บท 70: Lost and Found
She was lost.
Lia groaned. She was lost, hungry, and tired, but she kept on walking. She dragged her weary body, blending into the shadows to avoid running into any people. It was getting colder as the night wore on that she mentally kicked herself for not being prepared. Though, before she left Eldric's hideout, all she could think about was to leave. Leave. Leave. Leave.
When Eldric left, Lia paced around her room. Her mind went through a million other places, just as the energy went back and forth inside her body. She tried to sit, to sleep, or eat, but she was too on the edge for anything. One thing was sure — she could not stay there, doing anything but waiting. Waiting felt like running away. Funnily enough, she was getting tired of that too.
So she slipped away when no one was looking. It was almost dark when she reached outside. The air was chilly and biting. The area is too quiet. Lia feared that her footsteps might attract the attention of anyone nearby. She walked as quietly as possible as she listened for any sign that someone had heard her leave. When her surroundings remained silent, she bolted.
Lia did not have an ounce of idea where to go. Maybe she would find a clue. Somewhere, out there. First, she would try the place where Frankie left her. He told her that he would come back with their mothers. What if they were already there waiting for her? The thought made her increase her pace. Tamara would be waiting. Everything would be alright. Things would return back to normal.
An owl hooted from a distance as the wind blew. It was probably close to midnight now. But that was not enough for Lia to deter her from her mission. She wrapped her arms around her body and continued going forward. All the while, racking her brain for any memory of the path where Frankie took her before.
She reached a clearing, and the first thing she recognized was the roof. It was a familiar brown roof. It looked black now in the dark, but Lia knew it all too well. The sight made her hiccup. Her feet brought her to the place where they once lived. Not too long ago, it was a bright place, full of laughter and celebrations. A hopeful place. Now, the house sat there in the dark, quiet, looking desolate and abandoned.
She stood there and stared, thinking back on the past twenty-four hours. It was then that someone caught her arm.
"Just what do you think you are doing?!" A harsh voice came from behind, accompanied by a strong pull on her arm making her turn around.
Shivers went down Lia's spine thinking that the Unknown might have found her again. Before she had the time to scream, she was dragged to the dark recesses of the forest, away from the prying eyes of the neighbors. Once they were out of earshot, Lia yanked her arm away and took a couple of steps back away from the other person.
"How did you find me?!" She stared -- glared at Eldric. "Are you not done spying on me?"
"Are you not done putting yourself in danger? Or are you really calling them to find you?!" Eldric retorted, folding his arms in front of his chest. He still wore those fancy Western clothes rich people seemed to love these days.
Lia felt all of her blood rush to her face. "How dare you--"
"No, how dare you put yourself in danger when your mother did her best to keep you away from them? How dare you go here as though waving a flag in front of those who want to capture you?" Eldric's voice was measured, his jaw tight. His voice was cool, calm, and collected, but his entire being was radiating with danger and anger. For once, Lia did fear him. She took another step back until her back hit a tree.
Lia cleared her throat, trying to maintain her calm facade. "Like your place was any better than those who pursue us."
Eldric took a sharp intake of breath as if trying his best not to be annoyed or not let his annoyance show. He moved away as though he was finally done with Lia. "Go ahead, do whatever you want to do. I won't care anymore. But I'll have you know, that I never, not once, even thought of harming you."
He turned his back until he was halfway cloaked in the darkness and only half of his back was shown with moonlight. "By the way, we found your family friend and her son."
Those words were like water dousing Lia's fire. With all of her remaining strength, she leaped and grasped at Eldric's sleeve.
"What about-- agh!" Lia groaned as she dropped to the ground, clutching her abdomen.
In a flash, she felt a light grip on her arm, not to hurt her but to steady her. "What happened? Are you hurt somewhere?" Different from the cold and indifferent tone from earlier, Eldric's voice was warm and comforting as if they were not fighting just mere seconds ago.
Lia's legs felt jelly under her. She tried to get up to no avail. Instead, she gripped his arm. "My mother? What about her? Did-- ugh -- you find her?" She managed to ask through gritted teeth, the pain she had been ignoring came back in full force, but she needed to know this.
Eldric shook his head. All of the remaining energy seemed to have left Lia's body as she let herself sink to the ground.
It hurts. Everything hurts.
Eldric crutched beside her, his arm wrapped around her shoulder, trying to support her weight. "How are you feeling? Where does it hurt? Lia, please talk to me." She could feel Eldric checking her body for external wounds. She did not care anymore.
Lia's argumentative mood had left her, leaving her with nothing but emptiness and a sense of loneliness. She was alone again. She failed to protect what was important to her. A sob escaped from her.
Eldric pulled her close.
"It hurts, Eldric," Lia whispered.
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