A Missing Piece

"Why...are you telling me this?" Gerald asked, his eyes getting red while his heart aching in guilt. "Wouldn't you be better off beating me right now?"

"I just thought you ought to know about the hopes of people you destroyed." Kai said, "That's why you shouldn't make promises you can't keep." 

Kai picked up the rest of the branches in silence while making sure not to lose track of Gerald. His eyes sometimes wander into the void. He frowned and shook his head.

Once they both were done, they headed back together. It was an awkward silence. They walked side to side while keeping an eye out for more branches.

Gerald wanted to ask Kai more questions but his voice couldn't escape his mouth. It was frustrating and relieving. For every word Kai spoke, it felt like deadly venom.

Anne was holding two bunnies by their ears, their bodies cold. She passed it over to Zane for him to prepare the food.

"You've gotten awfully good at hunting. What happened to you?" Ophelia jokes.

Kai walked by and placed the branches in front of Zane. "This should be enough right?" He asked.

"Yes..thank you." Zane replied. He wasn't good at talking to new people. Regardless of their age. Only a small group of people could strike up a conversation with him.

Gerald passed the other branches into the fire and flames started roaring. He sat down and packed up his bag while setting his two blades aside for cleaning.

Zane hovered the meat above the fire and watched the pale peeled skin turnt to a dark brown roasted color before switching its side.

Everybody was starving. Especially more so after smelling the cooked meat.

They all devoured the meal with ease and finished up for the night. 

The tent could only afford 2 people to sleep in. Naturally, Ophelia hurriedly claimed the spot first. The rest would have to sleep outside with a sleeping bag.

"You wanna sleep inside, kid?" Anne asked. "And take this." She tossed bandages.

"No. I'm fine outside." Kai replied. He held the bandages in his hand. He had no use for it. His leg was already bandaged. The wounds on his face cannot be bandaged or else it'll be a bother to his vision. 

"Suit yourself." Anne said before escaping into the tent for the night.

Snoring was immediately produced by Gerald. He went to sleep without any difficulties whatsoever. As if the conversation earlier didn't even happen.

Zane turned over and inevitably made eye contact with Kai. He was shocked and wanted to turn over but he felt like he shouldn't turn his back. He cursed himself for choosing to sleep in the middle.

"My name...is Zane." He introduced hesitantly. It felt like an unsuitable moment to do so but what would he know about communicating?

Kai nodded and sat up. He didn't reply or anything. He just sat there and stared at the grass patch.

Feeling ignored, Zane closed his eyes and forced himself to sleep. 

"How old are you?" Kai asked suddenly.

Zane eyes shot open. "I'm 19." He responded. It was a random question but he felt like he had to answer it out of courtesy.

"If you spent half of your life.. doing something. And you ran away from it..you're expected to feel something missing even though it wasn't anything pleasant. Right?" Kai asked, sounding desperate. 

The question's context was vague but Zane did not ask any further. "It depends on the person honestly. I don't know what your circumstances are but I do know.. if you have an awful past, running away from it is rather courageous. Some people get stuck in an awful time loop and don't even bother to think for themselves. Just because they're afraid." 

Zane didn't know why but he felt comfortable enough to talk to the kid. "Spending half your life dedicated to something, you're bound to feel a piece of yourself missing if you escape from it. That doesn't mean you need that piece, it just simply means you still haven't finished your job of fully escaping from that nightmare. Physically.. or mentally."

Zane sounded as if he was speaking about himself, his voice was empathetic and gentle. Like the breeze on a sunny day. Hopeful and relaxing.

"Thank you." Kai said, staring at the night sky. 

"You're welcome." Zane said with a little smile. "You should go with us tomorrow. I think Anne has taken a liking to how quick witted you are."

Kai smiled and didn't say anything. He closed his eyes and tried to block the man corrupting his mind with his constant pestering.

Hours passed and Kai remained at the same position, except this time, he had a companion at his side. Luar had come. 

'What are you thinking about?' Luar asked in the boy's mind. 

Kai shook his head. "Nothing." He replied, fidgeting with the blanket. "I can't sleep now. I think I should leave." He whispered.

Luar looked at the people sleeping and figured Kai had made some new friends while it was gone. "Let's go then. Better off not wasting time."

Luar waited for Kai and watched him fold his sleeping bag properly before standing up. 

They were about to walk away before they heard a groan from one of the sleeping logs. 

Gerald sat half awake in a daze. He saw the familiar figure standing up, he rubbed his eye. "Kai?" He murmured.

Kai didn't reply and turned his back.

"Wait! At least take my extra sword." Gerald yelled in a whisper. He grabbed the sword beside his sleeping bag and ran after Kai.

Gerald pushed the sword onto Kai's hands. "It's the least I can do. Please..forgive me." His eyes were bright and clear with desperation. There was no doubt in his eyes. He wanted to be forgiven for the crime he committed.

"You're already forgiven." Kai said and pulled away from Gerald and dropped the sword. He waved and said his goodbyes in silence. 

They were parting ways yet again. But this time, it felt much lighter in a sense.

Once again, Luar and Kai walked off into the moonlit night.