Purity

Chapter Six

The next morning, I woke up to hearing Lei’s father chuckling in the living room just behind me. Confused as to what was funny, I opened my eyes and realized why he was laughing. Somehow, during the night, Lei had switched sides of the sofa and was sleeping right against me.

“Young love.” He mutters to his wife, “Remember when we were that age? We had a lot more fun, didn’t we Yeusil?”

“I only remember you always making the first move. Guess she gets it from you.” She replied giggling.

Now I realized just how deeply Lei sleeps. Her parents are laughing and talking, not very quietly at that, and she’s just sleeping her morning away. I attempted to carefully slide away from her and get up, but she grips my arm tightly under her neck. I’m stuck. How do I get out of this? I have to give everyone their rations today! Just as I was thinking about it, Michael began explaining that he and Iris, Lei’s little sister, were going to take care of my egg cart today as they know Lei will not let go until she wakes up. I didn’t know that she was the cuddly type until the past 24 hours.

After a while, she woke up and began blushing embarrassingly.

“Why didn’t you wake me up! I should’ve gone to bed last night. I tend to move a lot in my sleep. Sorry Jaimie. You’re late to run rations, aren’t you?” She gasped.

“Your dad and Iris went for me today, since you wouldn’t let go of me.” I chuckled.

She slapped me and got up from the sofa to get herself ready for the day. I still can’t get that dream out of my mind. I can’t tell Lei about it because I’m sure it would make her uncomfortable. We just admitted to having feelings for each other, things like that are way to forward. Lei’s mom was in the kitchen making breakfast, so I went and offered my assistance. She agreed and I began helping with the food. After food was cooked, we set plates and once finished, Michael and Iris walked into the front door.

“Man, J, how do you push that cart around the entire town!?” Michael says exhaustedly, “Thing weighs as much as 3 cows!”

“I’ve done it as long as I can remember, but I do remember how difficult it was for me at first.” I replied.

“Well, you got some serious strength and endurance J.” he said complementarily, “hey, do I want to know why your front door is missing at your house?”

“Probably not, but ill let it spill, I killed a goblin yesterday.” I snarked.

“A GOBLIN?! IN TOWN?!” he screamed in a worried tone. “And you killed it?! Are you ok?”

“Yea I’m fine,” I replied. “It never got the chance to touch me. Killed it before it had the chance.”

“Well,” he smirks, “you Are impressive J. “

“Tanks Michael!” I smile back.

“Hey, Jaimie, Do you think you could help me deliver fruit rations after breakfast?” Lei asked.

“Your dad and sister took care of my rations, so it’s the least I could do Lei.” I spoke.

So, that’s just what we did. We delivered everyone their fruit rations and saved my house for last. I was afraid of exactly what perused. My father was outside with my brothers, fixing the front door I broke. He noticed us walking up to the house and met us halfway through the yard.

“Hey James, where were you last night? I waited for you to come home so we could have a talk.” He stuttered out his words.

“I stayed at Lei’s house last night to avoid an argument again. Is that a problem?” I replied annoyedly.

“Oh n-no that’s not a problem James. I was just wondering. Look, I’m sorry for the way I treated you the past few years. You’re my son, and I should’ve never treated you that way.” He replied defensively and skittishly.

“Now you want to apologize?!” I said irritated, “But you didn’t feel sorry for me when I was weak and defenseless for all these years! That’s bullshit dad. You aren’t genuinely sorry for the way you treated me, you’re just sorry because now, I’m not weak and powerless. I don’t need your apologies dad. I never did and I never will. But, I would be more than glad to put yesterday and all the past years behind us. Staying the night at lei’s house, I realize how badly I just wanted your approval and support all these years.”

“I understand, son. Just come home, I’ll change, for us!” he relaxed and replied.

By this point in the conversation, Marcus and Seth had walked up to be beside my father. They were both puzzled but also worried.

“Hey bubba,” Marcus said.

“You doing, ok?” Seth said caringly.

I don’t talk to my brothers much because dad always favorited them, but they were always genuinely concerned for my wellbeing. At least I can say my brothers were good to me. They were always busy studying so hard because dad pushed them 24/7. Because of that, I’d never really had many conversations with them. They mean well, and wish the best for me, so I can’t be mad at them.

“It’ll take time for me to get to that point, dad. Give me a few days away from the house. But I will help fix the door.” I reply.

