Chương 5: Departure
I woke up slowly, feeling refreshed and relaxed after a restful night's sleep.
As I stretched my limbs, I took in my surroundings, gazing around the room.
Then, I threw off the blanket, stood up, and walked over to the wall with the large white lamp, where I had hung my thick jacket the night before.
I climbed up, retrieved my jacket, which felt a bit warm now, and was about to step down when I heard a knock on the door.
I quickly jumped down and made my way towards it, wearing my jacket.
Opening the door, I was struck by Mariam's transformed appearance.
She stood there, dressed in a black top and jeans, looking neater and more polished than usual.
Her warm smile and radiant aura were perfectly complemented by a captivating scent, which only added to her allure.
I couldn't help but wonder where she had acquired these stylish new clothes.
"Hey," she greeted me, her voice as warm as her smile.
"Hello," I replied.
Then, she extended her arm, offering me a selection of clothing items and some other luxurious-looking accessories that caught my eye.
"Some people brought these clothes for us this morning," Mariam said.
"Take a bath and get dressed. I'll bring food while you do so."
My eyes narrowed instinctively, my mind racing with questions.
"Why would they do this?" I asked Mariam.
"Why would our enemies send us clothes?"
Mariam shrugged nonchalantly. "I don't know, but we had to take them anyway. I don't want to be all smelly."
I sighed, my skepticism lingering. "Really?"
Mariam nodded. "Come on, it's a great opportunity to clean up! We can't refuse a gift, can we?"
I still wasn't so sure.
"Take it. Just accept it," Mariam encouraged.
Despite her enthusiasm, I still remained hesitant.
"Just take it, accept it graciously," Mariam urged.
However, I eyed the clothes warily, my suspicions bubbling beneath.
What could be their motive for such generosity?
Mariam's sudden exclamation, "Here!" interrupted my doubts, as she thrust the clothes into my chest.
I swiftly caught the bundle, preventing it from tumbling to the ground.
My frown deepened as I watched Mariam walk away, her abrupt departure fueling my distrust.
I gazed down at the clothes and other items now cradled in my arms, my mind whirling with questions.
Although I recognized most of the items, they looked unexpectedly luxurious.
The clothes were made of fine materials, and the toiletries were of a quality that surpasses anything I had ever laid eyes on.
The toothbrush, for instance, was totally different from the ones Mr. JoJo typically fashioned from tree branches - this one seemed almost celestial in its perfection!
I couldn't help but wonder what other secrets these clothes and items held.
With curiosity and awe, I walked over to the bed and carefully arranged the clothes, my fingers tracing the textures as I did so.
I examined the toothbrush more closely, marveling at its soft bristles and delicate handle.
I could almost feel how gentle they would be on my teeth, very different from the rough ones I was used to, which felt like scraping my teeth with rocks.
As I delved deeper into the pile of clothes, I found a shirt made of the finest silk, a pair of trousers that seemed to be woven from the purest cotton, and a pair of shoes that shone like polished leather.
Each item was more exquisite than the last, and I still couldn't help but feel a sense of doubt.
Why would our enemies, the people who had made our lives so difficult, suddenly send us such luxurious gifts?
I looked up to see Mariam returning with a tray of food, a frown on her face.
"What's wrong?" she asked.
"You aren't getting ready yet?"
"I'm still not feeling right about this," I admitted.
Mariam sighed and set the tray down on the bed, her expression exasperated.
"Oh, come on, Layla! I know their actions seem suspicious, but we should accept their generosity."
"Besides," she added.
"We were skeptical of the guards, so they tasted the food themselves to prove it was safe."
"They did?" I asked, my frown deepening.
"Yeah!" Mariam exclaimed.
But before I could press her for more information, she grasped my shoulders, spun me around, and began marching me towards the bathroom.
"Mariam, I-"
"Towel, right?" She cut me off.
"I'll get it, just tell me where it is."
