Free Web NovelChapter 186: A Place To Belong
"You’re telling me you lived here after Marcus kicked you out?" Selena muttered to herself, her gaze darting over Shinon’s hidden base deep within the forest.
"Yes, that’s correct. And please don’t spread the word about this place," Shinon answered, lowering himself into the calm waters of a nearby creek.
Selena chuckled, lightly crossing her heart. "I promise, my lips are sealed." ƒгeeweɓn૦vel.com
Shinon had reservations about revealing the location of his secret base to Selena, but circumstances left him with no other option. The sticky goo from the defeated treant still clung to his skin, making him feel utterly miserable. But that wasn’t his only concern.
The pungent odour of the treant’s remnants could easily attract nearby zombies, and that was the last thing Shinon wanted. To avoid any unwanted attention, he decided to spend the night in the safety of the forest and try to get rid of the stupid smell. freewebnøvel.coɱ
"Snap out of it, Selena!" Selena mumbled to herself, lightly slapping her cheeks.
Selena’s attention shifted to Shinon as the words left her mouth. His dark hair was wet from the stream, and water droplets glistened on his skin.
His toned muscles flexed as he moved, and the glimmer in his eyes was captivating. She couldn’t help but steal a few glances despite his warning not to.
"I thought I told you not to stare at me like a creep," Shinon mumbled as he scooped some more water to pour onto his head.
Caught in the act, Selena blushed, feeling a tad embarrassed. But Shinon didn’t seem bothered. In fact, he seemed to find it amusing.
"Enjoying the view?" Shinon teased, a playful grin on his face.
"I-I, uh, I wasn’t... I mean, it’s not like... I..." She trailed off, unable to form a coherent sentence.
"Relax, Selena. I was just teasing you," Shinon said, walking back to her and giving her a friendly pat on the back. "It’s okay to look."
"Thanks for not making a big deal out of it," she said, grateful for his easygoing nature.
"No worries... ugh, this smell just won’t go away with one dip," Shinon replied, shrugging casually. "Back in the water, we go. I better get this treant goo off me before it starts to smell even worse."
Selena’s cheeks still held a rosy hue, but she mustered a smile. As Shinon stepped toward the stream to wash, Selena’s gaze wandered over to him again, this time more intentionally. She couldn’t deny that he looked impressive, built like a true warrior.
"No... not a warrior, but a blacksmith," Selena mumbled, and as she did, the vision of Shinon saving her from the treant’s grasp appeared before her eyes. "Maybe a bit of both..."
"Still staring, I see," Shinon teased, glancing over his shoulder and catching her again. "I guess it’s fine. We’re friends, after all."
Heat rushed to Selena’s cheeks, and she averted her gaze, feeling embarrassed and attracted simultaneously.
She had known Shinon since the beginning, and although their bond had grown distant over time, his recent act of saving her from the treant had reignited something within her.
"I can’t help it," she mumbled. "You’re... impressive. At least from my experience with guys."
"Well, I appreciate the compliment," Shinon sniggered at her honesty. "But, honestly, I don’t deserve it. I’m just doing what I can to survive in this world of the undead and help a few people along the way."
With the goo mostly washed off, Shinon stepped out of the stream and dried himself with a nearby cloth. Selena hesitated for a moment before offering him some help. Since he helped her, it was the least he could have done for them.
"Do you need any help with that?" she quietly asked, her flushed cheeks visible in the moonlight.
Shinon glanced at her, touched by her gesture, then shook his head gently. He had to remind himself of his promise not to get involved with anyone on the alternate earth. Nothing good would come out of it.
"Thanks, Selena, but we’re not that close anymore," he said, his voice tinged with a hint of sadness.
Selena’s heart sank at his words, but she understood his reasons. She knew they had grown apart because of unavoidable reasons. So it wasn’t a surprise that Shinon rejected her... again.
Seeing the disappointment on Selena’s face, Shinon quickly rephrased his words.
"It’s not because of you," he clarified. "It’s just that I’m not really from this world. I’m from a different place, another earth. And as much as I enjoy your company, I can’t form attachments here... because one day, I’ll have to return to where I truly belong, and it won’t be fair to either of us."
"Yeah... you’re right. I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have-"
"It’s fine," Shinon nodded. "let’s just take a break, shall we?"
"Why not!" Selena smiled and joined him next to the stream.
They sat by the stream, the soft sound of running water filling the air. Selena remained beside Shinon, the silence between them neither awkward nor uncomfortable.
They had been through so much together, and even if they weren’t as close as they once were, there was still a bond between them that couldn’t be easily broken.
"Man, this world is weird," Shinon leaned back, gazing at the darkening sky. "It’s even weirder that I feel just in place here..."
"Looks like you appearing in an alternate reality wasn’t such a bad deal after all," Selena mumbled, playfully punching him.
"I can’t explain it," Shinon continued, "but something about this world resonates with me. The people, the struggles, the beauty of nature – it all feels familiar, like echoes of the world I once knew. It’s strange, but in a way, it’s comforting."
"Maybe it’s because you’ve become a part of our world, Shinon," she suggested. "You’ve faced the same challenges we have fought alongside us and saved us countless times. You’ve become one of us, and maybe that’s why you feel at home here."
"Maybe..."
With that, they continued to gaze at the stars, finding comfort in each other’s presence, knowing they had each other’s backs... until it was time for them to go their separate ways.
