Chapter Nine - Secret of the Painful Eyes

Chapter Nine – Secret of the Painful Eyes

It had been a few weeks since I had found out the truth about Saeron. Throughout this time I got to know him a little better and began seeing his true self shine not just in his human for, but in his tiger form as well. It was still a weird thing to me that he transformed into this tiger, but I was beginning to appreciate this characteristic about him, especially when we were attacked by creatures while taking walks in the jungles in the evenings. Once Saeron even saved my from a pack of wolves, fighting off each one, by himself, with easy. It was then I had come to realize how strong Saeron was, and this made me feel secure where I went, even if he wasn't with me during the day.
I found it strange that Saeron didn't stay with me during the days, even if he hadn't in the past, I thought things would be different now that I knew the truth. But something told me there was more going on in the jungle than just hunting. I would have never guessed that today would reveal more secrets than I would have ever wanted.

“I feel pretty good actually,” Saeron replied to my inquiry of his health. “I think I'll stay with you today.”
“Really?” I was so overjoyed and I immediately wrapped my arms around his dark fur neck. “You don't know how happy that makes me.”
I was smiling so much that day like cheeks were beginning to hurt. But I didn't care. Not as long as he was there beside me.
“We should go out for a ride tonight,” He suggested as we walked through the temple.
“I'd really love that Saeron,” I was beaming. I couldn't wait for him to take me on a romantic ride into the starry night. The crickets chirping and the fireflies dancing in the darkness. It would be so magical. I saw him smile in response to my happiness.
We stopped at the entrance of the temple where the stairs were and sat down. I leaned my head against Saeron's shoulder, careful not to touch his wounded area, and gazed out with him into the cloudless sky. I felt his body tremble for a moment and then cease when I looked up to see what was going on.
“Are you cold?” The question seemed like a silly one, but his body had seemed to shiver as though he was indeed cold.
“No,” he said softly. I lay may head by on him, this time grasping onto his arm and another sudden tremble shook his body. I looked up and realized his whole body was not just trembling, but throbbing. Each second another wave of throbbing went throughout his body. I leaped backward. His eyes were filled with pain and beginning to turn a yellowish color, and his teeth were bared.
“What's wrongs?!” I never got a response. His body swiftly moved for the jungle. As he left the temple I saw and heard what appeared to be a red creature in his place. The creature roared before glancing my way and then storming deep into the jungle.
I fell to my knees, stunned by the sight I had just seen. It was like no creature I had ever seen or ever heard in my life. The sound alone left my ears deaf from his menacing roar. And it's teeth. So many teeth. It's eyes more devilish than any mere demon. I felt as though my heart would stop then and there. The panic was so overwhelming. Had Saeron really become that thing?
My vision began to grow fuzzy and my entire body went numb. That was all I could remember before I hit the ground unconscious.

“Dante? Sweetie, please wake up,” I heard his voice calling to me. His human voice. Was it night already?
I lay stunned for a brief moment, trying to discern whether he was real or not. Trying to figure out whether the creature I had seen was real or just a figment of my imagination.
“Did that really happen?” I looked up at him for an answer. He looked away, taking a cloth and dipping it into a wash pan before turning to me. I could see it in his eyes. He knew what I was talking about.
“That's something I never wanted you to see.” He dabbed my head with cold water. I could feel reality teetering back and forth as each dab brought me closer to “waking up”.
“Is that part of your curse?”
“I guess. I was never with my people so I never learned what was normal or not. But all throughout my life I've had to deal with it.”
“Is that what they've been talking about?”
“What do you mean?” His eyes were opened wide with interest.
“The people in my village always told us of the human eating monster that lived within the temple in the jungle. When I came to live with you I was so terrified. I thought you were going to eat me. But when you didn't I found it hard to tell myself each day that you wouldn't someday.” I paused for a moment, taking in his concerned expression before continuing. “I got to know you though, and I realized you would never hurt me.”
“It's true, I would never want to harm you.”
“But that thing you became. That just couldn't have been you. Those eyes...
“I'm sorry,” His arms wrapped softly around me and I could feel the pain in his embrace. I rested my head on his shoulder and hoped, with every fiber of my being, that this curse would go away.
“Would you still like to go riding?” I nodded with a faint smile, but inside I was beginning to wish I was back home. I wanted to stay with him, to be there for him, but something told me that staying here was not a safe idea.

“Come on,” his voice was smooth, as if he had never face trouble in his life. He mounted his horse and I mounted mine and we rode deep into the jungle where the moon was barely visible, and the only other light was the glow of lightening bugs flying in between the trees. I was more than surprised when I realized where we were headed.
At first I couldn't see much ahead of me. The only thing I noticed was that the sky beginning to show over the horizon and then the moon was clearly visible in the sky. Then suddenly I could see the meadow before me and I knew immediately we were headed for the meadow I had often been to.

We got off our horses and both walked, hand in hand, toward a big, old tree. We sat with our backs to the trunk of the tree, our eyes both gazing out into the sky. My head resting on his shoulder, his arm wrapping around my arms. The night was beginning to feel cold, but my bodies temperature continued to rise as he held me tightly to him, his nose now nudging my cheek, a gesture he always did as a tiger just for turning into a human in bed. But this time I felt the softness of his lips touch my cheek and my face burned with heat. He removed his lips off my cheek then kissed my hair before resting his head back on the tree. It suddenly got cold again, the heat from my cheeks draining just as soon as he had taken his lips off me.
We continued to rest by the tree for most of the night. And for that moment I began to forget all the fears I had previously that. No longer did the demonic creature exist. It was just me and Saeron under the bright starry night.

