YOU CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT THEM, CAN YOU?

Gerald's brain slowly regained the consciousness. He could see the pinkish light only to realise he had his eyes closed.

He was tired... very tired. His body felt as heavy as a whale, and he could not find the energy to lift even his finger. This felt good. This silence and numbness felt good.

He did not want this moment to end. Was he in heaven?

He laughed, shaking his head mentally.

The priest said one needs to do only good to get a chance to climb those stairs to heaven. And as far as Gerald remembered, the only good he had ever done was for himself.

The number of blessings he had ever received in his life was as equal to the sweetness in the seawater around Warthford Island. None!

"Gerald... Gerald..."

That sweet voice stirred something deep within him, a song of melancholy perhaps. That voice was inviting, sweet. It called him earnestly, telling him to open his eyes. But, the peace he had finally found was too delectable to leave.

He felt warm gusts of air fanned his face. Something warm and familiar engulfed him in its arms. Before he could figure out what it could be, something soft brushed against his lips.

It was tender, light as a feather at first. But then, he felt its weight only to taste it not long after. That sweetness brought out a sound from the back of his throat.

And before he could dive deep into that pond of sweet feeling, he was already snatched away from it, feeling bare.

"Open your eyes Gerald!"

That voice called to him again. He might have ignored that voice, but how could he ignore the feeling he had just felt and craved?

His pupils moved behind his closed eyelids. He mustered all his strength, and his eyes slowly fluttered open. He closed them instantly when the bright light blinded his vision.

But then he tried again and again. After a couple of meek attempts, he finally opened them completely, to see the same canopy of the green tree, the same sky peeking through the gaps between those leaves and feeling the same air around him.

Even the rough and hard surface under him was also the same.

If there was any difference, then it was the presence beside him.

A pair of black doe-like eyes stared down at him with a hint of mischief playing in them.

"S-Sylvia?!!"

"Hello, Gerald! Nice to see you alive!" Sylvia chided.

The corners of her pink lips were lifted a little, giving an impression of a playful woman. Her round face and button-shaped nose gave her that childish and younger look.

She played with a strand of her caramel cloured hair with her fingers while her other hand bore the weight of her petite body as she leaned back on it.

Gerald tried sitting up, recovering from his initial shock of seeing her. But he groaned when his body resisted. He looked up at her for any help but to no avail.

Sylvia sat quietly, watching him struggle to get up. Gerald tried but failed, yet he tried again. He finally managed to sit upon the same rock where he had lost his consciousness before.

He turned his face to look at Sylvia, who scooted near him. She kissed him on the left cheek softly. All the playfulness was gone from her face and what remained was a pure concern.

"You scared me there!" She told, frowning at him.

"And you saved me, didn't you?" He asked.

Sylvia smiled brightly, nodding her head. "Yes, I did! I could not leave my favourite person to die!"

Gerald did not comment on that. Instead, he observed his hand carefully to see the burn was healed. There were some marks left behind but nothing much.

"They will fade in two or three days." She said, guessing his thoughts.

"hmm"

Gerald sat, looking ahead at the forest silently. Sylvia was observing him carefully, trying to guess what was going on in his head.

"Looks like you have squeezed Reznor's pocket this time." She said pointing at the four bags of coins that hung by his waist.

Gerald scoffed. "We can never get our hands on the last penny of his."

"By the where is your knight in the shining armour? I am surprised she is not here when you almost died." Sylvia raised her dark brow questioningly at him.

Gerald took a brief pause before answering, "We had a fight."

"And may I know why?"

"Because I chose this money over getting treated by Reznor and thus you had to save my fucked up life," Gerald told in a dry tone.

"Well... then she did the right thing!"

Gerald's head snapped in her direction, as he looked at her in surprise. "Did I hear praise for Isabella from you?"

Sylvia rolled her eyes before jumping down the big rock on which they sat.

"I am serious Gerald. You should stop acting like a fool for good now."

Only Sylvia could speak with him in that manner. Filch had finally relieved a sigh of relief now that Gerald was alright. But with Sylvia around, the niffler chose to spend the rest of the time in Gerald's coat pocket.

"Leave that. Tell me why did you avoid meeting me for this long? Where were you, Sylvia?" Gerald's tone changed considerably.

