Chapter 10 10

A palpable silence broke out between them for a moment. Lila fixed her gaze on Ethan demeanor looks bland and unreadable. She's yet to come to the full depth and knowledge of what she's into. She started to doubt her trust and feeling of likeness for Ethan. She felt Ethan's still keeping away some secrets from her.

Ethan saw the looks and expressions on Lila's face, and he could read the meaning to them.

''What?'' He shot at Lila, abruptly.

''What?'' She asked back, her brow raised.

''What's on your mind? I see the looks on your face and they tell one thing.''

''What do you see then?'' she demanded.

''You doubt me, don't you? Has what I just told you changed your perspective and trust for me?''

Her heart jumped and she swallowed hard the lumps in her throat at what Ethan said. He was right. She just couldn't believe him to so accurate. But she stood still, without wavering, keeping her gaze on him.

''I don't think I know yet the full extent of all that's going on.'' She broke the silence. ''And right now, I don't think I know what to believe and I also feel there are still some things you aren't telling me yet. I think if we'll be doing this together, I need to be able to totally trust you and be able to count on you.''

The words felt heavy in the air, the weight of it sinking in the heart of Ethan, as he was left still on the spot. He's lost for words for a moment.

He drew closer to her, clasping her left hand into his, and cupping her face in his right hand.

He began, ''I understand your fears and doubts. But, I'll not in anyway intentionally put you into danger. I don't fully understand all of this yet myself. I'm just getting to know, and of course together with you. So, please trust me.''

Those words he spoke blew a fresh breeze over her, demystifying all her worries and concerns, giving her some sort of renewed strength and hope.

''Alright.'' She quietly muttered, nodding.

''Yeah. Together, right?'' Ethan gently asked to be assured they're good.

''Yeah.'' She answered.

''But who is behind the murder? How'd it happen? Who do you suspect''

''I don't know myself. I honestly don't know. The only hunch I have is that it's done by someone close by. Like someone I know. And unfortunately, every attempt I'd made to get a lead to find out who, had all came to a dead end. All the contacts I have claim to know nothing and a few declined to dig into it to help.'' He said.

''I think the person did a clean job and the person must also be someone that's well connected. But I believe only time will tell.''

''Hmm. Time will tell. I can't wait to unravel this mystery to know the people involved and behind it.'' She replied.

She continued, ''I just want to live a good life like every other normal people. A life free of all of this troubles and uncertainties. A quiet and peaceful life.''

''I know right. We'll go through this and overcome it as long as we back each other. I don't know what next we'll find out or how far this will go, or the things we'll have to do, but if stick close to each other with trust, we should be able to survive the scare.'' Ethan uttered, his voice gentle and firm.

''We will do this together.'' Lila reaffirmed.

And again, trust was renewed between them. Their bond became stronger and they're determined to get going together as a strong force from this point forward. They are determined to fight whatever battle is thrown at them and win. The feelings of unbridle likeness for each other was renewed and there was a renewed sense of survival.

They continued in their search for more information and all they could lay their hand on. They searched through and throughpages and columns of stacked papers and books for hours.

After a long hours of efforts to get more leads but couldn't get anything, they decided to head back to the estate and come back again another time before the day becomes much darker.

As they turned to make their way back to the entrance door, Ethan hit his leg against a small box on the way, close to the chamber's door. He felt a very sharp pain that shot through his head to his spinal cord. The spot was slightly cut open by the sharp edge of the box and there's blood coming out.

Lila attended to the wound. She ripped a small portion of her shirt to cover the open spot from bleeding. Ethan looked at her in surprise and amazed at her tender care.

They continued on their way out after a while, with Lila helping Ethan guide his steps. But suddenly, just as they were getting close to the building entrance door, a thought jumped on the both of them to go back and check what's inside the box Ethan hit his leg on.

They paused, glanced at each other, both knowing what they want to do without saying a word. They slowly turned back to the chamber to see what's in the box.

No stone should be left unturned if they're to get any close to finding the information and solution they need to survive with.

Lila kicked the chamber door open as they went inside. Ethan stood by a pole as Lila looked for the box. She found if and brought it close. She opened it and there were documents inside the box. They were documents dated and signed.

As they wanted to start go through the documents, they heard a loud thud from outside. Their eyes wide opened and their sensitivity heightened.

Lila gently closed the box, her eyes scanning through the opened door.

''I think we have a situation now. You have to help yourself walk. We must get out of here at once.'' She said.

Ethan nodded gently, understanding what's needed to be done.

Lila tightly held the box close to her side as they walk out of the room. They moved quietly and silently, at alert, their eyes scanning through the space for any coming danger.

Lila sensed a movement outside the building. ''I think someone followed us here.'' She said, her voice nearly above a whisper.

''Do you see something or hear a movement? Ethan asked.

''Yes. I sensed a movement just now.''

''Okay. Just be at alert and stay close. We must get out of here safe.'' Ethan commanded.

''Sure.'' Lila answered.

Ethan went straight into protective mode as they drew closer to the building entrance door, his hands fisted, looking ready for any coming attack. He's never engaged in a fight before, but he's nonetheless willing to survive and protect Lila. And if that required engaging in a physical combat, he's ready to fight for it by all means possible.

Another loud sound shot through the air which sent fears. Ethan drew Lila closer to himself with one hand, put his light candle in his mouth, with the other hand still fisted.

As they drew closer to the entrance door, Lila sensed a figure in the darkness coming at them, her heart skipped.

''Ethan, I see a figure in the dark. I think there's someone here.'' Lila said, her voice breaking and wavering.

Ethan swiftly turned around to face it, flipping Lila to his back.They increased their steps, while Ethan kept his hand fisted, leaning a bit forward to see what's hiding in the dark.

As Ethan caught the sight of the flashing of a long blade, his heart skipped, fear washed over him.

''Lila?'' he called.

''Yes.''

''Get ready to run.'' He warned.

As they got just a few steps to the door, Ethan charged at once, ''Now!''

The figure pursued after them as they ran, jumped to strike Ethan with his blade, but they made it out of the door just before his strike could land.

Ethan shot at Lila in a loud voice, ''get to the car now,'' while he held the door firmly together to prevent the assailant from getting through.

The assailant glared at Ethan, his brow raised as he said to him laughing, ''I'm everywhere you go. There's no escaping for you or her.''

Ethan tried to get a glimpse of what the attacker looked like but he couldn't, as his face were covered by clothe and only his eyeballs and forehead were visible.

After failed attempt to get what the attacker looked like, he ran swiftly to the car to zoom off.

The attacker laughed hysterically as Ethan ran. He didn't botherto move any inch to pursue them.