Chương 34: Book 1; Chapter 33; Why the worry

Through all this fight, Rainee never looked at Anthony. All the time, she was looking only at Marcus as if Anthony wouldn't even be there. When Marcus collapsed, she simply turned around and walked to Anniet without saying anything to Anthony or even giving him a single look. Anniet even started to think that maybe she cannot see him. But surely if she cannot see him, then Marcus floating in the middle of the air would get her attention!

"Come," – Rainee said, stretching her hand to Anniet and helping her to stand up – "Let's go home. You must be tired."

"……….." Anniet couldn't find any words at the beginning. Was she the one who was supposed to be tired? Truth to be told, she was a little bit stiff after all this waiting, but in comparison to those who did all this training, it had to be nothing!

"What about Marcus?!" She asked, looking over her shoulder while trying to catch up with Rainee, who was making her way down the hill at a steady pace.

"What about him? Isn't he taken care of?" – Rainee asked without looking back. Anniet looked again at Anthony walking a few meters behind with Marcus dangling in his hands.

"You can say that he is taken care of," She said, returning a smile to Anthony, who smiled warmly at her while effortlessly carrying the senseless Marcus's body.

"Then why worry?" – Rainee asked without a single care in her voice.

"Is he… Is he alive?"

"Sleeping," – Rainee said.

"Sleeping?" – Anniet looked over her shoulder again. – "And what about Anthony? Do you think he will be alright?"

"Who is Anthony?" – Rainee asked.

"The man who is carrying Marcus!"

"Why shouldn't he be alright? Does he look like he needs help?" – While speaking, Rainee didn't look back a single time.

"No. No, it doesn't look like he needs help."

"Then why the worry? Can you walk all right?"

"Would you carry me?" Anniet asked with a little laugh, imagining how they would look if Rainee carried her while Anthony was bringing Marcus behind them.

"I would," – Rainee smiled at her.

"Then why didn't you carry Marcus?" – Anniet tried to make another joke.

"Because he would be very embarrassed to be carried through the town by me," Rainee ignored the joke"and I believe no one will remember your mystery friend anyway, so he is safe in his hands." So, after all, Rainee knew that Marcus was taken care of, and by whom! She just couldn't remember his name, that's all. Anniet didn't say anything more and walked the rest of the way in silence. Despite her brave face, she was really stiff and tired. How Rainee and Anthony were still standing, she didn't know.

Time after time, she would look back to check if Anthony was alright, but he was never more than a few meters away, neither falling behind nor trying to catch up with them. When they reached Rainee's house, she opened the gates, showing Anniet in, and closed them behind without sparing a single look at those two who were following behind. While passing by, Anthony smiled at Anniet again, just as on any other regular day, and walked towards the town with Marcus in his arms.

When at home, Rainee showed Anniet to the couch, not listening to any objections. Then she brought from the kitchen some fruits, a big jug of juice, and a few slices of bread, put them on a table, dragged that little table next to the couch in front of Anniet, told her to take her shoes off and lift her legs on the couch, put a blanket over her, lit a fireplace, and just then sat down. She poured a large glass of juice and handed it to Anniet. Just while drinking it, Anniet understood how thirsty she was!

That's right – she hadn't drunk anything since yesterday morning. These couple of apples and oranges that Anthony had in his lunch box must have kept her going!

"What about you?" – She asked after draining her glass. Surely Rainee must be hungry and thirsty, too, as she didn't see her eating or drinking. Rainee didn't say anything, just poured another large glass for Anniet and a small glass for herself before sitting on the other side of the couch. She too kicked her shoes off and put her feet under the same blanket from the other side.

"You shouldn't be waiting like this any more," – she said finally. – "It's not good for your health and brings no benefits to anyone."

"Are you angry with me?" – Anniet asked, not being sure what she had done wrong.

"Do I look angry?" – Rainee asked. Anniet shook her head. No, she didn't look angry. Then why this harsh speech? Never before would she think such words to be harsh, but again, never before had Rainee spoken with her like this.

"I wanted to see," – she finally said. Unauthorized reproduction: this story has been taken without approval. Report sightings.

