16 Chapter 7: Desert Requiem 5 (1/2)

”...”

A sound of faint footsteps from the other side of the room... someone is coming.

I stood up and counted my steps.

It takes ten steps to the door.

I reached for the doorknob and the door creaks open.

”Oh— uhh... I was just about to knock. Well... *ahem* The boss wants to talk with Sir Faram. He asks him to come to his quarters immediately.”

I opened the door wider.

I felt a draft went pass me... that means Faram has stepped out the room.

I closed the door after that.

This is the first time that happened.

Then again— when I think about it... how long has it been ever since my training with Master Faram began?

I became too preoccupied in focusing with my other senses while getting through all obstacles he made me go through while on a blindfold, that I had forgotten about the real problem and situation I am in... and that is to escape Ouboros.

I wonder how my brother is...

I made my way to back further and I sat down the stone cold surface which is my bed.

Across the room, opposite from where mine is, another bed is found, that is Master Faram's bed.

Going near it is strictly forbidden.

I have made a mental imagine in my mind what this room looks like so going around it now is easier than the first time I arrived.

This must be the first time ever that I can go into a reverie like this and ponder about things.

His training has been so mentally exhausting that I don't think I had the time to brood about escaping or going back to where my friends are.

There were even times I just slept without eating dinner because of how tired I was.

Then again I don't even know the difference of time anymore!

He never had even once removed these blindfold off me.

Everything was an endless cycle of training with him.

He's not the awarding type that commends on achievements either... So I wonder if I have improved at all.

I wonder if Aeron improved as well?

Or how Nora and the others are...

—and our parents... how is Mama and Papa doing?

I took my legs up and pushed my knees closer to my chest while locking my arms around it.

I hear nothing at the moment.

I've gotten so used to this dark silence that just a little sound alerts me. The stillness of the room is the same. Everything is stagnant so the slightest of air movement or drafts that emit bothers me. It felt like I have to comprehend what everything is even without provocation, sensing every little change automatically as if its natural thing to do now.

But I know it isn't suppose to be like this.

If only I have my vision back.

But if I think about it, it's not all bad.

Although Master Faram is cold, strict and never bothered to praise me ever, he isn't heartless. In the slightest of ways, I felt his kindness.

He never got angry at me nor shouted at me, he feeds me with delicious meals, and gave me herbs and elixirs to treat my wounds or pains. He's very patient with me in spite of himself.

Maybe this is likely Stockholm syndrome,

But I respect Master Faram.

Suddenly, I felt a draft blow ever so lightly.

A sound of door closing...

And the sound of sand grinding on the floor

But no presence.

”Master, you're back.” I say as I went to the edge of my bed and sat up straight.

”That man is on the move... how irksome.” He murmurs in his usual monotonous low but airy voice.

Man—?

...Cerguz?

”He's sending Giles and myself away on a mission. I don't know when we'll get back.”

”Oh.”

”Your real training has yet begun... I haven't even taught you so much yet.” He heaves a sigh.

Is he disappointed?

I wonder if it's okay if I consider it as one.

”Close your eyes, Ri. I'm going to remove your eye strap.”

I closed them.

The cloth began to loosen and then it falls to my lap. ”Open your eyes very slowly”

His voice was very sooting for my ears against my drumming heart.

Its been so long since I have this thing blocking my vision. I'm excited to see again but nervous for some unknown reason.

I fisted my hands on my lap as I wearily opened both my eyelids, fighting to have it done the slowest possible way.

A light sips in between the spaces of my lashes from the tiny opening but I shut them back close on reflex.

”Take your time.”

Usually at moments like this I would have cursed this man, since this is all his fault

—on why opening my eyes seem like a nerve wrecking task,

But I just don't feel like it.

Spewing profanity at him seems like a sin for me.

Once again I tried to pull my eyelids open,

slowly and anxiously but my lower lids ascends, narrowing my field of vision.

I closed one eye as blurry lights dazzled me, and letting only one eye take in all the blinding light before I wearily opened the other as well.

A fuzzy silhouette of a silver haired man in a blindfold is what I can only fathom. But I can distinguish a warm but rather bare looking room behind him. ”Please, tell me how many days has it been— I need to know, Master Faram.”

”Fifteen days.” He replied short.

I blinked multiple times.

Finally, I was able to open them both.