The dark witch did not answer him and kept walking, swaying her hips like a pendulum. Unlike the other witches, Sylvia liked to wear body-hugging dresses that flaunted her curves perfectly."

"Sylvia! I am asking you something." Gerald called, but the witch just ignored him again.

Annoyed, Gerald increased his pace and pulled her by her elbow. Before she could react, he held her firmly against a tree. Looking down at her, he demanded answers.

"That puppy of yours did not tell me anything about your whereabouts. Now I want to know where you disappeared for this long?"

Unwavered by his dominance, she matched his gaze. Looking up at him, she smirked. Her fingers found the buttons of his shirt to open the first two of them.

"Why? Did you miss me that much gerald?" She ran her fingers on his now exposed chest, suggestively.

But Gerald was not impressed by her actions. He pulled away from her and began walking in the opposite direction without looking back even once.

She thought he was just trying to get her to talk, but when she realised he was indeed leaving her alone, she ran behind him to stop him.

"Gerald... Gerald stop! Gerald!"

But he did not.

"I... I went to the magic world." Sylvia finally screamed, giving up.

Gerald paused in his track as soon as her words fell on his ears. He slowly turned around to face her. He was greeted by the sadness on her round face. Her beauty turned dull as she avoided his eyes.

Well if she went into the magic world, then it explained everything to Gerald.

"Are you alright Sylvia?"

She did not realise when he walked back to her. Gerald held her shoulders tenderly. His big green eyes always made her feel safe. Not able to control herself anymore, she jumped in his arms and hugged him tightly.

Gerald was not surprised by her action. He wrapped his arms around her, holding her firmly against him. He ran his hand on her back as he felt the wetness seeping through his shirt.

"I... I don't know."

"Do you want to talk about it?" He asked.

She only shook her head, burying her face further in his chest. Gerald stayed silent after that, giving her time to recollect herself.

Gerald and Sylvia met for the first time a couple of weeks after Oscar introduced him to the world of Malvadogar and the life full of magic.

Sylvia was this gorgeous dark witch who preferred isolation over speaking with others. She had a bitter tongue which only widened the gap between her and the others.

But every time Gerald looked at her black eyes, all he saw was a broken mirror. That broken mirror, that shadow of loneliness, intrigued Gerald. Those were the causes he first approached her.

As expected, she insulted him and warned him to stay within his limits and never try to speak with her ever. Gerald got to know who she was and which family she belonged to. She was a very powerful witch. She was so powerful that even Reznor was always respectful towards her.

She came to Malvadogar to find a shoulder to lean on, but the place only disappointed her. Gerald kept trying to get closer to her, and eventually, he became successful.

Since then, their strange relationship was an obvious fact in the Malvadogar. They were more than friends, but they were not lovers. In fact, they did not have any romantic strings attached to each other, and that was the strength of their relationship so far.

They understood each other. They felt each other's pain. They supported each other but could also step behind for their own benefits. They fulfilled each other's needs and had no regrets about each other.

Gerald looked down at her when she finally pulled back.

"Was it that bad?" He could not help but ask again.

She forced a smile, a smile that did not reach her eyes. Instead, it only amplified the sadness in those dark orbs.

"I have become used to it after all these years."

"Would you mind taking a walk with me to the outskirts of the town. I will buy you butter corn." He offered.

But Sylvia knew him better than that. "And what is in there for you?"

Gerald Livingstone never did anything for free.

His generosity always came with a price tag.

"While I watch you devouring on the butter corn, you can give me some suggestion to make up with Isabella and Oscar." He told bluntly.

Sylvia could never understand this muggle. He was one complicated creature.

"You cannot live without them, can you?"

"Not in this lifetime at least." He smiled before holding her hand in his as they began walking towards the outskirts of the town.

*

*

*

That night at the dinner table, Ralph, Cordelia and Theodora were having dinner like every night. Zerith was also there on the special invitation from Cordelia. Bertha as Theodora's head maid stood behind her quietly and ready to tend her any needs.

Cordelia and Ralph were having a conversation with Zerith about the governance of Warthford Island. The course of conversation then led to the upcoming fair after some time.

