Third Person’s POV
He ran as fast as he could. He is not feeling well and he is sensing something strange. He jumped from branch to branch if someone will see him, they will think he’s flying because his feet barely touched the branch due to his speed.
But then he felt something, leading him to fall on the ground after he had mistaken on his steps. The sudden hollow feeling on his chest made him lost his balance. His fall in the middle of the forest made a loud impact. Suddenly, an excruciating pain entered his system. He pulled himself near the tree to lean on it as support. He doesn’t know what to touch to ease the intense pain he is feeling.
Beads of sweats, pale lips, and he is almost twisting in pain. He inhaled sharply to gasp for air, trying to breathe when it feels like someone is getting it from him. He clenched his fist and jaw, stopping himself to shout caused by the pain creeping on his system. He can’t understand the sudden attack, it feels like he is being ripped in million pieces and at the same time, he is being stabbed all over his body.
On the last blow of pain, he failed to suppress his shout and he let it out, hoping it would ease the pain. The birds that are resting flew away and the wild animals inside the forest ran in horror, disturbed by his agonizing scream.
As the pain subsided something has changed inside him. He felt like something is lost. He rested for a while and heaved a sigh while leaning on the tree. He put his palm on his chest and shut his eyes tightly while something is fading away from his inside. Unconsciously, a tear fell from his eye.
The deafening silence filled the forest again. He gained his energy back but deep inside him, he feels lost and lifeless. He feels so incomplete and it makes him want to rest forever. But when he remembered her, his Sweet Aphrodite, it is more than enough reason to stand up again and continue running.
He will save her. He shouldn’t have lost his composure during that time. He shouldn’t have lost his focus because it led to something worse. When they spilled the truth about Aster being inside Sweet, he lost his focus and his mind went blank and the witches used that opportunity to creep in his system.
They made him paralyzed. And it hurts. He saw the pain in the eye of the love of his life but he can’t do anything because of those damn witches. He wanted to wipe away her tears and get her from their grip but he was frozen. He wanted to assure her that nothing changed on his feelings and they will get through that.
He loathes the witches. He cursed them to hell for destroying his life and now, they are ruining Sweet’s life, too. Why can’t they just let them live normally?
He went on his full speed. It is rare to feel but he is feeling a bit scared. That pain that he just felt is something. Now, something is lost inside him and he’s scared to know the truth.
He stopped and scanned the area when he heard loud steps. He used his ultra-clear vision and his sharp hearing. A familiar sweet scent invaded his nostril. It made him excited and he resumed running towards the origin of the smell. Sweet is just around.
And he’s right. He saw his Sweet running as fast as she can and what is he seeing? She is crying again. He gritted his teeth then jumped to the direction where Sweet is going. He stopped and opened his arm, waiting for her to reach him. Her eyes widened and were filled with hope and happiness when their gaze met.
“Lennox…”
His system calmed a bit hearing her gentle voice but it was short-lived and he felt anger when she saw that the witches are running after his beloved. He immediately caught her by her waist, hugged her tightly, and then jumped as high as he could. He landed on a branch of the tall tree while carrying Sweet.
He looked down and he saw the witches looking up, finding them. He smirked devilishly before running so fast as if he’s just a wind passing by. Sweet hugged him tighter and she hid her face on his chest.
It’s one of the unique abilities of the full blooded vampires. The witches are good with potions, spells, and other crafts, but vampires are so fast that no one can surpass them. They are the fastest creatures and they usually use it as their greatest advantage.
He found a good and a safe place after minutes of running. He gently pushed the door of the hut with his feet and they entered. He ran his fingers through his hair while his other hand is securely holding Sweet on her waist. He gently laid her on the wooden chair before he kneeled in front of her.
Her face is full of dried tears. It began to fill her eyes again when they stared on each other.
“My Sweet…” he whispered and traced her face. His forehead creased when he noticed bloodstains on her cheeks.
“Lennox…” she whispered and sobbed.
He immediately wiped away her tears. He doesn’t like it when tears taint her delicate and beautiful face.
“What is it my love?” he asked gently.
“Rage...” she murmured.
His brows furrowed. What’s about him? He’s obviously jealous to his other half but of course, he’s part of him and he cares for Rage especially that he is too innocent and kind. But sometimes, oh, nah. Usually, he hates him for talking to Sweet. He always feel jealous and he’s threatened. Because in the reality, who would choose someone evil over a kind man like Rage?
It is his greatest insecurity. He is the evilness personified.
“What about him?” he gently asked.
