Chapter 76

                                    

                                          
He knows Julie possesses knowledge that goes beyond their world - concepts and ideas foreign to the beastmen.
Yet, she remains mysterious about her origins, her past shrouded in secrecy.
Darius's thoughts turn to his own insecurities, his self-doubt nagging at him.
"She seemed so smart and wise, even about Curtis. But not about me... Why does it feel so unfair?"
He sighs quietly, his fingers tracing patterns on the ground absentmindedly.
The crackling fire provides a comforting backdrop to his thoughts, mirroring the uncertainty swirling in his mind.
In the midst of his contemplation, Darius's attention is drawn back to Julie.
She shifts again, a faint smile on her lips as if chasing a fleeting dream. His gaze softens, and a protective feeling wells up within him.
Darius may not fully understand Julie's origins or the complexities that make her who she is, but one thing is clear - he's determined to stand by her side, to offer support and help her find her place in their world, no matter how different or mysterious she may be.
Meanwhile, Curtis stands a few steps away, his scarlet eyes fixed on Julie as she sleeps.
He doesn't say anything, his thoughts a whirlwind of emotions he chooses to keep to himself.
He watches her with tenderness and concern, his heart aching at the mysteries surrounding her.
From the moment they met, Curtis felt an unexplainable connection with Julie, one that defies logic.
Her presence sparked something within him, a strong determination to protect and cherish her, even if he can't fully grasp the extent of her uniqueness.
Curtis's gaze traces the contours of Julie's face, his fingers twitching as if resisting the urge to touch her.
He knows she holds secrets, that there's a depth to her he has yet to uncover.
But for now, he's patient, finding comfort in the silent companionship of the night as they watch over the sleeping world around them.
I wake up suddenly, my senses alert to unfamiliar sounds.
My eyes open wide, and I sit up, looking around anxiously.
Panic surges through me as I see my backpack tumble to the ground, and I can't help but exclaim, "No!"
Curtis, caught off guard, accidentally hits his tail against a rock, causing my backpack to fall.
Its contents spill out in disarray, and one word flashes in my mind: 'Laptop.' I quickly reach for it, my heart racing with fear that it might be damaged.
Thankfully, it seems to be okay. My initial frustration with Curtis's clumsiness starts to subside.
Just as I'm about to scold him, my attention shifts to what Curtis is holding in his hand, and my eyes widen in disbelief.
It's a vibrator - a personal item I brought along for stress relief during my journey.
Why on earth did I pack it? Embarrassment washes over me as I realize that Curtis has now seen it.
His pupils dilate, curiosity sparking in his scarlet eyes. I can tell he's puzzled by this strange object, and I brace myself for the questions that are sure to come.
Embarrassment and anxiety well up inside me, and I involuntarily make a soft, anxious sound.
I lunge forward, desperately trying to retrieve the vibrator from Curtis's grasp.
My heart is pounding, and I can feel my cheeks growing hot.
But Curtis lifts it just out of my reach, his gaze fixed on me. His voice is calm, but his question hangs heavily in the air.
"What is this for, Julie?"
My discomfort intensifies, and I shift my weight from foot to foot, avoiding his gaze.
Beside us, Darius flinches, his keen senses picking up on the sudden tension in the air.
I can practically feel his curiosity and concern emanating from him.
"Hic," I hiccup, my voice betraying my inner turmoil.
Tears threaten to well up in my eyes, and my heart races with embarrassment. This is not how I imagined this situation unfolding.
Taking a deep breath, I muster my courage. I meet Curtis's gaze, determined to overcome my embarrassment.
"J-just give it back, please! And no! There's no way I'm explaining this!" I exclaim, my voice coming out higher and louder than I intended.
Curtis seems taken aback by my sudden outburst, and for a moment, his scarlet eyes reflect surprise and concern.
The atmosphere is thick with awkwardness, and I sense Darius's uneasy energy beside us.
As I stand there, cheeks flushed and heart racing, I can't help but wonder how I ended up in such a mortifying situation.