Hiding From the Unknown

CALLISTO

Walk | Talk | Think

There was silence beyond the den's entrance, eerie and heavy, as she waited to see what Max might say or do. She had expected him to go right into his apology, whatever it was that he had worked up to tell her, and though she waited for it, ears turned back to listen as she continued to face the back wall of her den, nothing came. Nor did she hear any sound of retreating steps signifying he was doing as she had told him and leaving her be. It was stressful, knowing he was there but not quite understanding why he was so silent. Could he no longer speak? Did he forget what he wanted to say? Was this his way of giving her the quiet and space that she wanted? It was not nearly enough.

Unexpectedly, he growled, a quiet, low sound that startled her initially. When had she ever known Maximous to growl? At anyone? She had only ever seen him speak out of turn once and that had been on her behalf to Kassander, but even then he had kept his cool enough not even to raise his voice or make the noise that he did now. Already on edge as it was, the dark colored girl tensed within her hiding place, feeling the hairs on the back of her neck stand, but the muttered words of self-loathing drifted away, carried away from her as Max distanced himself from the den.

Was that it? Was he gone now? But no, he spoke again, his voice once more quiet and resigned and so pitiful. What did she say to that? It would have been nice if she could have told him she did not hate him, but at the moment she could not tell where her feelings rested, whether she was more angry or scared, defiant or cowardly. What was he wanting from her? It was not making things any better, but Callisto continued to refuse him any further comment, letting the only noise that came from her be the sound of her stomach gurgling another soft plea. If only it would shut up; it as ruining the silence she was trying to create and disappear into.

Image by Maka.