He grabbed her hands and he froze when he saw dried blood on Sweet’s soft hands. He looked to her, confused and worried, and she began crying hard.
“What’s this?” he whispered.
“He is gone…” she answered.
His brows furrowed. “What do you mean? What about Rage? He is on the human realm.”
His other half doesn’t know anything and that would be better that way. He can’t let Rage to be in danger or dilemma because he knows that no matter what happens, he would choose the right thing even it will hurt him. So far from him.
“He remembered everything and he followed me. He’s the one who saved me.”
Lennox stilled as he stared at her intently. He stopped breathing for a while. He swallowed the lump in his throat then he licked his lips.
“Where is h-he?” he asked, denying what is registering on his mind.
Sweet squeezed his hands.
“He’s gone. He turned into ashes. He saved me. He sacrificed himself and got killed by the witches,” Sweet said that feels like a bomb.
He lost his strength and he fell on the ground. He was lost. His mind turned blank. No, Rage can’t die. His other half can’t die because he will be totally incomplete and he will lose his strength. He touched his chest as he focused on feeling himself.
And everything dawn him. What happened earlier is the sign that Rage is already gone. So that’s the reason why he experienced an excruciating pain. Why he felt like he lost something and he shattered into pieces. He completely lost his other half.
His gaze went to Sweet who is silently crying. Her lips quivered then she cupped his face and rested her forehead on his.
“I am sorry. I am the reason why he died. I am sorry for another pain, Lennox. I am sorry, baby,” she cried.
He sighed and kissed her lightly. Then he stared on her.
“Shh. Hush baby. Don’t cry. Just don’t leave me. I will stay sane as long as I have you. Losing you would be my downfall.”
Sweet pulled him for a hug after nodding. She put his face on her chest and let Lennox gain strength through her. They are going to be each other’s strength now that they lost everything and only have each other.
Lennox tightened his hug on her. He can feel him weakening but he tried to hold on for his life. Not yet. Just not yet until Sweet is already free.
After cleaning the bloodstains on her hand, she fell asleep on his arms. While carrying her, he readied the wooden bed. Fortunately, there is a blanket. He slowly laid her on the bed then he placed himself beside her. He made her use her arm as her pillow then he put the blanket on her body. Even she’s asleep, Sweet moved to hug Lennox. A tired smile crept on his lips then he kissed her on the forehead.
“Sleep and rest, my Sweet. You need to gain more energy. We need to escape from that hell,” he murmured.
He watched her all night and he can’t help but to remember the first time he saw her...
He saw a woman carrying a baby on her arms. It caught his attention when he felt something overwhelming and a sweet scent invaded his nose. He thought first that it came from the woman but then, he realized that it is from the baby.
He got curious so he followed them. The girl stopped on the back of an abandoned building where a lot of trash are scattered around. The suspicious woman looked around and since he’s on the roof of the building, she didn’t saw him. The woman put the baby in top of a big trash can. Then it started crying helplessly but the woman just glanced on it for the last time before she left.
The baby cried like it is asking for help but no one would notice it because the place is abandoned. There are no humans around. He can’t stop himself to jump from the building then he walked towards it. With every step he take advancing to it, he is feeling something.
Their eyes met. He got lost on the baby’s round blue eyes. It suddenly stopped crying. The baby blinked twice then giggled while staring at him. It is not a new born one. It is wearing clothes covered with a white cloth.
He bent down to stare on it more. The baby raised her hand. He unconsciously pointed his thumb on its palm and automatically, she enveloped her hand around his palm. The baby smiled and for the first time since his life was ruined, he felt a bit of happiness.
He gently carried the baby on his strong arms. He can’t keep her. He is not capable of taking care of a baby, especially a human baby. Then he remembered a place.
He brought the baby in front of the orphanage. It is already midnight and the orphanage is already closed so he put it in front of the gate. Fortunately, the baby fell asleep. He sat on one of the branches of the tree which is in front of the orphanage, too.
The rain fell heavily. After few seconds, the baby cried loudly. His forehead creased as he can’t understand why it is crying.
He usually sees young humans playing under the rain happily but why this human baby is crying? Doesn’t she like the rain?
He was about to come down from the tree to get it but a woman came out of the gate, carrying an umbrella.
“Oh my God! Who left the poor baby here? They don't have mercy and just left the baby under the rain!” She carried it and carefully ran inside the orphanage.
Right, he is merciless.
And since that day, he watched her out of curiosity. He watched her grew and it’s already late when he realized that she exactly looks like his first love. But he doesn’t care. He loves her for being her.
And she is his greatest love. Extreme love that he will never ever forget, even when he is already gone.