[Re-Upload] Luminescence

Part 17

Kyoski then grabbed Elizabeth's hand tightly, squeezing it a bit. Her face would flush up quickly, making Elizabeth turn away a bit. Everyone on the expedition team would be slightly shocked at how protective Kyoski was for Elizabeth. Moments after Kyoski had finished his little speech, everyone would slowly go home. Elizabeth would be the first one to leave, not really wanting to stand there in her embarrassed state.

Once the three would arrive home, Elizabeth would head straight to her room to be alone for a while. Both Sayeko and Kyoski respected her decision and left her alone for a while. While Elizabeth lounged about in her room, she would notice something off about her room. There would be too many mugs and files. In another way, Elizabeth felt embarrassed. She wouldn't want Kyoski nor Sayeko to see it in the state it was currently in.

So with as many mugs as she could carry, Elizabeth made her way out into the kitchen without any trouble. She would do this for a couple of rounds, until by the third trip coming back she ran into Kyoski. He would give Elizabeth a small smile, "Greetings, Elizabeth. Feeling a little better?" Elizabeth would slightly nod, "I'm better, yes. Doing a little cleaning is helping me calm down." Kyoski nodded as Elizabeth talked, getting an idea as soon as she had finished.

"If it wouldn't bother you too much, do you suppose an extra pair of hands could join you?" Elizabeth thought about it for a small bit, then would nod after reaching her answer. "That's alright with me, but don't you have work?" Kyoski chuckled at Elizabeth's words, "I do, but that can wait for another time."

After Elizabeth clearly showed her amused expression by rolling her eyes, she lead Kyoski back to her room where a stack of papers lay all around on the floor. At first, he would gain a slightly troubled expression, but he simply would sit onto the floor and pick up a few pieces of paper. "So, tell me, what do I do with these?" Elizabeth then pointed to an empty spot on the floor, "Files that have other names besides my own go there," She then pointed to another empty spot nearby, "And the others can go there. I'll read through them all when I get the chance."

Kyoski went to work right away, Elizabeth very impressed that he was working so quickly. While Kyoski sorted papers, Elizabeth went off to her closet and began sorting things in there. She would sort from one end, and seeing how quickly Kyoski got done with the papers on the floors, he would go to the other side. While Kyoski and Elizabeth moved Elizabeth's clothes up and down the rack, Kyoski would notice two pieces of clothing that stood out from the others.

One would be a white spring dress that seemed to have never been used before. It's whiteness and pureness reminded him of an angel, or even a seraph. The other article of clothing would be ripped and torn, seeming to be covered in someone's dried blood. From where it was in the closet, Kyoski presumed it was Elizabeth's when she had gotten her heart shattered for the first time.

Elizabeth would soon notice Kyoski looking at the clothing, getting a little embarrassed. She would grab both from where they were and move them to the farthest point on her side. Kyoski blinked in disbelief, a little surprised that Elizabeth still kept the clothes. Even as the two worked, Kyoski couldn't keep his mind off of the ripped and bloodied clothing nor the white spring dress.

Soon, evening would roll around and Elizabeth would soon get a little sleepy. As she continued to work, she would begin to yawn every five minutes or so. Kyoski would give Elizabeth a small smile, continuing to work. "You can head to bed, Elizabeth. I can keep working for you." She would look back at Kyoski with a surprised expression, for no one has offered to do any of Elizabeth's work for any reason whatsoever.

She gave Kyoski a slight nod, making her way over to her bed. It felt a little awkward falling asleep in the same room as someone who offered to do her work for her. Elizabeth wouldn't actually fall asleep, for she would quickly grab the book on her nightstand and begin to secretly read it underneath her massive pile of pillows.

Eventually though, Elizabeth would fall asleep with the book in her hand. And hours later, Kyoski would too pass out, but in a nearby chair. As the night continued, Elizabeth would drop the book onto the floor. The sound of the book hitting the floor would awake an alert Kyoski. At first, he would be confused on why he was sitting in the chair in an awkward position. Then after thinking it through for a few minutes, he would realize that because of all the work he did during the afternoon and evening, he would have drained his energy.

He sat up normally, looking through the now dark room to see the open book on the floor near Elizabeth's hand. He then released a sigh of amusement, scooting the chair closer to Elizabeth. He sat back down again, picking up the book. When he did pick up the book, the front and back covers would make him a little curious of the book.

From the outside, the book would seem to be a pretty normal romance novel. On the inside however, there would be markings and ruined pages throughout the whole book. Oddly enough, the vandalism would stop at a certain part in the book. It was as if Elizabeth's torture was finally stopping. But what wasn't stopping was Elizabeth's occurring nightmare.

She began tossing and turning, a troubled look coming to her face. Kyoski would lightly place his hand on her side, moving it up and down a bit to comfort her. Soon, Elizabeth would be back to a calmer state. Kyoski instantly filled with relief, not daring to move his hand as he sat next to Elizabeth with a small smile.