Chapter 53
Kevin’s point of view
“I’m here. I always have been…”
“………”
“You don’t have to be afraid. Just remember
who I am…”
“………”
“You’re confused, aren’t you? Simply put, you
asked where I am, and that was my answer.”
“W…where you are?”
“Remember my words, son: all you have to do is
ask.”
“D…dad…?”
“D…dad?” I whispered hoarsely, opening my
eyes. Painful light burned at them – the sun had not yet set.
I was still at Leon’s apartment. My vague
recollection ended when I had fainted from pain and weakness on the roof. How
had I returned here? Lifting my head, I beheld the sight of Solin sleeping
peacefully, curled up on the edge of the bed. Her chin rested lightly on my
chest and a paw loosely grasped my gecko hand.
She’d heard me. She’d helped me.
Tenderness towards her washed over me. There
was no doubt: she really did care for me, and judging from my emotions upon
that moment, I cared for her too. Conflict crept back into my heart; I knew I
couldn’t choose between her and my wife. Yet, the decision should have been
easy. I belonged with Kristin, right? No, it wasn’t that simple anymore…
I was in trouble.
Solin looked too peaceful to disturb, but
resting against me as she was, that proved impossible. Her feline eyes blinked
open the moment I moved slightly. She stared blankly for a moment.
“K… Kevin?”
I grinned casually, “Evenin’!”
“You’re … OK!”
“Yup!” I declared. “Can I get up?”
“Can you…” she began to repeat, before I
gestured towards her posture of lying on my chest. “Oh, sorry, I-”
“It’s OK…” I calmed her softly.
Solin’s point of view
Kevin sat up, rubbing life back into his
hands. I brushed down my dark fur, noticing his quiet, subdued mood. I didn’t
understand him anymore – after spending 16 years searching for his love, his
wife, why was he turning his back on it now? What was so confusing: he loved
Kristin. I looked away as I remembered his deliriousness before he fainted. He
had mistaken me for Kristin, but his gentle touch when he stroked my face was
enough proof for me. He was still in love with her.
I had no place with him…
“Feeling better?”
“Hmm…” he muttered his reply.
“You were very weak, nearly drained. How much
have you recovered?”
“Most of it…but…”
“But?” I echoed, climbing over to sit by him.
“I’ve lost the Blue Flame… I can’t feel it
anymore…”
“The attack…” I realised.
Kevin’s face contorted in rage. “Anubis!”
“Anubis? Why would he come all the way here to
just take that back?”
“He probably thinks I’m less of a threat to
him.”
I sighed. The Aversion led upwards, suggesting
he didn’t have plans to come back.
But wait… there was a second Aversion!
“If that was Anubis, who helped him?”
Kevin shook his head, his rage replaced by
wonder.
“I don’t know. I’ve never known anyone to be
allied with him. Hopefully they won’t be back.”
I stood up, grabbing his arm.
“Then let’s go. You’re recovered enough to
travel, right?”
Kevin looked at me oddly, nervousness creeping
into his voice, “Go where?”
“To your family, of course.”
The colour drained from his face, as if I had
just admitted some evil transgression.
“Solin… I can’t go back… not yet!” he
exclaimed. “I haven’t figured things out yet!”
Stunned, I let go of his arm. Figured things
out? What was there to figure out? He had to go home! Frowning at his
frightened and bewildered expression, I inclined my head and questioned him.
“You’re staying here?”
“Yes…”
My jaw dropped: “Why?”
“I can’t choose, Solin. I can’t…”
“Choose what?” I persisted. “What is there to
choose?”
“I can’t choose between the two of you!”
At that moment, something snapped. My pain and
sacrifice took over…
Snarling in protest, I grabbed his collar,
hauling him upright. I swung him around, smashing him into the wall, pinning
him ferociously.
“You think it’s funny to play games with me?
Your heart belongs to Kristin – I’ve always known that… but you! You bury
yourself is this little game to toy with my feelings after I’ve just been so
open with you?! And to think I trusted you to understand!”
“Solin, I-”
Enraged suddenly, I slapped him with the back
of my paw violently. Continuing, I grabbed his collar again.
“I go through all that pain and suffering from
rejection, and you expect me to just sit back and watch the same happen to you?
You want to throw away your last chance to go back to your family after knowing
I never could? You disgust me!”
Acting now from pure instinct and emotion, I
caught him off guard and planted a rough kiss on his lips.
“I care about you, Kevin. I love you enough to
not want to get in the way of your happiness. That’s why you have to go back.”
I released him once more, stepping back to let
him reply.
Slowly, as if trapped in a time warp, he held
his cheek with his palm, then ran his fingers over his still moist lips. Never
once did his eyes leave mine – full of shock and disbelief. I realised that he
really didn’t know what to say.
My paw seemed to move of its own will as I
slapped him again.
“I’m going back myself!” I declared angrily.
“I’ll be back in one day. If you haven’t worked out the truth by that point…
then don’t expect to ever see me again afterwards!”
Horus’ point of view
The little human girl blinked and sat up,
innocently gazing at me. The window was slightly open, and the cool night air
blew at the curtains. They billowed calmly as pale moonlight shafted through
the glass into the navy blue of the darkened room. It was all probably very
dream-like to her.
“Hello, Mr. Birdman!” the small child greeted
cheerfully.
Indeed, young humans were naïve, and
uneducated in fear and deception. I held my beak aloft, maintaining my air of
dignity.
“I am not a ‘birdman’!” I stated, sniffing
proudly. “I am a falcon.”
“What do you want, Mr. Falcun?” she asked,
almost casually. “Are you like the tooth fairy?”
“Tooth fairy?”
“’Cause none of mine have fallen out, Mr.
Falcun. Did you come here by mistake?”
I found myself chuckling. This trusting,
innocent nature of human children was becoming amusing. I was surprised Anubis
had not come to witness this himself.
“No, my dear. I am not like this ‘tooth fairy’
of which you speak.” I explained, grinning slyly. “I am an Ancient – one of a
race of proud spirits.”
The girl looked at me oddly: “What is an
Ainshun, Mr. Falcun?”
“Oh, never mind, little one… you’re probably
too young to understand.”
I strolled over towards her, snug in her
covers. She pulled her quilt closer around her.
“What is your name, my dear?”
“Daddy told me to not tell strangers,” she
stubbornly replied.
“Hmm… your father is wiser than I thought,” I
commented. “It’s Julie, isn’t it?”
“Did Daddy tell you?” she asked meekly.
“That is not important, child.”
I crouched down next to her bed, so my head
was level with hers.
“Would you like to go on a little trip with
me…?”
***
