In the morning, Zach woke up feeling very heavy and a little dizzy. He knew it's because he drank too much liquor last night.
Though feeling sick, he quickly noticed he was alone on the bed. He thought at first he slept too long, but when he looked on his right, he found Claire on the cushion chair sleeping.
He felt confused why she's in there. He stood up and approached her. He sat on the little space near her feet and brushed her hair away from her face.
"Claire?" he called softly.
When she moved, he bent his body closer and called her name again.
After hearing his voice, she quickly lifted her body and pushed him away from her with her left hand.
Zach was surprised. Her hand was on his chest pressing his skin.
"What's wrong?" he asked in a troubled tone.
Claire looked completely alarmed. Before she spoke, she looked down and stared at her right hand. When she confirmed it was not savaging, she calmed down.
"I'm sorry." she told him.
Zach noticed she looked very distressed.
"What happened? Why are you sleeping here?" he asked in a concerned tone.
Claire looked at him. She knew she can't keep a secret from him anymore.
"I've been having this unusual feeling in my right hand since we got here. I thought it was just a simple cramp. Then, last night it acted really weird. I worried it'll do something bad, so I kept my distance." she admitted.
Zach lifted his hand to reach hers, but she moved it away thinking it was not safe.
"Let me see it." he insisted in a firm voice.
Since she can't refuse with his dominance, she did. Slowly, she reached her hand to him. He checked it, but saw nothing unusual.
"Let's ask the others." he suggested.
"Wait. Per will meet the doctor again today. Let's not ruin her day." she said.
"Alright. We'll tell her when she comes back, but if something happened again let us know, okay?" he instructed.
She nodded.
"You look very cute when you're drunk by the way" she teased trying to break the tension.
"Did you do something to me last night?" he asked while showing a suspicious expression.
Claire didn't answer. She only gave him a cute face.
Thinking she's acting guilty, he pulled her closer and kissed her neck and shoulder. She screamed and giggled.
《••○••••••◇••••••○••》
That day, Per went to see Mohan again. He took her to an old Indian Palace and walked her around. The place was very beautiful and historical.
They strolled together inside the ruins and filled their eyes with the marks of ancient Indian art that are still visible on walls, ceilings and floors.
Per was so mesmerized.
"Do you like music?" Mohan asked.
"Yes, I do." she quickly answered.
"Then, you'll gonna love our next destination." he assured.
After roaming around the whole palace, he took her in a big theater. There, they watched and listened to many different performers of dancing and singing on the wide stage.
Per witnessed the joy of Indian music. She was very delighted. Mohan was not disappponted while seeing her happy expression all through the show. Her smile was so captivating. He would look at her every now and then.
《••○••••••◇••••••○••》
While waiting for Per, Claire told Ark about what happened to her last night.
"Does it hurt now?" he asked.
"No" she answered.
"What did you feel exactly?" he asked.
"I also can't explain it. It was a different kind of pain." she answered.
"If it's not an ordinary physical injury, then it could be something worse." he guessed.
"You're using your right hand when calling your weapon. Do you think it could be that?" Zach asked.
Claire thought of it. Then, she looked at her right palm.
"There's only one way to find out." she told them.
《••○••••••◇••••••○••》
When the show is over, Per and Mohan headed out and ate in a fancy restaurant. That moment, Per tried to trace her real feelings.
She knew she likes being with him. She feels happy with his company, but aside from the happiness she has inside, she could not find more.
Then, she remembered what Claire said to her, that happiness is part of love. While trying to understand it, she became more confused.
"Is there's something on my face?" Mohan asked when he noticed her staring at him.
"Uh... um... no, I just realized you're a handsome guy. You should try to find another woman in your life." she answered unmindfully.
She was out of alibi, so she ended up saying those words. Mohan tittered.
"Really? You think I'm handsome?" he asked.
"Stop being so in denial." she told him.
Mohan held his laughter and smiled instead.
《••○••••••◇••••••○••》
Zach and Ark removed all the chairs and tables in the open pool inside their room to give enough space for Claire.
"Are you sure about this?" Zach asked her before she start. He sounded worried.
"I have to know. I can't let it happen in a wrong place or in wrong time. Don't worry. I'll be careful." she answered.
"Just don't push yourself too much if you can't." he told her.
She nodded.
Then, she went on the other side of the pool and began to move her right arm. She closed her eyes and slowly opened the portal.
The moment the pointed tip of the blade came out, a sudden strong volt escaped and hit the glass wall of the room. It burned and shattered into pieces.
Claire drew back and quickly ceased the portal, but the dark power inside continued to escape.
While trying to close her fingers, another volt struck on the floor near Ark and Zach's position. She panicked.
She could see Zach calling her, but the sound from her raging hand made her unable to hear anything.
She felt terribly scared for their safety, so she dove into the water. She held her right wrist tight with her other hand and released a pulling strength from her body.
While the water is moving harshly in different directions, Ark kept his hold on Zach who's trying to get into the pool.
Then suddenly, it stopped. The water calmed down.
Zach waited for Claire to appear, but when he noticed she's not moving under, he dove down without second thoughts.
He found her struggling to lift her body. He quickly grabbed her waist and pulled her up to the surface.
When she finally inhaled air, she gasped and coughed several times after being submerged in the water for almost ten minutes.
Zach lifted her and took her on a chair.
"You okay?" he asked. Worries were all over his face.
Claire looked at him with her frightened expression.
"They will come here." she said in a low-bothered tone while still breathing heavy.
Both Zach and Ark knew what she mean.
To be continued...
(Don't forget to tap the STAR/VOTE icon after you read, might as well leave a COMMENT of your reactions, questions, suggestions or compliments about this part of the story.)
*****THANK YOU FOR READING*****