He
who flatters a man
is his enemy.
He
who tells him
of his faults
is his peacemaker.
-Confucius
He doesn't even look at me when he says those words. I'm left with the wide view of back. His figure looks so far away, and a sinking feeling that fills my stomach. I feel like I can't catch up to him. As though I'm a peasant trying to catch a glimpse of the omnipotent King.
The door closes softly behind him. Walking away, he takes my hopes along with him.
--------------------------------------------------------------
Melia's POV
I throw myself onto my bed. I am exhausted and there are wounds all over my body.
Baozi appears out of his space. In his human form he rushes to my side and brushes stray strands of hair away from my face. In a concerned voice he asks, "Master, who did you get into a fight with?"
My whole body tenses as my fight or flight instincts kick in. I leap up from my position and pin Baozi down on the bed under me.