|Note: Even if I want to stop giving you heartaches, it's needed in the story, Haha. If ever it's true... I'll prepare you, don't worry. Enjoy reading!|
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|AQUA LAVERDA|
What does it feels like to be in a tight situation where you don't know how to escape anymore?
In which, you're already at the endpoint of your life that you have no choice but to surrender? You have to,  but in the back of your mind, you're not yet ready.
In such cases, why do some people need to do something that they'll regret doing so in the end? Some don't regret what they did.
I want to understand them.
Were they too desperate at that time that they had to do things and that,  do they need to cross the line? Did they at least think of the consequences of their actions? Did they do it because they don't have a choice?
But there are no such things as having no choice. You have a choice.
It just happens, you choose the wrong way.
Taking a deep breath, I look up at the horizon in front of me. The clouds are already turning orange, meaning it's already sunset.
I am lost in my thoughts that I can't focus on appreciating the view of a sunset. Even if it means, the sun is waving goodbye as it's giving way for the darkness to replace it.
Just like people's experiences.
At first, it's all bright and peaceful until darkness slowly crawls into their system. Trying to penetrate people's minds to do things that they can't help but surrender to the darkness. Sacrificing themselves just to save others, to prove their worth, to be noticed by their loved ones, to appear that they are strong, etc.
Greed is too heavy for a person to carry. You don't know if you will be saved someday or you'll forever be driven by it.
So, why do I seem like I'm currently carrying the world on my shoulders?
"What are you doing up there?"
I stop swaying my feet in the air as I look down at the person who suddenly blocks my thoughts from further thinking a lot of things.
"Hi! How was your visit?" I ask Von Alas who's currently climbing the same tree I am sitting at right now.
I used all my free time after talking to Morri in my office here at the back of the school. Appreciating the breathtaking sunset view that I didn't enjoy much because of my thoughts flooding inside my head.
"I'm asking Cenna," he replies instead of answering my question.
I let out a soft laugh as I lend him my left hand as my right hand is holding on to the body of the tree to support his weight.
"Come on," I whine like a kid when he just looks at my hand while he's supporting himself by holding on to the branch of the tree I am sitting at.
He clicks his tongue before taking my hand using his right hand because he's facing me.
I hold my breath when he suddenly puts his left hand at the small space of the branch on my right as he jumps a little and uses his left foot to support his weight in the trunk and make himself comfortable beside me.
He effortlessly jumps to have a seat next to me.
I smile at him when he's already settled on his seat.
"What was your question again?" I ask him even if I still remember it in my head.
I will never forget his words. I'll forever remember it so, if there will be a time that we'll turn each other's back one day, I will have his words engrave in my heart so I won't feel hurt that much.
"Nothing. I think I know why," he softly tells me.
I look at him and my smile widens when I see his side view. The light coming from the sun is giving him a perfect view in my eyes. His eyes are reflecting something soft. It's as if he's back to being a kid.
Fascinated by the view in front of us.
His eyes...
It's always expressive. I don't know why other people can't read him when in fact, as I look at his eyes every time I have a chance, it always tells me everything without him, saying it.
I can read him the way he can also read me.
"How was your visit?" I ask him again when he didn't answer me.
I look in front of us. Time really flies so fast when you're happy. It's already quite getting dark.
Darkness soon will replace the light.
"It's fine," I look at him again when I sense something's wrong in his voice.
Even if it's cold, there's a hint of sadness on it. But I'm not here to pry on him. I'm here to listen.
That's what he needs the most. Someone to listen to his voice because sometimes, it's just all that people need. To have someone they can share their hardships and struggles.
Not your opinion, not your hopeful words but ears to listen to their inner voices. 
"Are you tired?" Instead of prying, I ask about his wellness.
"Yeah," he softly whispers.
I smile and pull his head to rest on my shoulder.
"Then rest," I softly whisper to him.
I heard him take a deep breath but said nothing.
I slowly cling my left arm to his right arm as I adjust my body to let him have a good rest on my shoulder.
I don't know how long we've been there but it's already dark when I open my eyes. Instead of seeing him leaning on my shoulder, I am already the one who's leaning on his.
"Did I wake you up?" He whispers.
Sudden chills crawl into my system as his breath fans the back of my ears. I blink my eyes to adjust to the darkness of the place.
