Noah

We’ve been summoned to the Dorm Master’s Room. The atmosphere of the room hits different. Our Dorm Master waits for us with folded arms, his brows form a frown, an air of pensiveness radiates from him. He fails to notice our conspicuous entry and remains detached.

“Erm” Vivian clears her throat to make our presence known.

The D.M startles and stands, “Please, take your seats.” We sit in the chairs arranged in a semicircle around his table.

“I’m sure you’re all wondering why I’ve gathered you here today.” He pulls out an envelope from his table’s drawer, takes out a folded paper from the envelope, unfolds it and hangs it with pins on the wooden board behind him. What we see makes all of us lean forward, my brows furrow and my eyes squint.

The D.M. clears his throat and announces, “As you can all see, it’s a letter from the Eirenai Defense Department.” He puts his hands in his pockets, “Now, the content of the letter,” He takes a deep breath, “There’s good news and bad news.” He rests his hands on the table and declares, “The good news is that the Eirenai Defense Department has made a huge progress and an even more effective vaccine against the Bestial Insania is being put to trial. Moreover, the military has been successful in suppressing the outbreak in most *Red Zones. In six months or so, it is predicted that life in Eirenai will be able to return to normal.” He paused for a brief moment, “But, the bad news. The number of Insaniacs in Eirenaius Northeast is seeing a staggering surge. If this goes on, the Insaniac wave will reach Eirenaius East in no time.” I tense myself to stop the trembling, my pulse races on. He adds, “So far, our fights gave been limited to weak beasts, while the military takes care of the strong ones but if the worst happens, we’ll be against much fiercer beasts.” A somber silence engulfs the room.

The D.M. walks to three large oblong cases at a corner of the room, “As such, the military has supplied us with *Ceasium-weapons.” My eyes open wide in disbelief, “In normal cases, none of us would be allowed to handle Ceasium-weapons without a license, but the fact that the military has provided us these weapons reveals the gravity of the situation. I think all of you must have caught up in that.”

He walks to the door and holds it open, “We’ve been assigned a mission. But worry not, today’s beasts are weak. Think of this as practice for the upcoming grim days. Arm yourselves the Ceasium-weapons and I pray for all of your safety.”

“Yes sir!” We agree in unison.

[*Red Zones: Areas of high Insaniac concentration]

[*Ceasium: An element found in abundance in Ceasium caves and mines, but rarely occurring elsewhere. In its pure form, Ceasium is harmless and even used in treatment of diseases. However, heterogeneous mixtures of Ceasium with other elements such as Mana is lethal to beasts and though it is not death inducing for humans, immediate measures should to taken to prevent any side-effects if one comes in direct contact, ingests Ceasium mixtures, or other Ceasium mixtures related casualties]

[*Ceasium-weapons: Illegal to own without a license in Eirenai. Ceasium-weapons are not handed out readily. Citizens have to sign a variety of agreements and require at least one year of Ceasium-weapons training. The penalties for misuse are consequential]

••••••••

Gulp. I turn to Amel and he nods at me.

We’ve split into two groups: Vivian, Dalia and Lino in the forest; Amel and I in the cave. A huge Insania Bestial-salamander feeds on a dead Bestial-cat’s corpse. The whole of my constitution shudders, my breathing’s haywire. I can’t do it, I can’t. Amel places his hand on my shoulder bringing me to my senses. He counts down from three with his fingers.

Three, two, one. Now!

Amel charges at the B.salamander. It takes notice of him, whips its tail and screeches. The B.salamander creeps swift at Amel, blood dripping from its fangs. Amel draws out his Mana-sword. The signal! I release the pull on my Ceasium-chargegun which makes a sharp sound. The B.salamander avoids the Ceasium-bullet (charge), deviates from its path and paces toward me. I have to run!

