Don't Touch Me! Chapter 9
"You're the one who keeps this fear alive"
Whew. I'm back, finally.
My computer is back in the land of the living, so I can continue writing and posting this story.
Thank you so much for patience, I promise you it will be worth it!
This is btw not the most exciting chapter, but it is important for the story.
Enjoy.
-----------------------------------------------
Chapter 9
*Rana's POV*
' I think I owe you guys an apology' I started 'I-...'
' You? He's the one that should be apologizing.' Seth interrupted me, while glaring at Flynn.
'I beg your pardon? Me? Who is the one that started yelling at her?' Flynn countered, while rising to his feet.
'If you hadn't acted like a jerk, there wouldn't have been a problem in the first place!' Seth snapped, his fists clenched at his side.
I wanted to interrupt their ridiculous fight, but to my great surprise, Iorwen started to interfere.
'I'm so fed up with you two! How long do I have to endure your pathetic little argument? You humans are all the same and I-...' The rest of her words weren't audible, because Seth and Flynn started to yell again. Even Ayele, in my opinion the most composed person I knew, stood up and shouted that they all had to stop yelling. But that only made it worse.
I giggled. I couldn't help myself, it was a sudden urge. I laughed again, harder this time. It was all just so...funny. Before I knew it, I was rolling on the ground with laughter.
Slowly, they realized something was wrong and fell silent.
'Rana? Are you okay?' Seth asked cautiously, while helping me to my feet.
'Look at us'
I said giggling. ' We're supposed to save Elary. We are the heroes of the people and what do we do? We're just fighting individuals.'
They all chuckled at that and we sat down again. I became serious again.
'Listen guys, we can't do this if we don't trust each other. And I think now is the moment we sort some things out, because we can't work like a team, we don't stand a chance.' I paused for a moment, looking at their faces. 'I know that not everybody wants to be here, but...I need you. All of you.'
Flynn grimaced lightly. 'Don't think I don't know you're talking to me.'
He sighed.
'You know what, Seth, you were right. I do owe you all an apology. My behavior last weeks was not something I'm particularly proud of, but...It's just...' He fell silent and looked at me pleading.
'Do you want me to explain?' I offered, feeling sorry for him.
He shook his head. 'No, I will tell them, it is my story.'
The others exchanged confused glances, not knowing what was going on.
'My mother was murdered by the Innocent.' Flynn said, his voice steady. 'I was 12 years old when they paid a visit to Vildri. They'd heard about a resistance organization and wanted to destroy that possible threat. Only their information was wrong, the woman they thought was the leader of it, had nothing to do with it. Not that they cared.
I was at home, with my mother and my sister, when they entered our house and killed my mother...before our eyes.' His voice broke and a single tear ran down his cheek. I wanted to get up and comfort him, but Iorwen covered his trembling hand with hers. Surprised and gratitude crossed Flynn's face, but he didn't say anything.
'I don't know what happened after that, but when I woke up, the house was destroyed and Irina was trying to wake me up. I realized that my mother was gone forever and I got so mad...I set the house on fire. That's how I learned about my Fire powers.' He paused.
'I couldn't comprehend my mother's death and I didn't want to. I didn't talk to anyone about it, not even Irina. No one could see that I was grieving on the inside, I'd always had a knack for acting. My Fire powers made me a popular teenager and I enjoyed the attention, especially from girls. ' He grinned sheepishly. 'Irina was the only one who remained the same, if it wasn't for her, I would've been worse.' Seeing the unbelieving look on Seth's face, he chuckled.
'Enfin, I understand now that I was escaping from my troubles. I ignored all the feelings I had, anger, sadness, everything. But in the deepest corner of my heart, I remained a 12 year old boy, crying for his mother.' He fell silent again.
I noticed that I was crying myself, moved by his honest words, even though I'd known all along; Irina had told me everything that night we stayed in Vildri.
'The hours I spent in the woods made me realize that I should use my talents to help the people. So I'm going with you and I going to destroy the Innocent. Especially Nyx.' The hatred was visible in his eyes now and it chilled me to the bone.
'She's no woman, she's a monster, an evil creature, she's...'
'She's my sister.'
The loudest silence I ever heard followed those words as we all stared at Iorwen.
'You have got to be kidding me.' Seth managed.
'It's true. She is my twin, to be exact.' The sadness I'd seen before was clearly visible this time and for the first time since I'd known her, she looked...old.
'We were born 300 years ago and from the start it was clear that -...'
'That you looked alike like two raindrops.' Seth finished her sentence.