We put the horses back in their stables then headed for the bedroom. I trailed behind him before he called to me to walk by his side. He held me close and soon we were both snuggling in the bed together. I felt so comfortable in his arms. Just before I closed my eyes I realized a tear falling down my cheek. I quickly wiped it off. Why was I crying? I suddenly realized it was because deep down I knew I'd have to leave him some day. I couldn't stay here forever.
I closed my eyes and tried my hardest to fall asleep. I gripped tightly to Saeron's arm, and braced myself for the tears that were beginning to form in my eyes.

“Dante, are you okay?” I opened my eyes to see Saeron in his tiger form with a clear look of concern on his face. “You were talking in your sleep.”
“I was?” My eyes fluttered open and I began to rub the sleep out of them. “I don't even remember what I was dreaming.”
“You were calling out to your Mom,” he said softly, concern still on his face. “You really miss them don't you?” I nodded weakly in response. I didn't want to offend him and the hospitality he provided me, but I also didn't want to lie either.
He turned his head away from me and looked up to the ceiling, his gaze a blank stare. I tried to comfort him by rubbing his paw, but he only continued to stare off into nothing. I finally gave up and walked out of the room to eat breakfast. I ended up preparing a fresh fish along with some eggs I had collected previously and settled down to a nice, solitude breakfast.
I stared out at the sky. It was cloudy and drops of rain were beginning to fall. Saeron walked into the room, still dry with a look on his face of having no intention of getting wet.
“I thought tigers didn't mind water.”
“This tiger doesn't mind water, but I sure do hate the rain.” He squatted beside me, nudging my legs with his head, causing them to feel tingly all over. “I think I'll just stay here today. I'll just need to keep myself under control.”
“Does it happen because of me? That creature? Does it come out because of me?” I asked in a soft voice.
“It happens with all humans. It craves them. It seems to be easier to control it around you because I care about you so much, but I always like to be cautious.”
“That's why you go into the jungle everyday right?” More was beginning to reveal itself and I could see that from the very beginning Saeron had cared about my safety. But why had he cared for me back then? “Why not the other people? Why did you kill them?”
“I didn't mean to. I just couldn't control myself. It was in control before I could do anything. And then it was too late. But that day you came to the temple....” He paused for a moment causing me to look up in search of more words. “I somehow found the strength to control myself. But it's not always that simple. I have to be careful. I don't like putting you in danger. Even now I'm trying my hardest to suppressed—Oh god!” He wince and for second I thought he was going to change. But thankfully his form stayed the same. However, my heart didn't cease to thump as loudly as it had been from the beginning.
I saw his eyes and realized he had heard the fear in my heart. He turned away, sadness clear in his eyes and I fell to his side without a second thought, my arms falling lovingly on his neck. I pulled myself close to him, trying to get a response from him. His form stood still, “Please let go,” his voice was soft, but firm. But I continued to hold him tightly. But I was doing nothing to help him. Suddenly his body began throbbing as it had done the day before.
“Let go!” He yelled through his teeth. I fell back, stunned by the force in his voice. The words tore through my heart like a knife. “I told you to let go. I can't afford to put you in danger.” His eyes were still hard as he tried to control the throbbing.
“I don't want you to be alone in this.” I said through sobs.
“It can't be helped.” His voice was cold. “I'm sorry. I need to leave for a while.”
I through tears as he sauntered out of the room and into the rain. He took one last glance at me before heading out.

After a few ours he returned, soaking wet and in no better mood than he had been. He walked passed me and I sat, still in the eating room, still drying my tears. I had been weeping for him all morning, but it had done him no good. I followed him into the bedroom where he lay on the bed, licking his paws and back.
I quietly sat beside him and began petting him. He let out a low growl, but relaxed after he realized I would go no further.

I awoke, realizing I had fallen asleep on the bed and that it was still day. The sky was dark, and the rain had yet to cease, but it was still daylight as I confirmed from my sighting of Saeron as a tiger outside the bedroom.
I moved in beside him, trying not to touch him, but still managing to get very close.
“You do realize why you can't touch me right?” I nodded. “I don't like to get after you, but it's too dangerous.”
“I feel so bad for you though,” I almost fell into his side for comfort, but quickly caught myself. “I just want to be close to you when your like this.”
“That's why I need to stay in the jungle during this time. I can't afford to put you in this kind of danger.”
“I know, but I feel so bad for you. I don't want you to feel alone in this,” This time I forgot to hold myself back. I fell into his side without thinking and dug my face into his fur, pulling myself closer to him as tears welled up in my eyes. “I want to be there for you.”
“Dante,” his voice was calm. But suddenly it was happening again. The throbs coming even fast this time. I threw my head off his body as I looked up into his eyes. They were already beginning to yellow and great pain shown within them. “Get out of here! Leave!” He tried his best to control the throbbing and eventually the throbs began to slow. “Get out of here, Dante! Leave this place now! It's not safe! Go to your family! Leave!” The last word was almost a roar and I suddenly felt my feet carrying me away from him. What was I doing? I couldn't leave him here. But I couldn't stay here and get eaten either. Before I knew what I was doing I had mounted Nara and ran her recklessly away from the temple.
My last sight of him was a sad one. I watched as his pain stricken blue eyes gazed after me and a mournful roar left his mouth.