Sweet Burden (32 page)

“Your mom gave us another bag of your things. Maybe she put a book in there for you.”

“I can’t read in the dark.”

“It’s getting really cold out here. You should come inside. I have the fire going and it’s nice and warm.”

Hitomi nodded. “I’ll be inside shortly.”

The cold began creeping into her skin as she shivered. She had to accept the fact that Obi was not coming back tonight. It made her nauseous as she thought that he’d rather be in pain than near her. Her eyes began to feel heavy as she curled herself up closer trying to ward off the frigid air.

She was barely able to open her eyes as she realized Guri was carrying her inside. He put her into the bed and tucked the blankets around her.

“Guri?” she mumbled into the darkness.

“Yes?”

“Do you really think Obi will come back?”

“Yes. I do.” He adjusted the blankets around her again. “Get some sleep.”

She heard the door shut behind him. Even the thoughts in her head couldn’t prevent her from falling back asleep.

When she woke up the next morning she could hear the rain beating against the roof. Her body ached in places she didn’t realize she could ache. She still felt extremely tired as she pulled the covers around her tightly. The room was cold and her nose felt numb. She didn’t want to move from the bed. It was her own island that kept her from the fact that Obi was still gone. As long as she stayed secure on the bed, Hitomi was able to wonder if he had returned or not. But the pain inside her told her the truth of the situation as her mind continued to deny it.

It wasn’t until she had been up for a few hours that she heard someone walking around in the cabin. She got up the energy to get off the bed as she kept the covers secured around her. Stumbling into the main room, she went over to the fireplace and curled up in front of it on the floor. She heard more noise from outside and she lifted her eyes to the door as Guri came in carrying a pile of firewood.

He hurried over to her and dropped the wood beside the fireplace. Guri knelt down beside her. “Hitomi, are you alright?”

“Um hm,” she nodded. “Just cold.”

“You barely have any color.” He got up and went into the bedroom only to return seconds later with more pillows and blankets. After adding more wood to the fire, he got Hitomi comfortable on the couch. “Better?”

“Yah. Thanks.”

Guri let out an exasperated sigh. “I wasn’t aware that it worked the other way too,” he said as he sat down on the coffee table across from her.

“What do you mean?”

Guri rested his elbow on his knee and drummed his fingers against his cheek. “The first time Obsidian touched you his protector powers were awakened. He forged a link with you. But I didn’t realize that you would feel the effects of the link as well. I haven’t heard of that happening before. You must be feeling the same things as him.”

“You seem to know a lot about all of this stuff Guri. How do you know so much, and Obi knows so little?”

“I’ve been around for awhile. I was turned into a death god by one of the members of our governing council called the Savetto. I work for him. When the Heavens were exterminated he recruited me to work with him. There were some things that needed to be done to ensure,” he stopped short and shook his head. “I’ve already said too much.”

“Heaven was exterminated?” Hitomi’s eyes widened.

“Not exactly. The path to the Heavens was sealed. No one can access anymore. Most of the Heavens’ beings were either killed or reverted to beings for the Afterworld. Not everyone agreed with the absolute control.” Guri forced a smile. “Okay, enough of the scary stories. You need to get some rest and I’ll get you something to eat.”

“I want to know more.”

“Not now. You’ll learn so much more soon.”

He got up and started to walk away.

“Guri? You’re not a full death god, are you?”

She heard his steps stop. “Nope.”

A small grin crept across her mouth and she relaxed into the couch. She stared at the fire while curling the worn edges of the quilt around her fingers. Guri made some more soup and they ate in silence. She could tell Guri was deep in thought. He usually had a grin on his face, but now his brow was furrowed in concentration and his mouth in a tight line.

She wanted to ask him to tell her more, because at least the conversation kept her mind from focusing on Obi. But she knew Guri would not tell her anymore now. So far she had found out that there had been a Heaven that now no one could get to because it was sealed by the Afterworld; there were ‘good’ death gods that didn’t agree and there were death gods like the one she met in the school hallway; and Obi and Guri were both some sort of hybrid belonging to neither world.

Hitomi still had no idea what she had to do with all of this. All she knew was that she had the ability to heal with her hands, which was supposedly a trait of beings from the Heavens. If some had hid from extermination, could she be a descendant? That would explain the Afterworld wanting her dead. But it still did not explain her mother not telling her.

The thoughts spiraled around in her head until they became a tornado of confusion. She became tired of worrying and tired of thinking. If she had a button that would turn her brain off, she would have pushed it. She had to settle for falling asleep instead.

