Rain drops rippled the slightly flooded pavement under the dark grey sky hovering above the land. The sound of thunder clapping jolted many by surprise, including me. I was drenched from head to toe, but I could not run because..

What lies in front of me is just a vast sheet of black void.

The sound of my white stick -a universal colour stick for people who are blind to use- hitting the ground was barely heard because of the pouring rain, deafening my delicate ears.

"The weather forecast did not warn about the rain.." I spoke to myself under the storm.

Once my stick hit a ground where it is slightly lower than where I was standing, I knew it was the road. Thinking that there were no vehicles around, I crossed the road cautiously. Unfortunately, I could not hear properly because of the rain. The frequent droplets sent vibrations to my eardrums which greatly effected my hearing. However, there is a sound I could hear very well even with this nuisance.

The sound of a car honking desperately.

At that moment, I knew surely I will leave this world. My emotions could not process fast enough until I felt my feet were instantly removed from the ground, dropping my stick on the way. A strong arm grabbed onto me tightly around the shoulders. My right arm pressed onto something hard and warm. Even with the rain, I could smell the metallic scent of..

...blood.

Once my feet landed onto the ground again, the unknown man still held me close to him. I balanced myself properly and unconsciously grabbed his hand for support.

"Tha-"

"Be careful next time." He interrupted with a harsh tone of voice.

It did not faze me though.

"Thank you.. I'm sorry..."

I could hear him let out an inaudible sigh before scooping me into his arms again. Judging by the strong breeze I felt despite the heavy rain, I knew he was dashing for a certain place. I held onto him without a question. I have nothing to be afraid of. I had nothing to lose. If there must be something I'm afraid of, then it is enjoying this world because it will only bring me pain.

Finally, his pace stopped and I could not feel the pitter patter of the cold raindrops anymore. I was engulfed with a dangerously cold temperature from the drenched clothes I was wearing. I shivered in the man's arms and my teeth chattered uncontrollably.

I heard him twist a doorknob open and closed it behind him. A bright light shown above my eyelids, but I was still incredibly cold to the bone.

"Ayato?! What are you doing here?!" The sound of a girl's voice reached my ears.

She sounded shock, but most of all, she was angry; though, there is a tint of longing in them.

"This girl, help her." He replied monotonously; even though it was barely there, I knew his voice was laced with the slightest bit of worry.

I heard the creak of the wooden staircases and my long raven black hair dangled down, droplets of rain water dripping on to the floor. The young man, judging by his voice, who was carrying me laid me down on a soft material. My body slightly sunk down on what I assumed is a mattress. I felt it getting soaked slowly and my consciousness slipping away due to what I assume is a cold, or worst.

My health was never good to begin with. I have been under the storm for a very long time and resisted the cold for what seemed like hours. I was almost sure that I had high fever, but I really did not care.

I was prepared.

Prepared for death.

•

Warm and comfortable clothes wrapped my body perfectly along with a mouth watering fragrance of freshly brewed coffee. I sat up and reached for my stick unconsciously; however, it was nowhere to be found.

It was lost during that incident.. I recalled, feeling the need to thank my saviour.

Suddenly, the sound of a door swing open was heard, followed by the shuffles of someone's footsteps.

"You're awake." An emotionless voice asked whom I recognised belongs to the girl from yesterday.

"Ah, how long have I slept?" I asked politely.

"Two days. You had a high fever for a day." A rusty and mature voice resonated across the room.

"Thank you so much for taking care of me. May I ask where I am and who are you?"

"This is the Anteiku cafe, I'm the manager. This young lady is Touka, a staff of this cafe. You are currently in one of the guest rooms on the second floor."

I stood up shakily and gave a low bow towards the direction of the older voice saying,"Ah, thank you for hospitalising me."

Brushes of a pair of feet against the carpeted floor were heard coming towards me. A soft grasp around my right arm and a gentle hand on my back to support my weak state.

"Thank you, Touka-san." I expressed my gratitude and send her a soft smile.

"You're welcome." Her monotone voice replied with a faint trace of care.

"Pleasure is all mine, dear. May I know your name, please?" The older voice answered to my previous appreciation.

"Hisako. Call me Hisako."

"Hisako-chan, would you need assistance in sending you home?"

"No, it's fine, thank you very much for the offer." I replied politely.

By the way he hesitated and seem taken aback by my answer, I assumed he has a frown on his face. Who would not? I am a blind young lady who lost her stick. Not only am I already vulnerable to all kinds of situations, I have lost the instrument which aids me in walking.

"Are you sure, Hisako-chan? You.. Your condition now..." His voice was laced with amusement as he confirmed my answer.

"Yes, I'm sure. I truly appreciate your help, but I must not trouble you any further."

The older man sighed and said,"Very well. Touka-chan, please assist her out."

"This way, Hisako-San." She directed with her grasp still firm on my arm.

She lead me down the stairs and to the door which is where I part from their kind hospitality.

"Thank you very much, Touka-san." I said as she opened the door widely for me to walk through.

"No problem." She replied monotonously and I stepped out of the door, immediately feeling the burning sensation from the rays of the blazing sun.

I heard the door close behind me as I raised my hand to cover the rays from hurting my eyes.

"How am I going to walk now?" I sighed in a whisper.

Suddenly, I felt a gust of wind coming from above and a thump sound was heard right next to me. It was as if someone has landed.....from the sky? The familiar scent of metallic blood greeted me and I knew just who I have encountered with.

A cold hand reached for my right as I felt it slung across the man's broad shoulders. The ends of his soft hair brushed my arms and I wondered.. What colour is his hair? Another arm of his reached for my legs and lifted me up from the ground; my face faced upwards and the sunlight burned my delicate skin. I flinched at the heat and buried my face into the crook of his neck, not minding the stench of blood. I could feel his muscles tense at my sudden action which even I, am not familiar in doing.

It was comfortable to lay my head on his shoulder, his hoodie was comfortable and somehow, his scent was welcoming. It was not the iron smell which drew me, it was his. I did not pay a mind to the smell of blood, it only added to his mystery.

I felt myself being lifted into thin air as his footsteps thumped lightly onto the ground and what assumed to be the roofs and balconies. He was fast, agile and elegant in his movements. I could not see, but I could feel. My raven locks danced fiercely against the winds as he ran and hopped. It was fun, although there was no view to watch. Perhaps that is one disadvantage of being unable to see.

Because..

To be unable to see strengthens other senses, so the feeling of joy jumping beneath my chest becomes a tad bit overwhelming, making my eyelids scream to open and see what I am experiencing at the moment.

But I refused.

I strongly refuse.

Finally, I could feel gravity pulling me again when the mysterious man stopped on a hard ground. He did not put me back on the ground though, he continued to walk and at a certain point, my heart dropped and a scream was caught stuck in my throat as we both fell into what felt like an abyss.

Published: March 2016