Dark, the breath of the room deafened. It was waiting for the creak of the door.
Malik had already made his decision as he turned the knob. The rest of those in the house seemed to be unaware of it, and he hoped it would stay that way.
With its looming presence, something large had stood before it.
A moment. Silence.
. . .
Malik listened closely to what's outside, but something still lurks.
Pressing his ear against the door, he hesitated to turn it any further. His eyes closed shut, as he resisted, until-
Creak.
When he built up the will to do it, the door opened.
A cold breeze gently flowed past him, and into the living room. A bitter cold that made his hands twitch, clenching the knob until his knuckles turned white.
Peeking his head out, he could see the star-lit community, twins of houses, and silences of many. Malik's eyes darted across all corners that somebody could possibly be, but there couldn't be.
I just felt something larger than this door behind it. if it moved, I would've known. But it stays right in front of me. Could it be mocking me for being blind to it?
Am I blind to it, as they are blind to the stars?
. . .
The golden-walled houses stare at him. However, he sees nothing.
Malik looked down, and saw what held the weight in front of the door. In it, he could feel it grabbing his attention, as well as his hands. It pulled his hands closer, until he finally held onto it.
A letter, one that bared such a weight, despite being only a flimsy piece of paper.
It stared right back at him. A stamp of a golden eyeball fixated on him.
He made one last glance, skeptical, and gently closed the door.
Tip-toeing, he took careful steps as not to wake them up. Noticing Kaya, she was fast asleep after their interaction. Zayne and Awan were blanketed by the carpet on the floor, while their backs press against the wall.
Malik strolled, he was heavier than before, but he had to be careful not to drop the letter, as it would surely break thorough the wooden floorboards.
Then-
He caught barely it. It almost dislocated his shoulder, but he sighed in relief.
Holding it with both hands, he softly laid it on the dinner table.
At the top of the letter, a smiley face. It's eyes were hyper-detailed, uncanny compared to the rest of the design.
Malik silently cleared his throat as he began to read to himself, and the bayonet from across the table, read with him.
Dear Travelers,
We gladly welcome you to our Tribe, Marah. However, due to multiple citizen complaints of outsiders, we are morally obligated to 'investigate' your groups by sunrise.
Do not take this message as a threat from our people, nor segregation, only a response to suspicion. Our people have the right to consider the intentions of visitors, and rightfully so, we oblige.
You have been suspected of being spies, watching the citizens closely, as you are accused of being plants from the lands of Mala, or Zi Jin Cheng, the conjoined realm, and one of the main nine. We are labeling your accusation, as we stand on your behalf, and believe this is only an assumption.
You are appointed to the Council of Rejoice, and we will have you escorted by a trusted member. Do not fret, none of them bite.
We send you this letter in hopes that you comply, because if you don't, then our spears will need to be cleansed once again.
Yours joyfully,
Chief Asem.
. . .
Malik set it down, he pulled a chair silently from the table, and sat in it. Facepalming, he saw the sharp blade, laying on the table. If it could, it would probably mock him. He waited, lost in his thoughts, as not even his breaths would make a sounds.
As time passed, the stars dimmed, and the sunrise emanated, filling the house with a golden light.
Something brought a smile to Malik's face as he remained awake. It wasn't that he saw through the golden light, more that he saw through the golden lie.
. . .
Knock! Knock!
Immediately, everyone in the home sprouted upward. They rubbed their eyes as they questioned the disturbance at this time of dawn.
Zayne rubbed his eyes, "Seriously, what now?" He rolled the carpet off his chest.
Awan groaned, covering the carpet over his head, "Five more minutes, dude."
Kaya didn't speak, she stayed awfully still in her seat.
Malik had foreseen it, and grabbed the dark blade off the table. He jolted up from the chair, and marched towards the door, he slid the bayonet back into his pocket.
It was a loud knock, an unwelcoming one. Dawn was shining through the crevice between the door and the floor, so Malik could measure the figure through its creeping silhouette Something sharp poked through the shadow, jagged, and possibly bloody.
Inching towards the doorknob, his palm clinched his pocket and-
Light flooded the house.
The figure's pale fingers held the doorframe tightly as the door swung past.
From behind, Kaya woke up, and immediately took off her bandages. Her eyes were still red, but she hyperventilated. She felt the presence near them.
She yelled, "Stop! Its him!" Quickly, she got up from her seat, and her eyelids were outlined with dried blood.
Malik turned, and faced her, "Its all going to be okay, Kaya. I promise."
"You don't understand that kind of person." She responded, clenching her fists.
Suddenly, a thick boot stepped on the wooden floorboards, interrupting them.
A pale man entered, with sleek black hair, and a long grin. Everyone's eyes widened, as he entered.
"What a beautiful home you've refuged in. Such a shame . . ." He said.
Malik furrowed his eyebrows as he stared deeply into the man's pitch-black eyes, "Its you."
Wearing leather padding, with a spear on his back, his smile curved further.
Guan Sui.
"I assume you've read our letter, no? Its time for your hearing." He said.
Zayne stared at Malik, "Do you know anything about this, Malik?"
Malik looked down, unable to stare at anybody else, "I do." He whispered.
Awan's gaze locked onto Guan Sui, he laid in the corner of the room, as his heart beat further. His hands clasped the walls, hoping he wouldn't spot him.
Inevitably, he did, "I didn't know you people had a slumber together, joyful wasn't it?" The gulling escort said,
Awan mumbled, "Leave me alone. I don't have to listen to you."
Guan Sui laughed, "Oh you don't, but somebody else will." He patted himself on the back.
Malik resisted the urge to feel around his pocket, but he only sighed. Looking up, "Let us talk outside and give them space, while they get ready. Wouldn't you say its awfully early to escort us like this?"
"Splendid idea. I'll entertain it." The escort uttered.
. . .
The two of the men headed outside the home, as the rest of them remained starstruck.
Bleating, the seagulls outside could be heard circling the parameters, as the two sitting by the wall covered themselves with the carpet.
Kaya blurted as they exited, "I have to go speak to Adirah, so wait for me." She waved to both of them as she went to the old woman's room.
Now, only two remained in the living room. A room once so peaceful, was disrupted with delight.
Zayne nodded, as he looked to his left, and saw the tribesman with bulging eyes.
"Why the hell is he here?" Awan hissed, "Its never good when they send him."
Zayne scratched his head, "And what is that supposed to mean? Are you saying there might be a reason why me and Malik were sent to that ritual?"
Ambient, only a cold fireplace filled the room's embrace.
A breath, then another.
Awan scanned the room, rapidly blinking. He held his heart with his palm.
"What I'm saying is that . . . anybody who's seen going with him, isn't supposed to come back."
. . . .