The girl looked at Noor for a few seconds. Her innocent expression was curious, wondering what he was about to say.
"When your father took you there… what happened?" Noor asked.
..
..
"Umm…" The girl looked at her mother.
"It's okay, honey," her mother nodded.
"When dad took me to the washroom, suddenly a loud sound happened. Everything was in fire. I screamed and cried for father."
"Hmm… I see," Noor looked down.
"One more thing. You said you were inside the washroom," he asked.
"Hmmm," the girl nodded.
"Then how did you get that side of the hallway?"
"Umm… when I was crying, a uncle saved me."
"A uncle?" Noor frowned.
"Hmm. He brought me there and told me to wait. I was so scared. I kept my eyes closed when he carried me," the girl looked terrified, remembering the scene.
"Hmm… I see. Do you remember that person's face? Or how he looked?"
"His face was covered, but he was wearing a red hoodie. Also… his voice was scary," the girl trembled.
(Oh… now I see. It's that bastard who's behind all of this.)
Noor's jaw tightened.
"Okay. Thank you, little princess," Noor smiled at her.
"Aaa… you're welcome," she smiled back.
"Your daughter is really intelligent at this age," he said.
"Thank you," the mother patted her child.
(So it was that guy. He set the explosives there. He is one of the imposters. Also, he used the child to lure out Jenne. One thing I'm pretty sure of—he doesn't truly know about her. But creating such a big mess only for this seems ridiculous. Now it's pissing me off. How dare he… he sure does have a punchable face.)
Noor thought while walking away.
"Noor."
Smack.
Ria slapped Noor's shoulder from behind.
"Ekk—hey… oh, it's you," Noor deadpanned.
"Hmm. I heard everything from Jenne. You literally risked your life. I'm surprised, but how many times do I have to tell you not to be careless?" Ria yelled while shaking Noor, grabbing his shoulder.
"Wahhh—stop! I'm sorry, but I had no choice. Ouch!"
"Hmph. You are an idiot after all," Ria looked away.
"Maybe I am, he he," Noor scratched his head.
"Oi, Noor!" Suvro called from afar.
"Coming."
..
..
"Well, looks like I have to go," Sameer said.
"Oh, this soon? How about your wounds?" Ashraf asked.
"Oh, this is nothing. I get more injuries while training," he smiled.
"Hmm… he's right though," Suvro nodded.
"Okay, take good care of yourself. But remember, next time we see each other, teach me how to run on the wall," Noor winked.
"Of course," Sameer laughed.
Both laughed while shaking hands.
It was already afternoon. Under the clear sky, birds were chirping. Smoke from the burning museum flew upward. They stood there, sighing in relief.
..
..
In the night.
Noor stood in front of the mirror, shirtless, looking at the big wound on his chest.
"It didn't look that big before taking off my T-shirt…"
"Ouch." He pressed on his wound.
"Now what should I do with this? It's not bleeding though. I'll leave it be."
Creeeek.
The door opened with a soft creak.
Shut.
"Oh, Miss Rosy, how many times do I have to tell you to knock?" Noor closed his eyes, annoyed, while turning back.
"Oh my god—"
Noor froze.
Jenne was standing behind him, holding a medical kit.
Noor quickly grabbed a towel hanging beside him and covered his body.
"Jee… Jenne—wh… what are you doing here?" Noor became red, embarrassed.
(I never expected this… what is she doing in my room?)
..
..
"Lie down," Jenne said coldly.
"What—?" Noor shouted, his voice cracking.
"I said, lie down on your bed."
"No… no way. What are you saying?" Noor stepped back.
His face turned burning red.
"The wound in your chest needs to be stitched. Otherwise, it will leave a big scar. Also, there is a chance of infection." She placed the medical kit on Noor's desk.
"Oh… I see, but I don't want that, he he."
Woosh—
Noor ran to open the door.
Yank.
Jenne grabbed him from behind.
"Huhhh! Leave me—I don't wanna! Please—ahh!" Noor yelled.
Drop.
"Ack!"
Jenne dropped him onto the bed.
"Listen. I am doing this for your own good," Jenne frowned.
"Oh—but I don't wanna, ha ha!"
Noor rolled off the bed and started running around the room crazily so Jenne couldn't catch him.
"Stop hopping around like a bunny," Jenne said, annoyed.
"But I don't want to!"
"Ha!"
"Ha!"
"Lol!"
"You can't catch me!" Noor ran.
"Okay then… you leave me no choice," Jenne whispered, intimidating.
Fwish—
"Ack!"
Jenne suddenly hugged Noor from behind.
"Why do I feel like something cold clinging to me…" Noor murmured.
"Wait a minute—"
"Ehhhhhh! Jenne, what are yo—"
Badump.
Badump.
His heart began racing.
"Listen, you stupid bunny. If you don't stop messing around, I will bite. Let me remind you—a vampire bite hurts," she whispered into his ear.
"Hahhhhh!" Noor froze.
"O-okay," he said, shaking.
..
..
Noor lay on the bed while Jenne treated his wound.
"So umm… Jenne, why are you doing this?" Noor's face was red.
"I am just paying you back. For saving me," she said while threading a needle.
"But how can I save someone so powerful like you? It sounds ridiculous," he said.
"But you did risk your life back then. I appreciate your courage."
"Oh… I see," Noor sighed.
"Well, first we need to disinfect the wound."
Fssh—
She sprayed the antiseptic directly onto the wound.
..
..
"Oh… I think I made a mistake. I should've sprayed it on the cotton first, then wiped the wound," she murmured while reading a manual.
"Urrgh…" Noor groaned, his face becoming statue-like, emotionless.
(Is she trying to torture me?)
"Is something wrong?" Jenne looked at him.
"No… nothing," Noor said weakly, sweating heavily.
"Ah… Jenne, umm… when did you learn how to treat wounds?"
"Just today. I read a book about this and memorized everything," Jenne said.
"Ohhh…" (God save me. Forgive me.)
Noor looked upward, smiling. Tears rolled down the sides of his eyes.
"Okay, let me stitch it up," Jenne picked up the needle.
"Oh—wait, wait! Let me ask you. Let me ask you something…"
Noor trembled.
"What?" Jenne tilted her head.
"Are you sure you can do this?"
..
..
"Pfft—"
Jenne cracked up.
"Don't worry. I won't hurt you," Jenne said, patting his head.
"Huhhh—don't touch me so randomly!" Noor covered his face.
"Okay."
"Okay."
"Stay still."
..
..
(The needle running through my wound hurts. But when I look at her smile, I don't know why… the pain completely fades away. What is this? I don't know, but this gives me warmth. And I will protect it at any cost.)
Noor looked at her, smiling.
"And it's done. Keep it away from water for three days. Take these painkillers if it hurts. Also, don't put pressure on the wound," Jenne said.
"Ahem… I wanted to ask you something," Noor looked away.
"What is it?" Jenne crossed her arms.
"I mean… you're a vampire, so don't you feel attracted when you see my blood?"
"Hmm…" Jenne kept silent for a few seconds.
"Umm… Jenne?"
"Attracted, you say?" She leaned closer. "Want to find that out?"
"Huh—I was joking!" Noor tried to calm her down.
"Too bad. It's too late." Her cold breath hit his neck.
"Ahhh! I'm really sensitive in my neck!" Noor closed his eyes.
"Hey, what are you doing?"
Ria appeared from the window.