The Curse Of Mizu Chai

Chapter Six

“Morning sleepyhead.” I awoke to hear Amon say, he was still holding me like last night.

“Morning.” I said, groggily, still processing that he was holding me.

“How’d you sleep?” He asked, his breath on the back of my neck.

“Fine.” I said, moving slightly, only to finally realize he was still holding me.

“So when do you think-” He started to say but I interrupted him.

“Why are you holding me?” I asked, tensing back up.

“Because you’re warm and I’m cold. Plus you’re like a cute little stuffed animal.” He said, I could hear the smile in his voice.

“I-I am not!” I said, struggling to get out of his arms and sit up, putting my shoes on and standing up, turning to look down at Amon.

“But you are.” He said as he also sat up and put his shoes back on.

“Shush it.” I said, going into the bathroom and closing the door. I stood in front of the mirror for a minute staring at myself wonder why I cared so much about this man I barely even knew, but deciding to brush it off I washed my hands and walked back out.

When I got out I was met by a shirtless Amon, in the middle of putting a different shirt on. I looked away blushing furiously, trying to ignore the fact that I’d just seen him half naked. He looked over and saw me and smiled, deciding to not tease me this time.

“Ready to go?” He asked.

“Yeah.” I said, frowning slightly.

He led us out the door and down the stairs only to be met by a girl probably about 5’0 with black hair, white eyes, a scar on her right cheek, wolf ears and a tail.

She stopped in front of Amon but peeked around him and looked at me and said, “Hey, woman. Have you seen a short boy with black hair, brown eyes, ears and tail like mine?”

“Wah-?” I frantically looked around and then up at Amon, confused.

“Have you?” She inquired, seeming to get closer, almost pressed against Amon because she was still in front of him but talking to me.

“You’re a little close to us right now.” Amon interrupted her, taking a step back, backing into me. I shuffled back and looked away.

“And?” The girl responded looking up at him with her hands on her hips.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw a human man hurriedly make his way over to us and grab the girl and said, “Roisin you can’t just press yourself up against people like that! Personal space.”

“I was just asking if they’ve seen my brother.” She said obviously seeing no problem in anything she just did.

The man just sighed and looked at me and Amon and said, “I’m sorry about that. She’s looking for her brother, have you seen him?” I could see the girl, Roisin I’m assuming, look at him with an offended look.

“We haven’t” Amon said looking down on both of them, his wings pushed out a little more than usual.

“Peter, you shouldn’t apologize to people when no one has done anything wrong.” Roisin said, glaring at me and then looking at the man, Peter.

“You did do something wrong.” The man said, turning back to me and asking, “Are you sure you haven’t seen him?”

“No, we haven’t.” Amon responded, his voice raised more than before.

“I, uh, I might’ve seen him…” I said quietly. Everyone turned towards me and I looked away, hiding behind Amon.

“Where was he? Was it recent? Did you talk to him? Was he okay?” Roisin said, pushing Amon out of the way and grabbing me by my arms.

“I-” I stammered and looked around frantically, looking at Amon with a pleading look.

Amon pushed his way inbetween the girl and me saying, “Leave her alone.”

“See, Peter? This is why I was just talking through him. I knew he wasn’t going to actually let me get closer to her.” She said looking back at the man.

“Why wouldn’t he try and protect her? They seem pretty close. I told you before, you don’t have to stand so close to people, they can understand you from a distance.” He said, putting his hand on her shoulder.

I was zoned out realizing that Amon had grabbed my hand the moment he had pushed his way through. I looked around and noticed people in the room, some looking in our direction, others not caring. One person in particular caught my attention though, she had bright red hair with noticeably red eyes even from here. She was really pale and probably about my height and what made her even more noticeable was her giant wolf that sat at her side. It was probably about 5’7, so my height.

“Are you going to answer me?” Roisin interrupted my thoughts.

“I, uh, I saw him probably a few months ago back on a ship of bear people. He was under deck and he saw me and thought I needed help out so he untied the rope. I mean I could’ve gotten out just fine by myself but it was nice to get some help. He seemed really happy to help actually. He seemed ok to me, no blood or cuts and he was walking fine.” I said looking down at Amon’s hand to distract myself, my face probably red.

“But he was still with the bear people? He didn’t seem hurt, you say, but you didn’t make sure or anything, right? Since he was just trying to help you? That means he’s still in danger…” She said, quieter than before.

“I didn’t get to talk to him because he helped me and then ran off.” I said looking up at her apologetically. And this is why I don’t get involved with people.

“Do you remember where you were? Like, the relative location?” She said, leaning closer to me again, a hopeful look in her eyes.

“I think it was around a village down South of here a couple hundred miles. I think it was called Tibish or something like that. It was in the water along that village. That’s all I know, sorry.” I said, leaning into Amon as if he would protect me.

“Tibish!? I know where that is! Thank you so much!!” Roisin said, hugging me and then saying, “Code, Peter come on let's go! I’ve got a lead!”

I saw the girl with red hair before, I’m guessing Code, walk over to Rosin and Peter calling behind her, “Come on Tyke.”

“Thanks and sorry for the trouble.” Peter said as they walked out the door, then they were gone for good.

“That was weird.” Amon said, looking down at me.

“Definitely.” I said, still just looking at his hand and mine.

“What’re you looking at?” He said, looking down at our hands, smiling.

“Nothing!” I said, looking away, my face and ears red.

“Oh really? Are you sure it’s nothing?” He asked, holding his hand up, pulling my hand up with his.

“I’m sure.” I said pulling my hand from his. I can’t let him do this, he keeps getting closer and closer and it’s just gonna make me hurt worse when he dies.

“Hey, you ok?” He asked, realizing I didn’t look happy about what had just happened anymore.

“I’m fine. Just please stop trying to start something we both know you can’t finish.” I looked away and started to walk towards the door, the door that would lead to Amons happiness and my sorrow.

“What do you mean…?” He said seeming oblivious. I opened the door and looked back, the icy cold wind rushing into the building causing my hair to blow back while I looked back at Amon and said, “Stop playing with someones heart when you’re about to die.”

Amons eyes widened as he realized what he did wrong. “Wait, I didn’t mean too, I keep forgetting that you’re gonna be around even after I’m gone. I’m sorry.”

“It’s fine.” I said, a lie. It wasn’t fine, it hurt.

I turned and walked out the door, Amon running slightly to catch the door and walk out with me. I looked up at the mountain, hating how close yet far it seemed, it was exactly how life seemed with everyone around me. So close yet so far.