“We need to go back.” No matter how many times I try, Coralia is still against the very idea of turning back. I’m not even sure she heard it. She seems too immersed into tracing into the ground with a stick. If there’s any benefit to being stuck out here, at least there’s the fact that I get to learn more about the Forest and reveal how much the Capital has been lying to us. The Forest may be insufferably deadly near the borders of the forcefield, but the deeper in we go, the thinner it seems to be. It’s almost a sight to behold.

The dense canopy overhead us has thinned, letting a generous amount of sunlight through. There’re even areas where there’s a clearing large enough to take a glimpse at how the sky actually looks like, displaying a beautiful blue hue. Though, despite the charms of the Forest, it never fails to remind us of its true malicious intent, flashing its poison, spikes, and demons. Not only that, we’ve now learned that the sky is also evil, spitting liquid at us through the larger openings. This, as I’ve read in the books, is called ‘rain’. The leaves were just too thick for it to have ever penetrated through. It’s supposedly harmless, but I’m pretty sure I saw it melting away the roots of the trees.

Clearly, it’s not safe, which brings me back to my earlier argument: The Forest isn’t safe, no matter how good and tame it may seem.

“As I have previously answered many times before this, no, Reynold. It’s just too dangerous.” Even a fool can figure out that she’s getting highly annoyed at my incessant begging. But even with all the risks and dangers I’ll be putting Coralia and myself through, living like this, like exiles of the Capital, is not going to extend our lives by much. We’re living off of borrowed time, and if we don’t do anything about it, neither of us will get to celebrate another birthday.

I’d rather die as an adventurer seeking out the Forest’s true depths, than die as an escapee to a bunch of cannibalistic, mindless cyborgs. But even then, I’d rather not die at all. That’s why we must reclaim our valuables. Hopefully, there’s still some leftover food in the bag, or even more pertinent to our survival, the journal from the underground shelter.

The journal holds the key to unlocking the secrets of the Forest. We need to know what we can eat, drink, or even breathe. No one in the Capital has ever seen the full extent of the Forest.

Not even me, and I’ve fronted the monster head on when I was a mere child!

“Coralia, we can’t live like this. We’ll…” I struggle to utter the dreaded words, fear of jinxing it clamping my throat shut.

“We’ll… what? Die a horrible death?” The frustration and anger in her tone made me take a step back, worried for my life. For all I know, she might beat me to a pulp for being overly persistent. However, she simply sighs and slumps her shoulders, her joyful spirit virtually dissipating from her soul. It’s a bit unsettling; I’ve always seen her so optimistic, cheerful and positive that to see her defeated makes me uncomfortable.

Her emotions and expressions are so volatile that one day, I’m afraid it might actually explode in her own face, in a way that is unpleasant for any and all parties.

“I’m sorry, Reynold…I just…can’t risk losing you…” She leaves at that and continues her sketch, as if that statement served as an answer to my question at all. Either way, we’re both dying. The very fact that you’re keeping me here is the thing that’s going to kill me!

Despite my heated telepathic response, she still manages a smile. Before I knew it, my heart started beating faster and I feel any annoyance towards her melt away. It takes me a second to realize it’s the stupid lust that’s causing this. I’ve almost forgotten it existed. Emphasis on ‘almost’.

Before I can go on to rant about how much my lust has ruined my life, Coralia stands up and walks right up to me. She looks at me for a moment, before blushing and looking down, a desperate attempt to avoid eye contact.

“I really can’t think of a life without you…” At that moment, I realized; She’s awfully close to me. I can feel her breath caress my skin as she speaks, her warmth is radiating off her body in the cold and damp Forest. Despite her height being only slightly taller than me, she somehow looks small and petite, cowering in fear. I’ve never seen her like this before.

She’s not invincible from this world, she’s still human, but most of all, she’s still my friend, no matter how much I deny it.

I can’t ignore everything that has happened. This whole escapade started from the adrenaline of adventure, from Coralia being a little too curious of the world beyond the Capital. Coralia never lost that curiosity, always eager to discover the dark and dreary Forest. Of course, I don’t trust her. Her emotions always too synthetic, not to mention how questionable were the things she brought with her when we first came into the Forest.

However, at the end of the day, every human has their secrets. Why should I question trusting Coralia, when I’ve spent more time with her than nearly anyone else in my life? If I can’t trust Coralia, the curious, energetic ball of happiness that has never left my side, then it’s safe to say that I will never open up to people.

I can’t always trust my inner demons, no matter how true they may be. There’s no point clinging on to it if all it does is hurt the people around me, regardless of how much power it can give me. In life, power over others can be one of the greatest things in the world but submitting yourself to others can be one of the most beautiful.

Without a word, I slowly push her chin up, allowing myself to fully take in the intricacies of her face; Her skin is far from perfect, her make-up already completely worn. Her green eyes are still glimmering with life as she stares back at me. Her mouth is agape, surprised by my unexpected response.

A strange sensation rush through me. The world around me slowly fades away as I take a small step towards Coralia. The world seems to hold its breath as I stare at her, mesmerized. I place a hand on her warm cheek, witnessing the soft red blossoming on them. My lips curl upwards, before I pull her close, her lips pressed into mine.

I’ve never felt such euphoria, such weightlessness, such… happiness…

Time appears to freeze as she reciprocates the kiss. The scent of her hair, caked in both blood and dirt, stings my nostrils, but all I can think about is her. Everything about her, every imperfection, fills me with an unusual joy.

It’s as if nothing else in this world matters. As long as I’m in Coralia’s embrace, I’ll be safe. It’s like… Coralia is my everything.

Eventually, I pull away.

“We’re going back to get the journal. Together. If we survive, then we’ll live this life with each other. But, if we don’t, we’ll have to meet each other in the afterlife.” Coralia stays silent, completely stupefied by the absurdity of this situation: I’m being assertive, I’ve essentially professed my love for her, and my lips are curled up into a smile.

I have never showed any emotions. Yet, I find myself passionately expressing them to a girl who I always believed couldn’t be trusted.

However, like everything else, people can change.

She opens her lips to speak but decides against it, settling for a simple nod. Her surprise is quickly replaced by determination, ready to face the threats we’re about to face. I look towards the direction of the cyborg base, a smile creeping onto my face once again.

Yes, we’ll do this together. I’ll trust her to protect me, and I’ll protect her in any way I can.