Angel gently set the tray of coffee down on the table.
Neptur glanced over. "Thanks, Angel."
Angel gave a small nod and quietly sat down on the sofa. He could still hear Neptur and Sylwenna chatting about wedding plans — decorations, guests, colors. He yawned, leaning back into the cushions, trying to stay out of it.
A moment later, footsteps approached from the hall.
Elendil stepped into the room, his expression tight, his arms clenched at his sides.
Elendil: "I'm... going outside" he said abruptly.
Neptur paused mid-sentence. "Hm? Outside? Oh... alright then, Elendil."
Elendil didn't say anything more. He walked to the front door, opened it, and stepped outside, letting the door close behind him with a quiet click.
Angel watched him go, silent.
The conversation behind him picked up again, but Angel didn't listen. His eyes were still on the door.
He let out a quiet sigh.
Elendil walked quietly toward their usual hill — the place he always found peace in. The soft breeze brushed against his cheeks, and the sky above was cloudy but calming. From the hilltop, he could see the ocean in the distance, shimmering faintly beneath the gray sky. Trees gently swayed around the area, framing the view like a painting.
He let out a long sigh and stood still for a few minutes, just watching.
"Let's just keep being strangers…"
Angel's words replayed in his head. The sting was still fresh.
Elendil rubbed his arm, his heart a little heavy. It was frustrating — the distance, the way Angel closed himself off. But when he thought about it more… maybe he had pushed too far. Maybe Angel was just uncomfortable. After all, they weren't really friends yet, were they? Not officially.
Still, it hurt. Weeks of being together, fighting, surviving, laughing at times — and it still wasn't enough.
But he could wait. Maybe someday Angel would let him in. That day didn't have to be now.
Elendil smiled faintly to himself, trying to shake off the gloom.
Angel: Long sigh. "Oh, Angel… You're such a weirdo. And silly to be with."
But the words barely left his lips when suddenly—
A hand wrapped tightly over his mouth.
His eyes went wide. A sharp cloth — damp, with a strange smell — was pressed against his face. He struggled, gasping, trying to pull away, but the grip was too strong. His legs kicked out as everything started to blur.
Darkness crept in.
Then, silence.
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Back at the house, Angel stood from the couch.
Neptur: raised a brow. "Hm? Where are you going?"
Angel: Gasps softly "Huh? Oh... just heading outside. Need some fresh air."
Neptur: narrowed his eyes slightly. "Alright..." he said slowly, though his voice held a hint of suspicion.
Angel opened the door and stepped out into the cool breeze. But something about the air felt... off.
He paused on the steps, narrowing his eyes at the distant trees. There was a strange stillness.
Something's wrong.
He tried to shake the thought off and continued walking toward the hill. His steps were slow, thoughtful.
He knew he'd said the wrong thing earlier — and seeing Elendil's expression when he did... it hadn't sat right with him. Angel wasn't used to hurting people. He didn't want to hurt Elendil.
Maybe it was time to fix it.
He finally reached the hilltop.
Angel looked around. "Elendil, we need to talk…"
No answer.
Angel: He took another few steps. "Elendil?" he called again, scanning the area. "You said this was your usual place... but you're not here."
A heavy sigh escaped his lips. He tilted his head up toward the sky.
The clouds had thickened. The air felt heavier now, and a cold wind crept through the trees.
Angel: "Elendil!" he shouted, a hint of worry creeping into his voice. "Ugh…"
The first drop of rain touched his cheek.
Angel's eyes narrowed. Something definitely wasn't right.
And now — he was sure of it.
Elendil: "Angel!"
Angel gasped softly and turned around, eyes widening at the familiar voice.
Angel: "Elendil? Elendil!"
He ran toward him, grabbing his shoulders in relief.
Angel: "Where have you been? I've been looking everywhere for you! I was worriwhevesgo—ugh!"
He gasped, suddenly realizing how emotional he sounded, and backed away quickly, flustered.
Angel: "Uhm... I... where have you—" he stopped himself.
Elendil tilted his head slightly.
Elendil: "Huh? What are you talking about? I've always been here. Just took a quick pee. Sorry, Mother Earth." He chuckled playfully.
Angel paused, blinking. Something felt... off. Elendil's tone, his body language—it was familiar but also somehow wrong. Still, Angel decided not to press further. He didn't want to make things worse.
He gave a small sigh and nodded.
Elendil: "Did you follow me because you were worried? Hm?"
Angel was caught off guard by the question.
Elendil: "Well, it's okay to be worried, Angel. It's common."
Angel: "I... know that..." he mumbled.
Elendil wandered back toward the hilltop and sat down, gazing out over the sea and trees.
Elendil: "Beautiful, right?"
Angel stood still for a moment, watching him.
Angel: "...Well... yeah. I guess."
Elendil: "Why don't you sit down?" he said with a gentle smile.
Angel hesitated... then quietly sat beside him. He looked at Elendil, then at the view.
A silence stretched between them. Angel let out a quiet sigh. Despite the weirdness, he was glad Elendil seemed safe.
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Meanwhile...
The real Elendil groaned weakly, his body limp as he was shoved roughly into a dark van. His vision blurred, the interior of the vehicle spinning as the door slammed shut.
He laid there on the cold metal floor, barely conscious, as the van began to move. The vibrations rumbled beneath him, and he could faintly hear voices from outside—indistinct, distant.
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Neptur walked Sylwenna to the edge of the street.
Neptur: "It's been nice catching up. And hey—don't give your fiancé too much trouble!" he laughed.
Sylwenna: "Right..." she said with a soft smile.
As they reached the front, Neptur caught sight of a van turning the corner down the road.
Neptur: "Hm? What's a van doing here...? A fish van, too?"
Sylwenna: "Oh, I saw it earlier when I was about to knock on your door. Looked like a fisherman—he said he was heading to the docks."
Neptur: "Really? Wow. He must've had a good catch if he brought a whole van, haha!"
Sylwenna: "Right... Well, I'll get going now, uncle."
Neptur: "Yes, yes. Be safe, alright?"
She nodded and waved goodbye, disappearing down the path.
Neptur smiled, then turned his gaze to the sky.
Neptur: "I hope those two come home safe... and soon. While they're out having fun, I'll get started on some breakfast."
Still humming to himself, he stepped back inside and closed the door.
(TO BE CONTINUED)