'Yes' Iorwen said 'I guess you understand now why Helny was so upset to see me. And you too.' She said to Ayele, who nodded.
'But, you mean...your sister is one of the Innocent?' I asked, unable to believe it.
'Yes' Iorwen said sadly. 'We've always been as different as day and night. My power was the Water Element, hers was the Moon Element. The Water Element is also known for its soothing powers, the Moon Element is quite the opposite. Being a Moon Element allows you to draw power from the Moon and summon images of whatever you want. If you're powerful enough, those drafts of your mind's ideas will become alive. Of course, Nyx is very powerful, so she was able to conjure copies of people and she could make them do whatever she wanted.
Even though we were opposites, we always were the best of friends, until she met Plato. She started to avoid and ignore me and after a while she decided she wanted me gone from our village. So she drafted an image of our Elder and he, or it, banished me.'
'But...what about the real Elder? Surely he must notice a copy of himself trying to banish someone.' Ayele asked, frowning.
'That's the weird thing. If Nyx conjures a precise image of you, you can't do anything anymore. Even though she creates a image of you, she needs your essence to make it look real.' Iorwen explained and when all looked confused, she shrugged. 'I don't understand either, but it's all I know. Something she explained, before...him.'
'But what did you do after you were banished?' Flynn asked.
'I became part of the kings guard.' Iorwen shrugged. 'That's why I was there to hear his last words when the Innocent had destroyed the castle.
We were silent again, all absorbed by our own thoughts.
'I've always thought that I had the most problems in the whole wide world.' Ayele mused after a while. 'Gifted with an Unusual Element, but banished for that same reason. Cut off from humans for too long, because everyone is too afraid of you. But now, I realize that so many people have their own burden to bear, some heavier than other.'
I thought about my own problems and knew that Ayele was right.
'I think that sorrow brings people together, makes them stronger.' I said. Like he was reading my mind, Seth wrapped an arm around my shoulders. Like he knew that I needed some comfort, preferably from him. I leaned in to him, ignoring the warmth that spread through me the moment his fingers brushed my bare skin. I thought about what Flynn had said to me.
Could it be true? Did Seth have...feelings for me that way? The thought it made my heart flutter once again, it almost felt like it was saying 'how obvious do I have to be to make you realize you're in love with the guy?'.
I pushed that thought aside and let my exhaustion take over. My eyes closed and I sank into a weird sort of dream. I was asleep, yet I heard the others talking.
'What about you, pretty boy?' Flynn asked. 'What horrors did you meet on your way here?'
'None.' Seth answered 'At least, none of the kind you all endured. My parents loved me, I had great friends, Rana being the most important of them and in general, I was happy.'
'But?' Iorwen asked.
'I had my own sort of suffering. I had to see how that...monster abused Rana all those years. I was helpless, she'd begged me to remain silent.' I could hear the frustration in his voice and it saddened me to know how much pain I caused him.
'Every single time she knocked on my door with bruises on her face. Every single time she cringed away from my touch, too afraid to let anyone close.'
'Does she know?' Iorwen asked.
'What do you mean?' Seth asked innocently. Iorwen didn't answer, but she did something, because Seth sighed.
'Sometimes I think she doesn't notice anything at all, but ever sine Lorli cured her from touching me...I honestly don't know. Maybe she's meant to love someone else...' He finished softly.
No, no! Seth I love you, please believe me, how can I love someone else when I've got you?
I wanted to say, to make that awful sad look go away from his beautiful features; but no sound left my mouth.
That was about time.
A voice said, ringing everywhere. I wheeled around to see a woman sitting on the ground, legs crossed.
I gasped, she was the spitting image of Lorli. The same build, the same gray hair, only her eyes were closed. I sat down in front of her and she opened her eyes. They were almost colorless and stared ahead without seeing.
Greetings, Gatherer.
Again that voice, that wasn't a real voice, but was audible everywhere. I glanced over my shoulder to see if my friends saw the woman too, but they were still talking. I could see my own body, still sitting next to Seth.
'Who are you?' I asked, curious.
My name is Erin. I'm the Past Element.
'You're Lorli's sister!' I exclaimed. 'She told me to tell you she said hello.'
The woman smiled and nodded.
I know. Now, I'm here to finish what my sister started. You can't go on with this fear living in your heart.
'What? No..I...can't...scared' I stammered. I had been able to ignore this the past weeks, I was too scared to go through this again.'
Rana, don't you realize that you're the one who keeps this fear alive?
You are surrounded by a group of friends who all love you dearly and the thought to harm you will never ever cross their minds. Seth especially.
