âWhat is this?â LorcĂĄnâs voice cracked as the shade with Auroraâs face guided him through the forest, the flames parting as the psychopomp led him back along the path the stag had run.
âThese are your first steps,â She responded, âCome, donât delay, there is someone eagerly waiting to meet you.â
âSomeone?â LorcĂĄn repeated, âWaiting to meet me?â He asked, more confused than ever.
âYes,â The psychopomp replied with Auroraâs signature smile, her eyes lighting up, the pinch of her cupidâs bow and playful dancing at the corners of her mouth. âSheâs incredibly excited, sheâs waited your whole life to meet you.â
âMy whole life?â LorcĂĄn asked, repeating the odd verbiage. The roar of the inferno was slowly fading in his ears the closer he got to the light at the edge of the forest. Shivers were running up and down his body, chills setting in as he slowed his footsteps and pulled away from the shade.
âI donât want to go yet,â He stated, looking back towards the fire. âIâm not ready yet,â
âUniversity is a big step,â Aurora replied from beside LorcĂĄn as the pair looked out over the beach. It was the first weekend of September the year after Hyperionâs attack, the first year that Aurora and LorcĂĄn were transitioning from the Collegiate programs into University. Aurora had declared her major in psychology, but LorcĂĄn had yet to declare his.
As usual, nightmares had brought Aurora out to the beach, but for once, she wasnât alone in the growing anxiety that came when the sunset. LorcĂĄnâs stomach was in knots about moving into University and joining Blackjack, the same team both his parents had been on when they were students. The pressure of legacy was doing a number on the boyâs usually relaxed demeanor.
LorcĂĄn looked to his right, Aurora was dressed comfortably in a pair of leggings and a baggy sweatshirt in a colour that managed to both bring out her eyes and accent her hair. He had seen her in a swimsuit, in uniform and even in a dress and still, there was never a time she looked more beautiful than she did now.
The pair had spent many nights out on the beach in this very spot. LorcĂĄn swore it was the best spot on the entire island to look at the stars. Theyâd been out late before, but never to the point where they were both taking turns stifling yawns.
LorcĂĄn looked down, feeling a weight against his shoulder, copper-toned hair catching the corner of his eye as he realized Aurora had fallen asleep against his shoulder. A smile crossed his face before he stifled another yawn.
Maybe this year won't be so bad after all.
âIt wonât be, but you need to come with me.â LorcĂĄn felt smoke fill his lungs again, prompting a cough as he took a step forward towards Aurora again. He knew she wasnât his Aurora though and he felt himself starting to freeze, he felt worse the further he got from the fire.
âPlease, LorcĂĄn, come with me,â The psychopomp sounded eerily like Aurora as she pleaded.
âI can't lose you.â
Interaction(s): @Melissa - Aurora MitchellPreviously: Live and Let Die
Two days had come and gone since LorcĂĄn had been transferred to his private room. A nurse had been in each day to change out his bandages but the wound underneath continued to look worse despite the salve. The veins in his arms had become blue while the skin spreading outward from the wound became darker and darker, the lacerations turning nearly black. The smell of the wound itself was absolutely putrid, nearly causing both Ripley and Cassander to gag on multiple occasions.
Aiden had convinced Tori to walk back to their apartment for a decent rest while both Ripley and Cassander had returned to class. That left Aurora alone at LorcĂĄnâs side while the young man continued to slip in and out of consciousness. Even when he was conscious, LorcĂĄn was rarely coherent, the fever and infection in his body leaving him in states of delirium.
Rothschild had joined Aurora and was curled up beside the girl on the small sofa adjacent to LorcĂĄnâs bed. Tori had been ensuring the girl still was getting what sleep she could, eating and had plenty to eat. In a bittersweet way, it seemed that LorcĂĄnâs mother had been enjoying having both Aurora and Ripley around, treating the pair as if they were both her own daughter having never had the chance to properly care for girls before.
The days had started to blur together.
Aurora couldnât tell you how long sheâd been sitting there, watching as her best friend fought for every breath he took. She felt absolutely helpless, but there was nothing to be done but wait. Her hands were tied, and that in itself was debilitating. But she found solace in staying by LorcĂĄnâs side, keeping him company even if he didnât realize it. She didnât want him to be alone, and knew heâd do the same if the roles were reversed.
The redhead leafed through her book as she sat on the sofa, mindlessly running her fingers through Rothschildâs soft coat as she attempted to distract herself. She looked up from the words on the page every few minutes, as if she didnât believe the consistent and metronomic beeping of the monitors. For once, the girl opted not to have her headphones in, the sound of LorcĂĄnâs heartbeat the only thing she wanted to hear.
Needed to hear.