Lei went inside and helped my mom clean the mess in the kitchen while we worked on the front door. We ended up sanding and re-treating the wood to keep it from decaying. We also had to reposition the doorframe because it had warped from the door yanking the hinges. It was at this moment I began to regret what I had told my father the day before, but if I wouldn’t have said it, nothing would’ve changed. I’m grateful for me standing up for myself now, because I may be able to grow a significant bond with my father before I inevitably die in a few weeks. Only 3 days have passed, but it feels as though time is moving so fast, I’m seriously NOT ready to go see King Eastwood. What will it mean for Lei and me? How long will I survive in whatever happens after? Now’s not the time for worrying about that. I should focus on my family. I should also be focused on Lei. There are so many new things I’m learning about her, and I don’t want to think about what will end it. I don’t want what’s happening to end. As we were finishing up all the housework that needed to be done, Lei’s father arrived. He seemed his usual jolly mood always happy to see everyone. Such a good guy.

“Hey hey family! Hey Clearborns! Got some upkeep going on today?” he shouts.

“Not quite, Michael. Just fixing the old door. Damned thing just wouldn’t stop creaking!” replied my dad.

“Never took you for the handy-man type Father Xavier!” chuckled Michael, “This town is still full of surprises, and I’ve been here since I was a kid!”

At this point, I could feel my father holding back from telling him off. Dad has always been the one with the witty jokes when it came to him and Michael. This is the first time I’d ever even heard Lei’s dad catch him with one and not hear my dad come back with a smart Alec comment. Or so I thought.

“Well Mike, we can’t all be blessed with the magic ability to smile a door into submission.” He joked.

Ouch. What a d**k move, dad. Man’s happy to be alive and have such a lovely family, and even more lovely oldest daughter. We all joked around a bit before the Wortham’s and I went back to their house. The sun was beginning to set, and I felt like I hadn’t done anything with my day. Once back to Lei’s house, her father asked me to stay outside with him for a moment and talk. I didn’t know exactly how this was going to go, or what we were going to talk about, but I did know that NOT knowing was making me nervous.

“Hey, J.” He began, “I know you and my daughter like each other. I mean, this morning made it completely obvious. I am ok with you two being with each other, but only because its you. However, I noticed something was bothering you today, and it wasn’t just your dad. Everything ok bud?”

Bud. He called me bud. No one has ever called me that, but it felt good. I know I have to explain how I feel to someone. Why couldn’t it be him? All he’s done so far was support and accept me for who I was. What do I have to lose? Screw it, here’ goes.

“I’m scared that if I get too close to Lei and die, like all the others who went to the king, it may break her heart and she may never open up to anyone else. I don’t want her to be alone, and I don’t want her to be sad, or worry. I guess I just can’t ignore the destruction.” I exclaimed.

“In the midst of destruction, we breathe light into those around us for peace of mind.” He spoke.

Never had I heard something so illusively reassuring. It was inspirational. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that statement he told me. And he continued to speak.

“Just because you see it as sure negative, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have something positive to be happy for in the end. And also, who said that all those people die? Maybe they are given new homes in the castle walls and never want to return to this life?”

Finally, someone has given me the courage I needed to do exactly what I was about to do.

“Thanks Mr. Wortham. There’s something I need to do.” I said hastily.

“I know, kiddo. Good luck, don’t break her heart and don’t hurt her or I’ll hurt you.” He replied as I was quickly walking away, before shouting, “And its just Michael! Hahaha.”

Yea, I’m going to tell her exactly how I feel. I don’t care if it blows up in my face. I like her. No. I’ve known her since we were barely old enough to walk. It’s more than just that. I- I Love her. And I’m going to let her know it all. I walk in the front door, make my way up the stairs, and knock on her bedroom door.

“One second!” She yells from the other side of the door. After 20 or so seconds that felt like a lifetime, “OK, come in”

I stagger into the doorway and begin to speak, “Lei, I know it sounds really forward and maybe a little to advancing for you, but we’ve known each other for forever and I- “

“I had my window open,” She cuts in, “Whatever you are thinking of doing, just go for it. I don’t care who thinks what of us. I love you and I don’t care who else knows it.”

