Chapter 32

                                    

                                          
"Wow!" I gasp, tracing it with my fingers.

Beside me, Darius, now in panther form, stirs from slumber, his golden eyes filled with curiosity.

He stretches lazily, his sleek black fur glistening in the dim light.

"Seems like you had quite an awakening," he purrs mischievously.

I chuckle, my cheeks flushing at the implications of my earlier excitement.

"You could say that," I reply, playfully smiling.

Darius raises an eyebrow, teasing, "So, when's my turn for a mark?" I roll my eyes, laughing. "Oh, please. You'll get your turn if you bring me a good meal."

In a surprising twist, Darius returns with a skewer of roasted meat.

I raise an eyebrow at his dedication, and when I take a bite, let's just say it's not a culinary masterpiece.

Darius seems to sense my disappointment. "I tried my best," he mumbles sheepishly.

I burst into laughter, tension from the past days finally released. "It's the thought that counts," I reassure him.

As I chew the meat, I think about the herbs I gathered from Harvey.

They're meant to enhance the flavor of any dish. For now, though, I'm content with Darius' humble offering.

Leaning back against the cave wall, I feel the snake mark on my chest still tingling faintly.

Thoughts of the future dance in my mind, a mosaic of possibilities taking shape.

There's so much to teach and explore together.

Morning light spills into the cave, casting a soft, golden glow on the stone walls.

Surrounded by newfound companionship, I sit there as Curtis and Darius watch me with curiosity and understanding.

The mark on my chest pulses faintly, a reminder of our profound connection.

I shift, tracing patterns on the cave floor. "Hey, Curtis," I begin, my voice soft with uncertainty. "Did you see my backpack outside? I might need some things from it."

Curtis nods, a small smile on his lips. "Yes, I noticed it when you were struggling with those... interesting clothes," he says, chuckling.

Relieved that my belongings are safe, I thank him, my cheeks blushing.

Curtis seems thoughtful, though, and mentions something strange. "Actually, there was something... black. It had a strange smell, almost like you."

My heart skips a beat. "You brought it with you?" I ask, almost in a whisper.

Curtis nods, lost in his own memories. "I remembered you, your scent. I thought... you might want it back."

A bittersweet smile crosses my lips as I open the black backpack.

Memories flood in, and I carefully retrieve a set of neatly folded, dry clothes. My fingers trace the fabric, a wave of nostalgia washing over me.

My eyes darted to my laptop and saw a faint light beneath. "My laptop!" I exclaim.

I also find my laptop left open, its screen displaying 42% battery. "Sh*T," I mutter, feeling frustrated and regretful.

My laptop holds a connection to a world I might never return to. I hastily turn on ultra power saving mode, hoping to save what remains.

Darius, now in his human form, sits nearby. He wears a mix of curiosity and confusion on his face as he listens to our conversation.

He frowns, clearly struggling to understand the unfamiliar objects before him.

Curtis' gaze meets mine. His voice is soft but earnest.

"When will you tell us about your race, about where you're from?"

I hesitate, my heart pounding. Their questions are valid, their curiosity natural.

Slowly, I offer a glimpse of the truth.

"It's a distant place, one I'm not sure I can return to." The words hang in the air, heavy with unspoken implications.

Curtis nods, a hint of understanding in his eyes. "I may not fully grasp these things or this... laaah tup, but I won't doubt you or care where you come from. We trust you."