Rothschild let out a small whimper, lifting his head to look at LorcĂĄn before exhaling impatiently and placing his head back on Auroraâs lap, pushing his brow under her palm as if to demand more affection from the girl. His head suddenly snapped to the side, the dogâs black lips curling upwards as a half snarl was caught in his throat only to disappear, replaced by a happily wagging tail as Auroraâs eyes were drawn to a man who had somehow entered the room.
He stood there for a second, as if just as lost about how he ended up in the small private room. A hand decorated with a signet ring rubbed over his smooth, bald head before he tugged on the blazer of his suit, turning to greet Aurora with a smile.
âApologies for the intrusion, Miss Mitchell,â The man bowed humbly, âI rarely get much say in it.â He vaguely explained before turning to LorcĂĄn unconscious form laid out on the bed beside him. An outstretched hand gently hovering over the bandages, as the man examined the boy with a familiarity that should have made Aurora uncomfortable. His nose wrinkled in protest at the odour coming from the decaying flesh before he took a step back and once again straightened the neatly pressed suit he wore.
âAh,â He stated knowing, âI see my grandson has run into some trouble in the Northern Forest,â Jonas concluded, looking all too nonchalant about the entire situation. âHave they tried a salve of crushed chrysanthemums? It should help slow the spread.â He added, taking a seat across from Aurora before crossing his legs.
âAnd how are you, Miss Mitchell holding up? I imagine seeing him there like this isnât the start to your final year that you had hoped.â
Aurora nearly jumped out of her seat, startled by the manâs sudden appearance, her novel falling to the floor with a dull thud. Gasping, her hand had moved to rest over her heart, pulse having skyrocketed. âDr. Lehrer,â She breathed, recognizing him instantly with confusion in her gaze. However, it dissolved quickly, her conversation with LorcĂĄn from the other day coming to mind, remembering that his spontaneous emergence happened from time to time. âI guess this is how everyone else feels when I just teleport in⌠I gotta stop doing that.â She stated, more to herself than to him.
The redhead watched as the older man examined LorcĂĄn, raising an eyebrow at his neutral expression. She would have assumed heâd be just as torn up about this as the rest of LorcĂĄnâs family, given how close she knew they were, asking questions and wanting answers. But at his mention of the Northern Forest, she realized that Jonas likely knew something that they didnât, and nodded in response.
âIâm not sure what theyâve tried, but Iâll ask the nurse when she comes in to check in on him.â Aurora replied, leaning down and picking up her book and setting it on her lap. She reached out towards Rothschild and began petting him once more, seeking comfort as she spoke. âItâs been a rough couple of days,â She admitted, the bruise on her face, which had begun to fade, seemed to warm at the thought of the Trial on top of LorcĂĄn getting injured. âIâm trying to stay strong, for him and for his family, but Iâd be lying if I didnât say I was scared.â Her blue eyes drifted over to his unconscious form, sadness in them evident.
âHow much do you know?â
âI know many things, some that can ease suffering and many that are irrelevant.â Jonas replied, âBut I am vowed to also allow the natural course to proceed, I am not of this here and now nor is this my place to interfere.â His expression softened, as he reached a sympathetic hand forward toward Aurora.
âAnd I know, that is unbearably difficult to hear. From where youâre sitting, I have all the answers and the means to save his life, to spare all of you the pain, the anxiety and the worry.â Jonas squeezed Auroraâs hand, âBut truthfully, child, I unfortunately am not the one who can save him. Another still has a role to play and so the river continues to flow, no matter how many times I step foot into it, it continues to move around me.â
The redhead felt her eyes start to water, unable to stop the flow of tears that began to slowly fall over her freckled cheeks. It was cruel, that Jonas seemingly had all of the answers and yet, he held them just out of reach. But as angry as it made her, she knew it wasnât his intention to do so. Aurora removed her hand from his and stood, not wanting the older man to watch her cry, and walked over to stand by the bed where LorcĂĄn lay.
His tanned skin was dull, devoid of his usual sunkissed glow, and he looked fragile lying there, normally so strong and sturdy. âI canât lose him Dr. Lehrer,â She almost whispered, resting her hand on the edge of the bed. âI thought he left me, during the Trial, and I truly didnât know how I was going to go on.â The girl looked up at the older man, âHeâs all I have.â
âLorcĂĄn is suffering, his family is suffering.â She swallowed, âIf I could switch places with him, I wouldnât hesitate.â
âMy child, I do not mean to be cruel,â Jonas replied, âI practically see you as family, much like my beloved Aiden and Victoria. Not to mention, my grandson.â He stood, walking over to LorcĂĄn again, âBut switching places with him would not lessen the suffering, do you think fewer people care for you?â He asked, looking back at Aurora.