"My Lord, we have cleared the area you have allocated for the fair. The locals have requested erecting temporary shops of sweets, snacks and games. I am personally taking care of this matter and tomorrow I will allot the spaces for every such shop." Zerith filled in Ralph on the preparations of the fair.

The last time such a fair was conducted on Warthford Island was years ago. Such events not only brought up cheerfulness amongst the people but also provide communications with the neighbouring islands as many enthusiasts visit such fairs from there.

Besides, such events provided some extra pennies to the locals through such shops.

"Good! And be sure that the law and order is well maintained. I do not want the last time's mistake to be reapeated. If things mess up this time then there will be no such events organised on Warthford Island, do you understand?" Ralph asked sternly while cutting his meat elegantly.

"Yes, My Lord! Do not worry about it. I have given you my word that this fair will be a success. I am taking care of everything personally." Zerith assured.

"Ralph, what are we going to do without the servants on the day of fair? You have given a day off to all of them." Cordelia concerned.

Ralph gave her a pointed look. "Cordelia, one should be independednt for their own chores. And we do not host such grand events frequently. The servants also wants to spend their good time with their friends and family. I cannot deny them their right for the sake of our convenience."

Ralph could be considered as a bipolar person with his extreme opinions on everything. At one moment, he is the most arrogant and inconsiderate person who was too proud of his richness and social status. Then the other moment, he was a good administrator, compassionate employer who gave thought to every detail when it came to his image in public.

"But do not worry." He said after seeing his wife's dull expressions. "I have asked a group of servants to work in the morning. They will do the essential chores and will arrange the other things for the rest of the day until the another group comes to work in the evening."

Cordelia heaved a sigh of relief upon hearing that.

The food on their plates was yet to get finished when Theodora opened her mouth to speak.

"Father, I want to ask you something."

"Of course Theodora. Go ahead." Ralph said, sipping on his wine.

"At what time we are going to attend the fair?"

Her question took him by surprise. He slowly put his glass down on the table. Zerith, who sat across Theodora, caught Bertha's worried eyes.

"We do not need any particular time for that," Ralph replied calmly.

"You mean we can go at anytime?" Theodora asked with excitement laced her tone.

Ralph shook his head in negation. "We do not need any particular time because we are not going at all." Ralph dropped the bomb which Theodora had foreseen the moment she got to know about the fair.

"And why is that?" Her tone changed drastically from a bit hopeful to an angry one.

"Because we do not need to go."

She hated the play of words by her father. He would give you a clear answer in such a twisted way that you keep doubting if you have got the right interpretation.

"Who said that?" Theodora glared at her father.

Not only Cordelia, but every person present in the room sensed the building tension between the father and the daughter.

"Theodora we will discuss this later. For now, just focus on you dinner." Cordelia tried to mediate the situation but failed like every other time.

"No, mother! I want to know right now! Who said we do not need to go?" Theodora's voice had already risen by an octave which was not a good sign.

Ralph matched his daughter's angry glare with his. "I said so! Happy?!"

Theodora slammed her palm on the table, sending vibrations through the wooden surface.

"No, I am NOT happy father! Look at me! Do you think this is me being happy?"

"Enough Theodora! Stop it and finish your food." Ralph did not want to initiate another fight.

It had become a part of their daily lives in recent years. As Theodora grew up, her stubbornness and carelessness became Ralph's headache. He tried to constrain her over ambitiousness and talk some sense into her, but that strategy only backfired at him.

Instead of getting mature, Theodora was turning into a mannerless, stubborn and selfish brat. A reality that Ralph and Cordelia had never even dreamed of in their lives.

Theodora took the glass of water from her left and smashed it against the wall. That created a shattering sound as the glass pieces splattered all over the floor.

A maid immediately came forward to clean those glass pieces before they damage anyone by accident.

"Why do you always do this with me Father? Why? I also want to go out there, enjoy myself and experience new things. I want to meet new people, live like a normal person for once. What is wrong with that?" Theodora's eyes turned red in anger as her chest heaved up and down in rapid breaths.

"What you just said is WRONG Theodora! The thing that you want to live like a normal person is WRONG! Why don't you understand that you are not any normal person living on Warthford Island?

You are a Longhurst. The only daughter of Ralph Longhurst. You are special and not normal, like those poor peasants! There is a distance of sky and land between you and the women out there. The sooner you get that in your head is the better!"