We're still sitting on the branch of the tree. The only difference is, that he's already leaning at the body of the tree where I was sitting earlier as I replace his position.
"No. Did you carry me?" I ask him a ridiculous question.
Of course, how did I come here if he didn't? I'm still half asleep, half awake so, people please understand. Haha.
"Silly. Are you hungry?" I sigh and curtly nod my head.
"Let's eat?" I ask him. When he nods slowly, I sweetly smile as I gesture for him to go down the tree.
Not longer than a second, he already jumps down from here. I'm wearing my comfy pants so there's no problem with it.
I look at him who's now also looking up to me.
"Can you catch me?" I ask him even if I know how to get down myself.
Well, sometimes people, you need to take your chances seriously. And I, I'm taking it now.
Kiddin'.
"I already did," I stop myself from smiling widely because of what I heard from him and just ready myself.
"Okay! I'll get down!" He nods his head while his eyebrows are furrowing.
"Careful Cenna," I nod at him as I put my feet on the branch and ready myself.
Deep inside me, I'm afraid he can't catch me when I fall so hard.
"Okay! One, two..., three!"
I jump as I close my eyes, tight.
He slightly takes a step back as he fixes me on his arms. I encircled my hands around his neck as I look at his face. Particularly, his eyes.
He's not looking at me. Pouting my lips, I just tighten my hold on him.
I just want to be in his arms forever, kidding.
I hide my smile when he didn't let me go instead, he walks while carrying me in his arms.
I told you, people. Used your chance wisely, like me. Kiddin'.
We walk side by side when we reach the corridor to the cafeteria. As I check the time on my wristwatch earlier, it was still 07 PM. We still have an hour to prepare.
"When will you meet her?" Von Alas asks me while we're eating at one of the tables here in the cafeteria.
Some students are looking in our direction but we decided to just ignore them. The other students are probably eating in their dorms.
I look at him as I furrow my brows.
Does he know? After a second, I nod my head to myself. Of course, he knows everything.
"We'll be there at 08 sharp," I inform him as I push the glass of water beside his plate.
He takes it as I watch him gulp down the water. His adam's apple moving up and down. I avert my gaze and just look at the food in front of me.
"Do you trust me?" I ask him after a while.
We're already walking the corridor to the main School Library. It's where we decided to meet before meeting Naraka on the rooftop.
"I trust you. So, take care of yourself for me, hm?" I smile and move my head to look at him.
"That's all I need,"
We stop just as I turn right towards the Library. I mouthed 'thank you' at him before turning my back. I turn right as my expression changed to serious.
I click my tongue as my heart beats rapidly like there's something wrong with the wind today.
It's cold and creepy at the same time.
"Morri," I greet her with a smile as I stop in front of the closed door of the Library.
Haven and Gunreigh stop talking to each other when they see me approaching them. Sorcha, Tiana, and Aqui are just silent at the side.
"Are you ready?" I ask them.
I didn't receive any response from them but when they stand up straight, I smile.
Seems like we're all ready.
We walk through the darkness. The moonlight is the only light that is guiding us at the back of the Library. If we walk straight, the DOC building will be right before the back of the school.
Haven and Aqui are the ones who are leading the way as I cling to Morri's arms.
It's so silent and the sound of the dried leaves we step on gives me chills. It's as if we're trying to film a horror movie and we need to face a strong ghost who lost its way after its death.
Geez.
"If you're too scared to go why did you even suggest walking here?" Morri then asks after a while. Tiana and Sorcha are in front of us as I'm clinging to her as if I'll be lost anytime.
"Eh? I have no choice,"
Here I am saying I have no choice when I have options to choose. Tsk.
"Tsk. Stupid Aqua," pouting my lips, I roll my eyes at her and didn't say anything.
"Try prolonging your patience Morri, okay? I'll be watching you," I tell her as my heart worries for her.
Somehow, after knowing the story from me, she was triggered. That's why I'm so worried about her, dealing with Naraka.
I was the one who should talk to Naraka but Morri insisted to do so.
Maybe for closure? Either way, I want her to take it easy. It might trigger her trauma and I'm not going to take it if ever it happens.
"Don't worry, Aqua. I just have to ask her why. It depends on whether her reason is valid or not. It's up to her answer," I bit my tongue as I watch her walk inside the DOC building with the others.
I look up at the sky full of stars and sigh.
Guide her, please.