"Samael Crowell… Get out now."
My body muscles refused to submit. My breath hid in my throat, refusing to let me breathe.
They left minutes ago. I stayed—and so did Aziel.
He was on the ground. I could feel his body, his breath, gasping for air. I was almost panting with him.
His voice, in contrast, was as firm as a rock.
I was silent, trying to be nonexistent.
He knows.
And I…?
I don't know what to do.
"Pure soul."
My body responded to the usual nickname. I raised my head and extended my hand to the door that separated us.
Aziel's voice was never nice. It was dry, hoarse, as if he were spitting out his words against his will—without wanting to hear an answer.
I wanted to apologize, or even defend myself, but…
All I did
was run away.
I jogged out without looking at him—or even looking ahead—causing me to bump into someone on my way.
"Sorry, sorry, I—"
"You look... pale?"
It was my friend—the one I bumped into—confused about why me. hides the fact that he almost drowned someone a few minutes ago.
I saw his eyes slide down to my wet shoes.
Horror was all I felt.
"Maybe because I'm late for class," I said, looking at him. "For God's sake, what are you waiting for? A reprimand from the professor?"
I lied. And I pushed the person I lied to along with me all the way to class, avoiding any questions.
Seven classes passed, counted by the ticking clock. And in every glass pane, a black cat stared back—like a curse that wouldn't blink.
Stare.
Scold.
I am sorry.
Where's Aziel? I don't know.
Disappeared with the wind?
Swallowed by the rain?
Or drowned again?
The teacher's monotonous voice in the background…
The sky is still crying outside—a collapse of water and darkness.
I directed my green eyes to the window—to the cat. I wanted to hear what it might say about me or perhaps some inner feeling.
I wanted to hear reassurance about Aziel.
My friend was watching me—worried.
I knew this.
I rubbed my forehead.
Guilt is devouring me.
Aziel was the one who asked me to leave.
Why do I feel like this?
Scared.
Guilty.
Wounded…
Worried about Aziel.
"I want to go home alone today," I said to my friend the moment the school bell rang.
He just stared at me—not with anxiety or even surprise, but with disapproval.
"Oh."
That was his only answer.
I stayed for a while, sitting in the empty classroom.
Maybe… I was waiting for Aziel to show up and give me one of his disgusting looks.
Or maybe spit on the ground I walked on.
But he didn't show up.