"I can smell the scent of blood on you. Since the first day we met." I uttered.

Furthermore, it wasn't normal for humans to roam freely on rooftops as though they were ninjas from the olden days; it wasn't even normal a human to fall from a height without dying or at least, being injured. I was sure he's anything but human.

Possibly exposing his identity which the world couldn't and wouldn't accept was probably my death wish. He could easily murder me right then and there, but I was sure he wouldn't. I believe him.

"Are you scared? If I am?"

His voice was quiet when he asked that question, it was as if he was afraid of the answer I will give him. I could picture a silhouette, my image of him, looking at a space with an upset expression. I wondered again about him.

How does he look like?

I reached out my hand and it touched a soft fabric, I continued to move my right hand upwards, hoping to touch his face and it did. He felt a lot taller than I was, my arm hurt from reaching up high. I cupped his cheek which felt cold and soft. My pinky traced his jawline and I let my thumb trace his nose to his lips. His jawline was sharp and his nose felt narrow. His lips were thin and it wasn't smiling. The entire time, Ayato made no move to stop me.

I lifted my hand to his forehead and moved his hair to the side. I was curious about his appearance.

Heaving a sigh, I removed my hand from his face. He probably thought I was being creepy, touching his face without consent; or this could potentially be a factor to have me dead. Suddenly, he grabbed my wrist and placed it back on his cheek.

"Aren't you scared?" He questioned softly.

I smiled at how timid he sounded, "No, I'm not. You won't hurt me."

That was true. If he truly was a ghoul, he would be a ghoul with feelings and a good heart. Why would he save me otherwise?

My thumb touched his lips and it curved upwards. He smiled, just a little bit.

"I would never." He whispered so softly, I don't think it was meant for me to hear. But I heard.

•••

It has been a few days since then and I was left alone in my room, my father grounded me for not returning the nights before. He cares very much for me, I know, I understand; I was his only daughter, his only child, but I'm also a child with an unfortunate gift.

I sighed as I sat on my bed, there was nothing I could do. I suppose this would do good for me, thinking that life is boring would make me feel less pity about myself. Then, the thought of dying wouldn't be so sad.

How much time was left?

Knock! Knock!

Tap! Tap!

That was weird, I don't usually hear tapping sounds in the house. It sounded muffled. Brushing it aside, I granted permission for my visitor to enter my bedroom.

"Come in."

The door creaked open, a couple of shuffling sounds followed after.

"Good morning, Hisako. How do you feel today?" My personal doctor asked. He was hired by my over protective father to live in the same house as I in case I have an episode. He's a man about the age of 50.

"I'm fine." I could hear him sigh, he was a kind man. A very caring man and full of sympathy that I don't need. His assistant, a nurse, was the same. Both very kind people and I hoped they would leave to treat people who could be saved. Those patients deserve their kindness and attentive care.

They shouldn't waste their time and effort on a body that would become a corpse.

"Doctor Mitarashi, how long do I have?"

Silence.

The side of my bed sank and a body leaned close to me. A pair of arms wrapped around my frail body. "Why would you want to know, Hisako? Just live your life." She murmured.

She was sad, I could tell, but I needed to know. I have spent many many years, trying to not be attached to life; but I still felt sad. I want to die quickly, to end all the self pity that felt so pathetic to me.

Yet again, the doctor sighed. "2 more months." He knew better than to convince me to be happy. It was a conversation we had almost everyday for the first few years he had stayed with me.

The hug tightened. I moved my arm and searched for her back to pat it. "You can help more people after your job is over."

I sounded so depressing.

•••

Tap! Tap!

There was the sound again, after my personal doctor and nurse were done with my daily check up. It sounded like something dropped onto my balcony which was located to my left.

I leaned to the right, trying to reach for my walking stick and got up. I moved around my bed and headed to my balcony. While my right hand moved the stick from left to right, my left arm was raised to search for a glass door. All of a sudden, a strong breeze slapped me on the face and pushed my hair back. I was welcomed by a familiar scent, but I couldn't tell what it was. It smelled like a human.

Then, a hand gently held my left hand which was reached out and I was pulled to fall into an embrace.

It was him.

He guided my left arm to his waist while his left arm wrapped around mine. His right hand patted my head while I rested it on his shoulder.

"Go change and pack." He ordered. "I'm taking you away."

How he could say those words so casually and expecting me to comply remains a mystery to me. Why I obeyed was a bigger mystery.

With his help, I managed to pack my clothes. None were fashionable, they were just comfortable clothes like leggings, hoodies, sweaters and long skirts. Those are very much the only kinds of clothes I own in my closet. I have all the freedom in the world to spend my father's money on fancy clothes and accessories, but I did not. It wasn't something I want to enjoy, so I made sure my maid picked out plain and simple clothes. Whether or not they match means nothing to me. I could care less about being attractive if death is what's waiting for me anyway. The last thing to pack was my walking stick, it was folded into the length of an A4 paper and he threw it into my duffle bag before zipping it up.

I had my clothes compactly packed in a duffle bag. He took it from me and lifted me like a princess. I held onto him and he started to dash out into the open, and landed on the ground with a thump.

There it was again, the sensation of flying, the breeze hitting my face. It was so cold that I had to stick my face on his neck for warmth. It did not last very long until we came to a halt. He was walking now to who knows where. I could walk on my own, but I wanted to stay in his arms for a little longer. As greedy and selfish as I sounded, it was one of the things I could not stop myself from enjoying and I felt so disappointed in myself.

After awhile, I noticed something was different about him. "You don't smell like blood." I stated bluntly.

His muscles tensed for a moment and was quiet at first, but he answered honestly anyway. At least, I hope it wasn't a lie. "I made sure to not kill nor eat before coming here...and I took a long shower." That was the longest sentence I had heard him say.

A foreign warmth spread from my heart. I was taken aback by his reply. Perhaps he thought I minded the smell, but I really do not. However, he mentioned 'kill' and 'eat', so that probably meant that he's a ghoul. It would be a lie if I said I wasn't scared, but I wasn't that afraid. Something about him comforts me, and I'll hold onto that.

"You need to eat to stay alive, Ayato." Was what I said, but received no reply.

After a long walk, he entered a building and climbed numerous flights of stairs. He walked for a little bit more before stopping to put me down. I heard him opening a door and he brought me inside while holding my hand. It was dark and it smelled like a medical ward.

"Umm.. Ayato? Are we in a hospital or a clinic? It smells like antiseptic."

"...I made sure my apartment is sterile before bringing you in.." He quietly answered, trying his best to sound flat. But I knew better.

Published: 6 May 2018