Across A Bottomless Abyss

Chapter 16

As I witnessed how the man lost his life on this cold floor, my heart made a fast rhythmic thump. The last explosion went on badly and reached this part of the building. I was breathing too heavily,--can't even find the right syllables to create and say. It's as if my world began to crumple and the devastating confusions became so clear.

"Why?" I asked in a low voice, -not being sure if he heard it.

"Lia, what are you doing here?" he asked seriously.

My tears fell, trying not to absorb the things in my head. His presence for me screams danger now. What if he's the reason for all of these?

I'm still not myself when I saw him move really fast like air. For a moment of second, He disappeared in front of me, leaving Max, who's now looking at me intently. I heard the loud sound of his pistol, creating hundreds of bullets. That's the only time, when I realized that the enemies had reached this place.

I ran towards Max and hugged him. I can feel the loud pressure in his chest, still being silent because of the trauma.

Someone barge in from the right corner, just in front of me. I waved my right hand, creating an ice dagger and threw it directly in his chest. In just a snap, he fell directly to the ground, and started to be surrounded by ice.

I looked at my back and saw Xipher firing his bullets using his right hand and producing fire spears using the other left. I sighed heavily, still trying to avoid the confusions.

I chose to end this mess first before asking him my thoughts. If I let my personal feelings run through this mess, I can't save our people.

I looked for a spot that is safe. I need to let Max hide first. When I saw the safest corner, I brought him there.

"Max, look at me," I said in a loud voice, trying to surpass the deafening noise from our back. 

He's still trembling but he managed to look at me. His eyes scream fear and that melted my heart.

"I'm scared," he suddenly said.

"Don't be scared, Okay? We will protect you. Nothing will happen as long as we have Captain," I assured him.

He nodded and wiped his tears, showing me that he'll trust us. I created a shield that is made from ice, just to make sure that no bullets can go near him.

I created another set of daggers and aimlessly threw it at them. Captain stopped for a moment just to see if I'm really helping him right now.

I did not mind his gaze and jumped towards the ceiling and made a floating chair. As for me, the higher position, the better for me to aim.

I can't believe that there are so many of them. Where did they even come from? I know that we're skilled enough to fight them but then, their number might pull us in defeat.

"6 centimeters away!" Xipher shouted.

I immediately nudged, after I heard his voice. That was close. I saw the bullet stuck on the huge wall just at my back. I tried to look for the owner but he or she is nowhere to be found.

"11 meters. 7o'clock," he suddenly added.

When I turned my gaze to that blind spot, I saw an edge of a rifle, trying to hide within the dark corner.

I made an ice shield before jumping again downwards. I can feel that he's about to say something but I already ran towards the culprit. A huge hole was in between us but I managed to jump off, creating a shortcut for our distance.

When I'm already 7 meters away from him, his gun fell. Without wasting a second, I pulled out the dagger hidden beneath my boots and directly threw it in between his throat.

I am breathing heavily and I can hear the loud noise coming from my heart.

Is it done?

I sat on the floor, trying to calm myself. The surrounding was full of smoke and dusty air. The smell of blood dominated the whole space, as if some heartless punks killed each other.

"Max, are you okay?" I heard Hadley's voice from afar.

I closed my eyes for a moment and tried to rest for awhile. I heard some footsteps coming towards me but I did not mind that. If he's an enemy then I'll be killed. If he's my accomplice, then I'll be good.

"Dad's here, sweetie. Come on. Let's go home," I heard my father's voice.

I smiled lightly and offered my hands for him to reach me. He held my hand and helped me stand up. He hugged me for a moment and whispered something which calms my heart.

"You did great. I'm so proud," he whispered.

I cried silently for how many minutes before asking him that we should go. I don't know but I really get so weak. It's a good thing that Dad's here, holding my shoulders and giving support.

"Why are you so brave?!" Alayah suddenly said before running towards me.

