A distant rumbling sound made me drop my watering can. The content splashed around my feet, following my duck and cover reflex. When I looked up, it was a plane, hovering around while releasing something in the atmosphere.

For a moment, I was gaping at it in awe. I had never seen a real live plane flying in the air in my 23 years of life. I couldn't see the shape clearly, but the wings were long, a red light that looked like dots were flickering at its tip.

"They are seeding the clouds."

When I heard Alfie's voice, I practically jumped at him right before pulling him to the side of the house.

"Are you nuts! They could see you!" I said in alarm.

"No, I'm your Alfie. Or am I a species of nut?" He deadpanned.

I honestly couldn't tell if he was serious or he was joking with me. Then again, suddenly he was grinning silly. It took me a moment to shift my eyes down, realizing my arms was wrapped around his body tightly as we stood next to the wall.

"Isn't this cosy." He winked.

Instantly, I stepped back. The hasty move resulted me loosing my balance and stumbling. But he grabbed me and saved me from falling. However, after steadying me, he pulled his hands away. Off went the electrifying feeling from his touch along with it.

"I'm sorry, I made you uncomfortable," he apologized, reversing to distance us.

I gave him a simple nod. Matter of fact, it wasn't his fault entirely --I did fall on my own-- but I couldn't deny his fault nor admit mine. It was odd that he didn't give me this strange effect years ago. So why now?

When I looked up, the plane was gone and the cloud was turning a little grey. "You say, they are seeding the cloud? What is it for?" I changed the topic, hoping to cease the growing awkwardness.

"To make it rain."

"Does it wor--"

Before I could finish my question, something wet drop on my face. Instinctively, I put a finger where it touched my skin and stared at it in puzzlement. Then it happened too fast, more droplets of water were falling from the sky. I watched in amazement as the dry soil drank in the miracle, leaves hanging on their rigid sprig looked like they are bobbing happily under the music of rain.

"Tag, you're it!"

Suddenly I felt a tap on my shoulder. At first I was confused while looking at Alfie who was running ahead.

"Come on, catch me!" He shouted in the middle of the field.

I didn't know what came over me when my feet started running towards him; a big role in the sudden shift of mood was probably the rain. My worry lost more and more of its grip on me with each step I took, until for once I was free from it, although just temporary.

Like children, we ran in the rain and laughed our hearts out. We took turns chasing the other, foot muddy up to our knees. In the last round, he caught me. Yet the slippery ground took us off guard, and we tumbled down.

As I lay on top of him on consequence of the fall, I was welcomed with his beautiful smile. "You are so beautiful," he muttered.

My conscience was screaming for me to get up, but the latter was me staring into his beautiful hazel eyes. When he moved up to kiss me, I had it coming, and I somehow expected it to happen. However, the kiss was a quick peck, not something like the last time. When our lips disconnected, he caressed my cheek and smiled to me.

"Let's get inside," he said.

***

Utter silence loomed around as I sat adjacent to Alfie on the dining table. Only the ecofan's barely audible swooshing sound registered in the air. Two plates full of spaghetti were staring at us, the steam coming off it minutes ago had diminished.

For the umpteenth time, he stole glances at me before pulling his head down again. A towel was wrapping his body evenly, hiding his eye catching glory underneath.

I wasn't in a better condition either, wearing the comforter to cover my body because all my clothes were drenched.

After clearing his throat, he finally spoke, "Charis, are you upset with me?"

I shook my head, and it earned me an instant smile on his face. And every time I witness it, the corner of my lips would turn up helplessly.

"Tell me how you want me to be Charis. I'll be however you want," he said.

It was strange hearing those words coming from him. When I looked at his face, his brows were slightly furrowed and he was flexing his jaw. He looked almost like he was brooding.

"What do you mean? Just be yourse--" I paused, etached with the thought about the fact he might be the subject in the news that Peyrel had shared with me. I couldn't simply say he should be himself if who he used to be was a killer. "Just be good," I resumed.

His lips remained in a thin line, and it made me wonder what he was thinking. I did say I wasn't afraid of him, and somehow I felt safe around him now. But the question still bugged me, had he really gone rogue?

Unfortunately, I couldn't think of a decent way to ask him about it. Then again, I couldn't simply let the issue slide. The situation was just complicated.

After contemplating on the matter for a moment, Amy came into my mind. Of course the formula to the equation was none other than her.

I started twirling my food with the fork to ease my nervousness. "Alfie, tell me how you ended up with Amy. I remember you were taken by those people that day."

For a moment, I was served with his mute. He looked like he was thinking, but when his gaze fell on my very hopeful expression, he relented.

"I couldn't remember clearly. When I woke up, the vehicle I was in had an accident. And then--" he pressed his lips together, again his deep in thought countenance accommodate his face "-- I just found her."

"Found her?"

His eyes took up a deep sloe shape, and the way he griped the two ends of the towel draping over his shoulder prompted his nervousness.

"I'm different Charis. Different than those men I'd seen in the movies that Amy had showed me."

The idea certainly garnered more of my curiosity. "What kind of different?" I asked him. Even though my heartbeat had geared up another level of speed, I kept my word at wonted pace.

"The plants--" he carried his attention towards the window, where the transpicious glass opened up the nature outside "-- gave me signals. Somehow they can link with my mind. I found Amy probably because before the incident I only met ma, you and her. And then yesterday..."

"The vines, I touched the vines. That's how you found me," I interjected.

In a matter of seconds after those words were set free, he nodded. The strain on his face was ousted by relief and when he met my gaze, his charming smile grew wider.

"You believe me, Charis?"

Shocked, amazement and wonders filled me up to the core. I knew there was something out of the ordinary about him. I remembered the night we failed to run away 5 years ago like it was yesterday; the way his eyes had changed colour, and he managed to find me twice when we were separated. What else could explain it?

"Yes, I believe you. But that night, when you carried me, where were you taking us? Can you remember?"

Alas, his solemn expression after the question first hand told me the answer wouldn't be something I was expecting.

"I can't. It doesn't work like that, or it's just me, I still don't understand the signal," he expressed, releasing a heavy sigh afterward. "If I knew, I wouldn't be with Amy. I would do everything to find you, Charis."

"But you owe her Alfie. She saved you. Things would be a lot worse if you ended up in the hands of HEROIN. I should go see her, to thank her."

His expression turned dour instantly, "You can't," he said with a raucous tone.

Although I was a little perturbed by his sudden sternness, I was more curious to know the reason why he was against my idea. "Why?" The question slipped.

"Because she's dead."

To be continued...

***

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoy this chapter.