Kingdom of isolation - you can't hide

Twenty ~ Aurora

"Oh..but they're so real. They remind me of that jerk sometimes and I get it now.." She pouts, resting her forearms on my shoulders and leaning in closer to stare into my eyes. 

I don't know whether to feel flattered or nervous at the sudden attention to my eyes. Instead, I clear my throat, an idea materialising into my head. It's a shitty one, the kind that would make it seem as though I'm taking advantage of a good friend, but an idea nonetheless.

"Mia, I need a favour from you." I start. "The thing is, something's come up with..you know, and I can't give this back." 

I wave the little key card in front of her and she finally looks at it with a furrowed brow.

"When you have time, could you go to hotel Cerberus and check me out, please? I'll owe you big time!"

I take a couple of notes from my wallet to cover for the drink, grab hold of her wrist and place them in her palm. I might be running away but I'm not a thief. Stealing is not cool, kids. She glances at her closed palm and then back at me. I wish she didn't. Hurt flashes in her emerald green eyes, cleaving my chest with insurmountable guilt. I am the worst friend in the history of friends.

"When were you in a hotel..? You were gonna leave without telling me?" Her voice quivers and I feel like a complete asshole.

"I..well, I was gonna tell you tonight before—"

"You left." Her eyes flash for a flicker of a second before she smiles at me in that sweet way, very reminiscent of the first time we met. 

"And..what's the money for?"

"For the drink?"

"Nonsense! Drinks were on the house and you didn't even finish yours. I'm sad we had to cut this short, my stupid brother can be really stupid sometimes." She grumbles, before gripping my shoulders. 

"Don't be a stranger and call me when you get home, okay?"

I nod, a prickling sensation building behind my eyes. Suddenly I'm enveloped in a vice-like hug. My chest constricts and I find myself hugging her back. It's an awkward hug because of our height difference and I have to go on my tiptoes.

"I'm gonna miss you!" She coos in my ear.

"I'll..miss you too." I croak. Wait 'till Uncle No hears about you crying over your friends. I inhale sharply, pulling away from her despite not wanting to. I fumble around the side pockets of my backpack until I find what I'm looking for.

"You need to sober up." I say, handing her a small water bottle I picked up from the hotel.

"Here, take this too." I shimmy out of my jacket and drape it over her lean shoulders. Mia holds my wrists hostage, a pleading look in her eyes.

"Don't leave.."

"I'm not leaving, Mia," I pull away, "Just going away for the summer..that's all."

My voice trembles while I put my backpack on. If I look at her too long, I think I'll start crying.

"It just feels like you are.." I hear her murmur before she picks up my bag and loops her arm around mine. 

With a dazzling smile, she says, "Come on, I'll drop you off at the station."

We start walking side by side at a much slower pace than before. It feels bittersweet. What was meant to be a temporary solution has managed to leave a lasting impression. I'll never forget my experience at HRU, the good and the bad.

"You know, we should plan a weekend together. Just us travelling to cool places. What do you think?"

"I'd like that." My smile falters when I see us standing outside the train station.

"Well, this is it. Please tell me you'll get back to your dorm safely. Should I call a taxi?"

"Don't worry about me, I'll be fine."

It doesn't feel right leaving her here, but I don't have much of a choice. It's either that or I wait for someone to come maul me to death. Mia grins, throwing my bag at me like we're in a basketball game and pushes me forward. 

"I'll be fine, I promise. Go, you'll miss your train!"

With a final glance at my beautiful friend, I turn around and head inside the train station. My heart is heavy with gratitude and guilt. Thanks for being my friend, Mia.

HRU has a completely different trainline system, it's one of the many mystifying things about this godforsaken place. When I first arrived at HRU, I had to take a specific train which had zero stops and delivered me straight to their doorstep. 

But then I noticed quite early on that arrivals to HRU were strictly kept to that specific station—evidenced by the giant signs everywhere—and departures had been delegated within the six stations scattered throughout the land. It's weird, it's confusing and an unnecessary pain in the ass.

"Oh, I'm so sorry! Didn't see you there." I apologise to whoever I just tumbled over onto like a complete idiot. It's confirmed. I'm truly setting some kind of record for bumping into people in one night. I'm about to reach for my bag that I dropped when all thoughts and movements halt completely.

Bruised knuckles immediately catch my attention as they pick up something from the floor, extending it toward me. It's a train ticket, I realise, along with my luggage bag. I crane my neck up to get a look at his face and freeze. 

Busted lips and a myriad of bruises litter his face, some look faded and some fresh, but they do nothing to dampen his handsome face. Thick eyebrows, long eyelashes framing his blue-grey eyes, high cheekbones, straight nose and a chiselled jawline, he's beautiful. He's unbelievably tall with light brown hair and pale skin. 

I don't know why, but something about seeing the bruises on his face tugs my heart in a perplexing manner and I'm tempted to touch his face, even ask him if he's okay. It's almost instinctual, I've only ever felt that way with Uncle No or Aunt Clara. 

There's that itchy feeling at the back of my head again, trying to tell me something really important as I look into his eyes. What is it? It seems strange to feel like I've seen him before but don't exactly know where from. The handsome stranger points at the ticket in his hand when I don't make a move to, well, do anything but stare up at him.

"You'll miss your train. It's the last one for tonight."

I stare up at him, befuddled. His deep voice sounds familiar too, but those blue-grey eyes...I'm sure I've seen them somewhere. Where? I don't know what to say so I just take the train ticket and my luggage from him with shaky fingers.

"Have a safe trip, little princess." His voice is brittle, much to my surprise, and I find myself asking, "Do I know you?"

But he doesn't respond, his gaze heavy with torment. It's driving me insane, that look in his eyes, I need to know who he is. Instead, I watch him take small steps backwards, then slowly turn around and walk away, giving me a view of his broad back. 

His hands are clenched into fists, muscles coiled as if he's angry or frustrated about something. Or both. I don't know. I feel something warm cascading down my face and vision blurs, shaky fingers coming up to touch my cheek. Tears. Why did I shed tears over a complete stranger? Am I finally going crazy?

"What the hell was that.." I gasp.

My phone buzzes in my back pocket, reminding me once again to eat something. But food is the last thing on my mind as I watch him disappear. I think I know him. 

Flashes of images. Voices. Laughter. Slowly ebbing away. Just like this stranger.

It's only after the automated announcement for the final train rings in the empty station that I realise two things. One, this is not my ticket and yet the destination is spot on. 

And two, he called me a little princess. Now, why wouldn't my curiosity pique after such a thing?

Author's Note

I'm not satisfied with this chapter but I don't want to stress myself out more than I already am..so I'll leave it for now. How's the story so far? Feedback is appreciated! Anyone wanna guess how this mysterious man was in two places? 

Sadiea