"That's why I didn't tell you to go home earlier," – Rainee said.

"But you must understand that there is no need or benefit to torture oneself just to see somebody else's battle. What if it went on another day, and you stubbornly stayed where you were? Wouldn't it mean that I would have to make a choice, either cut the training short or leave you suffering? Neither one nor another is what I would like to do."

"I was alright," – Anniet pointed out.

"Just with the help of your powerful friend."

"Sorry," – Anniet said just now, looking at it from that angle.

"Don't be," – Rainee said – "what I said is not meant to make you sorry but to make you understand that sometimes to help someone it is best to take good care of yourself. Did you find it interesting?" Anniet nodded her head.

"Strange, as there was nothing really interesting in it. What did you find interesting? What did you learn?"

"Many things! Most interesting was to see how truly strong you are, and that there might be someone as strong or even stronger."

"Oh?" – Rainee looked at her with a curious smile – "and who is that? Who has taken over my throne?" Anniet backed up a little bit after these words, but as Rainee didn't look offended, just curious, she answered honestly.

"Anthony."

"And who is Anthony, and why do you think he is stronger than me?" Anniet sighed deeply before answering.

"He is the man you yourself just called powerful and who helped you to train Marcus."

"Oh, I see. So he is the same person! He must be truly powerful then. Shame I cannot think about him, so I will never know."

"Never…" Anniet thought to herself. Never was a really long time.

"Sorry," – Anniet laughed silently – "I didn't mean to take away your throne. I don't think I have done it either."

"Take it!" – Rainee waved her hand – "It is not good to put people on thrones, as no matter how good they are, they will never be able to stay there. What else did you find interesting?"

"Many things," – Anniet repeated – "Never before have I seen these bonds being used…"

"What do you think about them? Would you like to try them?" Anniet quickly shook her head.

"No!" – she said – "not these black ones. I wouldn't mind trying the first set that you tried at the beginning. They looked fun. But these that Anthony used…" – shivers went through her spine even at such a thought.

"Clever girl," – Rainee praised her – "never forget it, even if you are very desperate. What else?"

"That it is possible to achieve this technique that you are trying to teach Marcus without any bonds."

"Why?"

"Anthony didn't have any bonds, and he could follow you at such speed that it seemed that he was doing it at the same time!"

"How do you know he wasn't?"

"He couldn't do it! Not that long and that many times. If I had not heard about this technique, then I would think, maybe, but now that I know it exists, it is obvious that he didn't even know what you were going to do before he joined you. Your technique to train Marcus was also new to me."

"You figured it out very fast," – Rainee said.

"Not at all!" – Anniet disagreed – "I realised it only this morning."

"Still, Marcus realised it only this evening."

"Oh, that's what he shouted about?"

"Yep," – Rainee confirmed.

"I see," – Anniet said while thinking to herself – "he is very powerful."

"Who?"

"Marcus."

"He can be," – Rainee confirmed – "but no, he isn't at this point."

"He is stronger than anyone I have ever seen before I met you, and he was able to keep up with you for nearly two days!"

"Still, it means nothing. Strength lies in people's hearts, not in their abilities or physical strength, and his heart is wobbly. He will be powerful if he allows himself to be." They stayed in silence after that. Anniet still had many questions, but she kept them to herself as Rainee was sitting in the opposite corner of the sofa with her eyes closed, thinking about something, and Anniet didn't want to disturb her. Besides, it was very nice and cosy to sit like this without a single worry in the world.

Rainee was sitting deep in her thoughts, thinking about many things at the same time. No matter where her thoughts would wander, there was always an unknown figure involved in it, that didn't allow her to see a clear picture. Well, she could have a clear picture, but that would mean losing any grip on this Mister Incognito. So what was she allowed to know? That he was a male, that Anniet was in love with him, and that he must be very caring towards her, despite what she herself thinks.

There was much evidence supporting it, but she knew that if at least one piece is connected to the picture, all will vanish, as knowledge of it has already vanished, just feeling without reason remained. That he was somehow connected to today's training. How was he connected? … Who knows… She could know. It is easy to know; it is not easy not to know. OK, let him be. Let's go to the training. As soon as she gave up on keeping all control in her hands and asked for help, help came. Why does she even wonder about it?