I shook my head. "I wasn't going to ask for a towel."
As we reached the door, I spun around, and Mariam's hands fell away from my shoulders.
"Look, Layla, I know you're stubborn, but you can't refuse to take a bath, come on!" Mariam exclaimed.
"But we can't trust them," I responded, my arms crossed.
Mariam huffed. "I know we can't trust them, but taking a bath is something you shouldn't say no to. It's not about them, it's about your own health and hygiene."
I shook my head again, my mind made up.
"I'm not refusing to take a bath, I just don't want to use anything they give us. They're not good people, Mariam. We can't rely on their generosity."
Mariam's expression softened, and she placed a gentle hand on my arm.
"I understand your concerns, Layla, but sometimes we have to accept help from unexpected places. Let's just take this one step at a time, okay?"
"I don't know, Mariam," I said.
"Something about this feels off. What if they're trying to trick us?"
Mariam sighed and rubbed her temples, her eyes closed.
"We won't let that happen, Layla. We'll accept their help, but it won't blind us to our mission. It's tattooed in our minds and hearts, remember?"
She opened her eyes and stretched out her arms, spinning around.
"Look, I'm fine! I'm wearing the clothes they brought, and I'm not dead, am I?"
She struck a pose, her hands on her hips, and a smile on her face.
"We can't let fear dictate our every move. We have to be smart."
I raised a brow, still skeptical, and Mariam grabbed my shoulders.
"They think they're fooling us by giving us these clothes, but they don't know how strong our mission is to destroy them. They're just foolish, Layla."
"They are?" I repeated.
Mariam instantly nodded. "Yes, they are! They think a few nice clothes and some comfort will make us forget our purpose. But they're wrong. We're not that easily swayed."
She paused. "We'll play along, for now. But we'll never forget our true mission: to bring them down."
I nodded, a smile spreading across my lips, and Mariam released her grip on my shoulders.
"That's the spirit," she said.
Then, she reached for the door behind me and swung it open.
"Go on, go take your bath," she encouraged.
"What about my towel and toiletries?" I asked.
"Don't worry, I'll get that for you," Mariam called out as she walked away.
I watched as Mariam picked up the toothbrush and applied a dollop of white paste on it.
Then, she glanced at me. "You have a towel in this room, right?"
"Yeah," I nodded, "it's in the wardrobe."
"Kay," she said.
A few seconds passed, and I walked into the bathroom with the brown, big, soft towel draped over my arm, and the toothbrush in hand.
As I gazed around the bathroom, I took in the familiar sights from yesterday - the silver pipes, the white, circular fixture positioned on the floor, and many others.
Then, I decided to brush my teeth, gazing at my tanned skin in the mirror.
After rinsing off, I left the toothbrush on the sink.
Next, I took off my dirty clothes and put them outside the bathroom.
I made sure the door was closed, then I went to turn on the thing that drained my hair yesterday.
I twisted it, and the rush of cold water cascaded down on me.
initially, I gasped at the shock of the coldness, but soon let it soothe and cleanse me.
After that, I reached for the soap that Mariam had given me and lathered up, relishing the scent as I scrubbed my skin clean.
I rinsed off thoroughly after a good scrub, and soon I was done.
I stepped out of the bathroom with a towel wrapped around myself and made my way back to the bed where Mariam was lying.
As soon as she saw me, she sat up and offered me a round plastic container, saying, "They said it's good for your skin."
She extended her other hand, presenting a glass bottle, and added, "And spray this on your skin too."
I hesitantly accepted the offerings, examining them with curiosity.
"Did you also use them?" I asked.
"Yeah, I did, and it smells so nice," she responded.
I raised an eyebrow, still uncertain, but decided to give it a try.
I walked over to the mirror, opened the round plastic container, and inhaled the sweet fragrance of rosemary.
As I began to apply the product to my skin, I felt the cool, refreshing sensation seeping in, and my face broke out into a smile.
