Heart of Darkness
an excerpt

Chapter 13: Taking Advantage

I laughed though I couldn't remember what happened and snuggled up to the man in the rainbow outfit. "You're really pretty." The man chuckled, running his hand over my leg and my inner thigh. I murmured my appreciation and rested my head on his shoulder.
"Want to head back to my tent," inquired the rainbow man and I shook my head, planting sloppy kisses all over his face.
"I want to stay her," I slurred, straddling his hips.
"Risky," voiced Rainbow man with a smirk, "I like that." I giggled and flopped down on the bench. Rainbow Man chuckled and crawled up my body. "You're so drunk." I shook my head and pulled him down for a kiss. Rainbow Man kissed me and I opened my mouth to him. He was gentle and smooth, but I thought Rien's kisses were better. Rien, what a funny name. I laughed into our kiss and pulled away. "Where Weim?" I frowned, wrinkling my nose. I hadn't said that right. "Where's Riem?"
"I don't know," murmured Rainbow Man, trailing kisses down my neck.
"Nut I want Riem," I whined, trying to push his face away, but he didn't move.
"Aren't I good enough," inquired Rainbow Man and I shook my head. "Get off me."
"You just wanted me a second ago," voiced Rainbow Man, moving closer to me.
"Off," I squealed, pushing helplessly at his shoulders.
"Okay, Okay. I'm going," huffed Rainbow Man, getting off of me, "just stop screaming." I remained silent and the man walked away.
"I leave you alone for ten minutes and you already get into trouble. What am I going to do with you Little Bird," inquired Rien and I snuggled up to him.
"You're going to protect me and take care of me," I answered, looking at him hopefully.
"It's a possibility," voiced Rien with a short nod.
"But I can't survive on my own," I whined, pouting, "you even said so!"
"I'm not going to abandon you in the wilderness," assured Rien, giving my shoulder a comforting pat, "I wouldn't do that to you."
"Because I'm special," I cheered with a giggle.
"Yeah, because you're special," agreed Rien and he gave me a funny look. I scrunched my nose at him and started laughing. "You're hot." Rien chuckled and pulled me up so we were both standing up. "Lets get you out of here before you do or say something and embarrass yourself."
"I'm not going to embarrass myself," I argued, feeling very offended, "I'm not doing anything wrong."
"You're making a scene," warned Rien, leading me to our tent, "where are your old clothes and chest?"
"I don't know," I answered, stumbling around, "I put it down somewhere."
"Obviously," stated Rien, rolling his pretty blue eyes, "I'll take you to the tent and then I'll go find your stuff." I nodded happily and let Rien drag me back to the tent.
"Now. Don't go anywhere," stated Rien as he laid me down on the cushions, "I'll be right back. I nodded and waved goodbye. Rien left and I sat in the dark, waiting for him to return. I felt lonely after a minute and I heard all the people outside still celebrating. Why did I have to be stuck in this tent while everyone else was still partying. It didn't seem fair. I sniffled and headed towards the door. If everyone could still be celebrating so could I. I stumbled out of the tent and headed straight to the dance floor. I wanted to dance! I walked over to the musicians and asked, "do you know the fire song?" They all nodded and I nodded again and I cheered. "Thank you." I walked to the middle of and waited until I heard a low yet fast-paced song began to play. I began to dance, twirling and stomping around the dance floor. I put everything I had into dancing and it felt great. I laughed joyfully and began to dance faster and faster, trying to complicate it more the longer I danced. Eventually it was just too much and I tripped over myself. I fell, but I didn't care and started to laugh. END
I saw a pair of feet stop in front of me and I looked up to a very unhappy Rien. I immediately stopped laughing and smiled innocently.
“What did I tell you,” asked Rien, clenching his fists.
‘To stay in the tent,” I answered, looking away from him, “but…”
“No,” interrupted Rien, giving me a pointed look, “Now, why aren’t you in the tent?”
“Everyone was still partying and I wanted to part too,’ I answered, pouting, “why do I have to stay in the tent when everyone else still gets to have fun?’
“Because you don’t want to make a fool out of yourself,’ replied Rien, running his fingers through his curly hair in agitation, “I’m just trying to help.”