Her eyelids became a brilliant orange and she could feel the heat in the air. Her back was warm against the ground and her fingertips squished into the damp ground. She pulled her fingers back and rubbed them together feeling the grit.

Opening her eyes she found herself staring up at a radiant turquoise blue sky. There was not a cloud in sight. She sat up not taking her eyes from the sky as the colors melted from blue, green, yellow, and finally orange. The sun sat partially covered by the vast indigo ocean in front of her.

There were barely any waves, but just a soft tide trickling in every few seconds. She dug her fingers back into the sand underneath her and took handfuls as she stood up. She held her hands up in front of her and let the sand fall between her fingers.

Slowly she walked to the edge of the water. Letting the water close over her feet, she watched as it retreated and then raced back up. The water was so inviting, she quickly stripped her clothes off and walked deeper into the sapphire abyss. She didn’t care what might be beneath her. All she cared about was the feeling of completeness she felt in the water.

Just as she was about to dunk her head under the surface, someone called her name. She didn’t turn her head as she focused on the blue in front of her. She felt as though it was pulling her towards it.

“Hitomi?” the voice shouted again closer.

Was it Obi? Was he here? She shook her head trying to forget about him.

“Hitomi? Don’t leave me!”

Her eyes shot open and focused on the fire. It had only been a dream. She quickly closed her eyes to try to get back to her perfect beach. The screen door slammed and she heard footsteps thundering across the room towards her. She was lifted from the couch and arms wrapped around her. She felt instant warmness jolt through her body.

“What’s wrong with her?” a voice said.

Hitomi’s eyes instantly fluttered open recognizing Obi’s voice. She stared up at him as he glared across the room. Her heart began pounding rapidly.

“You were gone, that’s what’s wrong with her,” Guri snapped back.

“Obi?” Hitomi whispered.

He turned his eyes down to her. “I’m here,” he said softly.

“You left.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” His voice wavered as he pulled her tighter against him. “I am so sorry. I will never leave you again.” Obi pressed his cheek against her forehead.

“I didn’t mean to make you go away.”

“Don’t say that. You did nothing to make me leave,” he mumbled. She could feel his jaw tighten against her forehead. “Let’s get you into bed.”

She couldn’t take her eyes from him as he carried her into the bedroom. He got her situated in the bed and she quickly grabbed his arm as he started to step away.

“Please stay with me,” she whispered. If he was truly there, she didn’t want to be away from him for one second.

Obi leaned down and ran his fingers along her cheek, and then pressed his lips against her forehead. “Always.” He moved around the bed to the other side as she rolled over facing him. He crawled into the bed and he pulled her close to him. She laid her head on his chest and he swept her hair away from her face.

Hitomi rested her hand on his stomach and clutched the fabric of his shirt. “Is this a dream?” she asked as her eyes closed.

“No,” Obi placed his hand over hers. “Go to sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.”

She snuggled up closer to him and let out a deep breath letting her body relax.

Hitomi sat straight up in the bed letting her eyes adjust to the light of the morning. She looked around, her gaze settling on the empty spot next to her in bed. She let out a sigh irritated with the vividness of her dreams. She climbed out of bed feeling better than the previous day. Grabbing one of her bags, she left the room and tip-toed across the main room so not to wake Guri, who was passed out in the chair. She went into the bathroom and started up the shower. She said a silent ‘thank you’ for indoor plumbing.

She was able to get a layer of grime and sleep off of her and then dressed in clean jeans and a sweater. She pulled her wet hair into a ponytail and stepped out of the bathroom. In the kitchen area, she lit the burner on the stove and put on the tea kettle.

“Feeling better?” Guri groaned and stretched.

“Yah. A bit,” she shrugged and grabbed a mug from the cupboard.

“Sorry I fell asleep.” His feet hit the floor and he stood up stretching again. “Obi wanted me to tell you that he went for a walk. He should be back pretty soon.”

Hitomi completely froze. “Wait. What?”

“Obi didn’t want you to think he left again,” he answered walking over to her. “Oh good, you’re making tea.” Hitomi stared at him perplexed. “What?” he raised an eyebrow.

“Obi came back last night? It wasn’t all a dream?”

“What exactly happened last night?” Guri smirked.

Hitomi dropped the mug from her hands and ran for the front door.

“Where are you going? He said he’d be right back!” he called after her.

She threw back the door and practically broke the hinges off the screen. Her feet couldn’t move fast enough as she hurried down the steps. Her toes sunk into the wet ground and she had to catch herself from slipping. Her heart pounded in her chest as she looked in each direction. Finally settling on straight ahead, she sprinted forward.