I continued applying it until I had covered every area, savoring the invigorating feeling.
Once I was done, I dressed in fresh clothes and picked up the glass bottle, regarding it with caution.
I sprayed the fragrant mist onto my skin and gasped in surprise at the refreshing sensation it brought.
I couldn't resist spraying it again, savoring its sweet, elegant scent.
Then, I placed the bottle on the table, feeling content and satisfied.
I gazed at myself in the mirror hanging on the wall, feeling a sense of pride and pleasure at the outfit I wore.
The white short-sleeve shirt paired perfectly with the black jeans that hugged my legs comfortably.
I had tied my long hair back into a simple ponytail, and I turned to face Mariam, who was still sitting in bed, engrossed in a book.
"Wowww, Layla!" Mariam exclaimed as she caught sight of me.
"You look stunning!"
I smiled at her compliment, and she stood up to meet me.
"I'm not the only one," I replied, and she chuckled.
Although she was even more beautiful than me, with every feature perfectly placed, I didn't let it intimidate me.
Beyond her physical appearance, she was still my best friend.
"Come on, let's eat," she suggested, and I made my way over to the bed, sitting down across from her.
"What is this?" I asked, peering intently at the strange circular objects with tiny holes, arranged on the square box between us.
Mariam shrugged, her expression equally puzzled.
"I don't know either," she admitted.
I cautiously picked up one of the circles and sniffed it, my eyebrows furrowing in confusion.
"Are you sure they're not trying to poison us?" I asked.
"I hope not," Mariam replied, "but I'll eat it first."
She took a bite of the unknown snack and chewed thoughtfully, her expression unreadable.
"How's it?" I asked eagerly.
"Hmm!" Mariam exclaimed, her face breaking into a smile. "It's good!"
She offered me another piece. "Have it," she insisted.
"No thanks," I said.
"Come on! we haven't eaten since yesterday. Let's fuel up and strategize with full stomachs."
Her words resonated with me, and I relented, accepting the offered snack.
As I took a crunchy bite, the flavor burst in my mouth, surprisingly delightful!
I reached for more, and Mariam chuckled at my change of heart.
"You're right, it's really good," I agreed, smiling.
My gaze fell upon two plastic bottles - one filled with water and the other containing a creamy white liquid.
The label on the latter caught my attention, but I couldn't read, so I simply picked it up and carefully opened it.
The familiar scent wafted up, and I took a tentative sip, with Mariam watching me curiously.
"It's milk!" I exclaimed, and Mariam's eyes lit up.
"Oh, I'll have some too then!" She grabbed another plastic bottle and took a refreshing drink.
"It's good!" she exclaimed, her enthusiasm making me chuckle.
After finishing our snack, Mariam and I worked together to clean up, gathering the box and plastics to take out the trash.
As we stepped outside, the warm glow of the setting sun enveloped the garden, casting a serene ambiance.
We disposed of the waste, and then Mariam and I decided to sit on the ground, enjoying the moment of relaxation.
Olivia and Noona soon joined us, their pleasant scents filling the air as they settled in beside us.
Suddenly, Cathy appeared, her eyes scanning our little group.
"Wow, you guys look so stunning!" she exclaimed.
I couldn't help but smile, feeling a flutter in my chest, as the girls around me giggled and playfully basked in Cathy's compliment.
Though I used to feel embarrassed about my big brown eyes and tanned skin - which people made fun of - I felt happy and thankful for the kindness and friendship we shared.
Soon, the rest of the group began to settle on the ground around us, forming a circle of companionship as we made conversations about those who held us here.
Just then, a gentle knocking on the gate interrupted our conversation, sending a shiver down my spine.
Confusion and surprise rippled through the group as we exchanged worried glances.
I nodded to Jackson, who bravely rose to investigate. Who could that be?
We watched with bated breath as he cautiously opened the gate, and my heart skipped a beat as I saw guards standing on the other side.
