CONSCIOUS

I think part of the reason we hold on something so tight is because we fear something so great won't happen twice.

-Your Lie in April-

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Warm sunlight fell on her face and coaxed her to wake up, feeling the fresh air that blew from the opened window.

Tarsa grunted softly, as she tried to move her body, but it felt very painful. All of her body was aching. It almost felt like she just fell from a high tower and hit the ground really hard. Well actually, she had never experienced such a thing. Or maybe it could be compared to someone who just finished running for a hundred kilometers, but this one was also one of the events that she had never experienced either.

For as long as Tarsa could remember, the only moment when she was really running was when she heard the members of Duvessa attack the government building. She was running with all her might to find her parents….

This thought woke her up all of a sudden and she sat down, staring at her surroundings. She's on alert now.

As she remembered what was happening that night, she also remembered what was happening before she lost consciousness.

It was scary… horrible.

Because Tarsa had never experienced being in an extreme situation, thus being on the verge of death with someone trying to behead her, had sucked all of her energy and finally took a toll on her.

She remembered she felt something cold brush against her neck when the man named Raphael swung his ice sword and then a moment later, everyone in that hall bowed down to her.

Tarsa didn't have time to ask or even understand her situation when darkness engulfed her and she surrendered.

But…

Tarsa looked at her own two hands and touched her neck. She thought she would find a thick bandage, maybe they managed to sew her head and body together…

But, she found nothing. She was totally fine, only her aching body that made her slightly uncomfortable.

"You are already awake." A man's voice echoed through this bedroom, as someone was standing beside Tarsa's bed.

The girl was too engrossed with her own thoughts that she failed to realize there was someone else inside the room.

"You?" Tarsa was shocked upon seeing Damon was there. The man was standing very close to her, as he stretched out his hand. "What are you doing?"

Tarsa was afraid of this man's intention. He looks so dangerous, when the first time she saw him and then nice when they were inside the car, speaking as if Tarsa could trust him, but then he changed again. This protector was very cold and aloof when someone suggested killing her.

"Stay still," Damon spoke impatiently, as he reached out for Tarsa's hand and pulled her closer to him. Nullified her attempt to run away.

"No!" Tarsa thought he would strangle her to death because she was still alive. Well, she had every right to think like that.

But then, she felt his cold hand against her forehead.

"Good, your fever has subsided," he said in a low voice, most likely to himself rather than to inform Tarsa.

"Hhaa?" Tarsa was confused.

"Eat this." Damon then took a tray full of food and fruits and also a cup of hot tea, placed it in Tarsa's lap for her to eat. "You need to restore your energy."

Tarsa felt her brain was working at a slow pace at that moment. She was trying to discern what actually was happening.

Did this man have a personality problem? Why did he always look different on many occasions? Their encounter could be said less than a day, but he already showed many different sides of him.

Tarsa didn't eat the food in front of her and watched as Damon opened the curtain and let the sunlight flourish in the room, sending warmth to every corner and lifting her mood.

"Why don't you eat it?" Damon stood beside Tarsa again when she squinted her eyes. "You don't like the food?"

Tarsa didn't know how to start a conversation with this man, but at least he should explain a few things to her, right? He owed her this.

"What is happening?" Her voice sounded very hoarse and it hurt her throat to speak. Tarsa felt like she just ate sand.

As if he knew what Tarsa was going through at that moment, Damon took a glass of water and brought it to her lips. "Drink, you will feel better," he said. This time, his voice was soft.

Did he just coax her? Maybe not. Tarsa must have thought too much about it, but she didn't refuse the glass that touched her lips and drank half of it.

Damon was right, she felt better when the liquid moistened her throat.

"What is happening?" Tarsa repeated her question and her voice sounded better. "Where am I?"

This room was very spacious and beautiful, with many paintings hanging on the wall. This room was even bigger than her room and seemingly held more value for everything here.

"You are in Kairi's room," Damon answered her and then put the glass. He took a bowl of warm soup, which the white steam was visible to see, indicating that it was still hot. He cooled it off for her and brought the spoon to her lips. "You are okay now."

What is it? Does he intend to feed her? What happened with this sudden care?

Tarsa shifted her head to refuse the food, though the smell of it was very appetizing. She needed another answer for her many questions.

"Wait, how long have I been sleeping?" Tarsa looked at Damon intensely, as if she wanted to read his expression, which could help her to understand this man, yet she could read nothing.

"You were unconscious for a week," Damon replied.

"A week?!" Tarsa was shocked. "But… what…" she stuttered.

"I will answer your question, but you need to eat first." Damon made a deal that Tarsa couldn't refuse. Well, it was a good way to make her eat…