Chapter 173: Episode 173 - Loose Ends 3

Santiago leaned against the motorcycle, his gaze fixed on me, as if trying to memorize every detail of what he had just witnessed.

Santiago - So… you're saying this Regum changed you. That it's now… inside you.

I nodded, a tightness in my chest.

Ness - It's not just inside me. It's seeping into this world. The signs are everywhere.

Santiago - And Tobias, Luke… are they still there?

I smiled slightly, though it didn't reach my eyes.

Ness - Yes. Waiting. Not just them, everyone is still there.

He rubbed his temples and exhaled sharply.

Santiago - Damn it, Ness… I don't know whether I should be terrified or proud of you. You said you wanted to get away from it all, and you didn't just find respite, you found your destiny and a new person.

I lowered my gaze, the weight of his words crushing me. Destiny. A new person. It sounded noble, but it felt heavier than that.

Ness - I didn't choose him, Santiago. Regum chose me. And now… it's a relationship I can't ignore.

Santiago - Maybe that's the point… don't you think? Maybe you were destined to bring him here.

I shook my head, my chest tight.

Ness - No. Mixxi said I have to finish what I started. If I don't… I don't know… The truth is, I just want to stop running.

Santiago clenched his jaw, his voice firm despite the trembling in his hands.

Santiago - Then let me help you. You don't have to face James or your parents alone.

I looked at him, startled. His gaze was firm, unwavering, even as I had just told him news that any normal person would have sworn was a lie.

Ness - Would you face this with me? Even knowing it's not normal, that it's not safe?

He smiled slightly, though his voice sounded serious.

Santiago - I've been your friend for several years. If this is your path, I'll walk beside you.

The silence between us was no longer heavy. It was alive, expectant, as if Regum himself were leaning in to listen. I closed my eyes and sighed.

Ness - Thank you... But I have to walk this path alone. I have to face this alone, and I will overcome it.

Santiago - I understand...

I gave Santiago my spare motorcycle helmet while I took out my motorcycle gloves to put them on so we could head out to the park where we were going to meet the rest of the university for the so-called picnic. We arrived early and got comfortable on the grass, which was cool with a light breeze.

Santiago - So what was this... Regum like? It was like a forest... Like a... what?

Santiago took it easy, asking questions about Regum, about Tobias, about Luke, about what we did, about what Mercavian was like, and other things... While he was asking questions, I put my hand on the ground, raised it slightly, and a small flower grew in the middle of the woods, which I handed him.

Santiago - Do you think you can be happy there?

He said it without looking at me, he was looking at the flower in his hand.

Ness - I feel like I can try... Regum is what I've always dreamed of.

Santiago - That's good...

He smiled at me, his head tilted to one side, even though many things had happened, he hadn't moved away from me and continued to look at me with impressive normality. The breeze carried laughter from the other side of the park. A group of people had already gathered on the other side of the field, spreading blankets on the grass, their voices rising carefree. Santiago twirled the flower between his fingers, his gaze thoughtful.

Santiago - You know… you seem calmer when you talk about Regum. Happier. But here… you seem to be preparing for a fight.

I exhaled, a tightness in my chest.

Ness - Because, well… that's most likely what will happen.

He nodded slowly, looking at some people walking this way, Isen, James… My stomach churned just seeing him in front of me, and I felt my vision darken as I looked at him.

A silvery glimmer curved slightly in the distance; by now I was starting to think it was just my conscience, reminding me of my place.

Santiago - You don't have to do this today… Say goodbye… You know that.. right?

I looked at Santiago, a mix of confused emotions swirling within me. An involuntary smile escaped me, and I shook my head, but I didn't answer. I wasn't there to say goodbye to everyone; I was there to bring this chapter of my university life to a premature close, to say goodbye to these people with whom I'd shared my life for two years and who had become incredibly important to me; I'm here to end this on a high note, simply to have a good time with them one last time before I leave, not knowing if I'll ever come back. The laughter grew louder when Isen waved to us, his relaxed smile unwavering. James walked beside him, his posture firm, his voice carrying across the field with that same tone that had always hurt me. My stomach churned; the air around me felt colder than it should have been.

Santiago moved closer, speaking softly.

Santiago - You don't have to let it get to you, you know? I spend these past weeks whining about you.

I shook my head, my boots digging into the grass.

Ness - No. Today I have to face it, and end this once and for all.

Isen arrived first and quickly hugged me.

Isen - Ness! Finally! We thought you'd vanished forever. Not a single message, nothing?

I forced a smile, though I felt a tightness in my chest.

Ness - I almost did.

James stopped a few steps away, his gaze piercing, his smile familiar and mocking.

James - Well, look who decided to show up...

I shot him a withering look, and remembering everything that had happened, it seemed his conscience finally kicked in, because he looked away. I heard him cough once, as if wanting to change the subject, but it was too late, we had to talk about everything that had happened, about the months he had spent trying to win me over with silly tactics and about everything he had said about me, now nothing would remain a secret. And so it was, as soon as the others arrived and began to set up the picnic, the different conversations reached the same point. The point where we had to talk about what would happen to our group of friends now that the friendship between James and me had broken down.

To be continued..