Alina
*Four months later*
‘So now they know everything about what happened back then?’ Solania asked as she sipped on her coffee. She had a worried, yet sympathetic look on her face. She knew how much I had suffered because of what happened when I was fourteen. I had lost how many times I burst out crying in her arms.
‘Yeah, they know,’ I replied as I let out a deep breath I did not even realize I was holding. I recalled back to what had happened – how terrified Taehyung was. It had broken my heart seeing him blame himself for that and I knew that I had to face my own demons so that he could understand that he was not the monster he thought he was. ‘It was time they knew the truth,’ I explained and she nodded.
‘Of course, I understand that. It’s not easy to talk about but sometimes it is better to just say it. How did they take it?’ she asked and I shrugged.
‘Badly in the sense that they felt really bad about what happened and if he was still alive, they would have hunted him themselves,’ I said with a slight chuckle.
‘Of course they would. Those boys, they love you. I’m not a violent person but by God, if he was still alive, I wouldn’t mind punching him myself,’ she said which made me chuckle slightly.
‘They’ve been very supportive and reassuring too,’ I said, smiling at the way we had just cuddled that night. Even in the days that followed, they were constantly being more watchful. Every time we did anything, they would ask to make sure I was okay with it.
‘Of course they would be. They truly adore you Al,’ she said with a smile. ‘How about you? How are you feeling now that they know?’ she asked.
‘At first, I was really scared to tell them, you know?’ I asked while she simply nodded. ‘I thought they would see me differently, maybe even be disgusted by the fact I would have been touched by someone who is not my soulmate but they were really understanding. It felt like a weight off my shoulders. I felt relieved to finally say it out loud to them,’ I explained while she nodded.
‘I am glad to hear that, truly,’ Solania said with a smile. ‘Apart from that, how’s your relationship going?’ she asked.
‘Oh it’s going perfectly. I love them and they love me. Hell, they adore me like you said. They’re always making sure I am okay and well taken care of,’ I said.
‘Sometimes I am jealous of you and your soulmate bond,’ she said with a slight chuckle. ‘Like you get to know for sure that this is your person you know. You have security and certainty,’ she said.
‘That’s true but it doesn’t mean you won’t get to find someone important to you too, someone who will love you and appreciate you for the wonderful human being you are,’ I said.
‘I actually met someone,’ Solania said, her cheeks going red. I smiled because Solania never got shy or embarrassed. She was loud and the life of the party so seeing her blush made me smile.
‘Ohhh tell me more,’ I said as I leaned forward to hear even more from her.
‘His name is Ryan,’ she began as she chewed on her bottom lip. ‘I met him at an art museum. There was an exhibition and I was viewing this painting when he approached me and started talking to me,’ she said.
‘Ohh sounds romantic. What happened after?’ I asked, genuinely interested.
‘We continued to view the paintings together and discussed them. I don’t know how to describe it but he was so intelligent and the way he interpreted art was just out of this world,’ she said, her eyes sparkling.
‘Awh someone had a crush at first sight,’ I said to which she laughed and nodded.
‘I can’t deny that. After we finished, he asked me if I wanted to go eat with him and I accepted. We went to this cute little Italian restaurant. We ate and drank wine and then he drove me home and kissed my cheek. I was on cloud nine Alina!’ she said while I laughed.
‘I am so happy for you Sol. I really am,’ I said. ‘You really deserve to be happy. You’re a genuinely kind person who is hard working and brave and all the other good things,’ I said.
‘Thank you Al. It feels like my life is changing around finally,’ she said until her phone buzzed. She looked at it and frowned. ‘I would like to stay and chat some more but I need to be on the other side of town,’ she said while I just laughed.
‘That’s okay Sol. I know you have work. I’m just glad we got a chance to meet up and catch up,’ I said.
‘You’ll always be my best friend, even if you’re thousand of miles away,’ she said as we both stood up.
‘Come here,’ I said as I pulled her into a hug. She laughed but hugged me back tightly. I watched her as she left and I went to the counter to pay.
‘I’m walking towards the car right now,’ I said while I walked. It had gotten dark as I got carried away with the shopping.
‘Okay but be quick. We miss you princess,’ Jimin said with what I was sure was a pout. I laughed as I turned the corner.
‘I will try to be home as soon as I can Chim,’ I said as I reached my car. He sighed and I heard him shifting.
‘Okay good. Drive safe though. I want you to be safe,’ he said, making me smile. ‘How did it go with Solania?’ he asked.
‘Pretty awesome. It felt great catching up,’ I said as I reached the car. I put the bags on the ground and opened the door. ‘She was telling me about a special someone she just met,’ I said as I started putting the bags inside the car.
‘That’s amazing. She deserves to be happy and experience love like we do,’ Jimin said happily as I closed the door. ‘Are you in the car?’ he asked.
‘Almost, I—’ I stopped as I heard a cry coming from somewhere close by.
‘Princess? Alina is everything okay?’ Jimin asked as he realized I stopped talking. I looked around trying to see if I could see anything. ‘Alina?’ he called again.
‘I’m not sure. I thought I heard someone crying,’ I said as I locked the car and began to walk in the direction I heard it coming from.
‘Be careful baby. You don’t know what it might be,’ Jimin quickly warned but I kept walking. The crying got louder but my ears picked up on grunting and what sounded like kicks or punches.
‘Someone’s getting hurt,’ I said with a gasp as I removed the phone from my ear but did not hang up. I could hear Jimin calling me but I ran towards the alleyway where I froze at the sight.
I saw four young men beating up on another young man. The one getting beaten was on the ground, trying to cover his face from the kicks and hits. He had blood tracing down his face and I felt myself starting to get angry.
‘HEY!!!’ I yelled, forcing all four of them to stop and look at me. They smirked as they walked away from the boy who was groaning in pain.
‘Look what we have here,’ one of them said as he approached me. He had a mocking grin on his face, one I wanted to so desperately wipe off of his face.
‘You should mind your own business lady,’ one of them said. This one seemed uncomfortable with my presence.
‘I suggest you leave him alone or I’m going to call the police,’ I said as I took another step forward.
They weren’t hunters, they were simple teenage boys so I could not use my powers. It would attract too much attention and I could bring hunters searching for me which would place the boys in danger. I would not do that but I had to do something. I could not let that other guy continue to get beaten.
‘Awhh should we be scared?’ the first one spoke again while one of them twirled a metal pole in his hand. I gulped, feeling scared. I looked over at the street, people were passing by but nobody was giving a damn to look this way.
‘If only you knew,’ I mumbled to myself as I raised my hands slightly, ready to protect myself if need be.
‘I think it’s time we teach her a lesson boys,’ one of them said.
‘Oh crap,’ I mumbled as two of them came at me. I dropped the phone on the ground as I raised my hand to protect my face just as a punch connected to my stomach.
