One of the few good qualities I possess is how I behave in stressful situations. The issue, however, is that I confidently handle myself and do not panic only when the troubles occur to someone else, not to me. When I am the one in trouble, it's easier for me to just sit and be sad.

I don't want her to die, nor do I want anyone else to die. She and no one else deserves that. On one hand, who is she to me? Definitely nobody, yet she is the only person in this world who, perhaps not sincerely, has been kind to me. And I never forget such kindness, under any circumstances. People who were kind to me just like that should be the happiest in the world.

I didn't know what to do, but I knew something had to be done. I immediately thought that the knife she said she had pricked herself with was poisoned or somehow magically enchanted. I needed to find the wound, try to treat it, and while doing all this, simultaneously call for help.

The scene lasted merely 15 seconds, but for me, it lasted over an hour. I rushed to the kitchen for some alcohol, wondering what they actually make it from. I tore off her corset and found a cut near her liver. It was not very deep; I couldn't tell if it reached the organ or seriously harmed it, but the wound was inflamed and everything looked somewhat purple, something I had never seen before. It was definitely some kind of magic.

- ANYONE!!!! HELP.

- …….no answer…….

- CAN YOU HEAR ME. HELP!

- …..silence………..

- Please, please, don't die. It's definitely not worth it. It's not interesting on the other side. And maybe after death, you'll end up in some silly other world where only troubles happen to you.

- ..............................

- Higher powers, God, anyone, I haven't asked for much in my life, and even when I did start, I still got nothing. So maybe now? I'm not even asking for myself. PLEASE!!!!!

- ………….

- …………….

- ……………

- …………………

- I will do whatever it takes, give up everything necessary, just so good people don't die!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

- ………….

- ……………

- ……………..

- …………………

- Hahahaha, well, okay.

- What!? Who is that????

Then there was a bright flash, followed by unbearable, hellish pain that pierced through my entire body. If you were burned with lighters and stabbed with swords not very deeply but frequently and slowly twisting as the blade was pulled out, you would feel what I felt at that moment. And then I lost consciousness. Man, for the umpteenth time………..

What happened to Millicent and who was that voice? Was it God speaking to me? This is nonsense. Why, when I called out to someone alone on the balcony at night to help me with my life, when I fell asleep with despair and sadness, did no one come? And now someone did.

- I did come then! And I wasn't alone. Someone else was just faster than me.

- Who are you?!

- Hard to say, in general, the answer depends a lot on you.

- Another concept?

- Something like that.

- What do you all want from me? Why didn't you come and do nothing when you were so needed before?

- You partly know why we didn't come.

- Because I asked not for myself?

- I always knew you were a capable boy! A bit lost, but able to find your way home, just like the donkey from that Churchill quote.

- I don't think I can find my way home this time, and I couldn't in all the previous times either.

- Listen. I don't have much time, but I must say something important. We didn't come before because we wanted you to find your own way. Because you knew where you needed to go, maybe just afraid it wouldn’t work out? But now it's different. Due to our negligence, the perfect conditions have been created for him, and this world and our entire dexagon are in danger. Precisely, our foundations and stable system are at risk.

Am I in a superhero movie? Like The Truman Show? Am I supposed to save the world?

- Would you star in one yourself?

- Never in my life, it's not terrible cinema, but definitely not very interesting.

- There you go! You don't have to save anyone, I just wanted to say that this time, in this attempt of yours, more than just your fate depends on the path you've chosen. And now, albeit unwillingly, you've taken a step in the wrong direction.

- Thanks for speaking in riddles, but you already know my next question.

- The step in the wrong direction was for whom?

- Yes!

- Haha, you're very capable, but every strength has its drawbacks. Because of your sharp mind and habit of doubting everything, you really suffered a lot. You're right, it's the wrong direction for me, but you need to decide for yourself which side is right. If you choose light and goodness, I'll be happy; if not, that's okay too.

- Seriously? A concept is going to lecture me about the dichotomy of good and evil?

- You're right, everything is relative and you need to figure it out yourself. I just want you to consider your past mistakes and simply be happy in this world, no matter how long you have because all people should be happy; why live without happiness?