Wait, my legs! They’re not moving. I’m as paralyzed as I was during my encounter with the B.ogre. My hands have given in too. Images of the B.ogre flash in my mind. I can’t feel my body, the pounding of my heart skyrockets, I can feel the sweat drip down my face to my neck. The B.salamander opens its jaws.

“Roaaaaaargh!” Amel beheads the B.salamander and it collapses in front of me. I drop on my rear. My breathing. I have to steady it. Breathe in, breathe out, breathe in, breathe out. I clench my chest, my ears throb. I’m running out of breath. Compose yourself. Calm down. The pulsation won’t stop, I can’t control myself, my entirety quavers. I need someone. Anyone!

“Noah! Noah!” Someone jerks me.

“Oh,” it’s Amel. I’m with Amel. What was I doing here? Oh right, I’m on a mission with Amel and-

Amel hugs me tight, “Let’s get out of here. Can you stand?” He lends me his hand. Even the act of standing up us arduous and I almost collapse. Amel stops my fall, grabs hold of my hand, looks at me and says, “We’re gonna get out of here. Don’t let go of my hand.”

The surroundings are a blur. Did we come by this path? How long have we been walking? Did the encounter with the B.salamander happen for real? The thoughts in my mind run erratic. Is it Amel in front of me? It’s him, no mistake. He’s holding someone’s hand. Oh, it’s mine. Mine. Wait- he’s holding my hand and we’re walking hand in hand. Why is this realization making me burn up? My breath’s going unsteady again, the throbbing sensation enhances, I feel fuzzy and light. Amel’s hands are larger than mine, his touch soothes me. I don’t want to let go of his hand. I wish he’d hold me more often. The fact that he’s here with me soothes my nerves. Wait, what am I even thinking?

“Noah?” 

… …

“Noah? Can you hear me?”

“Yeah, yeah. I can hear you.”

“We’re gonna reach the exit.”

“Mmm.”

The cave’s exit can be seen. Amel lets go of my hand and we make our way out. Is it just me or is his face sanguine for real? Nevermind.

••••••••

Amel’s sitting next to me. Vivian and Dalia are sitting opposite to us in the Mana-train. I would’ve died today if it wasn’t for Amel. But he can’t always be there to save me. I need to stop relying on him. Still, I’m terrified. What if, on my next mission, the same thing happens – the paralysis, the frantic shivers, the numbness , the overwhelming thoughts, the inability to respond. I’ll die, won’t I? Die. Death. My death.

Damn it, Noah! You have to stop this cowardice if you want to survive. Why are you even here if all you do is hold back the others? Courage was never your forte anyway. Oh right. My family. No other reason to be here. If they could have simply let me be then I won’t have to frigging endure this torment. If they didn’t shove their uninvited expectations for me, I’d be doing whatever I wanted. Have I ever done anything noteworthy for myself? All I’ve been doing is walking the path laid out for me. Make a decision for yourself for once, Noah.

ANNOUNCEMENT!

We’re about to reach the next station. Amel’s fallen asleep, he deserves rest. His shoulder leans on me, his fingers brush against mine. The entirety of my body is burning up. Yet I want more of this warmth. Dalia’s peering out of the window. Vivian’s busy with a newspaper.

The Mana-train comes to a halt. The abrupt stop of the train disturbs Amel from his position and his head now rests on my shoulders. Our faces are close, too close. The agitation wakes him up. He turns his head, my eyes meet his, I can feel his breath on me. It’s getting hard to breathe. I can’t take my eyes off his – enthralling olive.

“Oh, I-” He gazes away.

“Ehm” I turn to Vivian. She flashes me a smile.

“Let’s get going, shall we?” Amel suggests without looking at me.

“Yeah uh, ok.”

“How was the ride?” Vivian nudges me and giggles.

“Err, It was fine,” I scratch my neck, “You guys go ahead, I’ve gotta but something.”

“Sure thing,”  Vivian titters and walks ahead along with Dalia and Amel.

Is it my body odor? Is my hair ruffled? Something on my face?

**********