When Heka was alone, the shadows of his fears crept in relentlessly. The anxiety that had been simmering beneath the surface since the Fayfiend began hunting him now surged like a tidal wave.
His mind was a battlefield of dark thoughts, often haunted by vivid images. It was the terrifying vision of his own death. The visions when Ansel, was the one to end his life. The threat to his existence was no longer abstract. It was real, immediate, and suffocating.
Tears streamed down his face, hot and uncontrollable. The fear that gripped him was raw and overwhelming. In those moments of despair, he reached out desperately, trying to grasp any thread of hope. He called Waylinn repeatedly, his voice cracking with urgency and desperation.
"Waylinn, come back please. Waylinn, hurry up. Waylinn hurry up..."
The words became a spell, a desperate plea that echoed through the silence of his room. He lost count of how many times he repeated it. Each call was a lifeline thrown into the void, hoping someone would catch it.
But the waiting, the silence, and the fear stretched on endlessly.
His anxiety vanished the moment he heard the faint sound of footsteps approaching the house. The rhythm was familiar, steady, and confident. He was certain it was Waylinn.
Relief washed over Heka like a cool breeze on a scorching day. He exhaled deeply, allowing himself to believe that everything would be alright. There was nothing left to fear.
But then, a sudden sound shattered the fragile calm. A lamp flickered inside the house. The warm glow spilled through the windows, illuminating the night. That meant it wasn't Waylinn. His heart sank, and the anxiety that had just fled returned with a vengeance.
Heka hurried inside, his steps quick and uneven, driven by a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. As he rounded the corner, his eyes widened in surprise at the figure standing in his living room. It wasn't Waylinn. It was Clancy.
He remembered now. Clancy still held the keys to his house.
"Heka..." Clancy's voice was soft but urgent as she stepped closer.
Instinctively, Heka took a step back, his body tense and wary. He disappointed, because it was not Waylinn. But it didn't meant he didn't like if it was Clancy.
Right now, someone whom he wanted to meet, it was Waylinn.
Clancy's gaze fell on him, taking in the sight of his battered form wrapped in bandages.
Concern etched her features deeply. She asked gently, her voice filled with worry. "Heka what happened to you?"
Heka remained silent, unable or unwilling to answer. The pain and exhaustion weighed heavily on him. The words felt too fragile to express the turmoil inside.
He finally managed to ask, his voice hoarse. "Why do you come here at night?"
Clancy hesitated for a moment before reaching into her bag. She said, handing him a small box and a folded letter. "I just wanted to give you this. I will go back to China."
Heka took the box and letter, feeling the weight of her gesture. She looked at him with earnest eyes.
"Heka are you okay? I can cancel my flight and take care of you first."
The offer hung in the air, a lifeline extended in the quiet darkness of the night. Heka's mind raced, torn between pride and the desperate need for help. The presence of Clancy, unexpected yet comforting, stirred something deep within him. A reminder that even in the darkest times, he was not truly alone.
"No thanks, I'm fine. It's getting late, you'd better stay here until dawn. It's dangerous in the middle of the night to go out alone." Heka said firmly. Though his voice carried a hint of weariness.
Clancy hesitated, her eyes searching his face for any sign of weakness or pain. She couldn't guarantee his safety, not in his condition, but staying together was certainly better than facing the night alone. Still, she respected his wishes.
She replied softly. "Thank you, but my plane leaves at 3 a.m. I'll leave right now. Take care of yourself and don't get hurt ... again"
Heka's heart tightened at her words. He wanted to do more, to protect her as she had come to protect him. He offered, his voice steady despite his frailty. "Then, I'll escort you."
But Clancy shook her head gently, a sad smile touching her lips. "You're sick, you should take a full rest. Sorry to bother you."
The vulnerability in her eyes was unmistakable. Heka couldn't bear to see her on the verge of tears because of him. He reached out, gently taking her hand in his. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. It's just a small wound. I just used too many bandages."
Clancy's eyes glistened with unshed tears. But she nodded, trusting his words even as her concern lingered.
Heka escorted her downstairs, each step slow but determined. The quiet of the house was filled with unspoken emotions, gratitude, worry, and the bittersweet weight of parting.
Inside the car, the atmosphere was heavy with unspoken emotions as Clancy prepared to say her farewell, especially forgiveness.
Thought he seemed like keep the distance from her. After she found out he took a step back when he saw her.
She began, her eyes searching for a sign of forgiveness. "Heka, sorry for everything I've done to you. I realized that I was wrong about Ansel. Apparently, you guys are together, I think he's sincere with you. After he hit you, I realized that he had other intentions to be close to you. People who sincerely approach you will never hurt you. I'm sorry about that. I beg you to forgive me."
Heka felt a wave of relief wash over him. The fact that Clancy no longer saw Ansel as a threat, or as someone close to him. It eased a burden he hadn't fully acknowledged.
He met her gaze calmly, his voice steady but gentle. "I never hated you. It's not your fault. Moreover, I haven't contacted him any longer. If I pass him by, I prefer to avoid him."
Clancy nodded, a bittersweet smile touching her lips. She said, her tone resolute but tinged with sadness. "From today, I can't accompany you or help you."
Heka replied, concern evident in his voice. "You'd better be in China. It's very dangerous here."
He closed the taxi door for Clancy, his gesture both protective and final. "Go, take care of yourself."
She turned to Heka, offering a small, reassuring wave before she turned away and disappeared into the shadows beyond the doorway. The gesture was simple, yet it carried the weight of unspoken emotions, farewell, gratitude, and perhaps a hint of regret.
Heka watched her go, a subtle sense of relief settling over him. For the first time in a long while, he felt he didn't have to carry the heavy burden of worrying about Clancy's safety.
The dangers that had once seemed so close now felt a little more distant. It was softened by the knowledge that Clancy herself understood the risks she had narrowly escaped.
More importantly, Clancy had come to realize the truth about Ansel. She understood now that meeting him had been a mistake, a dangerous entanglement that could have cost Heka his life.
Ansel was not just a threat. He was the one who would kill Heka. This awareness brought a quiet closure to the tangled web of fears and suspicions that had haunted them all.
As the night deepened and the silence returned, Heka felt a fragile hope stirring within him. The path ahead was still uncertain and fraught with peril.