"What do you want?" Jackson asked.
"Easy there, boy," one of the guards replied. "We're not here for you."
Just then, a familiar voice cut in, "That's correct."
The guards parted ways, revealing the man from earlier, his long white hair flowing around his shoulders like a river of moonlight.
His elegant outfit shimmered in the sunlight, exuding an aura of unsettling chillness.
In that instant, I instinctively rose to my feet, my brow furrowed in annoyance, my eyes fixed intently on him, unsure of what to expect.
As the man stepped forward, I felt my heart pounding heavily with anticipation.
Before I knew it, Jackson had swiftly positioned himself in front of me, shielding me from the man's gaze and blocking my line of sight.
"Hello!" I heard the man exclaim, his tone unexpectedly cheerful.
"Why are you here?" Mariam asked.
"I'm here to escort someone away," the man replied.
"I'm afraid that's not possible," Olivia responded.
The man chuckled, a low, throaty sound.
"I'm afraid it's quite possible," he said.
"My name is Liam, by the way."
"No one asked, Mr. Liam," Jackson retorted.
The man chuckled at Jackson's response.
"Hm, you see, boy, we're about the same age, so why the formalities? Why 'Mr'?" he asked in a teasing tone.
"Hey! Just leave us alone!" Jackson yelled.
I heard Liam sigh, and then he said, "Take it easy."
Bending slightly to catch my gaze, Liam locked eyes with mine, and offered a friendly smile that sent my eyes widening in surprise.
"Hello!" he waved at me.
"What do you want?" I asked.
"You," he boldly responded, and my heart skipped a beat.
"Hey!" Jackson yelled.
"She's not going anywhere. Why don't you take me instead?"
"Ah, no no," Liam said, his gaze still locked on mine.
"I want the one behind you."
"I'm not coming with you," I responded, despite the fear bubbling within me.
Liam's smile only widened, his gaze piercing through me.
"I'm not going anywhere with you," I insisted.
"Actually, you are," he countered.
"You see, I've been searching for someone with your particular attributes," he paused, "and I'm not leaving without you."
I saw the glint of his canines as he spoke, and a surge of dread spread through me like wildfire.
But I steeled myself, refusing to show any sign of weakness.
"I'm not coming," I said
He took a step forward, but Jackson blocked his path.
"Don't even dare," he warned, his arms spread wide.
"I'd like you to move away," Liam said.
My chest heaved as I struggled to process his request, and a flurry of questions flooded my mind:
Why did he want me to leave with him? What did he mean by my 'particular attributes'? What were his intentions?
The questions swirled in my head like a vortex, making my thoughts spin wildly.
But then, suddenly, an idea popped into my mind, and my chest stopped heaving.
My gaze, which had been darting frantically about the floor, snapped back to Liam's face, and I felt a surge of determination course through me.
If I went with Liam, I could gather intel, identify his weaknesses, and ultimately reclaim what was rightfully ours. I would learn his secrets and defeat him.
"Fine, I'll come with you," I declared.
The others exchanged worried glances, their concerns evident in their troubled expressions.
Jackson's gaze bore into mine, and I could see the deep concern in his eyes.
"But Layla, you can't go with him," he urged.
"I'll be fine, Jackson. I have to do this," I reassured him.
"But Layla, I-" Mariam began to protest, but I intervened.
"Please, don't worry about me, Mariam. I'll be fine. I have to see this through."
With that, I took a deep breath, stepped away from Jackson, and walked towards Liam, ignoring the pleading looks from my friends.
Liam's smile widened as I approached him.
"I'll go with you," I said.
"Hmm," he said softly, nodding in acknowledgment, a contented look in his eyes.
"Come with me," he beckoned, and with a final glance back at my friends, I followed him out of the gate, flanked by his guards.
As we emerged on the other side, the guards slowly closed the gate behind us.
We continued walking until we reached a clearing, and that's when I saw it - a small, black, and shiny thingy with wheels.
