Chapter 147: We Balance Each Other Out
Elian;
"So we’re going to act like you don’t have something to finish telling me?" I question in my mind as I stare at the meal in front of me, but Elien ignores me.
I have given him some time since we got back to finish telling me what he started in the woods, but he’s said nothing in that direction all day.
I don’t know why he suddenly decided to be open with me and start telling me about his past, but now he’s locked up again. Almost like Koda’s interruption gave him time to decide against telling me the rest of it.
"Elien..." I whine and finally, I hear him.
"Elian, I don’t... want to talk about it anymore." He says, and my brows crease.
"Why?"
"I don’t know. It’s not easy to relive my past. When we were in the woods... I felt at peace. I felt comfortable enough to tell you. I thought I was strong enough to, but I was wrong. It’s too... much to relive, so please. Please don’t ask me to tell you about my past until I am ready to. Right now... I’m not. I’m sorry..." He replies, and I pause.
"Oh..." I mutter as realisation dawns on me.
"I’m sorry. I was so interested in knowing more about you that I forgot that you may be opening scars to let me in." I add softly, and I’m met with silence.
"You told me about you... So I guess it’s only fair that I tell you a little about myself. I uhm.. I come from another world. You already know that bit. What you may not know, though, is this strange world is more of home to me than my actual home ever was." I begin, but stop to gather my thoughts and emotions.
"I erm... I was born to rich folks. Usually, one would think that was a blessing, until they start throwing money at you at every inconvenience..." I continue, and stop.
"Parent-teacher meetings, graduations, birthdays, hospital check-ups... They never attended anyone. All they did was give me money alongside a long list of rules of things I couldn’t do in order not to bring shame to them. I... could never tell why they hated me so much. I used to think it was because of my eyes, but now I am certain it was beyond that."
I add, and Elien scoffs."They would have made great friends with my dad." He jokes, and I chuckle.
"Yeah. World-class parents." I joke back, and Elien laughs.
"I thought I’d at least stand a chance outside my home, but it was worse. I got bullied for being different. I got called all sorts of names. Mocked when nobody liked me, and beaten up by other guys when girls liked me. It was... hell. Until one day, when he walked up to me and asked me to be his friend." I continue my miserable tale, and Elien’s curious voice follows.
"Who?"
"Bram," I reply, and just saying the name after all he’s done feels like poison on my tongue.
"Bram? The hybrid from Howleroot?" Elien questions, and I scoff.
"Hybrid" is one way to describe him. Snake is more fitting." I reply, and Elien chuckles.
"Bram was... different. He’d always stand up for me, fight off my bullies... he was always there. Always at my home with me when I felt lonely, always at my art contests... he was my biggest support. The only person I was grateful to have... I don’t... I don’t know when five years of friendship turned so... bitter. He’s the reason I’m here. He tried to kill me." I confess bitterly, and my mind falls into silence as I try to wrap my head around all of Bram’s actions.
"When and why he suddenly changed, I don’t understand... It hurts to think about. And now, he’s here too. He... he caused a rift between me and Rhydian. I’m pretty sure he’s fully taken my place now. Rhydian hasn’t even written a single letter to me. They might be trying for a baby now. How could he change so much?? He was my best friend for years! Why now does he want to ruin my second shot at life?" I rant in annoyance, and Elien’s gentle voice responds.
"What if he didn’t change? What if he was never real with you?" He questions, and my heart drops as I consider the possibility.
"For five years??" I respond in shock, and Elien scoffs.
"You’d be surprised at the lengths people would go to for personal interest. There’s darkness in every heart, Elián. Some have managed to harness theirs to the point of mastery. It’s all they have to give, even when they might not mean to. Pure Evil."
He says, and I fall silent."Hey. Want to go see Anwil?" He suddenly questions, and my eyes light up at the thought of the baby.
"You can give him the toy you and Koda made. Besides, do you know that being around Premodials hastens healing?" He adds, and I raise a brow.
"Really?" I demand, and he chuckles.
"Yes, dummy. Why do you think Seun likes your company so much? You help him recover strength and recover from childbirth faster... Although he doesn’t know that." He replies, and I grin.
"Oh! Okay! What are we waiting for!? Let’s go right now!!" I reply in excitement I rush to my feet, but Elien’s voice snaps instantly.
"Not so fast, rabbit feet. Finish your food first!" He scolds like a mother, and I pout.
"But you said..." I begin, and he cuts me off.
"I know what I said. However, you’re going to finish eating before we go to see Anwil." He retorts, and my pout grows.
"Why are you being so uptight? Aren’t you supposed to be on my team?" I rant, and he sighs.
"I am on your team. This is teamwork. You be the dummy who jumps into action, and I be the one with the brains. We balance each other out." He replies, and my jaw drops.
"You can’t give what you don’t have. If you’re going to help Seun heal, you need strength. Eat up." He adds, and I scoff.
"Fine!"
I sit down and scoop some rice into my mouth.
"What else do you know about being a Premodial? Since you’re all knowing now." I question, and what he says next stuns me.
"I found a way to completely disconnect from you. I end up in a dark void, drifting in the dark, till I’m ready to reconnect with the other world." He says, and my brows crease.
"I think it’ll come in handy during sex." He adds casually, and my mouth stops chewing.