We ran through the alleys, that horrific scraping noise getting closer every step of the way. The barrier only prevented sound from leaving. If we actually reached the edge of it, we should be able to break through easily.

Haine suddenly stopped in her tracks.

“W-what are you doing? We need to get moving!” I quickly glanced behind. I swore I could see that woman’s shadow looming over us.

She turned towards me. “I think it’s about time to stop this.” Even though her lips were curled in a smile, her eyes said differently. They bore right through me, with an intensity I had never seen before. “They’re only after me. So just leave me here, and you’ll be safe.”

“You know I can’t do that.” That would go against everything I stood for. I was supposed to be a hero. Someone who helped others. Someone who would become a powerful knight. I couldn’t just abandon her.

“Why not? Let’s be real. You just met me yesterday. I said a bunch of crazy stuff I never expected you to believe, and mooched off your kindness. I should be no one to you. You could walk away now, and pretend you never met me. This would all be just a bad dream.”

“I wouldn’t be able to live with myself if I did that.” I couldn’t hesitate now. I already failed myself yesterday. I couldn’t accept failing someone else too. I had to help her. Maybe it was just my selfishness. My already fractured pride, looking for a way to repair itself. But what did that matter?

“I see. Then, what do you think about me?”

“I, um…” Was that really the right time for this? I mean, there has to be a proper mood for this kinda thing! We were supposed to be running for our lives here. Still, that wasn’t the kind of question you left hanging. “Well, I… I like you. Alot. The way you always spoke your mind, and acted without caring about what others think: it made me jealous, but at the same time felt… freeing, I guess. And even though you don’t know what personal space is, you’ve been nothing but supportive of me. You helped me realize there’s still more to life beyond . And… honestly, I really can’t thank you enough for today.”

Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

“Then,” she reached her arm out towards me. “Would you like to make a pact with me?”

“A pact?”

“A promise. A contract. An oath. Whatever you wanna call it. Just swear to me this. That we’ll always stay by each other’s side, and always help each other out. So that I really know you mean what you said.”

W-w-was this a… proposal? Hesitation clung to my throat. I wanted to say yes, of course, but for some reason a voice in the back of my head was telling me to back out.

The sound of footsteps approached once more. There wasn’t much time left.

I gulped. “T-then… I accept. I’ll be with you for as long as I can.”

“Great. Then let’s seal our vows.” Haine… She leaned forward and grabbed my hands. She was too close again. Closer than she ever was. I felt her body press upon mine, felt her breath gently tickle my cheeks, as she placed her lips upon mine.

Ah. She kissed me. I felt our tongues intertwine, as she pulled me tightly in an embrace. I engraved that moment into my memory forever as we remained interlocked, fallen under her grasp.

I felt something enter me. A thick, vile sludge. It felt as if a thin veneer of wax coated the inside of my throat, but I could do nothing but swallow.

It burned. My insides were burning up. I wanted to struggle. Wanted to scream. But I was frozen in time, in that single moment which stretched on for an eternity.

Then, she let go and the moment was over. I slumped over. It didn’t hurt anymore. The only thing that remained was a strange discomfort in the pits of my stomach. Did… I just imagine that?

A coughing fit overcame me, and I spat out splotches of black blood. This wasn’t how I wanted my first kiss to go. I didn’t know what to expect, but I was pretty sure it wasn’t supposed to be so… painful.

“Our contract has been finalized.” She flashed a wry smile before turning to face our pursuer. “Leave the rest to me, okay?”

“Wait…” My vision faded, as I flickered in and out of consciousness. I felt completely drained. I couldn’t even muster the energy to reach out to her. A chill ran down my body as the entire world turned dark.