Sweet Burden (51 page)

“What?” she questioned confused. Was he saying that he had already seen Obi killed? Was she too late or had Domitori tricked her?

“He was a death god and now a protector. His human body has already died,” Isbian replied.

“I know. I’m meaning he will cease to exist then if you want to be technical. I can’t let that happen and I am running out of time.” She smeared her tears across her cheeks with the back of her hands.

“You cannot save him.”

“I have to try,” she said as she shook her head and looked down. “I love Obi and I won’t let him die.”

Suddenly Isbian was right in front of her with his hand on her chin lifting her head up. His hand was warm against her skin and the dampness in her eyes was gone. “You cannot risk yourself for his life. You are more important than him. He has done his duty by protecting you. Let him die a noble death.”

Hitomi searched Isbian’s eyes. They were filled with turmoil. “You don’t believe your own words. You would never have let mom die. You can’t expect me to let Obi suffer at their hands. If you really loved my mother, then you should understand how I feel about Obi.”

Isbian let out a sigh. “I don’t want you making my mistakes. You have another world to consider.”

“And that world won’t be worth living in without Obi. I need him, father.”

His eyes closed and his mouth tightened into a straight line. He placed his hands on her shoulders. “I cannot help you.” His eyes opened and he returned to her face. “My powers are limited.”

“Okay,” she nodded.

“But, I can find someone to help. Give me a little bit of time.”

Hitomi shook her head violently. “I don’t have time. I need to get across the barrier.”

He squeezed her shoulders and pulled her tightly against him. Isbian wrapped his arms around her as her face was buried against his chest. “Then you better go. But know that I will be sending help. And please daughter, take care of yourself and stay strong.” She nodded her head against him and then he let go of her. “The quickest way to the edge of the barrier is that way.” He motioned behind him. “Go.”

“Thank you.” She moved around him and started through the woods.

“Hitomi?” he called out to her. She spun around facing him. “I love you. Even though I wasn’t present physically, I have thought of nothing but you for the past 18 years.”

She wasn’t sure what to say as the clock continued to tick on Obi’s life. Hitomi took in a deep breath and gave him a small wave before she turned and sprinted ahead. She ran as fast as she could until she reached the creek that she and Obi had spent time at the day they celebrated her birthday. Although it had only been two days ago, it felt like weeks. She stopped at the edge of the creek and peered across wondering if she was too late. Obviously Obi would not have brought her here if it had been outside the barrier. Besides no one had found her yet.

She took a step towards the water when she heard rustling across the trees. She stopped moving and stared ahead. It had been a few seconds when suddenly she heard the faint sound of whistling. Hitomi began backing up as a form appeared through the dense forest and the whistling became louder. At that moment she froze with fear and her breath caught in her throat.  In the darkness she could not make out any features, but she instantly felt threatened. She nervously twisted at the ring on her finger as her heart thundered in her ears.

The whistling stopped as the figure halted on the other side of the brook. Everything about him was shadowed in darkness leaving her only to imagine his sinister appearance. Her body trembled as she lifted her foot to take another step back. A sudden clicking noise came from the man’s mouth.

“Hitomi, how do you think Obi would feel if you left him to die?” the figure asked.

Her body quickly froze again.
Obi
. She glanced down at the ring on her finger. She couldn’t leave him. She had to be strong for him because he was the only thing that mattered to her.

“Just step across the water and I will take you to him,” the figure said.

Her head shot up and her eyes narrowed. “How do I know Obi is even still alive?” she shot back.

He let out a slight snicker. “So the princess wants some proof. I didn’t expect that.” He pulled out a cell phone and started dialing. There were a few moments of tense silence. “It’s me. She wants to know Obi is still breathing…Okay.” From the light of the cell phone, Hitomi was able to make out some of his features. He appeared to have black hair and a very angular jaw. His red eyes glinted as he held the cell phone out to her. “You better catch this.” He tossed the phone across the water and Hitomi easily caught it in her grasp.

Taking a deep breath, she put the phone to her ear. “Hello?” She tried to fake the confidence in her voice, but the one word trembled.

“Hitomi, go back to the cabin,” Obi pleaded.

“Are you okay?” she questioned ignoring his plea.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be fine. Just don’t come outside the barrier. Please.”

“Obi, I’m not going to leave you there. I won’t let you die. I love you.” Her voice cracked as her throat went dry.

“Hitomi…I…” His voice trailed off and she was unable to hear what he said in return.

“Obi? Obi?”

“Now you know he is still breathing. Just cross through the barrier and I will spare him.” The menacing voice that she had become too familiar with said.

“Domitori, don’t hurt him.”

Domitori let out a laugh. “Don’t make me hurt him. Come with Deiman now. You are trying my patience little girl.”

