered open, half-lidded.
"Ahiru? Ahiru, are you awake?" Another voice pleaded. It was a softer tone, less gruff than the previous one. I glanced up at him, Fakir, and averted my eyes to that oh-so-special point out the window.
"Please, just look at me." He begged. "Let me explain." Charon, horrified at the sight, scuttled quickly out of the room to avoid all the adolescent drama. "They needed me at the school. Please forgive me, Ahiru. I tried to find you and I stayed up all night trying to find you."
"Why did you leave me there in the first place? It's so boring over there! And because of the fact that nobody was there to come get me, it hurt. It hurt like crazy. I felt as if nobody cared for me. And then reality came to me. Nobodyreally did care for me. I was left alone at that river and only you, a stranger, came to my help." I was yelling at him now. Tears blurred my vision, but I made no effort to wipe them away. "That proved that nobody really wanted me where I first started. Why didn't you do the favor of letting me die there at the river, Fakir? Why?" I punched my hardest at his chest and I saw that slight wince. But he didn't say anything to stop me. So I kept at it.
"Why?! I'm so frustrated and upset and…and… I can't keep up with this anymore! It cuts deep not knowing why you're here, knowing that nobody cares enough to get me! I. Can't. Do. This. Anymore!" With each disjointed word, I smote at him, my power weakening at every pummel. To my surprise, he flung his arms over my frail body, which was in dire need of protection, of someone to hold on to. I thrashed about but he did not release me.
"Let me go, Fakir, let me go!" I sobbed. "Lemmego…"
Seeing myself in this pitiful state, I faked a laugh and focused on his eyes, which seemed like they were gleaming with sadness. "You know the funny thing is that I thank you for abandoning me in the rain. Because when I'm in the rain, no one could see me cry…"
I wailed out in distress and threw my arms around his neck. I wept into his shirt, letting all of my bottled feelings from the first time I woke up out. My lips trembled and I couldn't hold myself up anymore. I vaguely heard Fakir tell me, It's okay to fall down once in a while. I collapsed in his arms, tears still streaming down my face, as he carried me up to my bedroom. He set me down and my exhausted self fell asleep right beside him.
.
…
.
The next day I found an immaculate white paper propped on my face.
Ahiru,
I'm sorry I couldn't be here when you woke up, even if it's a Saturday and supposed to spend time with you. As you read, I'm at the school. When you get home, I'll expect you to be happy. Being a prefect, I have saved a space for you at Kinkan Town Academy. There is an assortment of things to do there. I think you'd love Ballet, if you'd pick it. I have informed Rue and Mytho to become prefects with me, so that you'd fit right in.
- Fakir
I smiled genuinely. Maybe somebody really did care, after all.