Curiosity

  I colpsed onto the hard pink mat, the cold surface jarring against me as I let out a heavy breath.

  “What nonsense is this!” I shouted out of frustration. I huffed, trying to catch my breath.

  I continued to stare at the gray ceiling until Thed’s head suddenly popped into view, breaking the monotony above me.

  “What are you doing?” he curiously asked, offering me a hand.

  I took his offer, grabbed his hand, and he pulled me up.

  I cleared my throat before replying.

  “None of your business,” I responded. I quickly fixed my hair and began to pack the mat.

  “Why are you exercising? It’s been three days. Aren’t you pushing yourself too hard?” Thed asked, his eyes fixed on me as I folded the mat away.

  “Does it matter?” I gnced and frowned at him.

  “I’m pretty sure you’ve already done that when you first became a ranker, though,” He mumbled, and I froze.

  I sprang to my feet, dropping the mat I had been folding. I looked at him and said,

  “Excuse me?” Thed shrugged and stared at me with confusion.

  “What?”

  “What do you mean by ‘when I first became a ranker’?” I asked, still waiting for his answer.

  “Did you hit your head again, Lucille?” a voice from behind interrupted.

  I gnced back, squinting and furrowing my brow as I recognized who it was.

  I rolled my eyes and continued to pick up the mat I dropped. He took a deep breath, then crouched beside me to lend a hand.

  “I don’t need your help,” I said, my tone annoyed.

  He ignored my statement and continued helping me.

  Once we had finished packing the mat, he turned to me, his gaze fixed upon me

  “Are you sure you’re okay?” I took another deep breath.

  As I rose slowly to my feet, I looked at Thed.

  “You may continue what you were saying,” I said to him as I swiftly sank into the leather couch.

  Thed followed by taking a seat beside me.

  “Are you ignoring me?” The other man scoffed in disbelief, and my brows knitted together as I looked up at him.

  “I don’t even know who you are, so why should I interact with you?” I said.

  He appeared taken aback by my words, huffing as he turned his gaze elsewhere, his brow furrowed in irritation.

  “Are you sure you healed him, Thed?” he asked, pointing at me.

  Thed rose his left brow up.

  “Are you bming me again Alden?” Thed gred at him with anger. An awkward silence hung in the air, heavy and unyielding, as Alden remained silent. It persisted for a minute until I finally took a quick breath.

  “I’m certain I’m fine. It’s just... My memories aren’t quite complete. Some of them are... Well, missing,” I hesitated.

  Alden and Thed stared at me in surprise, clearly taken aback by what I had said. Their eyes widened, confusion dancing across their faces.

  “What?!” They said in unison.

  “Are you crazy Lucy? Why did you not say that in the first pce?!” Thed said, a hint of worry cing his tone.

  I could see the concern etched on his face, his brow furrowed and his small hands fidgeting.

  I raised my brow at the implication of being called "crazy," feeling a surge of anger within me.

  My gaze turned to Thed, fiery anger igniting in my eyes.

  He began to sweat, looking at me in confusion, his wide eyes reflecting surprise and concern.

  “What? Is there something wrong?” He said, scratching the nape of his neck nervously.

  “Are you implying that I have mental problems?” I scoffed, crossed my arms.

  He shook his head and said,”That was not what I meant, Lucy.. Look-”

  “Hold on.” Alden interrupted.

  Thed and I suddenly turned to Alden, who was scrunching his forehead in frustration.

  As he dropped his hand, his gaze bore into me.

  With each passing minute, the ticking clock made the air feel increasingly tense.

  His golden eyes began to glow softly, casting a warm light that flickers like candle fmes, But just then, Thed rushed over, and covered the glowing eyes with his petite hands.

  Thed leaned in and whispered something to Alden, his words barely a breath against the stillness.

  I tried to read Thed's lips, catching only the word "promise."

  Alden's brow furrowed as he slowly grasped the hand covering his eyes, gently releasing it.

  When he looked at Thed, uncertainty flickered in his golden gaze.

  Then, with a quick, steadying breath, he turned his gaze back to me.

  At that moment, the atmosphere thickened with unspoken questions.

  “I’m sorry..” He said with his eyes lingering.

  I stared at him with confusion.

  Rather than asking, I simply nodded slowly in response.

  “Well, I don’t have answers for you either, but I do have plenty of questions,” I said, trying to break the tension.

  Alden and Thed fixed their gaze on me, clearly waiting for my questions.

  “What’s a ranker?” I asked. Thed and Alden exchanged gnces, a silent communication passing between them.

  Alden nodded at Thed, a subtle gesture of encouragement, before they both turned their attention back to me.

  “Well, rankers are the protectors of the world, you could think of them as heroes.” Thed replied.

  “Protecting the world from what, exactly?” I asked curiously, clutching a puffy pillow tightly.

  “Deathlings. In other words, dangerous creatures,” Thed added.

  I turned slowly to the window, pondering his responses.

  The gss reflected the fading light of the day.

  Creatures... There are even some in this world..

  I thought, as I curled my fingers into a fist.