He glanced down at his female companion, noticing that her breathing had slowed greatly. She had fallen into a comfortable sleep, a smile still on her face. She was a beautiful woman, both in body and spirit. She was simply amazing, a human that was in no way naïve. She had believed his story almost instantly, not seeming shocked or bothered by it at all. She had been so willing to help him out. She really was one of a kind.
He carefully moved, shifting her a bit. He then effortlessly picked her up, cradling her petite body in his arms. She looked so unburdened, so perfect. As he went back through his window and walked towards Jaida's room, he kept his eyes on her, and he realized something. He wanted to keep seeing her, to wake up everyday and know that she'd be there with him. He had never been attached to someone like this before. He had never wanted to be, but he just couldn't help it. He loved her. What would his f
Arius felt a lump form in his throat as Lucius made his threat. That did it. Now there was no way for him to refuse. He had to do this. Jaida's life depended on it. He would rather die trying than watch helplessly as Lucius killed her. In order to protect her, he had to accept the battle terms."Fine," he said softly. "I accept." Lucius just smirked, his body starting to fade into the darkness."Don't forget," he warned Arius. "Seven days. If you don't show, I'll hunt you down, and I'll kill the girl…slowly and painfully…and you won't be able to do anything about it." And with that said, he left Arius alone in the darkness. However, it was a bit too late. He wouldn't be able to get any sleep now.Arius' eyes opened, and he slowly sat up, rubbing them a bit. He dropped his arms to his sides and turned his attention to the sheets of h
Arius' eyes slowly opened for the second time that night. He found that the sunlight hadn't quite reached his bed yet, so he'd make sure it never got the chance. He had been blinded once before thanks to sleeping in late. Currently it was seven o'clock, still relatively early. He hadn't gotten much sleep last night at all, so his body was begging him to just close his eyes for a few more minutes. However, all he needed was a good cup of coffee, and he'd be fine.Arius got up and quickly changed out of his clothes from yesterday. He put on black pants, his only red shirt, and a light over shirt. Red and black definitely suited him according to Jaida. She said the colors really brought out his eyes and complexion. He really didn't care. He got enough stares from people without highlighting himself.He quietly left the confines of his room and walked down the stairs towards the kitchen. By now Jaida's mothe
Arius and Jaida walked out of a rather nice looking restaurant. They had just had breakfast, and both would be full well past lunch. Jaida had picked a pancake house, and as promised, Arius didn't complain. After all, there was such a thing as chocolate chip pancakes. Needless to say he had enjoyed himself.Now they really didn't have much to do. Jaida was the one picking their events for the day. It was up to her as to where they would go, and without any surprise involved, she picked the park. Arius didn't mind. He at least wanted to walk through it once more before leaving the city forever. Hopefully that wouldn't be the case. He wanted to come back. He wanted to see all of this again someday. He wanted to see Jaida again someday. He had to survive the war. He had to come back."Arius, look!" exclaimed Jaida in slight excitement. She was pointing across the area,
Currently they were making their way through the busy streets, and Arius was starting to get a bit frustrated. The eyes that kept following him were starting to become a nuisance. He just wanted some time alone with Jaida, and even though none of these people were directly involved with them, he hated how they seemed to crowd his personal space. Didn't they realize that he needed at least fifty feet in every direction? They were far past that line."Hey Jai," he began, drawing her attention. "Let's go somewhere else." She gave him a rather confused look, not fully understanding what he wanted to do."Go where?" she asked him. "We've been to quite a few places already.""Let's leave the city.""W-what? How?" He stopped walking and turned towards her. He only spared her a glance before look
Through this whole day, he had been waiting for the perfect moment to tell her everything, to admit just how much he cared about her. However, now that the opportunity had presented itself, he couldn't find the words he wanted. He couldn't even call out to her in order to attempt explaining himself. He had brought her out here for a reason. He had wanted some privacy so he could tell her exactly how he felt, exactly why he didn't want to go home now. He needed to "make amends" as Mr. Owens had put it, and this was where he wanted to start. He wanted to tell Jaida how much he loved her."Um…" he began a bit softly, trying to work up enough courage to even say her name. He was never nervous like this. He had no idea what was wrong with him. It's not like it was that hard to say, right? Just four little words. "J-jaida?" Well, one down. Now he only had three left."Yeah?" she asked, turning towards h
The bell tolled, echoing across the schoolyard. All of the kids who had been standing around talking started to walk into the building. Some of the students were just now getting to the school, and that included Jaida and Arius. They were running just a bit late, and by the time they reached the school itself, they had only five minutes to get to their class. Strangely enough, Amy was standing by the door waiting for them."There you are," she said with a small smile. "I was just about ready to go in without you.""Sorry," apologized Jaida. "Mom was running late, so we helped her with a few things before leaving." The three of them walked into the school, Jaida and Amy chatting all the way to science class. Arius just listened, not really having anything to add to their random conversation. Amy did most of the talking. It was hard sometimes to even get a word in.Once they reached their class, they went and took their se
"What can I do for you?" she asked. Jaida just held up her injured finger and gave the woman a smile."Just a paper cut," she told the nurse, who simply smiled and walked further back into her office. While she looked for some bandages, Jaida turned to Arius, who was avoiding her eyes. He didn't want to see the blood on her finger, even if it wasn't that much."It's only a cut," she told him. "I won't die or anything.""I know," he told her. "It's just that…" He wasn't sure how to end that. He couldn't tell her that when he had seen the blood on her hand, Lucius had sent him a rather horrifying image. He tried to think of a way to complete this sentence, but nothing was coming to him. He knew a cut that small wasn't in any way life threatening. He just couldn't stand the sight of blood, no matter how much or how little there was."It's okay. You don't like blood," she finished for him. "I know
The bell seemed to ring all too soon, signaling the end of the class. The students all hurried out, anxious for another weekend. However, Jaida and Arius were taking their sweet time, especially Arius. He seemed so zoned out. He resembled the living dead as he nonchalantly shoved his books into his bag and slung it over his shoulder. He began following Jaida out of the room, his eyes currently on Mr. Owens. The English teacher was looking at him rather sadly."Goodbye, Mr. Owens," he called as he began walking through the door."Goodbye, Arius," his teacher responded. "Take care." With one last nod, he left the room, knowing for a fact that he'd never walk through that doorway again.After a day of nothing but school and watching television, night had finally fallen. It was sometime between eleven and midnight, but Arius found that he just couldn't sleep. It's not like anyone could blame him. He had to fight Lucius tomor