Pov, William.
A few minutes later, I'm standing in front of my door because I was moving too quickly. That silly goblin keeps following me and saying sorry.
What did he expect when he disobeyed me and went out? No, he almost ended a young man's life too. If I hadn't stepped in at the last minute, he would've gotten himself into a world of trouble and got me involved just because I know him.
The principal scolded me because of him, but I'm not a babysitter. I'm not here to solve his problems and control his split personality.
If I tell them the truth, they'll think I'm crazy anyway, and I'll lose my job.
That's why I made up a lie.
He's my nephew.
I regret what I said.
I feel him standing right behind me, and I bite the inside of my cheek out of anger.
"Mr. William, are you upset with me?" He tries to act innocent, but I turn around and snarl at him.
"Just get out of my life, you freak! What do you want from me? My life was great before you showed up out of nowhere and ruined it. I don't want to see you again!"
I look at him, and he takes two steps back, clearly scared.
I wish I'd just let it all out.
I don't waste any more time before slamming the door in his face as I head into the house.
I don't care if he stands there forever; I won't let him in.
...
It's been three hours and I haven't heard anything about that mindless goblin. I'm sitting on the couch, sipping my coffee, and enjoying the peace and quiet.
I'm starting to wonder if that moron is still at the front door.
I'm staring at the door.
What's on your mind, William?
I'm so over him!
I shake my head, trying to push away the thoughts that are telling me to look outside.
I'm not worried about a boy who doesn't know anything about the human world and is afraid of the darkness that's about to come.
I'm just curious, that's all.
I let out a deep sigh and rest my head on the couch with my eyes closed.
I open my eyes again, put my coffee cup on the table, and relax. I raise my hand in front of my face, looking at the blue ring absentmindedly.
Suddenly, the ring starts flashing, and my eyebrows furrow. There's something up with that goblin.
Is he scared?
Or is he sad?
"What's my business with him?" I mutter to myself, ruffling my hair in annoyance, and stare out the lobby window again.
I don't feel myself until my legs lead me to the window. I slowly remove the curtain and look for him.
There's no one around.
Did he just give up and leave?
The ring keeps flashing as the sound of screaming reaches my ears and makes my body shake.
I quickly open the door and call out to him, then take a few steps outside.
"Evander? "
I end up standing in the middle of the neighborhood in my pajamas calling his name.
I guess I was delusional.
I stand there looking for him with my eyes, but there's no sign of him.
He's gone.
"Evander, are you here?"
I have no idea why I'm constantly checking to see if he's around.
Isn't that what you wanted, William?
I got rid of him, so what's wrong?
I rub the back of my head as I step into the house. The night breeze is starting to pinch my skin. I look outside one last time, just in case.
Do the goblins feel cold?
"Damn, William!" I mutter under my breath as I close the door.
...
Pov, Evander.
"Thanks, Eva."
I say with a grateful smile, talking to my little fairy who's sitting on my hand. She uses her wings to light up a small part of my seating area, and that makes me feel less afraid when there's darkness all around me.
I sigh deeply and rest my head on the wall behind me. I'm sitting on a cold floor in the middle of a alleyway, lonely.
William hates me now.
I failed the mission before I even started.
"I'd rather stay in prison forever than be a loser." I say, feeling the warm water running down my cheeks, I quickly wipe it away.
"Stop it, Eva, it hurts!" I say, annoyed, as I try to free myself from the fairy who grabs my hair with both of her little hands, pulling it hard.
She yells at me, scolding me for my words. "What's wrong with you? You're not Evander, the Evander I know!"
She stops, and I look down, ignoring what she said.
I'm not looking for a lecture.
"Just shut up, Eva."
She suddenly turns her back on me.
She's clearly upset with me.
I pull my knees to my chest and smile a little. "I still don't get what the Queen wanted me to do."
A moment later, Eva turns to me and stares at me with a frown.
...
Flash Back,
Silence.
It's driving me crazy, and those thick handcuffs are piercing my skin and making my wrists swell.
It's been a long time.
While I'm lost in thought, I can hear one of the cell guards chatting with his friend behind the door.
"I heard that the royal amnesty will affect all prisoners this time. That's strange."
I furrow my eyebrows, thinking about what that goblin said, and widen my eyes when I hear her voice. "What's so strange? Don't I deserve to celebrate whenever I feel like it?"
The two guards stand up straight and bow their heads respectfully. "We didn't mean to, Your Majesty. We ask for your forgiveness."
She doesn't say a word, just crosses her arms, and in a commanding tone, she says, "Open the door."
Her face is so intense that anyone who challenges her would be hard-pressed not to be shaken.
Like me, for example.
I challenged her.
And I lost.
Am I imagining things from being tired, or is she really there?
She's standing in front of me, staring at me silently.
She hasn't changed at all.
What does she want from me?
She suddenly grabs my lower jaw with her long, slim fingers and squeezes it tight. She says this slowly, trying to provoke me.
"I think all the time you've spent in the cell is enough time to make you rethink the mistakes you've made."
I'm glaring at her and biting my lower lip, choosing to stay silent. I know my silence makes her uncomfortable, so I use it as a weapon against her.
But I can't hold back what I want to say. I smile broadly and say sharply. "Yes, it's enough to make me rethink my plan to kill you."
She licks her lower lip, then pulls her hand back with a force that makes my head bounce back as I listen to her loud voice.
"Did you think the royal pardon would catch you too?"
She spits her words in my face and leans in front of me, her face close to mine, the corner of her lip lifting in a sideways grin.
"It won't happen. You'll rot in prison for the rest of your life."
I can't stop staring at her gray eyes, and she's got me thinking about every detail about her until my body shivers at her touch.
She does it again.
She runs her index finger along my cheek, and her features soften. In a flash, her face gets all serious and dark, and she stands up and leaves.
"Take away his food and water, and don't feel sorry for him until I say it's okay!" She screams.
I smile a little.
I know she wants to kill me, but she won't be able to.
The reason is pretty simple: she's in love with me.
End Flash Back.
...