Street Signs

Chapter 44

BRIELLE

I was driving my car going to the campus when I could not still stop thinking about last night. I was still bothered, not until my eyes caught a guy standing at the gate of the university, looking like he was finding for someone. So, I immediately parked my car and went to him.

"Prince Valor," I mouthed to that guy, which made him turn around me.

"Brille, you're here now. I've been looking for you," the prince said, grinning at me.

I was still about to ask him what was he doing there when he held my hands and pulled me out of the place. I tried to resist, but he was too strong for me. I kept on telling him to let go of me since the class would be starting soon, but he didn't listen to me and just kept pulling me until we reached a house that seemed to be abandoned.

"Why did you bring me here?" I asked him.

Confusion descended like a fog on a previously bright and beautiful day, and I reached for my phone to turn on the flashlight and wait for clarity to return. I was perplexed because I needed a better perspective, so I took a step back and looked at the wide-angle version. There was so much more to see that it's no surprise I couldn't figure it out.

There were monochrome shapes in this dark chamber; of course, daylight could bring brilliant fuchsia or darkest scarlet, but for now, it could be a black and white movie scenario. I stared out the window; the silhouettes were already more visible than they had been only a short time before, and the sun would kiss the sky orange at any moment, kindling a new morning and bringing the singing of the birds.

The abandoned house stood calmly as if it had chosen solitude for itself as if occupants were an unnecessary luxury. Individual blocks had been meticulously positioned and sanded to a smooth finish before the varnish was brushed on with fine brushes. The walls were solid, the window frames were sturdy, and the glass was triple glazed and entire. Overall, it appeared to be a movie set, a location waiting for life to arrive. The sole clue was the odor, which was accompanied by dust. It was musty and dry, but that was easily remedied by opening the doors and windows. With a spring cleaning and some fresh flowers, the house might be able to enjoy the luxury of guests.

Even though it was a little dark inside, I could still recognize the beauty of the house. It was my first time seeing it since it wasn't located on the highway but at the center of the forest. I was among my tribe of wood and leaf in this forest, among the giants whose roots touched the ground. It was a land of old souls, of creatures who live in harmony with the sounds of running water and bird music. This felt more like home than home, and one day I would figure out why, but not for now.

"Can you please get me out of here?" I asked the prince. "I still have class to-" I wasn't able to continue what I was saying when Prince Valor covered my mouth with his palm and told me to be quiet.

And now, I was even more confused.

While I sat on the tiles of the house, Prince Valor barely stood and peeked over the window as if he was expecting someone to come over. I also attempted to have a glance over there, but he abruptly stopped me.

I sat knee-deep in silence. This time, I could not hear any birds singing again, because I could hear more of the rapid beats of my heart. No amount of chewing made it possible to swallow. My mouth was dryer than a sandbox in summer. The air was so brittle it could snap, and if it did not, I might. No one of the two of us had spoken, what was there to say? Platitudes won't cut it right now.

Since it was dark in our spot, I could not clearly see the prince's face, but I could say he was a little panicked at this moment. My hands were caged in his, and his palm felt cold but not shaking. I know there was something wrong, and if I wasn't mistaken, I was in the same case again.

I removed my hands from being imprisoned to Prince Valor's palm and mouthed, "Will you be honest to me? Am I being followed again?" I never minded if my voice was too loud for others to hear. I was at the point that I didn't care anymore even so at this moment, someone would catch me.

The prince turned his face to me and said, "I'm sorry."

"I see, I'm being chased by them again." I let out a deep sigh before I stood and shouted, "Here I am! Catch me!" I was about to get out of the house when Prince Valor stopped me and carried me.

"Do not do that again," the Prince said as he ran away while still carrying me.

"What the hell are you doing?" I shouted at him. "Put me down! I can run all by myself!"

Contrary to what I had said, I would not run once the prince brought me down. I just could not run away for the rest of my life! I would not stay in this kind of setup. I'd rather choose to face the consequence than to see other people also suffering because of my mistake.

"With the body you have, I never thought you are heavy as this," the prince said, chuckling. "You must really love staying in the kitchen, huh?"

I looked sharply at him. "At this point, you still have the guts to crack a joke, huh?"

The prince was still running. "I'm not joking. It's true that I didn't expect you to weigh heavier than I expected."

I did not respond anymore with that nonsense idea of the prince, I just waited for the time that he would stop running and put me down. And when he did, I crossed my arms, stared sharply at him, and asked him what was going on.

Prince Valor's brain had switched gears from empathy to cold emotional indifference, as evidenced by his enraged eyes. He had never directed this mode towards me, but it did activate when he detected a threat, thus it was a part of full-on defensive mode. His gentler side had taken a back seat and the hero was in command.

"My mom knew what I did," the prince said. "The five men went back to Serinokuni and reported to her and to the king everything that had happened. My dad actually stopped her from sending men to catch you, but she doesn't want to listen. And now another group of men has been sent here to find you."

I swallowed my saliva as I thought of my idea about it being correct. After exiting Serinokuni, I guessed I would never find peace again, not until they caught me and take my life. What would I do now that I was putting not just my life, but also my family's life at stake?