Burning

My nosebleed stopped again. Even though I'm not that tired these few days, why am I having a nosebleed? I rarely have nosebleeds. Maybe I should go to the doctor. Galter sat next to me, making me uncomfortable. It was always like that, whenever something wasn't right, Galter would be with me.

"Eir, you left your window open again didn't you?" asked Galter looking down, not looking me in the eye as he spoke to me.

"That's it," I answered simply.

"That red tattoo on the back of your neck …. How did it appear? You've been tagged," Galter said saying something I couldn't understand. Marked like what does it mean? Marked as a victim or something, I don't get it.

"Marked what do you mean?" I asked not understanding.

"The people who are after me. They came after exploring, living as long as the curse existed. If the curses are gone, then they will be gone, and so will Senem, me. This time, believe me, I'm telling the truth," said Galter for the third time saying that he was Senem.

"Senem is a folk tale," I replied, somewhat unconcerned.

"But you've met him before. Leaning against Senem, feeling the warmth of Senem's animal hair. Hurt your neck, take you into the forest, traumatize you, kill before your eyes," said Galter who knew what happened. I didn't tell everything to Grandpa, because Grandpa himself kept a secret from me.

"What proof do you have that you are Senem?" I asked because this was the third time, and Galter kept saying the same thing, which made me somewhat sure of what he said. "The Senem I know, that grandfather told me about, was cursed, unable to turn into a human, unable to get out of his territory, until now just wandering around aimlessly, because there was no clue about the curse. Everyone knows the story, and you don't see any form of what I mentioned," I told Galter that he wasn't Senem, and Senem wouldn't have been able to get into the school as Galter did now. "Senem will not go to school, Senem is much smarter because he has lived for more than hundreds of years. Knowledge without limits."

"I'll prove it to you," Galter replied seriously.

"Okay, another question. How did Senem turn into an ordinary human? Look at you, without animal hair, face as smooth as a two-month-old baby, walking like an ordinary human, ordinary strength, running at an average speed, green eyes…." My voice trailed off as I said eye color. I remember Senem's eyes being green, the same as Galter's.

Galter drew closer to me, his eyes so clear that I felt something very familiar. My heart doesn't lie when I feel it, and I can't just lie. Galter's face was so close to mine, I kept my eyes on those green strides. Touching Galter's face, our foreheads touched, then our noses touched too.

"Aaah!" I shouted suddenly feeling that the back of my neck was getting hotter, burning but no fire.

"Eir!" Galter exclaimed immediately pulling away from me.

The burning sensation slowly subsided, again a nosebleed. Exactly what makes it feel so burning. I don't know what happened to me, but Senem might know what happened.

"Eir, now you are not safe. Never walk alone, don't go anywhere. If someone asks you for help, don't help if you don't know them. Anyway, don't be alone if you're outside. Make sure Lavin is always with you," said Galter warning something that sounded dangerous to me alone, but didn't say anything.

"Then I have to find a boyfriend," I joked.

"Do not!" Galter exclaimed in quick response.

"Can't I find a boyfriend? My parents are not with me, and Mr.Harto is a busy person, I also can't always bother Lavin. At least I should have a boyfriend, and go out with someone who can take care of me. What do you think? Maybe basketball boy is good," I joked, which made Galter's face even more frown when I said something about a boyfriend.

"All you have to do is, call me when you're alone."

Galter came out of the school clinic room and immediately the school bell rang. I should have gone back too, I also came out of the school clinic and walked towards the class. My body is still a bit weak, but it's getting better after resting.

In front of the class, I saw Lavin with Danial. I tapped Lavin's shoulder and asked what he was looking for. Lavin was even surprised that I appeared from behind, not from inside the classroom.

"What's wrong with your nose? It's red," said Lavin seeing it. Earlier, I was not clean enough to clean my nosebleed.

"Nosebleeds, I was from the school clinic," I answered entering the classroom and taking my bag.

Galter turned out to be home early. Danial didn't speak as he walked towards the fence. Then when I was about to reach the fence, again I felt like the back of my neck was on fire. My legs couldn't hold my body, and my nose was nosebleed again. How many nosebleeds have I had today?!

"Your nose Eiryana."

Danial took his tissue and gave it to me. The weather today is very hot, and my head is getting a little dizzy. Galter came from behind, catching me before I fell to the ground.

"I'll take you home," Galter said, carrying me on his shoulders again.

Galter immediately left and ignored Lavin who had not agreed that I was carried like that, it was better to take public transportation. But Galter had gone first, meanwhile, Danial had just appeared after picking up his motorbike from the parking lot.

"Where's Eiryana?" asked Danial earlier planning to take me home.

"Already went home with his classmate," Lavin replied, unable to find the whereabouts of Galter and me.

This warm feeling again. It turned out to be Galter, again carrying me like someone weak. I don't like it, but I feel more comfortable.

"Put me down," I asked. "You'll be tired if you carry me from school to the castle. From here, I can walk on my own."

"I'll take you to the door of the castle. Eiryana, I did this of my own free will, and to prove to you that I am Senem. Ever heard of strong like ten men? That's my strength," said Galter which sounded like a joke to me.

"I like it," I mumbled.

"What do you like?" asked Galter.

"Warm feeling. Your body feels warm, I like it. Similar to Senem. I want proof if you're Senem. Come to my room tonight, I'll open the window, but come before I sleep," I said giving a small challenge. "In the form of Senem."

"You'd better prepare some food. I get hungry easily," joked Galter which made us both laugh together.

"I'll get some milk. I miss him, Senem. If you are Senem, come to me and tell me the story. I'm waiting for another story."

The longer I was with Galter, the more exhausted I became. It felt very comfortable, even though several times the back of my neck was burning again, but it felt defeated by this warmth. I'm waiting for the next story, Senem.