Boy of Light and Dust

Dayin

Dayin opened his eyes to see William standing in front of him with a concerned but interested gleam in his pale hazel eyes. His regained memories were pounding away in his head, like the tide coming in on a beach. He took a shuddering breath as he tried to relax into the back of his chair.

"Are you okay?" William inquired. His concern seemed sincere, even if he looked disinterested.

Dayin nodded, though he wasn't necessarily focused on William anymore. He wasn't really focused on anything in particular, if he was being honest. The memories were making it far too hard to concentrate on anything other than breathing. "I think so?" His head hurt.

"Is there anything that you remember that sticks out?" William asked. Why was he talking so fast?

"No?" Dayin squinted like it would help him see his memories clearer. It did not, to Dayin's disappointment. "It all seems really jumbled."

William nodded and stroked at his straggly beard in thought. "It may take some time for your mind to adjust to the memories you now have." He glanced around the classroom. Dayin assumed he was looking for a clock. "It may just be best for you to get some rest. Sleep may help your mind focus better on the memories."

Sleep sounded good right about now. Maybe William was right. "Should I not mention this to Ica?" He was having trouble focusing on what was going on inside his head and what he was supposed to be doing now. He really hoped that he wouldn't have to explain anything to Ica right now. He wasn't sure he'd be able to.

"I'm not sure hiding it from him would be a very good idea," he said, to Dayin's dismay. "The truth rarely ever comes out in a good way when you hide things." Dayin sighed, but nodded. Maybe after he slept? After he slept sounded like a good idea. "You're free to go. Please refrain from trying to do anything else stupid, Mister Jackson."

Dayin pushed himself to his feet and turned to the door, his vision slightly blurring as he did. The world seemed to almost tumble around him. He paused and reached out to hold on to the desk beside him before he almost toppled over. "Can I, uh, maybe stay here for a minute?"

William looked annoyed for a moment before the expression melted away. "Don't worry. I've called some help for you."

Please not Ica, please not Ica, he said silently to himself as he closed his eyes. But he knew that was likely who William had called. Because Dayin needed to talk to Ica, whether or not he wanted to. And who else would Dayin even know? He opened his eyes just enough to see Ica walking into the classroom and silently swore at William.

"William said you weren't feeling well?" Ica inquired as he glanced from Dayin to William, who was nodding solemnly as he walked away, probably so he didn't have to hear Dayin get scolded for not listening.

Dayin scowled. Why did William have to meddle? "I'm fine, just a little dizzy and tired."

Ica nodded as he watched William walk away, clearly not taking Dayin's words as the truth. "You need help getting to your room?"

"Yes," was the last thing William said before he vanished through the doorframe on the other side of the classroom.

Oh, how Dayin wished he could throw something at William's head. He sighed. "Yes."

Ica raised an eyebrow as he approached Dayin. "Is it okay if I put an arm around your back to stabilize you?" he inquired, looking Dayin over, concern clouding his face.

Dayin nodded, though he wasn't sure why Ica was asking if it was alright. He didn't think he'd make it to the door of the classroom walking on his own. He'd be lucky if he could take a step or two on his own without falling over. "I almost fell over just standing up, so any help is nice."