âThe only thing that would change is that he was there and you were here,â He motioned, âAiden, Victoria, Ripley, Cassander, they would all be here worried and anxious for your well-being. Thatâs not including the rest of your teammates, Miss Baxter especially would likely be researching everything she could to find a cure.â He paused,
âNor your own mother,â Jonas added, âLorcĂĄn would have moved heaven and earth to ensure she was here if the fates were turned. No, the suffering most certainly would not be less.â
He clutched his chest, before he suddenly disappeared and then reappeared again.
âOh Miss A, Iâm afraid our time has come to a close.â Jonas stated, vibrating again, âIf I could leave you with one thing, after he wakes up, just-â And then Jonas was gone, his sentence unfinished and Aurora was again left alone with only Rothschild who let out a small whimper before putting his head down between his front paws.
âHey âRora, Iâve got some time between classes, can I grab you a snack?â Ripley burst into the room, barely looking up from her phone as she asked the question. The older girl's lack of immediate response was enough to draw her attention upward.
âYou look like youâve just seen a ghost.â
Aurora quickly wiped at her tears, not wanting the younger girl to witness her losing her composure. She didnât even have time to process everything that Jonas had said, all of his words rattling around in her head, more questions swirling in tandem. âIâm fine,â She deflected, knowing that Ripley wasnât clued in to the older gentlemanâs ability to show up from beyond the metaphorical grave. âYeah, I should probably eat something, a snack would be good.â She mustered a smile, hoping it didnât come off as forced as it felt. âThanks, Rips.â
Turning around, Ripley ran out the door, her face colliding with that of another as a mess of red hair was pushed into her mouth before she managed to spit it out.
âGeez âRora, you need to warn a girl before you teleport-â Ripley scolded before realizing that neither the hair nor the face belonged to Aurora.
âMy apologies, friend, I just wanted to check on the boy from the forest.â The redheaded woman replied.
âYouâre Alyssa right?â Ripley asked the familiar looking woman. âThe one who found him?â
âMyself and Lucille Calder,â Alyssa replied.
âYou really didn't see what attacked him?â Ripley asked as Alyssa's eyes darted to the left, before she nervously bit her bottom lip.
âIâd love to tell you the whole truth, but I can't.â Alyssa replied. âI hope he gets well soon.â She offered solemnly while backing into the hallway before spinning on her heels and heading in the opposite direction.
Ripley looked towards the vending machine remembering the snack she promised Aurora before opting to follow Alyssa.
Hanging back, she watched as Alyssa ducked into a room before silently slipping down the hallway and peeking into the room to see Alyssa alongside another young woman who she assumed had to be the woman who helped her bring LorcĂĄn in.
Reaching to the side of her head, Ripley took a hold of her ear before taking a deep breath and giving it a tug. It popped off with less resistance than she anticipated before peeking around the corner again. Neither Alyssa nor her blonde companion noticed her and Ripley took the opportunity to quickly lob her detached ear across the room watching it land on a sofa cushion. Focusing on her ear, Ripley began to hear Alyssaâs conversation.
"If the cousin is asking questions, then Aurora will start soon too. Blackjack has a history of...prying."
Luce shook away memories of campfire soul-spilling and peer-pressured revelations.
"Lucille Calder, you know I can't abide lying." Alyssa retorted. "We should divulge the whole truth, even if they don't understand."
"It's not about understanding. They just won't believe us."
"We go to a school for people with superpowers. Ellara is wrong - they're more open minded than she says, they'll listen."
Luce pinched the bridge of her nose. In a way, this clash of perspectives was why they'd survived their 'gap year' so well, and continued to be such a steadfast pair. In other ways, it irritated Luce, especially when Alyssa held her to account. Being back at PRCU made Luce antsy, and she was certain Alyssa could see it.
"Superpowers are one thing - there's plenty of science to back it up. But there's no literature on Limbo, Ănterland, wendigos, or anything else we encountered in the last five years." She sighed, absent-mindedly drifting her fingers over one of the many scars that criss-crossed her skin, most of which she'd picked up during the pair's adventures in their time away.
'Good thing you can heal' indeed.
"Look. If you want to march in there and tell Aurora her boyfriend is dying because a wendigo infected him and is now attempting to devour his soul and turn him into the very same ravenous monster that we'll then have to put in the ground just like the first one, then you go right ahead. But it won't make a difference. The fight's up to LorcĂĄn now. You'll just incite panic."
"He's not her boyfriend."
"Whatever! It doesn't matter!" Luce replied, exasperated and half-yelling, throwing her hands up. "If we want to fix this, we need Ellara. Can you get her back here?"
"She left me enough to make a summoning rune, I can get her attention."
Ripley ducked out of sight as the pair exited. Running into the room, she retrieved her ear before bursting into LorcĂĄnâs room finding Cass had joined Aurora. They turned to look at her while Ripley looked from Cass to Aurora and then Aurora to Cass and back again.
âDo either of you know what a wendigo is?â