Ralph was equally angry. He did not understand why his daughter refused to understand the simple things.

"Does having the Longhurst as my last name makes me a heartless person who cannot have any wishes and dreams? Does that name deny my freedom, the fun in my life father?

Why cannot I go out there and live for once? Why?" Theodora screamed at the top of her lungs.

Her nose and ears turned red while the pink painted her face due to rushing blood. The veins in her neck popped out.

Ralph looked disturbed by her question. This time his tone came a little benign.

"Theodora, my princess, the outside world is not safe for you. There are... there are things that are very dangerous. You are too young and has not seen enough of the world. You cannot fight them Theodora. Please try to understand!"

That was not Ralph the ruler but a helpless father, pleading to his daughter to understand his concerns.

"What dangers father? What are those dangers that are trouble for me but not for those hundreds of people, who live outside this Longhurst mansion?

And how can I learn about them sitting behind these tall walls? How can I see the outer world shackled in this good for nothing mansion?"

Ralph met Cordelia's eyes which were swirling with not only worry but also a muted fear. She subtly shook her head, trying to hold back the outburst of her inner emotions as a mother.

"Theodora, you should listen to your elders because they know better than you. You want to go out there and mingle with those dirty, down class peasants who live on our bread?

Have you ever given a thought to the reputation of our family? I haven't kept you out of their evil eyes for nothing! You are safe here."

Ralph skillfully changed the course of the conversation to get Theodora's mind away from his previous words.

Zerith pursed his lips in displeasure, but he was just a servant and had no right of correcting or interrupting his Lord.

"The events like fairs are not for the elites like us. We attend the balls, tea parties, hunting expeditions and such celebrations organised BY elites and FOR only the elites.

And you want to go in between those filthy, corrupt minded people?! I cannot believe this!" Ralph spat in disappointment.

"Theodora, dear, please try to understand. Your father is right. No member of the Longhurst family, espcially a female member has ever participated in such public events. Why do you want to break this legacy of ours?"

Theodora groaned, clenching her eyes shut in frustration. She toppled her chair while standing in annoyance.

"Family name, legacy, traditions, status, money! I am sick of hearing these same excuses all over my life! I hate you father, I hate you mother! And I do hate this name- Longhurst!

I wish I was born to a noble or any well to do family but the Longhurst. Then I suppose could have enjoyed my freedom and had a say in my life! You are the worst parents one could get and I HATE YOU!!!" Theodora screamed, throwing the plates and vessels full of food everywhere.

Zerith ran to stop her, but she was uncontrollable.

"My Lady please, please stop!" Bertha tried holding her from behind, but one push from Theodora sent her crashing into a wall.

Bertha hit her head on the hard surface. Zerith instinctively ran to caught her before she fell on the ground and hurt herself more.

"Theodora! Stop it! What the hell are you doing?" Ralph and Cordelia's voices ran in the room as they tried to stop their stubborn daughter.

"I HATE YOU!!!" She screamed again as the hot tears streamed down her face.

Ralph took a step in her direction, but before he could do much, Theodora ran out of the dining room, while crying loudly.

"Lady Theodora!" Bertha left the support of Zerith's arms and ran behind her mistress in worry.

She did not want Theodora to take any extreme step in rage.

A loud frustrated growl erupted from Ralph's mouth that scared even Cordelia.

"My Lord, please calm down!" Zerith was quick to get on Ralphs' side.

"How can I calm down Zerith? How? Tell me! You saw how she behaves, haven't you? This girl has ruined the peace of my mind!" Ralph slammed his fist on the already devastated table in anger.

Cordelia had moistened eyes as she could only watch everything in silence. She had realised long ago that things had gone beyond the words. The damage was already done, and it was irreversible.

"My Lord, please! Do not worry about her. I am here. I promise I will look after her. I will try to speak to her but for now please calm down." Zerith requested.

Ralph took a few long breaths in an attempt to cool down. He nodded his head slowly. He turned his face to look at Zerith hopefully.

"Please do Zerith. Please do something before the situation gets out of hand!"

With that promise, Zerith told Cordelia to take Ralph to their chamber. He had no idea how he was going to speak to Theodora, but he had to keep his word. And, he would!