Abandonment issues

"We were recommended to come here as a place to stay by an old man, 'Christopher' I think it was?" Ariel said stepping out behind Lotus

"That bastard huh" instantly Christophe's face turned sour at the name and Lotus couldn't help but swear he heard a slight undertone of thunder rumbling,

"Anyways the old man gave us this weird-looking candle" all the kid's eyes lit up as if they were looking at a rare treasure, even Christophe looked in surprise

Lotus gave an inquisitive look "oh so you know what it is, I've been feeling strange feelings towards it", Christophe settled it gently on the reception desk and said "we can talk about this tomorrow you guys must be exhausted right, let me show you to your room", Lotus and Ariel nodded in agreement they couldn't dent they were pretty tired and hungry but beggars can't be choosers right.

as they followed up the creaking wooden stairs, passing by many rooms with eclectic-looking doors they stopped at the last room "well see you tomorrow, join us early for breakfast if you would like" he said before giving a bright smile and turning back down for the stairs, "wait!" Ariel yelled stressfully "this is the only room left, we don't have anymore unfortunately, but you guys are a couple no?", "No ar-", Ariel was about to continue before Lotus swiftly covered her mouth "haha shes just nervous to stay with her handsome boyfriend, thank you very much" Christophe shrugged his shoulders in a phlegmatic manner and continued away.

"Ariel, shut up people will be suspicious of two random strangers" Lotus proceeded to open the door to the ordinary-looking room giving off a faint scent of charcoal, but what distracted them was the giant king-sized bed in the corner. Ariel followed behind, clearly not interested in the appearance of the room "I barely wanna see your face right now, you're sleeping on the floor" Ariel said, taking off her tattered robe leaving her in her stained white shirt and jeans which hugged and revealed her pulchritude.

"heh?" Lotus briefly glanced and acknowledged her beauty but had no intention of taking her words seriously, the floor was dusty and decrepit, "well actually you can have the bed, I probably won't be here for the night anyways".

It would be an understatement to say Ariel was heavily confused with Lotus' words "what do you mean? where are you going?",

"damn mom what's with all the questions," he said before taking a piece of cloth he found in the room and tying it around his wrist.

"I'm serious Lotus, Where are you going?" practice growling at him he rolled his eyes in annoyance

"Back to the cave"

"What are y-",

"Shhhh, keep your voice down, doofus"

"oh I'm the doofus, what's even the point of going back there? are you gonna teleport such a distance?"

"I don't know if it'll even work, and I'll be back before sunrise I'm sure, I'll tell you why once I come back", He stood in the middle of the room taking deep inhalations and quick exhales

At that moment, Ariel began having flashbacks of her childhood, being abandoned and left in a corner of an old apartment, scared and alone

"Wait isn't it dangerous, why are you going alone? can't you try teleporting me as well?" Ariel began subconsciously panicking, a myriad of thoughts began invading her mind 'where's he going, is he gonna be ok, what will I do, Lotus opened his eyes and the golden glow appeared "Ariel it will be fine, in the meantime try and investigate a-bit about this place, more importantly, that candle, something doesn't sit right with me about all this, but stay safe… I'll come back don't worry, bye" and as if his existence was a mirage he vanished.

"Great, what am I gonna do now" she stood with a deflated expression and a rumbling stomach.