castle runaway. ˡᵉᵉ ᵈᵒⁿᵍʰʸᵘᶜᵏ

TWENTY FOUR

Monique's POV

"Oh, I don't lie, young lady." He said confidently. Pinocchio gave Haechan some meat to eat. The both of us thanked him (Haechan's payment is to help him with the laundry on the weekends), though it was quite awkward for me because of what he said.

Before we left, he said, "I swear to Snow White's skin you two are going to end up together." Haechan and I looked at each other and laughed. "I'll consider you, Pin. You're an old man now."

Still, his nose didn't grow long. It stayed frozen like real wood. Have the magic in him disappeared?

"Don't underestimate the magic I have in me, Haechan." Pinocchio laughed and we bid goodbye. We exited his store. I stared at the ground as I asked, "Where's next?"

"Home. Elyas is probably starving by now." I nodded and we walked to the gates of the kingdom until we were back in the woods.

The trees seemed calm and lively at the same time. I wasn't scared anymore but I still remember the events I had when I was alone. "You're scared to die." Haechan suddenly spoke up.

I turned my head to him. "What?" He glanced at me and continued to walk. "You're scared to die. You actually don't want to die. You just want someone to care for you," He paused in front of me and grinned.

"I care about you."

I scoffed. "You're just saying that. Both the I-really-don't-want-to-die thing and you-care-about-me thing. You're just saying it so I will feel good about myself." I replied and folded my arms.

"Excuse you, but that's my job, too. First, I kill villains if I have to and second, I can detect people with a purpose. Merlin gave the power to me. Nothing magical, though." He said and moved his fingers.

"Like I could care more. What am I honestly going to do with my life now?" I asked myself, but Haechan decided to answer it. "You can do things like me. Ki--"

He paused and we looked at the necklace (that I haven't noticed) around his neck. There were five skulls on a line and their eyes were emitting red light rapidly, like an alarm.

He suddenly grabbed my arm and we ran to his house. Elyas was there, barking at our return. Haechan freed him and gave me the baskets he was carrying. He went inside the house and when he came back, he was holding a knife and swiftly slipped it in his sheath attached to his right thigh.

He looked at me. "I have to go. Criminals. Take care." He flashed a smile before running away, Elyas tailing behind him. I watched as they slowly disappeared and I realized I was still carrying the baskets and the bag.

I went inside and placed them on top of the dining table. I glanced outside, my mind wondering where Haechan is going, why and where did he get that knife? It wasn't the one Merlin gave him.

I just busied myself on putting the basket of fruits beside the sink and the meat inside a box filled with ice (I happen to find it coincidentally). I placed the bag filled with Goldilocks' clothes inside my bed room and cleaned the house.

I accidentally stopped in front of Haechan's door and my instinct told me to open it to see what's inside. He's Good, right? He won't be hiding anything.

I was wrong when I twisted the knob and opened the door.

My breath was stuck in my throat as knives and weapons were attached to every single nook and crany of the walls. The blades winked at me as the single light in his room hit them.

There was a wide table in my left filled with arrows, swords, katanas.. The weapons were uncountable.

The far corner was different. The walls were a calm color of beige with two paintings hanging on the same side of the wall while a framed picture was on the other. In the middle was a big (not that big) bed which looked so comfortable to sleep at.

I don't know what to feel. Be scared by the weapons or be comforted by the bed. I just decided to leave the room and collect myself because of what I have seen. I'm sure Haechan has a reason for having those weapons.

I took an apple from the basket and bit on it. I can't do anything and decided to sit still on a chair. I finished the apple after a couple of minutes and I accidentally dozed off.

•••

I blinked my eyes open. I raised my head and the smell of coffee brushed my nostrils. I rubbed my right eye as Haechan's silhouette came into view. He turned around and bent over so I can see his face.

"Time check. Two ten in the afternoon. How was your sleep? Coffee?" He placed the coffee in front of me and I blew on it. "I'm fine, thank you," I sipped on it and looked at him. "Where did you and Elyas go?"

"Branstone. Some guy tried to rob Jack and his mother and stabbed an old man on his escape. He's safe now, don't worry. The criminal got caught and of course, by me." He said proudly.

I smiled slyly. "Well, congratulations. Don't you have another badge for being Good?" I asked and he laughed. "I don't want repayment, Monique. Seeing the people safe and sound from bad people is already enough."

He has a calm expression on his face. Happiness. He looks good with it.

He glanced at me. "You should be like me, too." I shrugged. "I can't be forced to be someone I'm not." I replied. He placed his hands on the table and leaned over to me. "I wasn't saying it like that, Miss."

"But I don't want to." I snapped. He grabbed my chin and looked at me in the eyes. His gaze suddenly became sharp. "If you happen to forget, you have a purpose."

"I don't see it." He smirked and cocked his head to the side. "Not yet, baby," He pushed his face closer until our faces were an inch far. "Remember what Pin said?" He looked down and back at my eyes. "Maybe your fairytale is just starting.. and we're here."

"If my fairytale has started, you won't be in it."

His smirk became wider. "That's bad because it looks like I'm already in it."

•••