Breathing was never something loud, was it even considered as sound? Alas, my respire agitated me while surrounded by mute. Common sense said standing in the dark for hours, stalking an animal I couldn't even descry the name of was the right thing to do. But my mind kept refuting the idea.

Why am I doing this? Why should I even care about Kael?

Parallel to my thoughts, my eyes idled on my target. The creature resembled a mouse deer but sitting like a wallaby. It was the first living creature I found after wandering around in the dark. Every time I took a drag, it turned its head in my direction, making me hold my breathing. I waited until I was sure it was in my line of hit. Finally, it stopped and I initiated my count.

One, I raised my bow.

Two, I pulled the drawstring aligning the level of my elbow.

Three, when the anchor point met my chin, I released the arrow.

A pitch winch punctured the air as the sharp stick impaled into the animal's torso. I ran to where it was writhing on the ground and instantly slid its throat for the kill. Mercy.

Red liquid gushed out of the animal's artery, an opposite of the blue I kept seeing Kael fed on. But I had no choice. I took out a bottle and filled it. As soon as I secured the lid, I felt a rush to go back. I retraced my steps back to where Infin waited and as his given word, he waited for me.

"The first light is upon us. Let's hurry back," he said. Without looking at me —which I supposed he didn't need to— he started walking ahead.

Jogging was the only way I could match his quick steps. I wanted to join him under the awkward silence too if not because of the tightness on his face. Alas, words fled from my mouth. "I'm sorry, I had to do it."

Infin paused slightly and tilted to the side with a hand stretched out to me. For some reason, I caught his intention of choosing not to talk about the matter.

Shamed pertained as I returned the weapon to him. He had declared earlier that his tribe were against any means of unnecessary killing, even if it were to suppress violence. They also only consumed vegetation, hence they live in the forest to attain both peace and their needs.

But I couldn't help it. Even though the reason I did it was still obscure.

The walk back felt long but short. An odd occurrence like the interval between bending your head to look at something falling on the ground before looking back up. Suddenly, I was standing in front of my cabin's door.

"The dawn is arising. We rest during the day because it is too loud for us. You are free to stay," Infin finally spoke.

Flickering a smile, he made his way into the deeper side of the settlement. In a blink, he was gone. I swivelled to face the door which started gaping without a knob or button. Coincidence slammed onto me the second it opened. Kael was standing at the threshold with an eyebrow lifted.

"Where were you?" He began.

As I walked past him, I noticed his nose twitched. "I was out with Infin."

"What were you doing with him?" He asked the second he reached the bed where I sat.

"Just talking."

Gently he pulled me by my shoulder, eyes roaming my body. "I smell something off."

I fished out the small bottle from my coat, extending it to him. "You mean this?"

A weak smile crossed his lips. "And what is it for?"

"Let's save the pretence, Kael. I need you to get me closer to what I want. So its payment." I inwardly convinced myself it was the only reason why I went through the trouble of getting it.

Kael snickered. The smug he tried to put on was failing miserably. "Ah. . . But the thing is dead. It won't do."

"What do you mean it's dead? Its blood, it can't die." I twisted the bottle's lid, opening it and smelling the metallic stench to find nothing different.

"Just stay here." He patted my head and got up. A hardly noticeable groan tumbled from his mouth when his back was facing me.

Before he went out of my reach, I snatched his arm. "Don't you dare take another step. I was out in the dark for hours to get you these!" I flared, putting my frustration as the purpose.

My eyes were stinging from a twinge unseen. It was a pain inflicted by the enemy I couldn't battle. My feelings. And mending emotion was another of my predicament. As much as I fought to deny it, I cared for Kael. My heart ached while holding his cold hand.

"I'm sorry. Does that makes you feel better?" He muttered.

Slowly he spun and willed himself to look strong. But I knew it was a facade. I had seen it too many times in the past. Mind muddled, I yanked him. He landed on the bed on top of me. I didn't waste a second more and pulled his face to mine for a kiss. Before he touched down, I bit the inside of my lip hard until I tasted blood. Our mouth united. His eyes boggled taking the surprise.

At first, I felt him tense, but eventually, he gave in and started sucking. There was no pain. I felt only relief. When he pulled back, his eyes were fiery.

"What if the payment I want is you?" His stare became intense, sharp enough to make me paralyse.

The halt in motion led me to look at him; to witness as the heat rose to his cheeks, flowing warmth into my heart. "But you had me. We shared the need."

"I want more." He rolled to my side and pulled me closer. "I don't think I can have enough of you."

***

"Do you like the water?" I questioned, halting beside Kael who was staring at the fountain.

His long legs were filling the bench where I sat with Infin last night. He plucked his ciggy and puffed out smoke. Backing a little, he pulled me to his lap. "I do. A little less now than something else." He smirked and leaned down to my cheek.

"Don't kiss me," I evaded.

His laugh sounded. "You didn't complain a while ago." He matched where my eyes were glancing; at the leftover product he had just threw to the ground. "Oh that. Okay."

"You should stop that. It's not good—"

His face lit up. Or probably he was evading the topic. "I have an idea. The Elpines hoarded a lake somewhere. Since those holy pointy ears like you, they might let us go there," he suggested.

Curious, I spun to him. The water was one of the reason but the mentioned name demanded my attention foremost. "Elpines?"

"Yea, most known them as Elves. The idea where stories get them had to come from somewhere, darling."

"Well, that explains the pointy ears. So they are aliens?"

Before Kael could answer, a sound of someone clearing their throat resonated from behind. Infin, standing with hands on his back was facing us. His face was bleak.

"So you stay." He inclined his head towards Kael. "The half breed might be wise. This way."

I looked at Kael who shrugged. His lips lifted along his feet. I didn't dare to make a sound as he carried me while trailing behind Infin. We went through various halls and reached a gate similar to the entrance.

"The calming sound of water wouldn't travel by wind. You are free to do as you pleased."