Hellbound With You

For a long while, Zeres was unable to make any movement at all. No matter how he reasoned to himself that this was something impossible, he could not even make himself believe that this image was nothing but coincidence. How could it be so coincidental? No way… there was no way!

Every detail… and those… forest green eyes… He would never be able to mistake these pair of eyes for anyone else!

His throat worked and his fingers shook so hard that the paper slipped away and floated to the floor. What… what was the meaning of this?

His fingers clenched and unclenched before he slowly walked over to where the drawing fell and looked down at it. He took a deep breath before picking it up again with slightly trembling fingers.

There was no mistaking it. This was… Eris! And Iryz had drawn him to the most perfect of details. Her drawing was so on point that it was as if Iryz had gone back into the past and drawn Eris when he was still there!

A sound of the doorknob turning, and the door being opened disrupted the deafening silence inside the room.

Iryz emerged, looking a little disoriented as she walked in. She looked as though she had a little too much to drink.

“Ze… Zeres?” her voice echoed out in a slur and Zeres slowly turned to face her.

She frowned at him, throwing her handbag to the floor in anger. “What are you doing here? Wait… I’m not actually hallucinating, right?” she shook her head and rubbed her eyes, thinking that she might be seeing things. Was she missing him so much already that she was seeing him back in her room?

She strode towards him and slapped both her palms on his sturdy chest. “Oh… you’re real!!” and she blinked at him owlishly for a few seconds.

Suddenly, the fog seemed to clear from her eyes, and she gave him a smile. “What. Why do you look like that? Wait… did you just trespass in my home again, you screwball!?” she grabbed at his collar this time and tiptoed, hissing into his face. “Do you think I was joking when I said you’re no longer welcomed here anymore, huh? Zeres? I’m telling you again, I am serious! No matter how much I like you, I don’t want you here anymore. You got it?!” she was giving her all as she ranted her displeasure at him.

Zeres did not speak. He just remained still, staring at her forest green eyes as there was a faint frown on his forehead. It was as though he was trying to recall something that was just right out of his reach.

“What! Why are not talking? Did I hurt you? Don’t you come here looking like this… as if you’re the one who’s hurt! I am… I am still thinking about you even if I’m dead drunk like this, damn it! I tried to distract myself but it’s not working at all!!” Iryz wailed as she complained at him. “Now you’re here again and looking so lost at that… what do you want me to do? Hug you? Comfort you? And then have you just waltz off whenever you want and leave me alone again?” she punched his chest lightly. “No! I’m not gonna love you one sidedly forever. I refuse to keep waiting for you to look at me. I refuse to continue getting hurt because I like a man who doesn’t like me at all! So you, little witch must leave now!” as she came to the end, her voice got louder and was almost a shout.

She began to push him towards her room door. “You leave and go to your beloved! I’m going to get over you very soon, Zeres. Just you wait! Go! Or I’ll call the… police.” She threatened, though she knew it was a weak one. What witch worth their salt would be afraid of the police?

He held her wrists firmly but gently. And when Iryz struggled to break free, they ended up falling back on the bed.

Zeres pinned her down, causing Iryz to widen her eyes. “W-what are you doing you…”

“Shhh… please, Iryz. Can you stay still for a moment?” he whispered in a pleading voice, then he placed his palm to cover her lower face.

Seconds ticked by so slowly as he stared down intensely at her, at those pair of eyes.

Then he swallowed and let out a soft murmur. “E… ris.” It was so soft that Iryz did not catch it.

She impatiently pushed his hand off her face. “Stop being like this!! Will you stop confusing me? Why did you even come back here? Get off me now! This is not fair for your lover –” Iryz struggled under his hold as she ranted at him.

“I don’t have a lover.” He cut her off, his jaws clenching.

Iryz stilled under him. Her forest green eyes circled wide as she gazed up at him in disbelief. Wait… what did she just hear?

“Iryz… tell me…” his voice was cracking as he lifted his hand and showed her the painting of Eris that was hanging from his fingers. “What is the meaning of this?”

Slowly, her eyes moved to the paper in his hand. Her lips parted at the sight of that drawing.

“This… how did you…” his breathing coming out a little sharp but shallow, sounding so shaken. “Don’t tell me this is nothing because I won’t believe it. And… your eyes… your eyes are…” his words were all over the place as his mind still could not quite wrap around what he was seeing.

“So you remember who that person was?” Iryz asked, her green orbs gleaming with so many emotions but she did not answer his questions. “Tell me, Zeres. Why did you not keep your promise to her? Why didn’t you go back to her?” Iryz’s tone was bordering on a little aggressive and at the same time heartbroken.

It was Zeres’ turn to fall into an almost catatonic state. One word had struck him like a lightning bolt. “H-her? Did you just said ‘her’?!”