I could only nod, while this immensely joyous fact settled in my mind. I didn't have to be afraid. I'd kept my fear close to me, because it was part of me. But my newfound friendship changed it all.
'I love Seth.' I said, a bit dazed, more to myself than to Erin. She smiled widely.
Like I said, it was about time you realized that. Twenty years of friendship can make you blind to what's in front of you.
Goodbye Rana, Gatherer of the Unusual Elements.
Listen to your heart if it speaks to you, it will guide you on your way.
And she disappeared. I found myself back into my body, closely wrapped into Seth's arms.
'...Rana! Can you hear me?'
'Yes. Why shouldn't I?' I asked a bit groggy.
'You suddenly went limp and cold and I didn't know what was going on.' Seth said, worry etched on his face.
'I'm fine Seth. I talked to the Past Element.'
'Are you serious?' Iorwen asked, looking flabbergasted. 'And?'
I got up and walked over to her. I looked at her for a moment and, it almost felt natural, I hugged her.
She returned the hug cautiously. 'She cured you?' She whispered finally.
I nodded and grinned.
Ayele laughed out loud, grabbed me around my waist and twirled me around in a circle.
'Ha, at last!'
I hugged him too, as far as I could reach around him with my arms.
Flynn walked over to me, his arms open. I walked over to him, but instead of hugging him, I slapped him in the face.
'That is for being a jerk.' I stood tiptoe and kissed him on his other cheek.
'And that is for saving my life.'
He looked a bit offended, but grinned after that.
'I guess I deserved that. Now, come here, I want my hug.'
I chuckled and walked into his arms.
'Thanks Flynn, for coming back. I'm glad you're here.' I murmured against his chest.
'Me too.' He whispered.
I took a step back and turned to Seth. I staggered on my feet while walking to him, into his arms.
'You're going to sleep now.' He said decidedly and walked me to my tent personally.
He made sure I was comfortable underneath my blanket, before lying down.
'Are you cold?' He asked, looking at me.
'Maybe a little.' I said.
'Just admit you want me to warm you' Seth joked. I pretended to be offended and turned my back to him, but he didn't take it. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and crawled closer to me.
'Seth?' I asked, not knowing if he was asleep or not. No answer.
'Seth, I think I'm in love with you.' I whispered, knowing he didn't hear. And I didn't care either, just knowing he was here with me was enough.
I fell asleep dreaming of staring wolves and blind women.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My computer is back in the land of the living, so I can continue writing and posting this story.
Thank you so much for patience, I promise you it will be worth it!
This is btw not the most exciting chapter, but it is important for the story.
Enjoy.
-----------------------------------------------
Chapter 9
*Rana's POV*
' I think I owe you guys an apology' I started 'I-...'
' You? He's the one that should be apologizing.' Seth interrupted me, while glaring at Flynn.
'I beg your pardon? Me? Who is the one that started yelling at her?' Flynn countered, while rising to his feet.
'If you hadn't acted like a jerk, there wouldn't have been a problem in the first place!' Seth snapped, his fists clenched at his side.
I wanted to interrupt their ridiculous fight, but to my great surprise, Iorwen started to interfere.
'I'm so fed up with you two! How long do I have to endure your pathetic little argument? You humans are all the same and I-...' The rest of her words weren't audible, because Seth and Flynn started to yell again. Even Ayele, in my opinion the most composed person I knew, stood up and shouted that they all had to stop yelling. But that only made it worse.
I giggled. I couldn't help myself, it was a sudden urge. I laughed again, harder this time. It was all just so...funny. Before I knew it, I was rolling on the ground with laughter.
Slowly, they realized something was wrong and fell silent.
'Rana? Are you okay?' Seth asked cautiously, while helping me to my feet.
'Look at us'
I said giggling. ' We're supposed to save Elary. We are the heroes of the people and what do we do? We're just fighting individuals.'
They all chuckled at that and we sat down again. I became serious again.
'Listen guys, we can't do this if we don't trust each other. And I think now is the moment we sort some things out, because we can't work like a team, we don't stand a chance.' I paused for a moment, looking at their faces. 'I know that not everybody wants to be here, but...I need you. All of you.'
Flynn grimaced lightly. 'Don't think I don't know you're talking to me.'
He sighed.
'You know what, Seth, you were right. I do owe you all an apology. My behavior last weeks was not something I'm particularly proud of, but...It's just...' He fell silent and looked at me pleading.
'Do you want me to explain?' I offered, feeling sorry for him.
He shook his head. 'No, I will tell them, it is my story.'
The others exchanged confused glances, not knowing what was going on.
