Chapter 16: No.15

Happy birthday to me and all of my fellow march babies! ❤️ Hope you like the chapter.

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"It doesn't happen often... Sorry about that, and also that it took this long," Haze found the need to apologize before handing me the results of his investigation.

"It's blank," I pointed at my ancestry table. "All of it is blank," I repeated the obvious, unsure of how to react. "What—why?"

My heart felt broken and mind confused, weren't they supposed to be able to find this relatively simple information?

"Either your planet has been destroyed, in which case we still should have been able to find the connection unless the Pentagon has erased it from all the data in order to hide their sins. They don't do it often, but I'm aware it happens."

A scoff has pushed through my pursed lips, of course. No matter how close I was to the truth, Pentagon was always there a few steps ahead of me—watching.

"So there's no way to find out?" I asked for a confirmation.

Haze sighed heavily and shook his head. "Not from us, no."

Recently my emotions have been at its peak, overwhelmed by everything and everyone to the point where any movement was a fight against my mind. This, however, well this just sealed the deal.

"Thanks," I muttered and turned around, walking away before he could say anything else.

Heading towards the dorm I felt my knees bending under each step, and aching heart preventing me from taking a breath. Who am I?

"Too bad, huh."

Squeezing my eyes shut it took me a few seconds before preparing myself for this conversation.

"Fuck off," I snapped, doing my best to look forward and get back home.

"Where is home?" his genuine curiosity mixed with devilish amusement wasn't doing me any better.

Ignoring his existence I kept on walking, putting on some speed wanting to escape him, knowing well such an option didn't exist.

"It's good news you know?" he voiced without permission. "The truth would have been irrelevant and Pentagon doesn't forgive. You know what they are capable of, don't you Elina?"

"Why are you here Keith?" I spat through gritted teeth, doing my best to control the urge and smash his head with my fist. "Have they sent you to watch me? It hasn't been long, I still have some time," I thought out loud.

Suddenly he paused and I couldn't bring myself to walk away. His dark irises emanating with emotion I couldn't decipher. What was he getting at now?

"Have I ever done anything else than looking after you?" there was judgment in his tone. "Without me, how many times would you go against them, how many times would you end up in the pit? Don't you get it?"

Frowning I shook my head, oblivious to his words. Keith was a monster; he was ruthless and had no heart. Raising my hand, I pointed at him as if I held a gun, he replicated the movement. Standing in front of each other, we were ready to kill a part of ourselves.

"I kill when you can't, I listen when you don't want to face the reality, and I'm ensuring that you will never go against them because we know how it ends. I won't let you die."

"You are a monster..." I accused, not accepting his explanation.

He frowned deeply before his eyes snapped to the side dilating at whatever it was he saw. Following in the direction of his current view my heart skipped at the sight of Nahla, walking with her crutches instead of the wheelchair. Concern has rushed through every cell of my body.

"Someone had to become one so you wouldn't lose your mind," he answered after a short silence. "Don't go to her, you will regret it."

Already prepared to walk away I added, "Then I will live with regret."

"You will hurt her." His words pierced through my heart, anger boiling inside as I approached him hastily prepared to kill.

"I will never, NEVER, hurt her," I admonished with a raised tone. "I don't need anything from her, I won't involve myself with her. I just want to be by her side for a bit longer, and if you ever do anything about that— I will murder you in cold blood," threatening him as I stared into his eyes, there was no going back from what has been said.

His hands put up in front of his chest in defense, "I won't intervene with that one, you will fuck it up yourself."

"Get lost," I pushed him not so gently.

"Find the princess Elina, they are impatient."

"I know..." I uttered angrily. "So am I."

Keith was being weird, almost as if he knew something was about to happen, he never tried to speak to me about his behavior or explain the reason behind it. I could feel things were changing, but whatever was coming my way I would face it as I've always had.

"Hello professor," I called the woman who must have not expected my presence, for a second she lost her balance when stopping too quickly.

When she looked into my eyes that's when all of my worries evaporated into thin air, nothing else mattered, only the person in front. Clenching my fists at the feeling she gave me, it felt completely out of my control and comprehension.

"Hi," she answered shyly, with her lips parted ever so slightly as she took me in. "Haven't seen you around, hope everything is okay..." It was endearing the way she was so shy.

"Missed me?" I arched a brow and smirked, deepening the blush that crept on her cheeks and nose.

"I was worried, I think I have a reason to be..." she pointed out and I cringed at the recollection of my breakdown.

"Let's forget about that, I'm okay." Seeing she hasn't believed me I added, "Truly professor, don't worry about me."

A little frown took over her face. "You always say that, I don't like it..." she muttered under her nose.

My attention went towards the crutches. "No wheelchair?" I wondered wishing to know whether something has happened and instantly getting concerned for not being there to help

"Oh, had an issue with a wheel, till it's fixed got to deal with this," she chuckled.

"Does it hurt?" I worried, which she must have seen because she gave me a warm smile.

"Should I say, don't worry about me?"

Biting onto my bottom lip, I disliked the route she was taking. Her cheeky smile and attitude, playing with my own words.

"Not so nice is it," she added as the corners of her lips fell.

Sighing I was about to apologize when she stopped me from speaking and done so instead, "Sorry... It wasn't nice of me, thank you for asking but it doesn't hurt. More than anything it's simply inconvenient," she pointed at her legs clumsily twisted inwards. "I can't exactly move as efficiently and well... These tend to catch a lot of unnecessary attention."

"So it doesn't hurt?" I asked for a confirmation, it being the only thing that mattered.

Her bright smile exposed the line of white teeth. "Yeah, it doesn't hurt."