- It's hard to argue with that. But if you don't care about the outcome, why did you decide to talk to me?

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

- There are three reasons. The first - I feel guilty about your past life. Yes, there were people who had it much worse than you, but no one should be left alone in any trouble, especially someone who so often came to help others. The second - you always think and act better, faster, and clearer under pressure…

- BUT that doesn't bring me any pleasure at all!!!! I'm just consumed by anxiety that can't be relieved until the situation is over.

- Ah, and eating fish isn't fun because it has bones? Have you noticed how often you complain?

- I'm not whining!

- That's how it seems to you. Please don't interrupt, the third - it's just more interesting, now a key period is approaching for our dexagon. And you will be part of key events, I thought long about what I could do and how to act properly and came to the conclusion that I couldn't rejoice in a good result if I didn't contribute to the victory.

- So this is your contribution?

- Yeah, something like that.

- Maybe you should have made me immortal or given me the power to control fire.

- I wish someone would give me that too haha. That's enough from you, you like it better this way anyway. In any case, I've already said everything I wanted to.

- So you're not going to answer my questions?

- You already know all the answers, it just takes a little time and meticulousness to figure everything out.

- Damn it!

- Don't lie on the cold floor, or you'll get pneumonia.

My head has been hurting too often these past few days... Where am I? Everything is blurry.

- I was so close. Why...!

- What? Is that you, Millicent?

I barely managed to lift my head and saw that I was lying not far from Millicent, who had also come to consciousness, probably a bit earlier than me.

- Haa... you're alive... YOU'RE ALIVE!!!

- Everything is blurry... And my body hurts like hell.

- Wait a second, I'll help you get up.

I lifted Millicent from the floor and carried her to the couch. During my first years at college, I used to go to the gym, and my modest bench press record was only 40 kilograms. But surprisingly, I carried her very easily. Through her cloak, I felt how hot her body was from the inflammation.

- Lie down here, I'll bring you some water.

- Wait.

- What? You've come around, but you're still feeling bad.

- I'm fine. I feel much better, just a little weak.

- You almost died in my arms a few minutes ago. Don't talk nonsense.

- Why did you help me?

- I don't know about elves, but when someone is in trouble around humans, it's customary to help. Was I supposed to just watch you die and what? Dance or step over you and go for a snack?

- Maybe that's exactly what I deserve. I was careless, overestimated my strength, underprepared, and because of me, 7 of my subordinates died today, and you...

- What?

Something strange and unexplainable happened next. Millicent cut off her sentence at the word "you," but after that, the word "used" began to echo loudly in my mind. "USED, USED, USED, USED. Because of me, you will die, because of me, you face a dim end, like bait for fish. Used."

Who is that speaking?

- What?

- What is that voice!?

- I didn't say anything. Maybe you hit your head too hard when you fell. By the way, what even happened?

- Maybe it's really hallucinations. I honestly don't remember much and don't understand. You came home, and a few moments later, you collapsed. I tried to give first aid and called for help. Then I found a wound, touched it, there was a flash, and suddenly I was in a lot of pain and lost consciousness. When I came to, I saw you were also awake.

- It sounds like you took the curse from my body into yours and healed me.

- It would be very cool and romantic if that were true, but you know about my conversation with, well, God. He said that I have no magical powers in this world and that I could never master them.

- But it looks exactly like that. Look, there is no wound.

Indeed, there was no wound, and besides us, there was no one else here. But wait. There was that laughing voice. Could it have been his doing?

- What voice?

- I asked for help!

- Sorry, it just happened again.

- When I called for help, some voice spoke to me and agreed to help.

- But you didn't see anyone?

- No.

- That's how it should be, my home is protected by strong magic, and not just anyone can enter here.

- So who was it?

- I don't know, but it looks a bit strange and dangerous.

- So maybe I should go back to the cage?

- No! You're not going back to the cage. You'll stay here with me. It doesn't matter how you saved me.

- Anyone in my place would have done the same. Maybe not as cool and high-quality, but everyone.

- Hahaha, you fool! You're all modesty. But seriously, thank you. I'm a stranger to you, and considering yesterday, in some ways an enemy, so what you did is very valuable. It's the act of a generous and kind person.

