Vaughn showed up the night I surpassed the longest record of being tied down on that damn pole. I know it’s Vaughn, despite my poor vision, because he’s the only person who walks that path in the woods.
He looks like he was carrying logs in one of his arms and something in the other. It was a satchel. He stopped his tracks halfway towards me, then motioned his head to leave the field after seeing my free state.
I felt like a newborn deer when walking towards him. I stopped a few times to stretch my wobbly legs.
He stared at my face for a while the moment I’m in front of him before walking away. I rushed to his side and matched his pace. He kept on glancing at my face the whole time we walked towards some place.
Tonight, the dimly lit moon made it harder for us to navigate through the thick piled-up snow. The soldiers had to rake the snow off once every 1 to 2 hours to even out onto the field. However, they leave the snow to pile up 2 hours before their training ends. Some soldiers use this opportunity to hide big or heavy rocks under the snow.
I’ve seen a few victims. And I just became one. I tripped on one of the hidden rocks and I fell with a thud and my face was flat on the snow.
Vaughn only looked at me with his emotionless face when he heard my little squeal. His hands stayed inside his pockets.
Another moment where Vaughn judges my existence.
I stood up, wiped the left-over snow off my face, and acted as if nothing happened.
Our destination was his campsite. It was on the other side of the forest. After we walked past the trees, there’s a mildly flat terrain and a small circular patch at least 10 walks away from the edge. Near his campsite is a lone tree of a different kind.
He started preparing the campfire while I observed the environment.
Under normal circumstances, I wouldn’t want to stay in this kind of place. There are more shadows present than the place itself. The dim lighting of the moon made the snow look like grey ashes. You can only hear the occasional whistle of the wind. I can’t hear any insects. The lack of noise diversity makes it feel lonely to stay in this place. It feels like sitting inside the depth of my brain. However, I found solace in this place.
I walked around and it gave me a clearer view beyond the lone tree. There’s a little elevation on where we are; having to reach out to touch the lake. It looks like a mini cliff, but it’s only 4 feet deep.
After satisfying the curiosity of my eyes, I sat down beside Vaughn at a respectable distance. He turned to me as soon as he finished setting up the twigs and rocks for the campfire.
“Why is it that you look healthier?” confusion took over his expression as he pinched my cheeks and stretched it out.
Now, it’s my time to get confused. Vaughn wasn’t the type of person to show affection through physical touch. Unless our friendship upgraded and he’s showing a new side of him…
As soon as that thought passed by, I tried my best to suppress my smile. My nostrils flared at this and Vaughn looked at me weirdly. I didn’t bother explaining my face or thoughts. Afraid that our relationship might regress.
“Riain and… his friend has been feeding me…” again, I still haven’t asked for his name. I paused for a moment, contemplating whether if I can ask him where he had been. I’m afraid that I might be overstepping my boundaries or prying too much.
Fortunately, he saw right through me.
“I was afraid that I’ve left you to starve for the past days. Thankfully, someone fed you…” he said, while starting the fire with two stones. This way of starting the fire piqued my interest.
There were already sparks flying and, like some cliché drama scene, a spark flew past his face—successfully transferring my attention to him.
The light from the fire created a warm glow on his face, making him look more relaxed. He really did look at peace. His face was free of his usual scowl. The light that softly caressed his face brought the innocent aura out of him.
I smiled internally at rare moments like these. It’s as if we are free of any burden right now.
Sadly, I was yet reminded of my misfortune.
“As I’ve heard, there have been plans to scout the rival kingdom tomorrow. It seems that you’re also included in that plan.” My eyebrows raised way past my hairline when I sensed that I’ll be roped into another dangerous event in this world. No pun intended.
One would’ve missed the slightest downward smile he offered if they weren’t paying attention. The sympathy he offered disappeared as soon as he showed it. He played it off by organizing the rocks around the fire.
Or I might be just overthinking things since people here have deprived me of care since I left Aziel and Jayce.
I involuntarily sighed when I remembered them. Not knowing if they were safe from the ambush pinched my heart. It makes me want to take a shit. My worries for them draw a thin line between being anxious for their safety or just having to let these worries out through pooping.
I was too far into confusion that I didn’t hear what Vaughn said. I only mindlessly nodded, hoping it was a question answerable by a yes or no.
3RD PERSON’S POV:
“D-don’t worry. I’ll be there…” Vaughn whispered under his breath. His eyes subtly grew wider and panicked inside when Maisie nodded. He had hoped she didn’t hear it. To cover up his embarrassment, he rearranged the already organized rocks around the fire.
He was about to give her reminders for tomorrow’s scouting until he saw Maisie spacing out. She sat completely still with her flat gaze focused on one spot while her lips slightly parted. She blinked her eyes slowly. One could mistake she never blinked the entire time.
Vaughn observed her for a while and the longer he looked, she looked more feminine in the back of Vaughn’s mind. He shook his head and brought back the usual image he placed on Maisie. Thinking of her otherwise would only bring complications and danger.
With that, they spent the rest of the night in comfortable silence, with slight tension in the air.
༻❁༺
“And she’s not dead yet…”