Story Reader / Affection / Lamia: Lost Lullaby / Story
Nestled in the embrace of the human, Lamia clings tightly to those arms.
Just put me down. You won't get far carrying me like this.
It's not like I'm very light.
(If I had known this earlier, I would've not turned on the anti-gravity levitation...)
Stop! Or we'll open fire!
Lamia casts a quick glance over the human's shoulder, only to spot three armed camp guards in hot pursuit from behind.
Despite their threats to shoot, the guards' attention is predominantly occupied by the roots underfoot and the slippery moss, making it impossible for them to maintain steady aim.
Not to mention, their target has been frequently taking sharp turns, cleverly using large trees as cover.
Lamia can't help but inwardly whine as the scenery around them relentlessly fades away yet remains monotonous.
(Why do I have to get dragged into this?!)
All of this started several hours ago.
Since she cried before, the Gray Raven Commandant has never pressured Lamia for information again.
Instead, the human requests to help Lamia with her work at the camp.
This leaves Lamia, who intended to take it easy, in a bitter state of distress—the work meant to occupy her for an entire day is now finished within a mere hour.
Finally, after hearing Lamia's complaints—or more accurately, her pleas—the Gray Raven Commandant gives in and joins her in the slacking off.
As the days pass by, the commandant begins to grasp that Lamia is indeed different from the others at the camp, gradually lowering their guard.
While Lamia shares with the human many of the things she has overheard.
The two people, both under a false identity, end up developing a peculiar bond.
This is how it should have been from the start...
After making sure no one else is around, the human speaks to Lamia in a low voice.
What is it?
...
(I know that... And that's exactly what I'm here for.)
(Why mention this now... Don't tell me...)
Lamia somehow has a bad feeling about it.
(I knew it!)
Eh... escape? But why?
Safety? Will something dangerous happen?
The human doesn't elaborate but responds with an affirmative nod.
(Saying no at this point would only make my previous actions suspicious... Now I'm starting to regret my choices.)
Lamia has no choice but to nod in agreement.
(Maybe I should deal with this person outside or purposely get caught.)
Amidst these thoughts, Lamia even feels a fleeting moment of sympathy toward the human standing before her.
(If we get caught again, things will be tough, but maybe I can still choose to help this person somehow.)
O-okay.
Thus, under the cover of the night, the two begin their escape.
Only now does Lamia realize that the human has already discerned the patrol routes of the guards and identified all the blind spots that can be exploited.
(Was all the work in different areas just for this moment?)
(If the plan was to escape all along, why come here in the first place?)
As Lamia falls in puzzlement, the person ahead suddenly breaks the silence and speaks.
The human takes out a bolt cutter seemingly from nowhere and snips through the wire fence blocking their path.
(Wait... I remember there's...)
Who's there?!
They found us!
Says Lamia, suppressing her inner joy.
You should go ahead and run. My legs won't carry me fast enough, so I'll only slow you down.
(Just leave me and go. This way I don't have to risk exposing myself to deal with you.)
While Lamia ponders, she abruptly feels herself being lifted off the ground, suspended in the air.
The person carries her up and securely cradles her in their arms.
Ah...
Instinctively, Lamia tightens her grip on the person's arm, curling up in their embrace.
Stop there!
Multiple gunshots echo from behind, but in the darkness, firearms lacking night vision equipment have little chance of hitting their intended targets.
With Lamia in their arms, the human dashes toward the nearest forest at an astonishing speed, leaving only a handful of pursuers with any hope of catching up.
(Why do you have to play the hero at a time like this...)
Left with no other choice, Lamia grips the human's arm even tighter.
Now—
In the refugee camp, the human endured both demanding physical labor and insufficient meals. The escape has undeniably taken a toll on them.
In stark contrast, the guards, apart from their regular patrols, rarely partake in physical tasks. Moreover, they enjoy privileged access to food.
Constantly changing directions to evade being targeted is incredibly physically demanding, and in this test of endurance, the Gray Raven Commandant is gradually falling behind.
Let me down. You won't make it like this.
As Lamia gazes at the face so closely in front of her, she notices that the bandages wrapped around it are completely drenched in sweat. Strands of hair stick together, only to be swept backward during the run.
Lamia can feel the human's heavy panting brushing against her cheeks, the scorching temperature showing the extent of their exhaustion.
Why don't you just give up...
(For someone like me...)
People like me?
Lamia mutters softly, her voice tinged with both confusion... and an unexplainable stirring of emotions deep within her.
Would someone really care about a useless child?
But the human protecting her has no spare energy to respond.
That... that person seems exhausted! Just... a little longer...
Although the voice of the pursuer is also breathless, they continue to draw closer.
After the human runs through the bush ahead, they are greeted by the sight of...
Hahaha, ran yourselves into a dead end, huh?
A sheer cliff that overlooks a tumultuous sea below.
(This mission is already a failure. I should escape through the sea...)
Jump! Don't hesitate... Eh?
Expecting the human holding her to stop, Lamia is taken aback when, instead, they not only continue running but even accelerate into a sprint.
Upon hearing Lamia's command, the human casts her a puzzled look, then takes a daring leap without hesitation!
Eeeek!
Caught off guard by the sudden sensation of weightlessness, Lamia lets out a startled scream and clings tightly to the human's arm.
Just as she considers removing her disguise, a soft and cushioned surface catches both of them.
(A net?)
While they are suspended in the secure net, disturbances erupt from the top of the cliff.
Who are you?!
Arrrgh!!
Soon, the chaos quickly dissipates into silence.
