Chapter 130
1305words
Birds are flying on the blue sky. It's a beautiful day. We walked by foot to the palace without anyone noticing or even taking a short glance at us. Nobody seemed to care if Josh is a Mythos or not.
It's either they learned to accept the other races or they just don't give a fuck and won't notice.
He told Damon that he didn't need any help despite the fact that he can barely walk because of his wounded waist. I'm sure that the first aid I did to him is not enough. It might have even made things worse.
"Are you okay?" I asked in a worried voice while supporting his every steps. He's trying his best to walk normally, so that we will not gain attention. "You should have just let Damon carry you. It must have hurt so bad."
Josh turned his head at me. "I'm okay. Will there be stairs though? That could be the death of me. Hahah," he chuckled. I released a deep sigh while staring at him.
He's right. There will be stairs because our chamber is located on the 8th floor. I can already imagine the pain he'll have to endure.
"Golden!" a high pitch voice called. I glanced at my side to see the green haired girl running towards us. Behind her is Gab. "You're back! I thought you're gone for good. I missed you! Where you went?" she asked. Her eyes landed on the guy beside me. I bite my lower lip when she widened her eyes. "I—I think I know him."
Josh gave her a flat look. "Of course, you do." He groans when his wound aches. I worriedly look at him and back to Elaine.
"He needs your help. He's wounded on his side waist. You know how to deal with attacking curses, right?" I said to her. Elaine told me before that she read a book once about witchcraft. Gab furrowed his brows while looking at Josh. "Please, I know you had a bad first impression with each other, but he really needs your help right now."
Elaine pouted her lips dubiously. "I doubt he wants help from me," she said. I looked at Josh. He's still wearing his flat face.
I mentally facepalm myself. They're not really going to be cool with each other, huh?
"He needs your help, Elaine. You're the only one who knows botany here. He doesn't have much time. The infection will spread soon," Gab interrupted. I looked at his blank face. He looks like he hates the idea of bringing them close together, but we have no choice. He gazed at me. "I think he's new to this place. We should get him inside already." His eyes are telling me that he knows Josh is a Mythos and not a Chosen.
I nodded my head. "Let's go. Don't put your pride first and let us carry you to the 8th floor. You'll just slow us down if you keep that stand of yours," Damon said with a hint of authority in his voice. Josh yielded a deep sigh.
"Fine."
*****
Just like what we were expecting. It was way more faster and easier if they will carry Josh. It hasn't been ten minutes, but we're already on the 8th floor.
We decided to do his healing on Elaine and Gab's room. Josh was scanning around the room when he got there. Everything he sees seemed foreign to him. I glanced at Damon when he slowly wraps his hand around me. He has a tired smile plastered on his face.
"We just have to give this to Mapheus and we will be able to find the culprits."
The sound of his voice in my mind made me feel at ease. I know that I surprised him so much when I throw myself to the eliminators just to save Josh. It must have scared him to death. I know that he's afraid of loosing me.
"Please, don't do that again." He gazed sadly at me. I smiled while caressing his face.
"He wouldn't be here if I didn't do that. I told you. I hate to see someone close to me dying before my eyes. We have to try our best, at least."
An unknown emotion crossed his eyes softly.
Elaine did her best to help Josh. He didn't complained even though her way of treatment is much painful than actual doctors. We trust her. I knew that she will help him in spite of their awkward first encounter.
Josh's face was all red and sweaty when Elaine finally finished his wound. He looks at the ceiling with slightly open mouth.
"Y—Yah! You're making it look like I torture you or something," Elaine blurted awkwardly to him. He chuckled softly while still staring at the ceiling. "You think that's funny? Psh!" she huffed.
"To be honest. Your treatment is way more painful than the actual curse. I almost thought you were killing me rather than treating me."
"Oh, really? Do you really want me to kill you!"
"I didn't say that."
"You don't have to. I'd be more than willing to do it!"
Josh's lips is on a playful smirk right now. He's having fun making fun of Elaine. Well, she has a very short temper and by the looks of it. He's just teasing Elaine because he's already comfortable around her.
"Aish!" she hissed.
"Hahaha!"
"Hahaha!"
The sound of laughter filled the air. I'm happy that they finally had a chance to be friends. Elaine may sound annoyed right now, but she can't hide the smile on her face.
I looked at Gab. He's just staring directly at Josh like he's reading him.
"You didn't tell me that he's Freeda's real parsen," he mumbled just enough for me to hear. Gab turned his head at me. "I can see the pain in his eyes. He wants to see Freeda. Will it be alright to take him there?" he asked.
My heart clenched.
"What is Steve sees him? That could be chaos. I'm sure that he's at her wake now." There's a hint of worry in my voice. I'm afraid that Steve got so upset of what happened between her and Freeda that he'll take it out on Josh who will certainly not back down if threatened.
"It's not like he wanted it. We can't just take Freeda away from him. He's still her parsen. It's his right to see her when she dies."
My eyes landed on Josh. Those pretentious smile.
*****
"Y—You're taking me to her wake?" he asked in a shaking voice.
I bite my lower lip. "You don't have to if you don't want to. I just thought that you'd like to see her before we send her off," I added.
"N—No, I want to see her." He smiled sweetly at me. "Thank you for asking me. I'd like to see her even for the last time."
Gab and Elaine decided to let us be. Damon left to have an appointment with Mapheus. I'm the one who'll escort him there. We started gaining attention because of his dark aura. It wasn't because he's mad or something. He was just sad and it's pulling down the atmosphere.
We stopped in front of a bright room.
"She's inside," I told him. He looks at me and back to the closed door. Josh clenched and unclenched his jaw before raising his hand to turn the knob open.
I bowed my head when he finally opened the door. Freeda looks so beautiful on her white dress. She's laying on her deathbed in the middle of the room where she's surrounded with white flowers.
"F—Fuck..." His voice broke. Pain is visible in his brown eyes. "This is now how I picture to see you again, Free."