'My mother was murdered by the Innocent.' Flynn said, his voice steady. 'I was 12 years old when they paid a visit to Vildri. They'd heard about a resistance organization and wanted to destroy that possible threat. Only their information was wrong, the woman they thought was the leader of it, had nothing to do with it. Not that they cared.
I was at home, with my mother and my sister, when they entered our house and killed my mother...before our eyes.' His voice broke and a single tear ran down his cheek. I wanted to get up and comfort him, but Iorwen covered his trembling hand with hers. Surprised and gratitude crossed Flynn's face, but he didn't say anything.
'I don't know what happened after that, but when I woke up, the house was destroyed and Irina was trying to wake me up. I realized that my mother was gone forever and I got so mad...I set the house on fire. That's how I learned about my Fire powers.' He paused.
'I couldn't comprehend my mother's death and I didn't want to. I didn't talk to anyone about it, not even Irina. No one could see that I was grieving on the inside, I'd always had a knack for acting. My Fire powers made me a popular teenager and I enjoyed the attention, especially from girls. ' He grinned sheepishly. 'Irina was the only one who remained the same, if it wasn't for her, I would've been worse.' Seeing the unbelieving look on Seth's face, he chuckled.
'Enfin, I understand now that I was escaping from my troubles. I ignored all the feelings I had, anger, sadness, everything. But in the deepest corner of my heart, I remained a 12 year old boy, crying for his mother.' He fell silent again.
I noticed that I was crying myself, moved by his honest words, even though I'd known all along; Irina had told me everything that night we stayed in Vildri.
'The hours I spent in the woods made me realize that I should use my talents to help the people. So I'm going with you and I going to destroy the Innocent. Especially Nyx.' The hatred was visible in his eyes now and it chilled me to the bone.
'She's no woman, she's a monster, an evil creature, she's...'
'She's my sister.'
The loudest silence I ever heard followed those words as we all stared at Iorwen.
'You have got to be kidding me.' Seth managed.
'It's true. She is my twin, to be exact.' The sadness I'd seen before was clearly visible this time and for the first time since I'd known her, she looked...old.
'We were born 300 years ago and from the start it was clear that -...'
'That you looked alike like two raindrops.' Seth finished her sentence.
'Yes' Iorwen said 'I guess you understand now why Helny was so upset to see me. And you too.' She said to Ayele, who nodded.
'But, you mean...your sister is one of the Innocent?' I asked, unable to believe it.
'Yes' Iorwen said sadly. 'We've always been as different as day and night. My power was the Water Element, hers was the Moon Element. The Water Element is also known for its soothing powers, the Moon Element is quite the opposite. Being a Moon Element allows you to draw power from the Moon and summon images of whatever you want. If you're powerful enough, those drafts of your mind's ideas will become alive. Of course, Nyx is very powerful, so she was able to conjure copies of people and she could make them do whatever she wanted.
Even though we were opposites, we always were the best of friends, until she met Plato. She started to avoid and ignore me and after a while she decided she wanted me gone from our village. So she drafted an image of our Elder and he, or it, banished me.'
'But...what about the real Elder? Surely he must notice a copy of himself trying to banish someone.' Ayele asked, frowning.
'That's the weird thing. If Nyx conjures a precise image of you, you can't do anything anymore. Even though she creates a image of you, she needs your essence to make it look real.' Iorwen explained and when all looked confused, she shrugged. 'I don't understand either, but it's all I know. Something she explained, before...him.'
'But what did you do after you were banished?' Flynn asked.
'I became part of the kings guard.' Iorwen shrugged. 'That's why I was there to hear his last words when the Innocent had destroyed the castle.
We were silent again, all absorbed by our own thoughts.
'I've always thought that I had the most problems in the whole wide world.' Ayele mused after a while. 'Gifted with an Unusual Element, but banished for that same reason. Cut off from humans for too long, because everyone is too afraid of you. But now, I realize that so many people have their own burden to bear, some heavier than other.'
I thought about my own problems and knew that Ayele was right.
'I think that sorrow brings people together, makes them stronger.' I said. Like he was reading my mind, Seth wrapped an arm around my shoulders. Like he knew that I needed some comfort, preferably from him. I leaned in to him, ignoring the warmth that spread through me the moment his fingers brushed my bare skin. I thought about what Flynn had said to me.
Could it be true? Did Seth have...feelings for me that way? The thought it made my heart flutter once again, it almost felt like it was saying 'how obvious do I have to be to make you realize you're in love with the guy?'.
I pushed that thought aside and let my exhaustion take over. My eyes closed and I sank into a weird sort of dream. I was asleep, yet I heard the others talking.
