My Necromancer Wife

Karim

For a moment, I'm tongue-tied.

I can't think of a single word of comfort to offer her.

I think of Clara. She's out there somewhere, with just a caretaker as protection.

My chest tightens at the thought that she could be dead or on the run.

Ace doesn't utter a word. His hands keep twitching at his sides, as if he wants to do something but can't... or won't.

"I'm so... sorry to hear that." I say, repeating the same words I've heard people say to others during times like this.

She sniffles again.

"Nothing would bring them back. But we can stop them from taking the lives of many others. I have nothing left to lose". She says, anger burning behind her words.

She grabs my arm.

"Don't you want a Resistance anymore? Say something, Karim! I need to do this... Please".

I can't see her eyes, but I can feel the sincerity in her words. She's serious.

But, she's too young. She has her whole life ahead of her.

What if she dies out there? I'd be responsible for that.

Yet, I understand her need for revenge, her need to prove herself - it mirrors how I had felt when I had been eight years old.

Ace whispers something, but stops with a sigh.

"I'll have to think about it". I say, not sounding as firm as I intended.

Her grip on my arm tightens.

"I won't take no for an answer, Karim. Please, say yes".

With a heavy sigh, I give in.

"Fine. You can join us, but you'll not be involved in any of the combat".

Arms wrap around my neck without warning.

I don't push her away, because she needs someone to be there for her - even if I'm not that person.

"I can protect her". Ace says.

I glance at him over her head. Even Morrow tenses in my arms. She slowly releases me and steps back.

"Are you offering to join Furuno and I?"

The question is met with silence.

Just when I give up all hope of hearing his response, he says, "No. I'm offering to be her bodyguard. I don't work under anybody".

Morrow turns and hugs him.

He freezes awkwardly.

"Thank you. I appreciate you volunteering to protect her. That's one burden off my shoulders".

All I get is a curt nod.

"Let's go. This place is very creepy". Morrow says.

We walk down to the school quietly. Morrow walks in between us.

The silence is dense with unspoken words.

Ace and I escort her to the entrance of her dormitory before going to ours.

Ace always seems like he wants to say something, but is too timid to do so.

He had been so aware of her - guiding her over steep places and helping her avoid rocks.

It's so obvious to anyone who cares to notice.

I'm excited to tell Furuno the good news - our Resistance is growing.

I and Ace part at the water fountain, each heading to different buildings.

He still seemed disturbed, but it was no longer as obvious. His thoughts are probably dominated by Morrow and her sweet smile.

I shake my head - romance isn't for me. I've never been the kind to become foolish and tongue-tied because of a woman.

And at their age, words are so important - everything is empty without them.

I clamber up the stairs two at a time and stride along the hall until I find myself in front of Furuno's door.

The room within is quiet, except for the dramatic commentary from football enthusiasts - probably from his roommate which I haven't met yet.

I knock.

Bare feet slap against the polished floor as someone within approaches the door.

Then, I hear something shatter. The sound is muffled by the door, but unmistakeable.

The approaching footsteps cease, then start retreating further into the room.

"Are you alright in there?" The roommate calls out.

I raise a concerned eyebrow as I strain my ears to hear his response.

It's probably an accident.

No response.

I knock again.

The person rushes to the door and opens it, muttering indistinct explanations and apologies simultaneously.

I nod at him and walk further into the room. On Furuno's bed is a black cloak. I don't think much of it as I walk over to the bathroom door.

His roommate stands behind me, his eyes shimmering with both curiosity and concern.

I knock but he doesn't open the door. Something within warns me that everything is not alright.

I knock again, louder than the last. I place my ears against the door. I can hear his heavy breathing and the thumping sound of someone smashing against glass.

Something is definitely wrong. Very wrong.

I turn the knob - it's locked.

I turn to his roommate. "Do you have a hair pin or anything slender I could use to pry this lock open?

He nods and scuttles over to his bedside drawer, producing a hairpin.

Even though I had asked for it, I hadn't expected him to actually have one.

I take it from him and bend it, fitting it into the keyhole and waiting for the characteristic 'click' sound.

As soon as I hear it, I bounce the door open.

Inside, Furuno is grasping both ears with bleeding hands. His hair and clothing is covered in dust, some parts more obvious than others. The bathroom looks like the site of a battle.

Underneath his feet lie shards of shattered glass.

I lay my hand on his shoulder gently. He spins on his heels slowly, until his gaze meets mine.

His eyes are glassy and haunted, like the gaze of a man dangling between sanity and insanity.

My instincts had been right - something is wrong.

He had been perfectly fine when I had seen him last, what changed?

My hands start trembling without me realizing it.

"Are you alright?" I ask, knowing that he isn't but wanting to hear it from him.

He just nods.

I decide to respect his privacy - I'm not one to push beyond given boundaries.

I'm no longer sure if now is the right time to tell him the good - and the bad - news.

I find myself telling him everything.

His eyes light up at first, but they suddenly grow dim.

All colour drains from his face as his eyes dart around the room - searching for something.

I step back, running into his roommate.

Why do I have the feeling that the monster invasion is not our only problem?