Drums were beating closer.
I continued following the trail and cared less that I was walking bare feet on a rough path covered in stones and thorns. I cut towards another angle in the forest. Trying to trace it. Getting nearer to town as the trees were becoming fewer.
Then the drums turned silent again.
Maybe I was already lost. I thought of going back but where...
A short breeze blew past along with a distant sound of laughter. I edged towards the direction and behind a tree I stood observing the people there as I crouched down. I was here now.
Something else was different, something I didn't understand among the masked faces, coloured lights, decorations... Except... I listened...
It started as a low soft beat then increased its tempo becoming louder and deeper... I could see the drums... I was still thinking.
The drums... He told me about it. In a rush of anxiety mixed with horror and almost a scream, I jumped to my feet, frantically finding my bearing.
It was the carnival.
I began to run back.
*****************************************
It was the same night after he found me by the shore.
I stared out the window as he paced back and forth in the room and came back to sit with me. He asked again,
"What is your name?"
"I..."
Hisashi leant forward with wide bold eyes. They were curious.
"You don't remember anything?"
My thoughts ceased and finally I faced him. I don't even know who I am. This time, I started asking the questions.
"Where did you find me?"
"By the shore."
I stopped talking. I was confused and he saw it. He went further to explain.
"You were unconscious... Why were you there?"
"I don't know."
"You don't know?"
To me, it sounded stupid too.
I shifted my gaze away from his to my hands, suddenly being nervous.
"You know you almost killed me yesterday..."
He started, kind of a bait to keep the conversation. Hisashi's words hung in the air as a knock interrupted. He sighed then walked up to the door.
A few seconds and I was hearing hushed voices at the door.
"You brought her here??!"
Hisashi motioned for her to come in.
"You might want to hear my reasons first."
"No one cares about your reasons or feelings, Hisashi, I just want to fulfill my duties."
Since he saw she was resilient, he began to retaliate.
"Your duty isn't to decide what I do."
Their gaze went across the room simultaneously. Sia had this murderous glare in her eyes, even yet almost mildly subtle. She folded her arms as she turned fully towards me and as I walked in.
"Do you know a lot of what you've done?"
She advanced closer.
"What did I do?"
Hisashi sneered at Sia, blocking me from her defensively. The back and forth retorts started.
"You did nothing."
"You're always on her side." Sia confronted.
"I stand for what's right."
"But you fell for the wrong person."
The room went silent. I could've mistaken the look on her face for some sort of emotional pain but the intense gaze between the both of them was sure.
Synced movements were audible outside.
Hisashi rushed over to the door, bolting it. He and Sia exchanged telepathic glances. She nodded, went over to the wooden windows and drew them close, the candle on the table blew out, allowing the flaming torches passing by to penetrate the room.
Rapid knocks accompanied the footsteps that approached.
Hisashi took my arms but I resisted, waiting for an explanation.
"You have to trust me."
I eased in his hands.
A steel cup rolled forward, making unpleasant clinking metal noises as one of them tossed it. The armed men, their faces hidden in their armory, took some of our belongings, still searching. One of them came towards the table and picked up my treasured hairpin. As I made to attack him, Hisashi drew me and placing his palm over my mouth. I bit so hard on his hand amidst muffled groans, his grip grew tighter on me and prevented me from moving.
I watched as they marched out of the room.
Hisashi didn't expect the next thing that occured.
He was on the floor now, away from our hiding place. With sharp speed, I had pulled him over, flung him from behind then pinned him, wielding a knife to his neck. The manouevre was incredible. As he tried to move, I threatened him with the knife. He stayed.
"You really don't have to do this."
Hisashi pleaded, intent on persuading me.
"Tell me what I need to know. Who were those people? Why were they here? Why were you hiding from them?"
"They're from the carnival. I already told you enough about it."
"Are you working with them?"
"Why would you think that? You should be thankful at least."
I frowned at his remark.
"I didn't ask for your protection." Pause.
"Do you know me before?"
I held his gaze.
"What does that have to do with this?"
I could read him. I caught a glimpse of the manner in which his eyes dimmed. Something told me I wasn't going to get an answer.
"Did you?"
"I only saved you."
I released my grasp.
"Sia, no." He screamed then I felt a huge strike at the back of my neck. Offended, I swung around and fiercely kicked her in the abdomen. Sia landed in a corner of the room, hitting the wall.
I winced at the pain. I was beginning to feel my own effects. My eyes glazed over. Hisashi came closer. I stretched the knife to ward him off. I staggered not completely, took precaution and used the table as a support and dragged my feet along. I was heading for the door.
As I reached the door, I opened it and stumbled outside, falling somewhere. In that moment I blacked out, then I heard Hisashi saying something.
"Chaeun..."
I regained a weak composure and went into the forest.
