"Because I was bored..."
Solaris hesitated on his next few words before smiling slightly, then speaking.
"I had no friends, no family, and I honestly hated reality. Sometimes when I had enough money left over, I would go to a store and buy a book, and then when I had breaks at work or free time at school, I'd read it. I used to get lost in those stories, living in another world of magic, power, and unimaginable creatures... but most of the time I never finished the books; I'd end up having to sell them so I could eat for the day. I used to imagine what my life would be like if I had powers and had to use them to fight evil. I used to think I'd be a hero, and everyone would love me and know my name, my real name. But... that life wasn't a possibility. I wasn't meant for that world... then I saw you and that demon."
Solaris paused for a moment as he realized a few tears started to roll down his face.
After wiping them away, he continued to talk.
"I saw a creature I couldn't have even imagined to be real standing a few feet from me, and a beautiful girl fighting it. I was given a choice in that moment, a choice... a choice I regret sometimes. I tried to save that girl like a hero would, like a knight saving his princess, but that's not what or who I am. I'm not a hero saving everyone; I'm not a knight on a white horse saving the beautiful princess. I'm just a loser who left his chance and opportunity to change my life into something I've always dreamed of having..."
Solaris let out a small chuckle, then spoke once more.
"I may hate the pain and suffering I've gone though, i may be irreparably damaged from hell; I may have caused you nothing but pain; I may hate that I ever considered saving myself over you; I have made many mistakes in my life, but at the end of the day I'm so glad that I get to live an exciting life, even if it's filled with pain and suffering."
Solaris continued to look at the floor.
"I know that makes me sound selfish, and I am. When I was in hell, the only thing that kept me going was returning home and seeing all of you again. So thank you, Selen; you saved me."
Solaris finally looked over to Selen and smiled brightly.
Selen looked at Solaris for a moment, then she giggled and spoke.
"You certainly are a weirdo, Solaris."
Solaris looked at her for a moment, then chuckled.
"I guess I am."
The two fell into blissful silence for a moment, then Solaris asked.
"Why did you become a hunter, if you don't mind me asking?"
Selen remained quiet, so Solaris took that as a sign that he shouldn't have asked.
I need to leave; I've got to train, even though I want to keep talking with her... no, I've got to leave.
As Solaris opened his mouth, Selen spoke.
"I became a hunter because... I hated my parents."
Solaris's smile dimmed slightly.
I didn't take her for a runaway; I mean, how bad could parents be?
Selen didn't continue, yet Solaris was still curious, so he asked.
"Were they really that bad, that you'd put yourself in danger rather than be with them. I mean, your mother isn't around, but your..."
"DON'T ACT AS IF YOU KNOW!!"
Selen suddenly snapped at Solaris.
"You probably had loving parents who made every day a dream... mine was a nightmare."
Solaris fell silent as Selen stuffed herself into the corner and began to stare at the wall; the room seemed to grow darker as her anger flared.
The two remained silent for some time before the announcer boomed again, announcing another victory.
"My father died before I could even remember; he took his own life in front of my mom. That grief must have been too overwhelming because a few years later she abandoned me. I never knew my parents; I have only fragmented memories from long ago, and I guess you're right that they are all happy. My life was like a dream. I'm sorry, Selen."
Finishing speaking, Solaris stood up to leave. As he reached the door and opened it, it slammed shut and froze.
Looking back, he saw Selen stretching out an arm.
"Sit back down, Solaris; we're not done talking."
Solaris was stunned by the words and the tone; she was stern and cold.
They are being sealed again.
Solaris nodded and obediently sat down, this time a little farther.
Silence reigned over the room once again.
The two sat in the darkness, alone and quiet.
Then Selen broke the silence.
"Come closer; your warmth soothes me somewhat."
Solaris raised an eyebrow before realizing what she meant.
After hell, his soul let off a faint wave of heat.
This was why Solaris wasn't cold at the moment; the room was filled with ice and darkness, but he felt fine. So it was only natural that she was cold and was using him like a space heater.
This girl.
Solaris scooted closer.
"Is this better?"
Selen nodded her head, still stuffed in the corner.
Her face had slightly changed; the emotion it had exhibited so thoroughly moments ago was slowly fading.
"When I was seven, my parents sold me into a gang. They weren't struggling financially, and they weren't doing it because they couldn't raise me; in fact, I have no idea why they did it. I always assumed they just wanted to buy something expensive, and I was nothing but an object for them to use to gain something else. I remained in that position for years, being passed around to others from time to time; I was... used, beaten, and broken over and over and over. No one was there to help me. I never had any way out until I turned sixteen; then they kicked me to the streets. My freedom was only at the cost of almost a decade of abuse. With no one and nothing, I wanted to kill the people who had done this to me, so I tracked down my parents. As I entered the house, I found my dad standing on the stairs with a joyous grin on his face... I'll never forget what he said to me next: 'I missed you, my beautiful girl.' My father never called me anything good; I was always called that creature or that child. He had never said he had missed me before; all he had ever done was beat me and then sell me... so I knew that he wasn't my father. So I killed it... I felt something awaken within me, and I tore the creature to shreds under the full moon, till nothing remained. After I did, this mark appeared on my hand. And a hunter found me on the side of the road, covered in blood. And took me in."
Solaris sat still for a long time; the information Selen had just told him was too much to handle.
Tears rolled down his face; the poor girl had been so mean to him, and he had always assumed she had been some spoiled brat, but he was so very wrong about everything.
I'm such a terrible person to make this girl suffer.