Nyx (Complete✅)

Chapter 65

    Beth stayed silent throughout the arguing. With Kelbar standing beside her, she felt safe. She tried to look as innocent and harmless as she could under the family's scrutinizing stares. She didn't have to say a single word. Kelbar loyally defended her.

   Thankfully, in the end, they decided to let her stay. Under strict conditions though. She must never be seen. No one could find out that they were harboring this strange creature.

   "I promise I'll keep you safe," Kelbar said.

   "Thanks," Beth whispered back to him.

   "At nightfall, you can sneak her into one of the abandoned huts at the edge of the village." Kelbar's mother said sternly.

   "But..."

   "No buts Kelbar! I will not have her staying here!" She said, her voice rising.

   "I agree with your mother." His father joined in. "She's less likely to be found out there."

   "It's dangerous!" Kelbar protested.

   "It is that or nothing." His mother said.

   "Fine." Kelbar resigned.

   Beth felt uneasy. She could sense the fear in the room and had a pretty good guess as to why those homes were abandoned.

   __________

   Dusk took forever to arrive. She sat in a corner of the hut all day, being stared at by whichever family member was present. Beth knew they were very hospitable people, and her knowledge proved to be true. They soon warmed up to her and offered her small morsels of food and water throughout the rest of the day. She was most surprised by Kelbar's mother though, who began to treat her very much as a welcome guest than an unwanted alien.

   When Kelbar came to escort her to the edge of the village, Beth noticed Kelbar's mom seemed almost sad to see her go. She probably liked having another female in the house.

   "I wish you didn't have to stay out here," Kelbar said as they crept through the shadows.

   "Why not?" Beth asked although she already knew the answer.

   "This is where most of the people were taken. A lot of the abandoned huts belonged to those who've disappeared. The rest, from those avoiding the edge of the village."

   "And you think it's The Slayer?" Beth asked.

   "Yes...The Great Slayer." Kelbar shuddered.

   "Does anyone else think your theory is true?" Beth asked.

   "No," Kelbar said sadly. "They think I'm a silly boy believing in myths."

   "I believe you," Beth said.

   Kelbar got excited. "Have you seen it?"

   Beth hesitated. She didn't know if she should tell the truth. She shouldn't even be talking to him at all.

   "Well, have you?" He asked again.

   "No." Beth decided to lie.

   Kelbar looked disappointed. "Thanks for believing in me."

   "True or not true, I think your people need to listen to you. Every possibility should be considered." Beth said.

   "I agree completely, but I'm young. I don't have a voice."

   Beth's heart hurt. She wanted to tell him everything, maybe even help save his village, but she couldn't. She needed to focus solely on getting back to her own time.

   Upon his family's request, Kelbar led her to the farthest hut. It was so dark and quiet, Beth could easily imagine The Slayer slinking out of the shadows and swallowing her in one bite.

   They entered the hut. It was cold, musty, and uninviting. Kelbar touched the power stones and the room lit up, which helped a little bit.

   Beth sat down on an old grass mat. She looked at Kelbar expecting him to leave, but he also sat down.

   "Aren't you gonna head back?" Beth asked. "Your mother made it clear she wanted you back as soon as possible."

   "I'm staying here to protect you," Kelbar replied, sitting up a little straighter and puffing out his chest.

   "You'll worry your mother to death," Beth said.

   "She'll be fine. I'm not a child." Kelbar retorted. "Besides, she most likely expects I'll be staying here with you."

   "Against her wishes." Beth retorted back.

   "I am staying here." He said with finality.

   "I don't want you too." She lied.

   "What?" He looked surprised.

   "I'm not a child either. I don't need your protection." She didn't want to take any chances of him getting hurt out here in this unsafe hut.

   With a hurt look in his eyes, he got up. "I guess you'll be safe without me."

   "I will. Thanks for offering to stay though." She replied.

   Before leaving, he looked back. "Block the door and under no circumstances go outside."

   "Okay." She promised.

   Then he left, without saying goodnight. Beth guessed he was upset with her for not letting him stay.

   She would have preferred that he stayed, but she wanted to be alone. Teleporting through time was not an easy feat. She didn't know the first thing about it, and the thought of never returning terrified her.

   Beth closed her eyes tight and steadied her breathing. She concentrated all her thoughts on being home. She did this for several minutes. Nothing happened.

   She continued until a whole hour had passed. A sharp ache had formed behind her eyelids and she was growing tired.

   After another hour, her head was pounding and she couldn't go on anymore. Her hopes of ever returning were being crushed into nothing.

   Worn and tired, Beth turned off the lights and collapsed in hopeless exasperation.

   __________

   Kelbar had lied about not staying. Instead of hurrying home, (like Beth thought he had done), he walked a little ways away, then returned to Beth's hut. He was terrified that The Slayer would get him, but he was determined to protect Beth.

   To Kelbar's relief, the night passed uneventfully. He was actually quite proud of himself that he'd held out without getting scared. He felt bad for betraying his mother and Beth though, but only a little.

   Dawn came and went, and still, Beth's hut remained silent. She couldn't have left without him knowing. Kelbar wondered how long she'd sleep and if he should wake her.

   He decided to let her sleep a while longer. He suspected maybe her kind needed more rest than his.

   At almost midday, when he still hadn't heard a single peep, and his joints ached from sitting so long outside her door. He stood up and knocked on the door. When she didn't answer, he opened it. He shook his head when he saw she'd forgotten to barricade the door.

   She was indeed, still sound asleep. He quietly went over to where she was sleeping and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

   "Liam." She muttered sleepily.

  Kelbar wondered who Liam was. This was the second time she'd said that name. He gently shook her.

   Beth opened her eyes. "Good morning, Kelbar." She said disappointedly. She'd hoped it had all been a bad dream.

   "You slept for quite a while," Kelbar replied. "It's no longer morning time."

   "I must've been tired then," Beth remembered that she'd slept for days after she'd teleported the ship. Maybe sleep was the key. The idea gave her fresh hope.