Synthetic Lover

I still can barely understand.

I was locked inside the room, staring at the world clouded in grey through the window again.

I can’t eat regular food.
I feed on blood.

Only Devin’s blood…

Devin tried feeding me blood bags (God knows where he got them from), but I spit them back out.

His blood is the only kind that I can take.

I cringed at the thought.

I want to stop the hunger.
Every two weeks, I just want to stop the hunger.

But Devin won’t let me starve, and he’s all too willing to comply.

I closed my eyes and rested my head against the cool windowpane.

Why do I have to be locked in this room?
Why do I have to be hidden?

Why can’t I remember anything?

The wind blew harshly, shaking the window slightly.

“You’re confused and angry.”

I opened my eyes and frantically looked around the room.

No one is in here.

“You need guidance, but first, you need a peaceful mind.”

I opened my mouth to speak, but quickly closed it when I remembered I couldn’t.

“Follow the wind.”

Another gust of wind and the window doors opened.

I stood up and took in the air.

It feels…different.
It feels nice.

I looked down at the ground below.

It’s too high up…

“Use the tree branch. Climb down. Follow the wind.”

I did as I was told and soon headed down the road, the wind continuously at my back.

The wind shifted rapidly towards a broad forest.
I stared at the first clump of trees.

“Don’t be afraid. It’s okay. Just walk into it.”

The wind nudged me forth, so I continued to walk.

It was quiet, except for the crunching of leaves and small branches under my feet with each step.

“Keep going. You’re almost there.”

One step after another. The forest seemed to go on forever until I approached a cliff and—

“Stop.”

I did so, giving a look of confusion even though the voice probably can’t see me.

“Take a look around.”

I did and my mouth dropped in astonishment.

I stood before an expansive gap, eyeing the view of the waterfalls rolling off the grey and black rocks and emptying into the river below.
Birds flew overhead, calling out in the sky, and the evergreen trees trembled with the wind.

This place is so breathtaking, so beautiful…

“Whenever you feel overwhelmed. Remember this place. This is only the beginning, Ricky. You still have much to learn and figure out.”

<Wait!>

“…Yes?”

I can communicate with my thoughts…?

<Who are you? Why are you helping me?>
“All will be revealed in due time. Right now, it’s better that you go home.”

I nodded and dashed towards the house.

As soon as I reached home, I carefully climbed back up the tree and into the open window.

Something in my chest ached at the sight in front of me.

Paper and books were thrown everywhere...

...and Devin was on the floor, a sobbing mess.

I slowly walked towards him and knelt down next to him, placing a hand on his head.

As soon as he saw me, he threw his arms around me, knocking us to the ground.

“I-I…I thought I lost you…! I thought I lost you again…!”

He pulled away, staring down at me with tears in his eyes.

He grit his teeth together before he struck me across the face.

“Why the fuck would you do that…?! I was worried sick!”

<How long was I gone…?>

“You were gone for three fucking hours! God damn it, Ricky!”

He understood me…Even though he was too mad to notice.

What was this feeling…? Guilt?
Yeah, it was Guilt.

I sat up and pulled Devin into my arms.

<I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you worry. I’m really sorry, Devin.>

He buried his face into the crook of my neck and continued to cry.

I didn’t know what the pain in my chest was, but I knew that I never want to make Devin upset like that ever again.