For a moment of seconds, her eyes began to produce tears and hugged me tightly. Her soft sobs were so comforting. At least she's safe.

"Thank you, Lia," Hadley interrupted from behind.

I smiled weakly and gave her a nod. When Alayah withdrew the hug, my father pulled towards the next building where my unit is.

"Rest up," he said to everyone before leaving.

We're quietly walking towards the next building when my father suddenly talked. He's not that vocal so I knew, from that specific moment, there's already something wrong.

"We can't locate your mother," he started.

I forced myself not to get emotional and be strong for him. If we're too weak to do things, we can never save mom.

"We'll send some agents to the coastal sea. I will also give your team a mission. Will you be okay?" he asked worriedly.

"Yes, dad," I answered.

We're already inside of the elevator when he said something more devastating.

"I will give you a separate mission. This is just for your safety but please avoid Xipher for now," he said with too much sincerity.

I was also confused the whole time. I really do not know what's wrong with the situation. He's too loyal to the city to the point that he can't be a traitor.

"He's under investigation," he added while trying to make his voice very low.

At just an exact moment when we reached the floor of my unit, I nodded. I don't want to suspect and doubt him but my trust is not enough to meddle with the truth.

My father did not even go inside. He let me enter my unit and left the place, after saying goodbye.

I walked towards the comfort room and washed my face. I took off my cloak and hung it on the rack. I sighed heavily while trying to examine my face in front of the mirror.

Some specks of ice we're still on my face. I washed it off again, leaving my bare wet face without any evidence of chaos earlier.

My hair was unsophisticated to look at. My eyes were still glowing, showing that I have used too much power.

After a few moments, I decided to take a bath. When I opened the shower, I badly rubbed my shoulders and tried to rinse off the bad memories of today.

I walked out the C.R and entered my walk-in-closest. I chose to wear a pair of white shirts and dolphin shorts. After I blow dried my hair, I threw myself on my soft bed, trying to escape reality and have a good sleep.

Seconds have passed but nothing happened. I'm still wide awake, while looking at the ceiling.

I hissed when I realized that I won't be able to sleep in a state like this. I stood up and wore my night robe.

I decided to go to the rooftop and clear my thoughts. When I reached the highest floor, the cold wind welcomed me when the elevator's door opened.

I walked towards the edge and looked down. How high is this again? I can't even remember now. It's a good thing that there are benches here.

I sat there and closed my eyes to better feel the cold breeze of the night's air. The open parts of my robe are also swaying, together with the harsh movements of wind.

I suddenly remembered our current situation. How can I even possibly rest when my mom is missing? There are also lots of lives who were wasted in vain.

"Mom, where are you?" I whispered to myself, imagining that she will answer me eventually.

I sighed heavily again before resting my head on the back part of the bench. I heard some footsteps coming towards me. I'm too lost with my thoughts and I didn't even try to know who it was.

"I saw you from the other side of the building. Why are you out here? It's cold," I heard a familiar voice say.

I felt that he put his coat on my lap, giving me signs that it's really cold out here.

"I'm just trying to calm myself,"I answered, still not looking at him.

I can hear his breath beside me because of the closed space. It's funny how I managed to forget about my feelings for him and divert my attention towards Xipher. I haven't even realized that he's too good.

"Amalia, you should go inside," I heard Mathew added.

I looked at him with my tired expression. He's now worriedly looking at me. He came closer just in front of me and wiped away the tears that I hadn't noticed.

"Why are you crying?" he worriedly asked again.

"I don't know what to do," I whispered as a matter of fact.

I want to look for my mom, but I can't be reckless. I want to enjoy my life, but our city is still in chaos. I want to trust everyone but still, some of them are traitors.

"Rest, okay? You're too tired," he calmly said.

I nodded, still confused, excruciatingly tired, unable to find my ways, and lost.

"I'll be here," he whispered before hugging me.

As a matter of seconds, I met Xipher's eye from behind, silently looking at us with pain in his longing eyes.