" Kian, I think we are going in circles. I know it seems like every way looks the same but I can guarantee you, I have seen this tree with a single red flower, now for the fifth time. We are lost. "
Mira sat on the muddy, water logged path with a thud, splashing Kian as well.
" We have already lost Mira. Why are you suddenly getting so worked up? Don't worry. I am here to protect you. I will fight the wolf if it comes to bother you again. "
He was gearing up into a Muay Thai fighting stance but then Mira's stomach growled and she looked up at him with apologetic eyes.
" I'm sorry, but it's difficult for me to control my hunger. I couldn't even find any edible looking fruits. What kind of foliage do they have in this place? It's all decorative , useless. "
Kian nodded his head.
" Makes sense why the place doesn't have any population. Never mind. Get up. Climb on my back. I will carry you around until we find some food. "
Kian bent low and extended his hand.
Mira looked at him with raised brows.
" I'm hungry, not crippled. I can walk by myself, let's keep moving..... "
Mira's right leg slid as she tried to run. The mud was slippery and runny.
Mira tumbled down the slope very fast as Kian slid after, trying to grab her.
They both fell in what seemed like a little pool , deep, deep under a narrow, long hole.
" Ah, my God! Where are we? " Mira brushed her wet hair away from her face as she got out of the divine looking pool.
It was like a small jacuzzi buried under the earth's crust
, covered in luminescent crystalline rocks. The water felt warm and comfortable after their long day of running around over cold, dirty puddles.
Mira saw Kian looking at her and then looking away. His cheeks slowly turned red . He was trying to hide his blush and something else under his pants.
" I'm sorry... " He immediately murmured when he saw Mira noticing him.
Mira looked at herself. She was soaking wet. Everything under her shirt and skirt was visible, displaying their perfect size and cut.
" Oh! I'm sorry... " She tried covering herself. But Kian moved a little away from her and turned his back towards her.
" You don't need to be sorry. You didn't do anything wrong here. It's just my stupid hormones. Being a male is never easy... "
Mira giggled as she saw him desperate trying to calm down.
" I don't know how I am going to face you after this. I am so pathetic, Mira. I am glad there is nobody else around here... "
Mira suddenly hugged Kian from the back.
" Don't be so hard on yourself. I promise this will change nothing between us. I owe you my life... "
" Don't touch me... " Kian growled as tried to move away.
Mira didn't miss the jolt of electricity that he emitted and neither did she miss his eyes changing color .
They were slowly turning the color of the ocean with a different glow and spark to them.
" Stay... away... from... me... " Kian extended his arms in front of him in defense and talked in the syllabus as if he was having difficulty breathing.
It was at this point that Mira noticed the water behind them was dancing as well.
It was a very small pool made inside a natural crater but she could see ripples inside it as if they were miniature replicas of huge waves.
Kian was shaking his head repeatedly, trying to get his head back on track. It was at this point that the hole or cave or whatever they were inside, resonated with the howl of the lone wolf again.
Mira knew it was the same wolf but it's howl was more ferocious this time, more hostile.
" Mira, back off. Mira came here. "
Kian was desperately yelling at the figure of the wolf, slowly appearing from behind the shadows.
He still couldn't look ahead properly. His eyes and head was a murky mess of thoughts, emotions and feelings.
In the meantime, Mira watched, almost petrified as the wolf took small steps towards her. His fur was stained with blood and there was blood dripping from his fangs.
He was frothing at his mouth.
Suddenly his eyes rolled over. It blackened and the wolf flipped on all fours and fell on the ground, crouching as if something was torturing him from the inside.
As he crouched and whimpered his body slowly morphed back into a human.
" Braze... "
Mira rushed by his side, lifting his head up on her lap.
She was cupping his face, moving his hair away from his eyes when suddenly they heard footsteps.
Hurried footsteps coming in their direction.
Mira and Kian both looked in the direction. Their eyes had utter confusion and panic.
Braze was completely knocked out with his eyes closed shut.
Mira put him down and was ready for defense.
Braze definitely had been in a tussle. Whatever was coming towards them was hostile.
" Mira careful... " Kian whispered as she moved behind the bent, to give herself the surprise element.
She had three pieces of rocks in her hands, ready to pitch at the first onslaught .
But the rock fell from her hands as she saw the face.
" Xen? What on earth... "
Her voice fell as soon as she saw what he was dragging behind him.
A body of a boy, not older than themselves. Covered in blood and dirt. His black vest chewed on in several places and blood trickled down his nose.
Xen was carrying him by his collar, his face down, his legs going up and down as they got pulled over the bumpy, stoney path.
As he threw the boy beside Braze and he rolled over, as if lifeless, Mira's eyes shot open wider and she was about to let out a yell.
But Xen turned in her direction just then and said,
" Please don't scream. He is not dead. Not yet.”