Beyond Eternity

DAY 7

The boy opened his eyes only to find that he is still inside the watchtower, he tried moving but found it hard to do so. Forcing himself, he tried to sit up and managed to.

“Oh, you're awake now?” said the girl as she opened the door from outside.

“I caught us a rabbit for breakfast, it must be tiring to eat just fruits for a few days right?” she said.

“Don't you feel bad for it?” asked the boy.

“Hmm? Oh, the rabbit, yes, I did feel bad about it. Although, I decided to kill this one in particular for a few reasons, you see, its legs seemed weak to begin with, I didn't think it would survive like that around here, a fox was already aiming for it when I spotted it too so I decided to take first dibs.” she responded.

“I guess this is breakfast then, does your head hurt?” she asked.

“Well, to be honest with you, yes, it does, a lot” the boy said, “Are you sure you're want cook that? I feel sad for it.”

“If we just leave it here to rot, it would be like neglecting that it even existed, or so I'm told.” The girl said jokingly. “Oh, yeah, I also brought some vegetables with it.” she said as she set those and the rabbit aside.

About nearly an hour has passed since the girl began cooking, the meal was nearly done, by this time, the boy stayed lying down on the row of chairs.

“I just realized something, how did you catch that rabbit anyway?” He then asked.

“With my skills in archery of course, it’s not like I wildly chased it to who knows where.” Said the girl proudly.

“Then that means you're quite skilled with the bow right? Who taught you that?” asked the boy once more.

“I'll explain later, but for now, I'll just say that you'd be surprised of how much you can learn when there's nobody to stop you.” answered the girl.

At this, the boy gave a confused look.

“perhaps its best for your mind to rest for now too, wouldn't want your headache to get worse by just overthinking now do we? Also, I'll make sure to explain everything after you're good to go.” She said, smiling.

“You're right,” He answered, “but I have a lot of questions so be ready okay?”

 “Why of course, that is the very reason I had you come here in the first place.” The girl said, still smiling.

“Say aah.” said the girl as she held a spoon of soup to the boys' direction, the boy shyly opened his mouth and gulped it. At this, she giggled.

“I guess I'll have to do this for a while, I don’t think you'll be up and running anytime soon.” she said.

“Well, I wouldn't have it any other way.” The boy replied.

“So, you like this kind of scenario huh? To be fed by a girl I mean.” She teased, grinning.

“Well...Yeah.” he replied slowly and shyly.

“Oh, what's with that reaction? There's no need to be ashamed about it.” said the girl, laughing.

“Well, normally, no but you look at me with that mocking look so-”

“Hush child,” she said, abruptly stopping him. “or your headache's may worsen, you wouldn't want to prolong your stay here like this now would you?”

“Yeah but if you keep talking like that-” said the boy, loudly despite his injuries.

“I wouldn't want you get hurt more either.” the girls' reply stopped the boy in his tracks, noticing her sudden seriousness.

“I swear, you're so easy to provoke.” she said, giggling. The boy only averted his gaze, looking more embarrassed than before.

The girl resumed feeding the boy and he ate, however there was little conversation to be had during this time. She was greatly enjoying watching the boy’s awkward reactions at her attempts at feeding him.

The meal that the girl prepared was enough to satisfy them not only for breakfast, but also for lunch and dinner. Before sundown, the boy spoke again.

“Say, your cooking’s not so bad.”

“The way you phrased it makes me think that it still is unsatisfactory to your taste buds, your highness. ‘Not so bad’ means that it’s still along the ‘bad’ side of the spectrum. Do you perhaps wish for better cuisine?” She replied in a teasing tone.

“Can you really blame me though? Gee, I’m sorry I haven’t really cooked for any other person apart from myself for so long, I’m sorry there wasn’t really anyone around I could serve dishes as to refine my skills. I’m sorry I’ve been alone in here all this time.” She continued in an attempt to give the boy guilt.

“No, that’s not what I meant!” Said the boy, working on the assumption that he made her mad.

“Then, what did you mean?”

“Well, um, what I wanted to say was that…”

“Go on.” She said expectantly.

“Its… Really good.” He said as his face turned red.

“Good, good, that’s what I wanted to hear.” She said with a wide grin as she gave him a pat on the head.

The boy, realizing just what had happened, gave the combined expression of irritation and embarrassment.

“Wait a second, just how long have you been staying in here?” He asked suddenly.

The girl stopped in her tracks and gave a somber look. The boy, thinking he said something he shouldn’t have, was quick to retract his statement.”

“Ah, but you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t have to, really!”

She gave him a smile and spoke. “Again, I’ll explain everything once you’re well okay? Just focus on getting better for now.”

“S-sure.” He said.

After sundown, the girl was just about to tuck the boy to sleep, when he opened his mouth to speak.

“I'm glad you're here.” he said.

“And I'm glad you're alive” She replied.

…

“Would you mind if I asked you not to leave my sight without asking first?” She continued.

“And why is that?” He asked in return.

“I don’t want to see you hurt yourself further is all.”

“Ah, I see. Well, sure, it’s not like I can do anything much right now anyways.”

“And…” She said in a barely audible tone. “I don’t want to be alone.”

“Did you say something?”

“No, no. Anyways, goodnight.”

The boy nodded in agreement and closed his eyes. The girl covered him in a blanket and later returned to the pile of hay, but this time, she brought with her a bedsheet and blanket of her own, then she too, closed her eyes.

            “This is nice.” She thought to herself.