A Heart's Façade

Chapter Two : Waking Up To A New Reality

Caelus' Point of View:

I seated myself on a bundle of firewood next to her sleeping figure lying on an old mattress in peace. In the back of my head, I found some relief that she was finally letting her body receive the rest it appeared to be craving for. Poor girl.

Injuries were all over her body and her dress was torn into so many splits that it was barely hanging on to her body. I would dress her in anything comfortable I had that could fit her, but I figured that perhaps it would be better to allow her body to rest without any disturbance at first. And then I figured the next best thing to do would be to bring her any food I could manage.

I patiently took in the sight of her form as I stared down at her tranquil body with her eyes closed, taking a moment to process. She looked serene, in contrast to the panic of fright and dread that she was being overwhelmed by, just a few moments before she collapsed in my grasp.

"Why does she keep doing this to herself..." I sighed to myself in a low mumble, a frown appearing on my face as I sulked.

Only a few months back, I had saved her from jumping off a cliff to take her own life and today I saved her while she was running for life from death chasing her. And I had no idea how to figure where the irony stood. Sigh.

I raised my head again as my eyes casually made their way to observing this girl again. Calling her innocent would be an understatement, but she looked free, yet to be ruined. She had peachy pink skin which was glowing with a warmer tint to it under the sunlight, just like her eyes that glossed like her eyes were a jar and she held fireflies in them. Fireflies were my favorite little things. Their little butts of light made them appear like they were stars themselves.

Those eyes seemed to have a unique mix of vernel green and hints of woody brown fading in, most probably an effect of sectoral heterochromia, that I noticed the first time I saw her.

Her hair was hazel brown with slight and smooth waves, fine and silky, but they had a curl to them by the end splits which suited her beauty perfectly and made her even more worth looking at.

Soon a realization struck me, reminding me that I was showing more interest than I should and I instantly held myself back, mentally slapping myself. Part of me questioned the rest of me that was responsible for saving her on why I feel the need to protect her every time I have encountered her facing trouble, but an empty part in my brain itched which urged me to stay with her a little longer.

A gasp grasped my attention and made me look into her eyes which she fluttered open to find herself in a totally unfamiliar place, different from expectation. Panic took over her expression as she noticed me. I sent her a soft, sweet smile to calm her down in response.

"Hello." I forwarded my hand for her to hold to assist her to sit up, but she pulled her body backwards as if my gesture made her feel sensitive. I pulled my hand back instantly afterwards, sealing my lips with a chuckle to cut the embarrassment.

"It's okay, rest assured. You are safe." My tone was soft and calm with a look of reassurance which she didn't seemed to be convinced by yet.

"If I had to hurt you, you wouldn't have gotten a chance to wake up." I sighed, my voice low, but at hearing this she trusted my words hesitantly.

Her eyes were skeptical as they examined me like it was a hidden inspection to check if I was indeed safe, but it was evident she did not recognize me; understandable because we did not share much of a glance for her to remember me, when we encountered each other a few months back.

"I don't understand..." She mumbled with uncertainty flushed all over her face as she shrugged off my coat from her shoulders, half dazed, but I only served her a curious smile. The young woman with those extremely alluring, mostly sea-green eyes, if I hadn't pointed them out earlier, stared back at me broodingly.

I continued to look at her, brows lifting up slightly from their position to tell her that she can ask me about what she does not understand. But only a sigh left her lips before she clenched her jaws, holding her thoughts to herself like she had decided to seal her trust further away.

She laid back down with her back facing me, which indicated she did not wish to speak anymore and preferred some rest instead, which made me get up from my seat as well. I covered her with my coat that she had shrugged off so that it could keep her warm before walking further away, making my way downstairs from the attic we were in.