- Or a fool…

……”You're right”……”YOU'RE RIGHT”………

- Or a fool who saved a person you want to lock up for hard labor in the kitchen and suffer through your terrible jokes.

For a moment, Millicent looked sad. Her face was very tired and distressed. She seemed regretful or fearful of something. I don't know. But her mood quickly changed, and she smiled again.

I'm sure I can still make you laugh. It's now both a challenge and a goal.

- Unfortunately, not all dreams come true.

- Oh, go away!

- I don't know what time it is, but I think it's time for us to sleep. Let me help you to the bedroom.

- It will be like a scene where you're carrying a drunk wife home from a party.

- A wife with alcoholism is a tragedy in the family. You'd be better off watching Korean dramas.

- What are dramas?

- It's like if they recorded us right now and showed it on a big box in every home.

- I appreciate that you think so highly of me, but you do realize I didn’t understand half of what you said?

- I'll definitely teach you, just get better.

With some difficulty, we reached Millicent's bedroom.

- You need to change. I'll step out.

- Why?

- Because I want to sleep tonight without nightmares.

- What do you mean?

- Well, a size 3 chest is a nightmare, I'll stare now, and then have horrors all night.

- GET OUT!

Though she threw a pillow at me and looked very ominous, I understood she wasn't really angry and got my joke. It's strange, we've only known each other for two days, but there’s already some kind of unspoken connection between us. But I better not think about it because as soon as you catch yourself thinking that she's special and meant for you - trouble follows. Everything will only get worse. I wonder what she’s thinking about…

At that moment, Millicent was examining the place of her injury and seemed lost in thought.

What a fool he is. But I'm starting to like him a bit. He's not strong, not particularly handsome, but I'm strangely very drawn to him. Maybe if circumstances were different, we could be together. But alas, it's not possible. Though I really wish it were. Anyway, no matter how much time we have left, I want to listen to his funny jokes and make him laugh.

- Are you done? Or are you still angry? I wanted to wish you good night.

- No, I'm completely naked, waiting for you to come in so I can strangle you with my terrible size 3.

- Well, you know, that could be written up as one of the most epic deaths.

- Come in.

- Are you sure? If I end up soiling your couch from fear, you're to blame.

- I'll just use you as my new couch.

- OH NO, even in this world, they joke about face-sitting. That's just terrible.

- Come in, I'm telling you!

- Sorry, that joke was a bit harsh.

- Don't ruin your image of a cynical wanderer from another world, I like it too much.

- Ha ha, alright, agreed.

- Thank you for today. We haven’t really talked yet.

- We'll have time at breakfast if you feel up to it.

- Agreed.

- Then good night, sweet dreams.

- Wait.

- What?

- Don’t leave.

- People can't sleep standing up.

- Lie down with me until I fall asleep.

- Don’t you think that’s a strange and rushed proposal?

- Oh stop it! We're not schoolkids. If I wanted sex, I would have said so directly or hinted beautifully, but right now, I just don’t want to be alone in the dark.

Are you afraid of the dark?

- Not really, just feeling anxious today. And when someone is nearby...

- It makes you feel calmer, I understand.

- You wouldn't know anxiety from looking at you, you seem too arrogant for it.

- All my past life, all I did was worry. I reflected and worried, whether it was something trivial or serious.

- And what helped you cope with it?

- I won't tell you about the first option, but the second is understanding that eventually, everything will be okay one way or another. Attitude is everything, how you set your mind determines how things will be.

- But what if the situation is very bad in every possible way and even if it turns out well, I'll feel bad?

- Then you've set the wrong goal or method to achieve it, I think. The point is to always be happy. When you're eating breakfast, when you're going to work, when you're working. Yes, you might be sad, but you should always return to happiness, every day. I used to think that happiness was a moment achieved after a long and hard journey, but then I realized that happiness is the journey, freedom is the journey, friendship and love are the journey. It's all a path you need to step onto, I only realized this not so long ago. Hey...

- ………..

- Elves snore so cutely... Haha, good night, and thank you for today.