You Illuminate My Path

Chapter 15: Knocked out

"(Y/n)?" the man calls. I put the book back in it's place, making sure that it looks like I've never even touched it before going to the old man. "Yeah?" I say, going back to the middle of the room where the man sits by a wooden chair and desk. "Now that you've taken a look at the place, how about we sit down and discuss why you're here?" he asks, gesturing at the chair across from himself. Nodding, I take a seat, trying to make it feel like I'm looking him in the eye— make it feel like we have direct eye contact, but it's useless; he stares right through me. I shift uncomfortably in my chair, waiting for him to talk, but since he looks like he doesn't have in mind to say anything yet, I clear my throat and say, "So, shall we start?"

No response. He's just staring through me. I glance at Alicja who stands by a bookshelf behind me and shrug. All she does is mouth the word, wait, while giving me a nod of approval.
Turning back to the man I'm surprised to hear him say something odd. "She sees, without really seeing." I wait for him to say something more, but that was it. Now it's my turn.
"Uh...who is she?"
"Alicja," he says, nodding at my winged friend.
He smiles, laughing ever so slightly. "She also hears without really hearing."

I tilt my head to the right. Okay...
"And...why am I here?" I try to say it a polite way. Being here with this guy is freaking me out a little, and he apparently doesn't know how to get to the point. "Be patient, (Y/n)," the man says with a genuine smile. But I can't be patient anymore. How long have I been here? Hours? Days? Months?!
Flying out of my chair I stare into the blind mans pale blue eyes. "No."
"Huh?" The man tilts his head slightly. "I can't be patient anymore. Tell me why I'm here." My voice is unrecognizable. It's sharp— like a blade, pointed towards this man. Gripping the edge of the table I yell, "What happened to Tomoe?!"

The man remains calm— sitting comfortably in his chair, smiling as if oblivious to my loud voice. "Your Familiar is fine."
"Oh yeah? How can you be so sure?" I spit out the words. I know that I'm supposed respect my elders, but this guy? No way. At this point I'm considering wether or not to toss my chair at him, but he's blind...and old. It'd be so easy it wouldn't be fair. "(Y/n), just calm down." It's Alicja speaking. Her voice is soothing in an attempt to make me sit down and not to do anything dumb. But I don't do anything. My grip on the table tightens, my teeth clench shut. "(Y/n)." Alicja's hand rests on my shoulder. "Calm down."

I want to. I have to. But instead I do the exact opposite. Spinning around with full force I hit Alicja's arm, so her hand flies off my shoulder.
Crack.
Her arm falls limp at her side. She glares at me with a shocked expression. I gasp, bringing my hand up to my mouth, hiding that my jaw has dropped when I realized what had just happened. I broke her arm.

Shaking, I back away from her, eventually having to stop because of the chair and table.
"Alicja...I...sorry," I say. Words cannot explain how bad I feel. How could I do such a thing? Especially towards Alicja?
That's when I stop. She destroyed my shrine, hurt Tomoe, took me to this weird place...

"Why am I here?" I ask again. My voice is dead serious. Judging by the look on Alicja's face she doesn't want to fight, but she won't have any choice if I don't get my questions answered.
Then I hear a laugh. A loud, genuine laugh. Turning around, facing the old man, I see him laughing like it's the best joke he's ever heard.
"What the hell are you laughing at?!"
"Y-haha!" I'm guessing that he's trying to say, "you", but he's laughing too hard to say it.
"Oh my, that is...that is the best laugh I've had for two years!" the old man says, still laughing a bit. "Stop it!" I yell. "Answer my question! Why am I here?!"
By slamming my hands on the table I make the man choke down his laughter.
"You really are one of a kind, (Y/n)."
I take a deep breath and count to ten. This guy is so annoying!
"(Y/n), why you're here is classified information. So far, at least," the man says.
I snicker. "Classified information? Are you kidding me?!" I'm infuriated.
"I kid you not, my dear." He nods. Then something throws me across the room, making me fall into a bookshelf knocking it down, which starts a chain reaction. Squinting my eyes I see Alicja coming towards me, wings exposed. "Sorry, (Y/n), I have to follow his orders." I stumble while trying to get up. Shaking my head while repeating the words "no", I back away, eventually slipping because of the books. "Sorry," she says while once again throwing me at something. This time the wall.

Black spots are dancing before my eyes as the old man gets out of his chair and heads towards the exit. "Our meeting is over, (Y/n). Alicja, finish her off, but don't kill her. She's valuable." He walks out the door, shutting it behind him. "Yes, sir," Alicja whispers, before giving me the hit that finally knocks me out.

Hi! My apologies for the late update. It was supposed to be done earlier, but I had to re-edit it because...well...plot.
Thanks for reading.