405 Phantom (1/2)

”Alex…” Abi called out and was about to approach him but Alex lifted his hand, stopping her.

”I'm fine now. I just need to cool down. Wait for me, Abigail. I'll be back,” he told her and after glancing at Zeke one last time, he leapt and dove into the water, not giving Abi another chance to approach him.

She retracted her hand and wiped the remnants of her tears from her eyes. She couldn't stop him from going back but she was a little relieved because he looked much better compared to how he looked a while ago.

Her feet were about to move closer to the water when someone suddenly grabbed her from behind. Abi's heart almost jumped out of her chest in surprise.

”Z-zeke?!” she uttered as she turned. Abi turned back to look at him and she looked a little shaken when she saw his face. This time, Zeke was the one looking at her with that seemingly unquenchable hunger.

The look he gave her made Abi shudder. ”Z-zeke! Are you okay?” she asked him, trying her best to speak to him despite her fear.

”Your highness, please let her go. Alexander will –”

”Shut up, Raven…” Zeke hissed under his breath. He seemed a little weaker than his usual self. This was the first time Abi saw this oh so composed man looking a little disheveled and weak.

The next moment, he let go of her shoulders and looked at his men.

”Stay with her,” he ordered as firmly as he was able and he began to walk away.

”But, your highness, at least have Riev accompany you.”

”No need.” His red eyes burned as he glanced back at Raven before he finally leapt and disappeared into the darkness.

”Will he be alright?” One of the men asked.

”Sigh… don't worry. He'll be fine. Whew! That surprised me. I still cannot believe his highness ended up the one being bitten.”

”Yeah. I definitely panicked for a moment.”

As the soldiers spoke with each other, Abigail sat on the edge of the lake, gazing down at the water. Her mind was furiously wondering why Alex was determined not to drink her blood. She wondered why he refused to bite her that much. Was it because he didn't want to hurt her? Was there another reason?

She stared at the little lamb in her hand. It was wet and covered with dirt but she still hugged it. She remembered how Alex struggled so much just to keep these toys from burning so she didn't call out for him anymore. She could only hope that he would find the jellyfish as fast as possible.

Her thoughts also returned to Zeke and wondered if he was alright. As she sat there thinking, the water moved, causing her to rise. She waited for Alex to emerge but the water became calm again.

Raven approached her when he saw the confused look on her face.

”He must be fighting the man-eating creatures underwater while searching for that thing.”

”Man-eating creatures?!” Abi's eyes widened.

Abi calmed down upon hearing his explanation and she sat on the ground again.

She was silent for a long while, just staring at the water before she spoke again.