'What about you, pretty boy?' Flynn asked. 'What horrors did you meet on your way here?'
'None.' Seth answered 'At least, none of the kind you all endured. My parents loved me, I had great friends, Rana being the most important of them and in general, I was happy.'
'But?' Iorwen asked.
'I had my own sort of suffering. I had to see how that...monster abused Rana all those years. I was helpless, she'd begged me to remain silent.' I could hear the frustration in his voice and it saddened me to know how much pain I caused him.
'Every single time she knocked on my door with bruises on her face. Every single time she cringed away from my touch, too afraid to let anyone close.'
'Does she know?' Iorwen asked.
'What do you mean?' Seth asked innocently. Iorwen didn't answer, but she did something, because Seth sighed.
'Sometimes I think she doesn't notice anything at all, but ever sine Lorli cured her from touching me...I honestly don't know. Maybe she's meant to love someone else...' He finished softly.
No, no! Seth I love you, please believe me, how can I love someone else when I've got you?
I wanted to say, to make that awful sad look go away from his beautiful features; but no sound left my mouth.
That was about time.
A voice said, ringing everywhere. I wheeled around to see a woman sitting on the ground, legs crossed.
I gasped, she was the spitting image of Lorli. The same build, the same gray hair, only her eyes were closed. I sat down in front of her and she opened her eyes. They were almost colorless and stared ahead without seeing.
Greetings, Gatherer.
Again that voice, that wasn't a real voice, but was audible everywhere. I glanced over my shoulder to see if my friends saw the woman too, but they were still talking. I could see my own body, still sitting next to Seth.
'Who are you?' I asked, curious.
My name is Erin. I'm the Past Element.
'You're Lorli's sister!' I exclaimed. 'She told me to tell you she said hello.'
The woman smiled and nodded.
I know. Now, I'm here to finish what my sister started. You can't go on with this fear living in your heart.
'What? No..I...can't...scared' I stammered. I had been able to ignore this the past weeks, I was too scared to go through this again.'
Rana, don't you realize that you're the one who keeps this fear alive?
You are surrounded by a group of friends who all love you dearly and the thought to harm you will never ever cross their minds. Seth especially.
I could only nod, while this immensely joyous fact settled in my mind. I didn't have to be afraid. I'd kept my fear close to me, because it was part of me. But my newfound friendship changed it all.
'I love Seth.' I said, a bit dazed, more to myself than to Erin. She smiled widely.
Like I said, it was about time you realized that. Twenty years of friendship can make you blind to what's in front of you.
Goodbye Rana, Gatherer of the Unusual Elements.
Listen to your heart if it speaks to you, it will guide you on your way.
And she disappeared. I found myself back into my body, closely wrapped into Seth's arms.
'...Rana! Can you hear me?'
'Yes. Why shouldn't I?' I asked a bit groggy.
'You suddenly went limp and cold and I didn't know what was going on.' Seth said, worry etched on his face.
'I'm fine Seth. I talked to the Past Element.'
'Are you serious?' Iorwen asked, looking flabbergasted. 'And?'
I got up and walked over to her. I looked at her for a moment and, it almost felt natural, I hugged her.
She returned the hug cautiously. 'She cured you?' She whispered finally.
I nodded and grinned.
Ayele laughed out loud, grabbed me around my waist and twirled me around in a circle.
'Ha, at last!'
I hugged him too, as far as I could reach around him with my arms.
Flynn walked over to me, his arms open. I walked over to him, but instead of hugging him, I slapped him in the face.
'That is for being a jerk.' I stood tiptoe and kissed him on his other cheek.
'And that is for saving my life.'
He looked a bit offended, but grinned after that.
'I guess I deserved that. Now, come here, I want my hug.'
I chuckled and walked into his arms.
'Thanks Flynn, for coming back. I'm glad you're here.' I murmured against his chest.
'Me too.' He whispered.
I took a step back and turned to Seth. I staggered on my feet while walking to him, into his arms.
'You're going to sleep now.' He said decidedly and walked me to my tent personally.
He made sure I was comfortable underneath my blanket, before lying down.
'Are you cold?' He asked, looking at me.
'Maybe a little.' I said.
'Just admit you want me to warm you' Seth joked. I pretended to be offended and turned my back to him, but he didn't take it. He wrapped his arms around me from behind and crawled closer to me.
'Seth?' I asked, not knowing if he was asleep or not. No answer.
'Seth, I think I'm in love with you.' I whispered, knowing he didn't hear. And I didn't care either, just knowing he was here with me was enough.
I fell asleep dreaming of staring wolves and blind women.
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