Chapter 5: A Promise in a World of Silence

Life in the shelter had begun to take on a rhythm—a fragile imitation of peace.

It was like a bandage over a bleeding wound, or a smile blooming faintly during a funeral.

Lina, once a fragile soul lost in the echo of her own solitude, now found a kind of comfort in this place. Not because it was safe, but because it held within it one person… someone who was starting to understand her.

She woke up early, as usual—before the sun crept over the horizon.

She combed her tangled hair with her fingers, splashed cold water from an old bottle onto her face, arranged the worn utensils, and began to cook.

The sound of boiling water, the scent of steam, and the warmth of the small flame had become part of her daily ritual.

She hummed softly to herself while slicing up roots and dried herbs:

"I'll cook him something warm today... maybe that will lift his spirits, now that he's opened his heart to me...

Maybe I can turn this hopeless bond into a glimmer of light in our shattered world..."

Her voice trembled, not with sadness, but with a quiet hope she had nearly forgotten.

"He trusted me. Told me about his past.

And ever since that night, it's like I've known him for years…"

In her mind, she had begun crafting a world—one untouched by the undead, untouched by betrayal, untouched by loss.

A world that only needed the two of them to exist.

And for now… that made her happy.

But happiness in such a world is delicate—woven from threads of imagination and aching hope.

As time passed and the sun climbed higher, dread crept into her heart.

"Why am I acting like a fool…?

He told me his story because he trusted me—not because he wants my love.

I've been betrayed before… why am I still making the same mistake?"

She sat cross-legged on the floor, the food warm in front of her on a tattered cloth.

And she waited.

Then came the noise.

The door swung open.

And there he was—Wild.

But he didn't look like himself.

His clothes were torn, bloodstained and reeking. His shoulder was bleeding. His steps faltered.

He was carrying a torn sack filled with supplies, dragging it behind him like a broken soldier returning from war.

Lina leapt to her feet, panic slicing through her chest.

"What happened? Are you okay? Sit down—let me help you!"

He said nothing. He only nodded and obeyed, lowering himself into a rusty chair.

With shaking hands, she ripped the cloth around his wound. Her eyes scanned his injuries with fear and tenderness, and her breath quivered as she spoke.

But he only smiled, softly—his voice quiet like morning snow.

"Why the tears?

What sorrow could bring such sadness to these two pearls?"

She met his gaze, tears welling in her eyes.

"Why are you calm?! You're hurt! You could get infected… or worse… you could die!"

Her voice broke. A single tear slipped down her cheek.

He reached out, gently pressing her head to his chest, his fingers trembling slightly.

"No matter what you've been through—no matter what you've lost—I won't leave.

Not now. Not ever."

She choked out a whisper:

"Promise…?"

He smiled faintly.

"I promise.

Now, let's eat.

Your food is getting cold."

She laughed through her tears and nodded.

"Alright… but I'm still going to check your wounds again after."

"Deal."

He took a bite.

"Mmm… this is delicious. As always."

She blushed, lowering her gaze.

"I'm glad you like it. I… I tried to make it with care. With love."

He looked at her—firmly, gently.

"Lina… I've changed. And I will keep changing.

I'm not just surviving anymore.

I've found something worth living for.

You.

Protecting you… being with you… making you smile.

Let's make a promise to one another. In this ruin… let's build our sacred ground."

She blinked, surprised.

"Our sacred ground…?"

He nodded.

"Yes. A place—real or imagined—where we belong.

Where we feel peace, and warmth, and love.

Where we can finally be… home."

She smiled shyly.

"Then promise me… that neither of us will leave the other behind."

"And promise me… we'll never hide anything from each other."

"And promise me… we'll share pain and joy together."

He took her hand in his.

"These are our three sacred vows. From this day on."

She giggled through her tears, like someone laughing for the first time in years.

"Then let it be so.

The winds may not always favor our sails…

But perhaps… we are the wind, the sea, and the sails themselves."

Wild paused, caught off guard by her wisdom—then chuckled and returned to his food,

letting its warmth fill the silence between them.

A silence no longer heavy with dread,

but soft, like a lullaby shared between two souls...

finally learning what it means to not be alone.