Hitomi ground her teeth together in anger as she closed the phone. The thud of the phone closing pounded in her ears and a sudden shot of heat coursed through her. She stood up straight and squared her shoulders. She looked across at Deiman standing before her as she nonchalantly dropped the phone to the ground. Her brow furrowed as she stared at him and she placed her foot over the phone grinding it into the ground.

“Hey…” Deiman took a step forward but immediately stopped.

“Don’t worry. You won’t need it soon,” Hitomi replied confidently as she felt her body heating up. She could do this. She could save Obi. She would not let Obi be sacrificed on her behalf. And she was going to succeed. Something was running through her veins making her feel the strength she needed. Her fingers tingled and the air filling her lungs was lighter with each breath.

“How do you figure?” Deiman asked.

Hitomi smirked as she turned her eyes down to the running water. She moved towards it as she watched the rain drops creating splashes in the small ripples. She stepped into the water with one foot. The water was frigid, but she hardly seemed to notice as she placed her other foot in. The rocks beneath her feet were smooth and slippery. She took each step with full confidence. The stream hit against her ankles and then her calves as she waded across until the water was up to her knees. With each continuing step, the water slowly began to retreat until she was standing on the opposite bank. She lifted her head up peering at Deiman waiting for her. Hitomi moved towards him with no trepidation. The coldness of his now visible eyes did not sway her and she stepped up in front of him. Although he was shorter than Domitori, he was much more compact and seemed even more intimidating. But still she did not feel fear. Instead she felt determination.

Deiman quickly grabbed her by the shoulders as his wings spread out behind him. He shook his head as he spun her around and secured her around the waist. She let out a slight gasp as he yanked her against his body. He pinned her arms against her sides and tightened his grip. She could feel every muscle of his body against her back.

He leaned down whispering into her ear. “This is very brave of you Hitomi. And incredibly stupid.”

Hitomi squeezed her eyes closed as she felt the rush of air against her face and her feet left the ground.

****

Another blow landed against Obi’s jaw swinging his head from side to side bringing him back into consciousness. His mouth was filled with blood that dripped from between his lips. His head slumped down as it stopped moving and more blood trickled from his nose dripping down to the leaves at his feet. Although he was feeling the pain of every blow now due to the Angelica poison nestled in each nerve ending, he still only thought of Hitomi. Each time he lost consciousness his mind returned to a moment he was with her. Those memories gave him some comfort as he knew that his life would shortly be ending. But he still wished that he could hold her just one more time. He wanted to feel her lips one last time and tell her how much he loved her.

He had been beaten so severely that he felt he was becoming somewhat delirious. Obi swore he was able to faintly smell Hitomi. Her scent filled his insides and comforted him. But it couldn’t actually be her. She would never give in to Domitori. He lifted his head and propped it back against the tree trunk. He slightly opened his eyes barely able to make out the dark figures around him. His delirium became worse as he thought he heard Hitomi’s voice. At this time he smiled inviting the hallucinations. He welcomed any thought of her so near the end of his existence.

“Obi!” her voice exclaimed with worry. “What did you do to him? You weren’t supposed to hurt him.” Her voice became louder and suddenly her hands were on his face. The heat stung his cheeks but he still smiled. “Obi? Obi, look at me.”

She held his face forcing him to look at her. His eyes lazily grazed over her. This was the best hallucination he had yet. Obi was able to feel the heat from her. He could smell the sweetness of her skin and he could hear the sound of her angelic voice. He mentally traced every feature of her face; the perfect arch of each eyebrow, the piercing blue of each iris, the softness of her nose, the rose color stained across her cheeks, the lushness of her mouth. She had never appeared more beautiful than at this moment. She looked like a goddess. To receive this vision so real, he realized he was probably near the end.

“Obi? Are you alright?” Her face appeared worried.

“To be able to see you again as I am dying, it is the only vision I wanted,” Obi mumbled. “Even though you are not real…”

“Obi, I am real. I’m right here,” she interrupted. “I am here with you.” Suddenly her arms were wrapped around his neck and her lips were pressed against his. He could feel the beating of her heart against his chest as he kissed her back. Obi tried to move his arms to embrace her, but the bindings tore at his wrists. His eyes widened as he realized that she was not a hallucination. She was really pressed against his body. He really tasted her lips. She had really come to try and save him.

Obi quickly pulled his head back searching her face. “What are you doing here? I told you not to come.”

“Did you really think I was going to leave you to die?” she replied.

“Hitomi, you shouldn’t have come.” He stared at her unable to pull his eyes away.

“I had to do something,” she said quietly. “Besides, I don’t want to live without you.”

“Don’t say that.” He shook his head.

“It’s the truth. I love you and I will not live without you.” Obi’s breath caught in his throat. He couldn’t believe that she was able to love him the same way he loved her. She bit at her bottom lip as she brought her forehead against his. “You would never leave me. How could I possibly leave you?” she whispered. Obi’s eyes softened as she brought her lips to his again. As their mouths moved together, Obi couldn’t help but think that this was most likely their last kiss.