MONSTER IN MY HEAD
KHAL'S POV
I stood right in front of the tent, peeking at Matilda. She was flipping her white curly hair, placing it on her back while she was creating a fire in the wood. She rubbed the two stones. It gradually produces a fire. She was an amazing woman.
I walked near her, but my feet stopped steeping when Cleo Karl sat beside her. He gave her a dried wood from trees. "This will help."
"Thanks!" Matilda grabbed it and put it on the fire.
Each of us would create a bonfire to cook our own food. Nobody would share their food. Every action would be just for individuals as Seo Blood Drop was training us how to survive alone. Day by day, I used to the environment. I learned how to hunt a rabbit and deer. Cleo Karl helped me to learn. Zarya also taught me how to use an archer, spear, sword, and others when we had a little free time. Matilda did not go with me again after the night we talked. I caught her staring at me sometimes, but she did not come near me, even though Zarya was beside me. Perhaps, she was embarrassed about what she said last time or her mind changed to liking me.
Most of the time, I was spending my day fishing while walking, running, and practicing how to punch, kick and dodge. I should adapt to the battle, or else I would not see my sister again, or my beloved best friends. They were a family.
At times, I dreamt about my mother. She was telling me that she was so proud of me. I felt like she was here beside me, guarding me against the battle, that was why I passed the level, even though I had no ability.
"Khal!" Cleo Karl waved his hand to me, gesturing for me to come near them. I had no choice, but to walk towards them while my gaze was on Matilda. She looked away when our eyes met each other. "I forgot to teach you how to build a fire. Matilda is good at it."
A tiny smile was formed on my lips. I prohibited it to become wide curves. "Can you teach me?"
Matilda seemed shy when she gathered the two rocks. "Yeah." She stammered, the nervousness was in her voice. She looked cute. "Watch me." She rubbed the two black stones. Slowly, the fire was produced from it.
Cleo Karl exchanged positions with me, so I would sit next to her. I observed her face for a second. Did I already say that the curves of her face are perfect? It was compatible with her eyes, nose, and lips, making her look attractive.
"Cleo Karl, can you help me?" Zarya called him. Cleo stood up and went to her. I and Matilda were left alone.
"Did you… get it?" She stared at me. I examined the twinkling in her eyes. It was like the spark in my mother's eyes.
"How?" I held her hand and do what she did. She was startled, and could not move while she was gazing at our holding hands. "Am I doing right?"
She gulped her saliva. She was so adorable with her shy expression. "Enough." She removed her hands from mine. "You did well."
"Because my teacher is beautiful." I gave her a smile that real happiness covered my chest.
She kept silent, holding her breath. The silence filled us. It had been an awkward moment. I could act like I felt nothing, but I could not hide that she captured my attention.
"Did you go here to mock me? Laugh at me? A woman has confessed her feelings for you. I shouldn't do that." Her eyes rested on the burning woods. She was cooking a rabbit that she hunted in the afternoon.
"For me, it's a sign of bravery." My voice was just gentle and low. The sincerity and purity could be heard.
"Zarya said you are an actor from the Human World. You're a star that everyone dreams of. I wondered, will you go back there?" She rested her eyes on me.
"My words are to my sister. Wherever she is, I will be there. She's here, I will be forever here." I placed my elbow in my thighs as I adjusted to where I was comfortable. We were sitting at the big branch of wood.
"Your life depends on here? Will it…" She scratch the edge of her nose and bit her lips. "Will it is possible that you to depend on me?" She shook her head afterward. "Never mind. I will take my leave." She was about to stand up when I held her hand and pulled her down again. The reason why she sat on my lap. Her eyes widened in shock. She immediately moved away and looked around. "The Battle Of The Next Beta is prohibiting the fellow players to be into love as it will just distract the games."
"Ahh…" I nodded my head with a tone of teasing her. "Coming from you."
"Hey, are you mocking me?" Her eyebrows moved up.
I shook my head, preventing the smile on my lips. "No," I whispered the next lines. "Then, why kissed me?" I was talking low while looking down.
She could not believe me. I found myself enjoying her company. I forgot that I was actually a stranger in this world and had no assurance that tomorrow would I still be alive.
"Because I like you."
I moved my head up when she frankly spoke up with the truth in her heart. "You, serious?"
She shrugged her shoulder and walked away from me. "Don't act dumb, Handsome."
*****
During the night, we were commanded to sleep early as the next day would be heavy training for the preparation of the Level 3 which would be held next year. I went to the lamp and blew the light. When I walked to where I was sleeping, I felt that someone was in my tent. I grabbed the lamp again and lit it. I gazed at my back and saw Matilda. She was like a ghost who would just appear when she wanted.
"Can I sleep in your tent?"
"Why?"
"I can't sleep." She walked closer to me with her emotionless face.
"You can sleep on my bed and I一" My lines cut when she hugged me so tight.
"I'm scared. There's a monster in my head."