"Have you seen Mrs. Ping?", I asked the messenger.
"She must be at the feast…", the messenger replied.
What better way to apologize to the settlers than the feast itself.
"Where's Helen?", I asked.
"Come with me sir…", he replied politely.
I quickly followed.
……
We finally got to the main chambers.
But we didn't go through the crowded front, but a back passage which I had no idea existed.
But as soon as we got to the door, almost like the memories I had in the red waters, I heard voices.
"Take him in! Hurry!", Xender said aloud as the sounds of steps were heard seemingly running.
"Sir Derick!", the messenger called.
Only then did I realize that I was leaning on the doorway.
"Right this way…", he said gesturing me to move in.
I nodded, stood on my feet and followed.
……
"Sub commander!", He said knocking on Helen's door.
Standing in front of this door yet again, I could help but remember what happened the last time.
The door was opened immediately.
"He's here!", The messenger said as soon as Helen stepped out.
"You may leave!", She hurriedly said to the gaurd.
He nodded and left.
"Come in…", she said gesturing me to come in.
I stood in front of the door as I looked at her sternly without making any moves.
"Why standing there in a daze? I found you a nice outfit, hurry in and check it out before dad finds you out here!", Helen said.
I looked left, right and then stepped in.
As soon as I stepped in, she hurriedly shut the door.
I turned to look at her.
"What?!", She said with a wry smile.
"Where's it?", I asked.
"Why being so impatient? You just got here… it's not like anyone here wants you gone…", she said as she walked towards her bed.
"Actually there's one…", I replied.
"And who's that?", She asked looking at me with a confused expression.
"Me!", I said with a stern expression.
She turned to me and stammered in confusion: "You… you? What do you mean you?"
"I want to leave this place as soon as possible…", I replied.
Like one struck by lightning, she stood there speechless for a second; attempted to open her mouth a couple of times but couldn't say a word.
"You know what you did… you are the main reason I was sent out of the fort in the first place… went through that suffering, killed Mr. Ping and put Xender in an aweful situation!", I replied.
As soon as she heard Xender, her brows went up and she spoke in an angered manner: "Xender?! What about me?!"
This time she had began to cry.
"Do you know what I went through?", She asked crying.
As I listened, I couldn't help but wonder if I did something that might have hurt her while I was in the zombie state, or like Xender, could she have a taken a decision that affected herself for my sake.
Just as I thought, she bent down, picked up a well folded cloth and threw it at me.
"Take it, you can go!", With a broken voice, she said aloud as she wiped her tears.
I caught it, staring at her in a daze.
"Aren't you leaving?!", She asked angrily.
I stood there staring at her and remembering how I found out what Xender did and had to apologize for my actions.
Instead of going through the routine of leaving, finding out and coming back to apologise, it's best I do something now.
"Helen…", I said standing there and holding the outfit she threw at me.
"What?!", She asked harshly, backing me.
"I just want to say thank you. If it weren't for you, I probably wouldn't have found the fort in the first place. I apologize for what ever I might have done to hurt you while I was not myself.", I said and turned to leave.
Unlike Xender, I needed no result from my apology with Helen. All I wanted was a clean conscience; it's her decision to forgive.
I held unto the door's handle about to turn when I heard her speak.
"Wait!"
Sudddnly, I felt her chest against my back.
"I missed you…", she added.
"I am sorry for what I put you through, I'll do anything to repay. Even it means giving you my body.", She said as she increased her grip.
Something funny about Helen is that, she has a way of making her interests seem favourable to all, even though it's mainly to her benefit.
"Thank you Helen, you've done enough…", I said as I held her arms, which were currently wrapped across my turso.
Tried pulling her arms away, but her grip only gut tighter.
So tight, I could feel her br__sts against my back.
"I have to go…", I said as I increased the pull.
"You do this with Kira! Yes, I saw you!", She said firmly.
"She offered to give you happy memories! You and I know what that meant! You didn't seem to offer any form of resistance like you are right now.", She said sounding angry.
At this time, her hands were already off me.
As soon as I turned back, she hugged again, this time face to face.
At this rate, if I pushed her off myself, with my strength, I'll hurt her.
"I brought brought you in and sent you out, I guess we could call that even. But while you were not yourself, I made some sacrifices and you haven't atoned for them.", She said looking at my face.
Helen like Xender has a really cute face. Especially her eyes, but up close the dots on her face appeared multiplied.
"How then do I atone for that?", I asked.
"Kiss me…", she said and pursed her lips.
"Helen, dad sent for you…", Xender said from behind the door.
"F_ck!", I exclaimed, struggling to break loose without applying to much strength.
"Don't tell me you trying break loose from my kiss because of Xender!", She said aloud.
As soon as her voice fell, the door was opened immediately.
To be continued……
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