Chapter 18 Chased

Run.

That's the only thing that was in my head like a mantra.

The explosion that happened had enough force to untangle Azreal and me, forcing us apart. I went crashing towards the other end of the room. Thankfully by some dumb luck, I did not get severely injured except for a few scrapes and bruises. The distraction gave me enough time to slip away as everything and everyone around me fell into chaos.

Thanking the heavens I ran down the corridors. There was a blaring alarm and the entire place was blinking in red lights. However, for the first time in a long time, I felt freedom.

I laughed.

I ran past many Zakerians who were in a panic. I could hear them shout and give orders.

And then there was me.

The place was too chaotic and no one had the time to pay attention to the tiny human that was doing the chicken run next to all the others.

Well except for a few who gave me a confused glance as I ran past them albeit quite cheerfully.

Because more than the explosion and turmoil that's happening around me I'm more afraid of Azreal and his fury. These guys have not witnessed what I did back at the north pole. He can easily destroy this place while having his evening tea.

These poor ignorant souls.

well, good luck to them.

I felt around my neck and realized the collar had been chipped probably due to the impact as I went flying from the explosion. I was still stunned that I'm still alive and in one piece.

luck was on my side today.

I pulled off the half-broken collar from my neck. I know Azreal is smart and I know this thing is tracking me.

I need to get rid of it fast.

Did I mention that I was completely and utterly lost too?

panting hard I could feel the blood rush to my heart. I needed to slow down. I needed to rest. Yet, I can't do that out in the open.

I slipped away into a different corridor and noticed an elevator at the end of the room. A Zakerian was standing in front of it. He had long dark hair that was braided down his back and his skin was dark in shade. Surprisingly not all Zakerians had similar skin tones. Some of them looked so different that they were blue or green.

I wasn't aware of this at first because when they fought the humans they were always inside some armor that covered them from head to toe.

At that very moment, I heard Zelda's voice at the end of the corridor making a chill go down my spine. She was talking to someone. I could make out the words "is angry" and "find that filthy human" quite clearly even though it was said in a different language.

I heard the elevator doors open and I watched the Zakerian man with the braided hair enter. Not having the time to think twice I ran and rolled inside the elevator before the doors closed.

Well, I didn't think that one through.

What's worse? Zelda and Azreal? or being stuck inside an enclosed space with an alien that can kill me within seconds?

I threw myself towards the corner of the elevator. clutching the walls behind me with my palms and staring at the Zakerian in front of me, breathing rapidly like a hyperventilating rabbit.

He seemed to be confused at what just happened.

"Going down?" he asked slowly in his alien language and I just nodded frantically. Not that I know where I'm going in the first place. He seemed surprised that I could understand him. Looking at me cautiously with his blue gaze he pressed a button and I felt us move downward.

He wasn't giving off any threatening energy and trust me I've been around threatening energy enough to know when death is stalking me like I'm its next prey. So I let myself relax (slightly) and stood next to him awkwardly.

There was an uncomfortable silence as we both faced forward. I did not need to make eye contact. My life was on the line.

The elevator was moving unbelievably slowly and I could feel my heart beating fast. I bet he could hear it too.

I resisted the urge to tap my foot restlessly.

"I'm assuming you're an escaped prisoner." He muttered and I blanched immediately.

He noticed my reaction.

"I knew it. you can understand me. Who taught you our language human? "

I tried not to give a reaction this time and acted like I have no clue what he's talking about.

"Don't play dumb. it's too late for that. Answer me or else."

just because I understood doesn't mean I know how to reply. How do I say this to him?

I closed my eyes and concentrated.

And the words just left my mouth before I could stop them.

"you have nice hair."

..

..

..

There was a very significant pause.

And the moment the alien language left me I covered my mouth with my right hand as I was still clutching Azreals collar in my left quite tightly.

This time we both made eye contact and we were both equally confused.

How did I do that?

"You like my hair?"

"No, no. I said it's nice hair"

"You say it's nice because you like it. which in turn means you like me."

I swear you cannot compliment a man even if they're from another galactic race without them thinking you're hitting on them.

But I'm glad he forgot his earlier interrogation when he asked me how I knew the language cause quite frankly I do not know the answer myself.

"erm"

The elevator stopped and the doors opened to my relief.

However, it was pitch dark. I couldn't see anything beyond the open elevator doors.

I felt the Zakerian shove me and I stumbled outside. I turned around quickly and the moment I did he threw something at me which looked like a glowing light. Almost like a torch.

"Looks like the power down here is gone. You can use that for now little human." I heard him say.

I didn't understand why he was helping me. Was this some sort of trap? Was he sent by Azreal?

"Besides not many people like me so since you say you do I don't mind helping you."

no no you got me all wrong. Is complimenting someone's hair like a mating call to them?

I watched him dumbfounded as the elevator doors started to close slowly.

"My name is Ragnar. I hope you survive long enough so was can meet the again little one"

With those words, the doors shut completely leaving me in this dark room with a little light in my hand.

Not a minute passed by and I could hear someone's distressed moan from somewhere in the darkness.