No words were left to be said. I walked over to her bedside, softly grabbed her by the chin and pulled her face into mine. We shared a kiss that was compassionate, but seductive. It was also my first kiss. I remember how soft her lips felt as they moved and how the tip of her tongue would occasionally flick my own. We lied there for a while after the kiss and just relaxed. It was an amazing night of just pure euphoria. I don’t think anything could make this night better. I got to kiss the girl I have secretly had a crush on since we were kids, and we are kind of a thing now. Well, not kind of, we Are a thing. Tonight, just made that more evident. As we were laying down, I began to doze off before I hear a loud crash. Hastily, I lept out of bed, which confused Lei as she didn’t hear a thing. I knew what I heard. I ran downstairs and got that disturbing feeling like I had with the goblin. I quietly snuck through the house to make sure that nothing was in the house that shouldn’t be. I made my way into the kitchen for a knife, just in case. Once I grabbed the meat cleaver from the knife block, I headed toward where the feeling was strongest. It was the back door. I crept to the back door and opened it slowly. I could hear something rummaging around in the fruit bushes. Just as I was quietly sitting there waiting to see whatever was in the bush. Finally, it emerged itself. It was strange. It gave off the same vibe that the goblin did, but it was different. This thing was gray-skinned, Black-eyed and had wings. It almost looked like a moving statue. It was- a Gargoyle! I remember them from a picture I saw in the ghouls and ghoul races chapter of Mana Studies. They said to be extremely careful around Gargoyles because they were lightning fast and had the strength of 100 men. Their screams could also rupture your eardrums and cause severe internal bleeding in the head. I was quivering in my own skin seeing this thing in real life. This one looked injured. One of its wings were folded in an irregular way and it sounded like it was whimpering. Just then, I hear Lei’s voice behind me whisper,

“Why is there a Gargoyle here? First a goblin, now this thing. Seriously, do we have any army at all?”

“Lei, get back inside, I’m going to take this thing out before it hurts someone.” I said just before bolting into action.

As I began toward the beast, it turned its head my way, and changed facial expressions as if to show anger and hatred. It let out a piercing screech that caused me to stop in place and cover my ears. It felt as if my head would explode. Then, it stopped, and I regained my thoughts. Just as I did, I felt the Gargoyles energy right on me. It swung and I had no time to think about defending myself. It landed a blow straight to my chest, causing me to fly back against the outside wall of the house. The blow and the collision with the wall knocked me near unconsciousness. I knew it broke ribs, but I had to get back up and fight! I had to protect Lei! I got up, ran for the cleaver and my energy activated on its own like last time, bright blue. Instead of thinking of fear, this time, I thought of how sweet killing one of these things would feel. I would also love to see what kind of thanks I would get from Lei. The blue flame got even brighter as I grabbed the cleaver and threw it at the beast landing the blow directly to its eyes, causing the Gargoyle to stagger. I took my opening and rushed the beast. I grabbed it by the throat and began to squeeze. The beast began to fly, causing my feet to leave the ground making me tighten my grip even more. There’s no way I could let go now; I must finish this. Just then I could see the flame get even brighter. It grew larger than I’d ever seen it before. I squeezed as tightly as I could, and the beast’s neck began to shatter like smashing a stone. The Gargoyle let out a yelp and its body went completely limp, cause it and I to plummet to the ground.

“James!” I heard Lei shout as the beast, and I hit the ground.

When we hit the ground, I felt a sharp pain in my chest because the Gargoyle landed on top of me, and it had already broken ribs. I let out a gut-wrenching scream. Lei ran over and pulled the Gargoyle’s corpse off me. She struggled but managed to move the beast. I lay there in the worst pain of my life. Every time I breathe, I can feel the broken ribs shift and brush against the surrounding muscle. Just then, Lei’s father erupted from the house, and noticed Lei standing over me weeping, and the corpse to her right on the ground completely limp. He must have thought the worst as he hastily dashed toward us.

“Help me get him inside, Lei!” He shouts. “Get the door! Grab some ice, and a cool, wet towel. Honey, get the bandage wrap! Iris, Help me and your sister out. We need to work together to recite this incantation before his ribs begin to puncture vital organs.”

Everything was a blur. I thought I was nearing my death in that moment. Everything hurt, like I had been hit by a horse drawn carriage repeatedly. I just began to think of the good things that have happened to this point. I think about Lei, the beautiful smell of her fiery red, almost orange hair. I feel the passion in her amazingly sky-blue eyes, and the warmth they make me feel every time they gaze upon me. I think about the kiss. That was the most amazing thought that I could think of. I’d never felt anything so electrifying. My mind is at peace. If I’m going to die right now, at least I can bring this memory with me. For now, I think I’ll just rest.