C316: Chased

Ole was surprised to see a new side of Cherith. Despite growing up side by side he never show how fragile he is.

"What's up? You seem depressed?" Ole cracked the ice since he remain stilled and silent from the moment he sat by her window. The room was plain and comfortable. A futon on the floor. Three cottony pillows and warm blanket. It's octagon design made Ole felt like she is within a capsule.

Cherith just breathed and replied.

"I can't sleep."

Ole tilt her head to the side and spoke the word Cherith knew she would offer.

"Then you can stay here. The floor is warm and wide."

Cherith chuckled and muffled her hair.

"No thanks. I might get butchered while asleep."

Ole raised a brow and was grabbed Cherith with his free arm and attempted to throw jer down but Cherith lazily embraced her. Ole was confused. Cherith tend to be clingy at times but not this lazy.

"Hey lad, don't lean on me. Your too heavy for me to support." Ole stated as she planted her feet on the floor.

Cherith sniffed her hair and got his nostril damp.

"Your hair is wet. Dry it before Urchin find out."

"I was about to do it. But you came here with an annoyingly lazy attitude." Ole said in between gritted teeth since their weight are bound to collapse.

"Sorry." Cherith shortly muttured and stood straight.

Ole can sense Cherith's unusual gloom. Ole too the hair dryer and pushed it to Cherith's face.

"Since you wasted my time. Pay for it."

Cherith's sluggish motion as he comb her now dried hair bothered Ole.

"Come on, I am all ears." Ole chanted.

Cherith eyed her as she twirl around to face him.

"There was a letter sent to me last week. It says that Myrtle and Nevi Guadalupe died from an avalanche. The date was three days before I drop above your sky." His voice sounded like the lamenting dove.

Ole embraced Cherith and whispered.

"I can't take you to the aquarium since we are here, how about a walk near the lake?"

"I am too tired to move." Cherith answered.

"Then how about the roof?" Ole suggested.

"Sure, I can just fly up there." Cherith said and flight upward the roof.

He gazed at the lone moon and wavy white clouds. The blue sky made it look like a sea of heaven. His sightseeing got interrupted by Ole's panting as she reached the roof.

"How could you let me climb up alone. It's like a tower you know!" her complain made Cherith giggled.

They lay down watching the wonderful view when Ole started singing.

"The million stars have witness my journey toward your side. The clouds walked with me day and night. It was this billion stars that tag me to be in your life. Beyond this starless night you waited chanting my name. My prayers have brought this starts to fall for you."

Cherith heared it from his father before. It was the song he sang before his mother went missing. The entrapped tears and memory overwhelmed his now unclogged wings.

The heat lead the team to visit the controversial lake. It was blue on the surface but when stirred it's color turned like a forest.

Taffy picked up a stone and threw it by the middle. The stone speedily disappeared.

"I guess were beyond deep here guys." Taffy announced.

"That would be good!" Nimrod and Ole beamed.

"No, i think you guys forgot about the heresy." Taffy nagged.

"Then let's dive in." Ain cheered.

"Hey old man, don't encourage them." Taffy panicked.

"It's the only way to confirm besides, your not handsome! You won't drown." Ain teased.

Taffy can feel how his veins enlarged and pooped out by his temple.

He somewhat felf insulted. Fur and Agsus laughed at him as Ain shrugged.

Taffy gnashed his teeth and run straight toward the water and dive in. His impact made the silent lake splashed in disturbance.

"See nobody will grab you. The ghost only grabs handsome men!" Agsus giggled.

"I hate you!" Taffy bubbled out from the surface.

The gang dive in and was having their swim. Kish and Fur stayed for the food preparation.

"This water is warm." Sycamore muttured as he freely stroke.

"Yeah, I like the color as well." Selah hummed.

Saga helped out Ole who had her hair caught on the side of the lake.

Urchin was taking pictures while Cherith raced with Nimrod.

"Wait where is Kahieli?" Agsus asked

"He went to pick up the watermelon." Sycamore answered.

Kahieli arrived with a huge pair of watermelon.

He called them in for lunch. Everyone got out of the water and rushed for the food. Kahieli got splashed and teased.

When he was about to follow suit he felt something tugging his heel. He looked back to see the calming water.

Kahieli did not see anything. He stared at his reflection in the water and found it clear. He turned his back and tried to walk away but the same sequence happened. Kahieli tilt his head as he furrowed his eyes. Nimrod called out to him when he glanced at his youngest brother. Kahieli dismissed his thoughts and stood up from the water when his heel was grabbed from behind. The wet palm grasp his sole. His step got frozen and he got magnified within the liquid.

Kahieli missed the chance the yell. The water would not allow him. He struggled to swim upward as the invisible force weight him down. He used his hand to claw his way up of the water as his breath started to get rigid.

His waist got surrounded by water and it twisted his diaphragm. His respiratory system failed to function properly. The heavy garrote started to disable his sinus. He wanted to cough but the water masked his mouth and throat. Kahieli looked back to see a woman as described by the villagers. She glided toward his face. She grabbed his neck, and Kahieli losed all the ability to breath.