Nodding this was enough to calm me down. She smirked at my reaction and leaned a bit closer in order to whisper, "And to answer your previous question, I have actually. Have you?"

Shaking my head, I couldn't help but smile, "Maybe."

A tiny pout appeared, disappearing just as quickly once approached by another person.

"Professor, I wanted to make sure, is the essay due today?" a random guy asked as he nervously held onto the pile of books.

Nahla took a step back from my personal space and smiled at her student. "Don't worry Lucas, you have time till the end of this week, take your time."

"Oh, okay!" he yelped and excused himself right after.

"Are we talking about the one I wrote the minute you told us to do it?" I wondered amused by how stressed-out students were by assignments.

Rolling her eyes Nahla shook her head and began to walk. "Such a show-off, I can't even say anything bad about it because it was perfect," she commented knowing I would follow behind. "You are quite a mystery, aren't you?" She glanced at me from the side and I shrugged.

"Everyone is until we get to know them."

"Well then, whatever your mystery is, I cannot wait to unveil it," she grinned not thinking too much into what she just said.

You never will, no matter how much I would like to tell you about the beauty of the galaxy your gorgeous eyes take in every single night, the wonders and adventures I've had during my training... I wish for you to know all of the good parts without the bad, so your heart would fill with excitement fulfilling the dreams you created in your head and wonders you thought were nothing but a part of your imagination. But I can't.

In spite of it all what I could do is to be by your side, just a little longer, just enough to ensure the smile that calls my heart will forever be a part of my mind. I never want to forget it, "How beautiful you are..."

"Hmm?" she paused and scrunched her nose from the cold. "Did you say something?"

Her silky hair was gently touched by the wind, she was so close yet so far away; unattainable, why would my heart beat for her?

"I said you are beautiful," I repeated without a second thought, this was the truth, which I always spoke.

Nahla must have not been prepared; a tiny gasp escaped her while she clumsily turned away. Don't hide from me, I beg you. Taking a step forward just enough to stand behind the woman, my lips neared her ear. "Did I offend you?" My tone was modulated, but worry burst inside me.

"Oh God, no!" she uttered horrified by the idea as she quickly turned to face me; eyes avoiding mine. "You are very sweet. Gosh, I don't think anyone has ever been this straightforward and adorable with me before... How are you doing this?"

"Doing what?" I frowned. Was I upsetting her? Hurting her?

Her teeth chewed against the bottom lip, raising my body temperature at the mere sight.

"Nothing, I apologize... I don't know, I'm sorry," she rambled with her eyes locking on the ground.

"Nahla," I called her name, within seconds having those sandy irises soaking into the depth of mine. "One word will be enough, one word and I will be gone, one word and I will never speak to you again, one word and I won't mention something you might not like. Don't be afraid to speak up, it's just one word. I will always listen, never laugh, and consider whatever it might be."

She was speechless, now I've done it, congratulations. I should have remained silent, but how? I wasn't sure how friendship worked, but I needed for her to know, there was no pressure or judgment on my part.

"Okay," her voice was so thin and gentle. "I will remember it."

Smiling at the thought of my words finding a place in her heart a sudden rush of endorphins caused a burst of happiness to erupt.

"There you are!" a voice interrupted my blissful moment.

Irritation ran through me, it so happens every time my human and I were having a lovely interaction someone just had to barge in. Snapping at the lady who approached us, or more specifically my professor she began chatting to her about random stuff.

"And I hope you remember about the date I set up for you this evening," she pointed out to Nahla who didn't seem to register anything her colleague said. "Oh, come on!" the other woman whined. "Recently you've been declining everything, I understand you might have gotten discouraged, but this guy is great. My friend's husband works with him at the office. He's handsome," she winked.

The anxious way her fingers tapped against the crutches I wished she would find the strength to refuse, but at the same time what could I say. Maybe he was nice, maybe she was going to have fun and fall in love. This would make me happy, to know that she's happy.

Don't lie.

"I know, I will don't worry," she answered with an awkward chuckle. "But seriously after this no more, I'm very tired from the other ones."

A wide smile spread on her colleague's face as she squealed and shared a location on her phone. "I think this just might be the one. I read the horoscope!" she exclaimed. "It said your soulmate will spend the night."

Nahla cringed and laughed at the same time, "What kind of horoscope are you reading, and anyway you do know those aren't true, right?"

The woman scoffed and argued back, "Those never lie! I believe in madam's spiritual blog, she's the best. Also, something about the bucket was mentioned, might keep that in mind."

"Okay, okay," she kept on laughing and I couldn't stop myself from smiling at how adorable she was. "See you later," she waved at the other woman who was already walking away offended by not being taken seriously. "Sorry about this," she apologized.

Tilting my head I asked, "What's horoscope?"

Her pupils dilated and she took a second to process whether I was joking or not. "Oh my, you better off without knowing," she told me and sighed heavily. "Guess I got a date tonight."

"Could be nice," I looked for positives, even though something just didn't feel right.

Her brows scrunched as she muttered, "could be..." Taking another look at my person she continued with her thought, "I swear you could teach those guys a thing or two, always so respectful and funny. You are a gem, Elina."

"A gem?" This human loved to confuse me with their odd metaphors.

Her warm laugh has tugged my heart before she lightly shook her head and glanced at me from under her brown lashes.

At this very moment when she looked into my eyes with a smile and stars shining in hers, I realized who I was looking at.

Soulmate, no words could define it; a bond, a feeling, something just right, when a stranger wasn't a stranger at all, but a soul that held yours for years and years to come.

And I just found mine; she was pure while I was not.

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