Chapter 9

Leona's POV “Leona. Leona—hey, look at me—” I blinked. Ariel's face was the first thing I saw. His usually calm and aloof eyes were wide open in terror. Atwood was beside him, his cheeks covered in dirt, panting and terrified. They both looked down at me as if I were something fragile. Fragile. The next second, their scent enveloped me. I couldn't stay there, I couldn't be with them. I took off running under their concerned gazes, not turning back even as they called after me. I couldn't indulge in their "sweetness" any longer; I had to escape it all. “Leona, wait for us. I apologize for what happened.” An apology? Perhaps not, because I definitely couldn't accept it anymore. Their hurried footsteps approached from behind, but I knew they couldn't catch me. This wasn't good, but at this moment, it mattered. I ran with my eyes closed in the blaze of the sun, about to be swallowed by the sea. 6:43 PM, I arrived home. As I pushed open the door, the familiar aroma of lasagna wafted out. My