She had done it before countless times, and it seemed as natural as breathing, and she never had a doubt that a different outcome could be. Why are things different now? Why does she have to remind herself about such a natural flaw of life? Has she really changed so much? She must have… Is that how change feels when, instead of gaining, you are losing? What else has she lost? Well, she will not know until she finds out. Why can't she think about what shape this help came in? Who came to her aid?

She knew the answer, but she could not use it. She is not allowed to think about it either, as it will disappear too. Disappear, too, like what? Rainee wasn't even sure if this state she was in was any better than forgetting about all of it completely, as she could not remember much anyway. Instead of resting, Anniet silently slipped off the couch and tiptoed to the kitchen, trying not to bring any attention to herself. What a restless soul… And a sweet one too.

She was worried about Rainee and wanted to make her feel better and more comfortable. Was Rainee herself really in such a poor state that people wanted to care for her? Probably not, as the girl was simply making coffee… She had such a kind and gentle nature. How could people miss it or even abuse it? Makes one wonder. It was so interesting to have her around as a friend. Not that long ago, Rainee wouldn't have been able to keep her around even if she wanted to.

If she had such a friend a year or two ago, the most she would be able to spare her would be a day or two in a month, if even that. Was it a disaster, or was it a blessing that now she was capable of spending as much time as she wanted like this? Rainee was always loved by many. Looked up to by many. Why does this time feel somehow different? At least here she was allowed to think as much as she wanted and connect all the dots she had.

It's just not much mystery in there, as the girl's soul was as open for her to read as an open book can be. There was nothing hidden there. Thanks god there was nothing hidden. Rainee was sick and tired of all the twisted corners in most people around. Is that why she liked this girl so much? It was like a fresh breeze for someone surrounded by dust. Like a fragile but beautiful flower on a large pile of garbage… How to make sure it is not stomped over? And why on earth would she even want to make sure of it?

Didn't she know by now that it is simply not possible? Anniet brought two cups of coffee, placed them on a table, then walked behind Rainee and put her hands on the back of her neck.

"You are so stressed," – she said – "it brings in tension. Is it because you got tired after all this training? You don't look tired," – she added after a little while.

"Why are you so stressed? What are you thinking about?" Stressed…. Yes, to be honest, she was stressed. This girl is really sensitive to others.

"About your mysterious friend," – Rainee smiled.

"Gone…" – Anniet said in a surprised voice, removing her hands from Rainee's neck. Surely it is gone. Why would anyone keep stress once it has been disclosed? Anniet walked back and handed Rainee her coffee cup before sitting back on her corner of the sofa.

"What about him?"

"I love solving mysteries, but I am not allowed to do so this time. It is really stressful not to think. Wonder why people like doing it…"

"Doing what?"

"Ignoring what is obvious."

"Don't know," – Anniet said. – "Why don't you allow yourself to think about him?"

"Because in a moment I do, all I know disappears."

"It doesn't make any sense; you don't remember anything about him anyway."

"I know that he is and that you like him. Isn't that a lot?" Anniet was silent for a moment before saying:"I will tell you that he is and that I like him every day. So you don't need to be stressing yourself over it. If you want to remember that much, I will help you to find out about it over and over again."

"I will think about it," – Rainee smiled, leaning back on her cushions and closing her eyes. It was such a simple moment, but it brought so much satisfaction. Or was it happiness? Was it what it meant to have a friend? Rainee had many friends, but why did this one feel different? But really, did she have any friends? Not as normal people would understand what true friendship is. Well, she had one friend, but his friendship came at a price. Here, right now, there was nothing to pay, no price whatsoever.

Just here will be a lot of pain when the time comes to drift apart. Surprisingly, this pain will not be single-sided. Throughout her life, she didn't remember sitting like this with someone covered with the same blanket, having nothing else to do. The feeling she felt now was very similar to what she would feel in children, who were spending time with their friends and caring about nothing else in the world.

Rainee was slowly sipping her coffee while watching Anniet, who bravely tried to stay awake for some time but then lost that battle.