Sphinx

¬ HILN

"Sphinx?" I queried.

The boy sniffed and surged forward, almost toppling me as he enveloped me in a tight embrace around my midsection. His face was buried in my chest, near-sobs escaping him.

"You scared me. I thought you weren't going to wake up!" he cried out.

What?

I sat still, utterly confused. 

What was happening? 

"Sphinx!" a thunderous voice echoed across the field, causing me to wince at its intensity. 

A figure in the distance marched towards us. Angry determination in their steps brought them considerably closer until I could make out the figure of a heavy-set girl dressed in a similar white robe. 

The boy flinched and scuttled to hide behind me. 

"Oh no, Bala is angry," he whimpered. 

"Bala?" I was lost.