No One Like You

   Ren didn't completely believe her, but he decided not to pry any further and said, "Alright." He started to move towards the town, then he stopped. When Pearl asked with a hint of nervousness, "Is something wrong?" He turned around. Then he asked, "What direction were we going." She acted as though she was searching her mind for memories, but she was searching for ideas. "South. My home.. is south from the swamp. Why?" He faced the river, then tilted his head up and calculated in his head. He eventually turned back to her and said, "This river is going in roughly the same direction as your home. If we follow the river, we can reach your home. If we run into trouble, we can run back to the village for protection. And you'll have easy access to water." She was barely able to keep good eye contact as she plastered on her best smile and said, "That sounds like a good plan."

  When the the sky was painted yellow, pink, and orange, the siren and the Elf picked a spot to settle for the night. Ren set up a small campfire, then they both rested. Pearl sat in the river while Ren sat by the fire. Her back was turned to him, so he couldn't see through her face that a war was going on in her mind. She was questioning whether or not she could pull through with the plan she made in the beginning. She could pass the curse and leave that night, but only if she could bring herself to do it.

  In time, she decided to put off the internal battle for another time. She sighed quietly, then she turned her head to face him and said, "By the way, thank you for everything you've done. I've never met anyone that was so willing to help." He looked up as she spoke, then he looked to the side and said, "No problem. Glad I could help."

  After some awkward silence, Pearl got up from the river, sat somewhat close to the fire, and asked as soon as she got comfortable, "By the way… would you be more willing to share why you were in the swamp, now that we've gotten to know each other? Or is it still a secret?" He couldn't resist her charming, inquiring face. And he trusted her. 

He answered, "I was sent by an innkeeper to chase down a clan of Orc bandits. I managed to kill the leader, but one hit me with one of those Orc maces. I came across the swamp and went in because Orcs don't do well in damp environments." She finished with a little smirk, "And then I found an unconscious Elf." Then her smile faded when she remembered that she almost passed the curse to him. Curiosity got to him, so he asked, "Anything else you wanna tell me?" She shook her head and put up her nervous act as she asked, "Did you wake up at any time.. while I was healing you…" Ren nodded his head gently. "For a few.. maybe ten seconds." She then asked, "Did you hear anything..."

  He thought about it for a minute. Then he said, "Yes. I heard your song." When Pearl looked down, Ren said, "Are you embarrassed?" She nodded and replied, "A little…" He narrowed his eyes a little and asked, "Why? You have a beautiful voice." She rubbed her arm and answered modestly, "Thank you." 

The rest of the night felt like warmth and magic. While they sat next to each other by the fire, they told each other stories and memorable moments, snuck in a few snarky yet playful comments, and just overall enjoyed each other's company. Pearl couldn't get over his hazel eyes that reflected the fire's light. Ren grew found of her unique and beautiful laugh as soon as he heard it. Before they knew it, they were holding hands while they watched the fire. It wasn't even a conscious decision. It just happened. Pearl eventually removed her gaze from the campfire and saw their hands clasped together. She wondered if he sensed her blushing, because after she did he saw their hands and did the same. They released each other and mumbled apologies, then they chortled at their own awkwardness.

  The siren took a deep breath and said, "I'm going to sleep. See you in the morning." After he said, "Night." They exchanged sweet smiles and settled in. Pearl's legs morphed into a tail as she curled up under the river's flowing water. Using his arm as a pillow, Ren looked at her and sighed discreetly. Then he closed his eyes and fell asleep. 

  But Pearl didn't fall asleep. She closed her eyes and waited for rest to take away her worries for the night, but rest didn't come. Only it's devious twin: restlessness. She sat up and shuttered when the cold air hit her wet face. When she looked at the Elf, he was sleeping peacefully. He was completely unaware of the danger he was in. He had no idea what her original plan was. How much she longed to be human again. And how she had used him to fill the empty feeling in her heart. He trusted her. 

Trust… this scarce and fragile thing…

Could she really shatter this precious rarity?

  She couldn't sit still any longer, so she carefully walked out of the river and soundlessly tiptoed away from the camp so she could dwell in her worries alone. She lightened her carefulness when she was a safe distance from the campfire. 

  She sighed as she hugged herself tightly. The air was so cold, she almost wanted to go back to the camp and restart the fire. But Ren could wake up, and she had a feeling that he was already a little suspicious of her loss in interest to go home. She groaned quietly in frustration as she thought, 'What am I supposed to do? He's going to find out eventually that I don't even have a home. I just stayed in the swamp because I wouldn't be disturbed as much. And once he finds out, he's going to figure out that I was just stringing him along so I could forget about my worries and feel love again before finally giving the curse to him. It won't take him long to realize that I could kiss him in his sleep if I get bored with him. If he hasn't figured that out already.'

Pearl sighed again. 'Actually… I'm not so sure that I want to give him the curse anymore. I want to be Human again so badly, but… I've grown to love him. He's just so… I can't just let him go like that. I may not find someone like him again.'  She started to smile a little as she raised her hands up from her elbows to near her shoulders.  'I can't get over his looks. And that voice of his.. his smooth yet firm voice is like silver. And he has a heart that I've never found in any of the men from my past, not my first boyfriend, or that dirt-brained fiance, or that filthy siren that gave his curse to me. Ren is not like them. I heard the villagers' warnings. Despite their words of wisdom.. and truth… he saved me. He carried me like a princess to the river, knowing I couldn't return the favor. Of course, I did save his life."

  Then her smile faded. 'But only so I could toy with love, and his emotions. I did it for myself… not him. Can I really break his trust forever?'

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