Mira's POV
I had no idea at this point if I was sleep walking or awake?
I knew I was outside the gates of the students' residence, but I had no idea where I was headed. My eyes were glued on that fluttering light, my guardian my little butterfly. My legs kept crossing one milestone after another. I had no idea about my speed or direction. It was like I was in a hypnotic trance.
I had no idea, I was standing on top of a hillock, overlooking the entire town.
It was at this moment that my senses came around.
Panic flooded in like ants around a honey drop. It was overflowing and getting out of hand.
" Wh... Where am I? Why am I here? "
I began questioning the chili air. I pulled my phone out to dial Razzak's number but my phone was switched off. As soon as I pressed that button to switch it on, the wind snatched the phone out of my hand. Or was it the shadow? Was it even possible?
It was at the edge of the hillock and I jumped to catch it, but fell. I caught hold of the phone but half of my body slipped at the rim.
" Mira? Mira! What the hell! "
A pair of strong hands pulled me up from the back.
" What in the world are you doing hanging at the edge?"
It was Xen.
He was dressed in a formal suit and he reeked of alcohol.
His hair was made up as well. He even had a rose pinned on his dress.
" Why are you dressed like that? "
I was in no position to ask questions.
" I was at a party. It's a few blocks down from here. "
he replied, still looking a little puzzled but I guess the alcohol was clouding his judgment as well. He did not repeat his question about my 'where' and 'how', anymore.
" Then why did you leave the party and come here? "
I asked as he sat down beside me.
" I don't know. I was feeling suffocated. I needed some air.
Ever since the day I met you, things haven't been particularly normal. " His scuffled little giggle followed this statement, then he continued.
" It's not like I am a normal guy. I am a guy from whom girls like you should run. I am a criminal. These eyes have seen horrors that are uncountable. "
He did say that but I don't know why I felt like he was craving my embrace. Perhaps it was the absurdity of the night, perhaps it was just a dream.
I sat down beside him and shrugged.
" I don't know but you make me feel comfortable. I don't know how I got here but I am glad I got to meet you again."
I knew it wasn't the normal me talking. It was like I was drunk as well.
He suddenly turned at me , his eyes staring into mine, his breath matching the rhythm of my inhales and exhales. And then he asked,
" Do you believe in monsters? "
" I don't know. " I gave him my honest answer.
" Would you be scared if you saw one? "
He persisted.
" I guess I would be startled but whether or not I would be scared, I don't know. "
He turned his face away and nodded.
"Can I have your number? "
" Huh? "
His question hit me out of the blue.
" I want to stay in touch. I might not be around this town for long. Would you mind if I called? Sometimes. "
There was this melancholy about his entire persona that made him more mysterious.
In an attractive way.
" Why would I mind? Give me your phone. Let me feed my number there. "
" You know we met only twice. " he said.
I nodded.
" But I was missing you terribly tonight. What does that make me? A stalker? A pervert? A roadside romeo? I don't even know you. But ever since I met you, my heart keeps saying you are strangely familiar. "
My heart almost skipped a beat.
What sort of a weird dream was this?
But to be honest, ever since I met him, he seemed quite familiar as well.
And then he extended his left hand towards me.
" I don't know exactly if it was me who summoned you. Your presence here doesn't seem normal. But I have no way of knowing nor am I complaining. These things have been happening on and off,increasing recently. I think you will not even remember it the next morning.
I thought those demons were gone with the death of my family. But I was wrong. "
He was looking straight at his palm and I had to follow his gaze.
His hand started smoking and his fingers started to move as if they were jelly, without any bone structure.
" Are you scared now? "
He asked, looking at me.
I wasn't. I was fascinated as I watched his wrist twist and turn. That part of his body was slowly turning into something non-human.
" They had these exact same hands. I still remember. The ones who took away my family. Why am I turning into them? Do you know Mira? Do you have answers to my questions? "
I wanted to help him.
I wanted to hug him, to comfort him.
" I guess not. How would you have answers to such anomalies! It's almost nearing dawn. I think you will need to go back now.
If you remember this encounter, give me a sign Mira. Send me a text, give me a call. Even I have difficulty remembering these after waking up from these trances. I doubt you will.
I still have difficulty believing this in reality. I doubt you will believe it. "
Then he paused.
He was hard at thinking .
" You do remember that you owe me, right? "
He suddenly grabbed my hand and asked.
I nodded.
" Of course. " I said.
" Very well. Since you and I will both forget this moment, I might as well collect my debt without leverage. "
And then he grabbed the back of my neck and softly bent me over.
His lips touched mine and my eyes closed without even a moment of hesitation.