Chapter 92 - Explore (1/2)

From the dirt path that went around our complex, we emerged on a vast field of dried grass with rocks stacked up from excavation in the neighboring constructions. The late afternoon sky pressed above like a circular lid. From afar we could hear continuous hammering and metal clashing together. Grant held my hand while Demos was scooting the surroundings.

”I like it,” Grant broke our silent progression. ”Reminds me of the day we went to Level 23,” he gave me a quick glance. Yeah, those were the happy days. He nodded reading my mind. ”This is also happy days. Every day is a happy day when we are together,” he gave my hand a little squeeze.

”Guys?” called Demos from tall trees densely packed together creating a wall. He waved with a grin on his face. We reached the edge of the field and followed Demos along a zigzagging path in the shadows of the trees. In front of us was a bright light peering through the thick vegetation. Demos left us behind and hurried to the light. My heart raced in apprehension.

”Wait!” I extended my hand when he disappeared behind bushes. Grant pulled me back, I threw him a worried look over my shoulder.

”It's ok, he is just excited. We are not going to leave you behind,” he reassured me. I took deep breathes and slowed down at Grant's pace. I haven't noticed I was also affected by the incident on the beach.

”It will take time to heal, you were scared. It's ok,” he smiled. I nodded with a sick feeling in my stomach. I was scared of losing them. We emerged out of the shaded canopy of leaves and came face to face with a blazing sunset. The cliff overlooked a white sand beach. Demos turned to us with his hands on his h.i.p.s.

”Cool, right,” he grinned. I eagerly let go of Grant and wrapped my arms around his waist. He hugged me back and gave me a quick kiss, I sighed in relief. Grant stood a little further admiring the myriad palette of colors as the sun dipped behind the horizon. Somehow, I was a little sad as the gap with Grant was slowly increasing. He lifted his head and our eyes met. There was equal sadness in them.

”Please, come near us,” I reached for him. He shied for a moment, but quickly joined us with a pained expression. We hugged for a long time until the sky was dark and we had to head back in fear we might not find the path to our new home.

That night to confirm our feelings we updated our sync to 25%, I didn't experience dizziness or ringing. Just a vivid awareness of everything around me. I was relaxed and could identify each of the complex sounds outside. The strangest part was I could feel them in my own skin, a sensation hard to describe. Each time I closed my eyes I knew exactly where they were in the room.

”I feel like a superhero,” I chuckled. We were sitting in a circle while holding hands in bed. The lights were out and Demos looked up at me in the shadows. I knew he was smiling even though it was so dark.

-I want you to spend the night with Grant

I understand what Demos wanted from me without him having to explain it. Still, I frowned at him. I wouldn't let go of his hand. I felt through the link his strong feeling towards both of us. A red glowing thread that sprung from the center of his chest wrapping around me and Grant. The link from Grant was pure white it lost in intensity turning to a translucent thread as it connected to me. I raised my hand to touch the invisible connection that branched out of my heart in a dull gray. My fingers went through it.

”It's the mate link, at 25 % you can see it,” explained Grant. ”Our digital image overlaps on reality,” Demos chuckled at me when I insisted on trying to grip the thread.

”Augmented reality,” I murmured in awe.

”Not quite but very similar,” said Grant. It was a strange sensation. The place where all three colored threads converged in the middle of my chest pulsed like a heartbeat. Demos got to his feet letting go of my hand. I followed him and Grant did the same. However, Demos paused and placed a hand on my shoulder.

-It's ok, Liliane.

”No, I can't. I need to be with you. I want us to be together, all three of us,” I pleaded with wet eyes. The moment I get upset the gray thread connection to my heart turned darker. He gave me a gentle smile and caressed my face. His thread pulsed it glowed like a beacon in the dark. I couldn't look away.

”Grant needs you,” I gripped his arm, reluctant to let go. Grant didn't move from his spot. My eyes wandered over his pale face feeling a sting of guilt. Still, I wanted to be with Demos. I wanted...

”Shh!, remember I can feel everything he feels. We are one and I'm always with you,” he plucked my fingers off his arms and closed the door quietly behind him, living me alone with Grant standing next to the bed. I lingered near the door like a lost puppy. The red thread went straight into it. The urged to run to him was unbearable.

”Liliane, you don't have to force yourself,” smiled Grant standing against the only source of light. His smile was constrained and it pained me. I quickly crossed the room and took him in my arms. I sobbed in his arms.

”I-I'm sorry,” I didn't know why I was apologizing, but I felt like I needed to say it. ”I feel like I've wronged you,” he stroke my hair and tried to ease my weeping. His aquamarine eyes shining in the gloom.

”You are not at fault, I'd a got so much on my mind. With all the implications... I can't smile anymore it has weakened our connection,” I peeked into his face hidden in shadows. My gaze dropped to the link in our chest, it softly throbbed.

”Can we go back to how we were before all this? I want my funny Grant who calls me Princess. My sunny Grant who lights up my life,” I sniffed. He snuggled his nose against my cheek making my heart raced. I relaxed against him gentleness.

-You'll always be my Princess.

His lips traced over my jawline to finally crashed on my parted lips. We indulged in passionate and steamy kisses. I lost track of how we ended n.a.k.e.d in bed. I held on Grant desperate to cement the cracked that has appeared in our relationship. My heart swelled with everything I was scared to express. With only the half-moon hanging in the inky sky that filtered through the curtainless door. I could see the outline of Grant's face as he leaned over me. The guilt of not having Demos near flickered in my mind. I gave a quick glance at the door, the read thread shone like hot lava into my heart. When I closed my eyes I felt Demos' hand touch me the places where Grant did.

-I'm here.

”Liliane,” Grant m.o.a.ned. He left kisses across my b.r.e.a.s.ts and lower to my belly. He was gentle with every caress, careful not to hurt me. In his arms, I felt alive and loved. Our connection pulsed, restored to a bright thread. In that room, I cried as I reached heights I've never imagined existed. I didn't mind if I was loud if I was chubby if Grant was not make of blood and flesh. As I closed my eyes, I could feel both of them within me, their presence wrapping me in a warm blanket. I wasn't sure if it was a dream or reality. I didn't care anymore.