“And I want to have fun. Let me have my freedom,” I voiced, trying to make him understand.
“Just come back to the tent with me,’ voiced Rien, sounding exasperated with me.
“You’re going to stay with me,” I chirped, hugging Rien’s arm.
‘Did you think I was going to leave you by yourself in the dark,” questioned Rien, raising an eyebrow. I nodded and said, “you left me earlier.”
“To get your stuff,” reminded Rien, poking me in the forehead, “I was coming right back.”
“Oh,” I voiced, feeling dumb.
“Oh,” mocked Rien, leading me into the tent, “now go behind that curtain and get changed. Don’t come out until I tell you.” Rien handed me a bundle of clothes and pushed me towards the curtain. I went behind the curtain without a fuss and had a difficult time putting on my new clothes, but I got them on eventually.
“Are you done yet,” I questioned, feeling the urge to peek out the curtain. I suddenly felt my stomach drop and gave a pained moan.
“Rien,” I whimpered, having trouble breathing.
“What’s wrong,” asked Rien, peeking through the curtain and I kneeled to the ground, “shit! What’s wrong with you?”
“The drink,” I gasped, clawing at my throat.
“What drink,” questioned Rien, pulling down my chin and it didn’t help anything, but made me uncomfortable.
“Mentia,” I whispered and Rien swore.
“I’ll be back in a second,” voiced Rien before disappearing and I made a keening noise. Rien reappeared with a cup of something purple and handed it to me, “Drink it. Quick.” I did as I was told without a second thought and drained the cup in one gulp. I coughed and wrinkled my nose at the pungent taste, but I already was breathing a little easier. I felt my stomach roll and Rien set a bucket in front of me. I quickly lost all the contents of my stomach into the bucket and whined pitifully. Rien handed me a cup of water and I accepted it gratefully, rinsing the taste out of my mouth.
“You did that on purpose,” I accused, glaring at him.
“Would you have preferred to die,” questioned Rien, glaring back at me.
“No,” I replied sullenly. Rien nodded curtly and I realized I should show a little gratitude. He didn’t have to help me.
“Sorry,” I apologized, looking at him sheepishly, “I shouldn’t have said that. Thanks for saving me.” Rien nodded, but still didn’t say anything and I nudged him with my shoulder and still didn’t get anything.
“Rien,” I whined before getting a brilliant idea. I kissed Rien’s neck and ran my hands down his back.
“You’re cheating,” voiced Rien, but tangled his fingers through my hair.
“So, I don’t like it when you ignore me,” I murmured, nuzzling his neck and I licked along his collarbone. He moved me so where I was straddling his hips and he kissed me. Rien quickly pulled away, making a disgusted face,
‘What,’ I questioned, feeling self-conscious.
“You still taste disgusting,” stated Rien bluntly and I pouted.
“That’s mean,” I whined, getting up and going to the front part of the tent. Rien followed me with the bucket in hand, but continued walking once I had stopped. I watched Rien leave and looked around the tent to make sure there wasn’t anything that could make my mouth taste normal or at least tolerable. There wasn’t anything, but water and I sat down on the cushions, feeling uncomfortable. I wish I hadn’t asked him what was wrong. At least he was honest about it.
‘Don’t take it so personally,” voiced Rien, walking through the tent flap, “it’s not like I think you’re gross or anything. You couldn’t help that you got sick.” I nodded thought it didn’t help me feel any better.
“Come here,” called Rien, motioning me over. I walked over suspiciously and Rien pulled me into a loose hug.
“Don’t get upset,” murmured Rien, pulling me down to sit next to him, “we don’t need to kiss to like each other.”
“Really,” I asked, trying not to sound too hopeful.
“Promise,’ assured Rien, pulling a cover over me, “now go to sleep. I can almost guarantee that tomorrow you won’t feel too good. You’ll need all the sleep you can get.” I nodded and snuggled into the cushions. Sleep sounded like a really good idea right now. Rien played idly with my hair and I curled myself around him, getting comfortable. I felt my body relax and knowing Rien was here to protect me made me feel safe. I was asleep before I knew it.