CHAPTER 8: Seeking answers

I looked around me to be sure I wasn't dreaming anymore, I noticed it was already past Sunset, my goodness! I was about to follow in Grandma Tiana's footsteps and draw out a search party.

I hopped to my feet and began sprinting up the hill eager to get back and prevent chaos in our household. As I reached the hilltop, I remembered Igris, he had said that he existed but needed my permission to cross into our world. I was excited to try it out but that would be in my room after everyone had retired.

I flushed at the thought of him in my room, not that he hadn't been in my room, but back then he hadn't been normal. I couldn't wait to touch him knowing it was reality, I stopped abruptly as it occurred to me, that he had been in my room that day!

How was that possible? Did I summon him? I couldn't possibly summon him since I didn't know his name back then. More questions started taking form in my head and doubt began to creep in.

I was accosted at the door by my mom who from the swollen eyes had been crying. It made me guilty to have indulged in my childish fantasies while my mom was worried about me.

"What happened to you?" She asked hugging me, "I slept off while resting near the pond, I'm sorry Mum," I said sheepishly and she smacked me on my forehead " Are you trying to tell everyone that you do not have a home anymore" she asked angrily, "No mum it won't happen again" I said contrite.

" Go wash up, I couldn't prepare dinner because of you so you would make do with some bread and fish that's all we have available at the moment," she said, tying her scarf properly and heading for the door probably to check on her poultry.

I nodded too distracted to care about what I ate, I hurried into my room and flopped on my bed rolling from side to side. I was fighting an internal battle within me, I wanted to try calling Igris but for some reason, I felt stupid, I mean other people are out there planning their future and stuff, while I was here obsessing over a character I made up.

Arrgh! Fuck it I Couldn't endure it anymore. "Igris, can you hear me? please come to me" I said in a barely audible voice. Nothing happened, I waited and then looked around my room which wasn't big but no sign of him.

I was mortified at what I had done, I felt tears brim as self-disgust sprang up within me making me lie down and pull my blanket over my face. I lay there for some minutes telling myself I was just playing around and I needed to stop fantasizing about him.

Suddenly the left side of my bed was dented with extra weight and I stopped breathing, not ready to believe what I was suspecting, Please let it be him! I prayed silently, not ready to remove the blanket and find out it was my imagination.

"Alleya didn't you say you missed me?", on hearing that euphoric voice I was so relieved and happy that my self-disgust tears doubled up to happy tears and spilled over, running down my face. Before I could wipe it off and sit up, the blanket was snatched out of my hands.

" Did I scare you Alleya?" Igris asked, pulling me into his arms, "No Igris you didn't" I said smiling " Why are you crying?" He asked worry etched on his beautiful face " I was happy to see I guess," I said grinning.

"You didn't believe me?" He asked amused, "Well I was confused, the first time you were here I didn't call you remember, so comparing it to what you told me it didn't sound plausible " I said standing up to check if my door was locked, the last thing I needed was explaining to anyone in my family what this huge and gorgeous man was doing on my bed.

"You did summon me," he said after I had confirmed that my door was locked, "I didn't know your name so how would that be possible?" I asked befuddled, "it was more of an order than a summon that day and I had already lost control which made me act that way, I apologize Alleya" he said.

I wasn't getting the point but I wasn't going to spend my time with him badgering him with questions, those can come later but right now I was just happy to be with him.

"Um…Igris I'm curious about you and everything that happened so far, but I'm too tired to ask every question so explain some things to me" I said settling into his arms

"Alleya there is a lot I want you to know, but you need to be aware of the fact that you're in danger now you have summoned me, They are aware I've been released and would try everything within their power to lock me up again but to do that they have to kill my master first so I beg you please be careful at all times and Always summon me whenever you're in danger, " He said while playing with my fingers.

I turned sharply, almost hitting him in the process, I was astounded. What did he say about killing? Why would someone want to lock him up or worse kill him? Was he a fugitive? Wait, am I harboring a criminal?

"Stop trying to analyze every detail on your own, ask your questions Alleya," He said

"Did you kill someone?" I asked the first question that popped into my head, already scared of the unknown. He paused, then stood up slowly, "What would you think of me if I admitted it?" He asked, leaning against the wall away from me.

I didn't want it to be true, I had only gotten to know him but for some reason I felt safe with him around and now the possibility that he could be a murderer horrified me. The annoying part was the fact that he was initially part of my subconscious, how did he kill someone since I never imagined him killing someone?

"Igris" I called out after a minute of silence, "Yes Alleya" he answered, "Aren't you a character I imagined in my head but ended up summoning to reality?" I asked tentatively, "No Alleya" he responded.

Something wasn't adding up, If I hadn't created him then who was he and how did he get into my head? Time to stop my childish infatuation and think straight.

"Who are you Igris and I want the whole truth?" I asked firmly.