I felt an inexplicable urge to touch it, accompanied by a buzzing swarm of questions in my mind.
What is this thing? What does Liam intend to do with me and this...this thingy?
My thoughts were interrupted by a gentle touch on my shoulder.
I turned to see Liam resting his head on my shoulder, our faces so close that my nose brushed against his cheek.
His skin was incredibly pale, and his nose was pointed, as if chiseled from marble.
I wondered if he had been bathed in snow, his complexion was so porcelain-like.
While we all have fair skin, his was uniquely radiant, and his eyes...his eyes were a rarity. I'd never seen anyone with eyes like his.
I found myself captivated by his beauty, momentarily forgetting that he was the one I despised and longed to destroy.
But as he slowly turned his head to face me, his piercing gaze sent shivers down my spine.
Those grey eyes locked onto mine with an intensity that made me squirm.
His face was inches from mine, and I felt uneasy with the proximity. What is he doing?
Suddenly, he wrapped his arms around my chest, pulling me closer to him, holding me tightly.
"Hey!" I yelled, struggling to free myself, but he only held me tighter.
"What are you doing?" I demanded, trying to pull away, but my efforts were in vain.
He continued to pull me closer, his grip unyielding, until I felt like I was going to sink into his chest.
"You're mine now," he suddenly whispered into my ear.
I felt my heart freeze in my chest at his words. "Huh?!" I exclaimed, suddenly relaxing in his hold.
"Let go of me, let me go!" I tried to pull his arm away from my chest, but he refused to release me.
"What do you think you're doing, Liam?!" I yelled.
The guards stood idly by, their faces expressionless, their eyes fixed on some point beyond us.
"Let go!" I yelled, my voice hoarse from desperation.
But instead of releasing me, he leaned in closer, his nose grazing my cheek.
The gentle caress sent a shiver through me, and my resistance began to crumble.
I froze, my body stiff with shock, and then he unexpectedly pressed his lips to my skin.
The kiss was soft yet possessive, and a wave of fear mingled with confusion flooded me.
As he pulled away, I spun around to face him, my eyes blazing with anger.
"What is wrong with you?" I demanded.
Liam's smile was calm. "Nothing is," he replied.
"Come now, let's get in the car," he said, gesturing towards the thingy.
I glanced at it, my confusion evident. Car? Is that what this is called?
He took my hand in his, and led me towards the thing.
I could have resisted, but somehow I found myself following him into the thing.
As I entered the car, my eyes adjusted to the smooth interior, and I was hit with an unfamiliar scent. It was unsettling, to say the least.
I looked around, taking in the strange box we were in, and my discomfort grew.
I had ever seen or experienced something like this before.
The constant beeping noise filled the small space, making me squirm in my seat as the car crept along the road.
I turned to glance at Liam sitting beside me, and frowned as I saw him smiling at me with a chilling intensity.
"What?" I asked, unsure of why he was staring at me with such a gaze.
"Nothing, dear," he replied, his voice filled with a sweetness that gave me the creeps.
"You just look too sweet; I could devour you whole."
His words sent a chill down my spine, and my teeth gritted in discomfort.
"You better know how to use those words carefully, mister," I warned, my voice trembling.
"I won't spare you if you say them again."
He chuckled, revealing those sharp, intimidating canines, and replied, "I can't help it."
His gaze pierced mine, making me feel like an insect under a microscope.
I quickly averted my eyes, feeling an unexpected warmth spread across my cheeks and a flutter in my chest.
I turned to stare out the window, trying to escape the intensity of his gaze.
The car continued down the smooth road, the silence between us growing thicker than the glass that separated me from the outside world.
We eventually arrived at a massive gate, which swung open with a quiet whirring sound, as if welcoming us to a secret realm.
Huh? Where is he taking me?
My heart pounded in my chest like a drum as we passed through the gate.
Why did he bring me here? What does he plan to do with me?
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