Aarmau: Remember Me, Remember Us, Just Remember

Chapter 195

Aaron takes a deep breath as he wakes. He feels his ears twitch and has the feeling something isn't right.

He glances down and notices Aph isn't with him anymore. Looking around he doesn't immediately see her and thinks it's strange that he can't smell her either.

Pushing to his feet he moves into the kitchen to grab his clothes noticing Aph's dress is gone. He wants to think she couldn't go far but with wings, she could be anywhere.

Settling his mind he closes his eyes and listens for her heartbeat. He instantly picks it up and the fact that it's loud reassures him she's very close.

He focuses on it as he moves around the cottage adjusting his position based on its strength. His wandering finally leads him to the door leading down into the basement and he shakes his head.

He figures she must be grabbing something for dinner but should he let her do it on her own or should he help? He sits down for a minute to give her the chance to do it on her own but he still can shake the feeling that something isn't right.

He feels his ears twitch again and a sense of panic ripples through him. He pushes to his feet and heads for the basement door.

Pushing it open he calls out to Aph but she doesn't answer him. He knows she's down here so he calls out to her again and flinches when hears her yell his name, it's faint but she's there.

Hurrying down the stairs he stops and takes a second to let his eyes adjust to the darkness. He glances around and there aren't too many places she could hide and from a quick glance, nothing seems out of place.

He closes his eyes again, focuses on her heartbeat, and calls her name again. He turns toward the meat locker as he hears a faint tapping sound coming from behind the door and as he crosses over to it he reaches for the handle to find it half out of the socket on his side.

Pushing the handle back into place, he tries to turn the handle but nothing happens. "Aph? Are you in there?"

Sitting on the floor Aph shivers uncontrollably as she periodically yells Aaron's name and smacks her hand against the door. She feels like she's been in there forever and wishes she hadn't let him sleep.

She was able to warm herself a little at first but after a few minutes, she couldn't even tell the difference. Tears start to burn at the back of her eyes and her hand drifts to her stomach as she thinks of her babies.

Everything she's done lately could have harmed them and she didn't even think twice about it. She's going to be a terrible mother if they all survive long enough. And what good is magic if you can't use it when you truly need it?

Her ears twitch just seconds before she hits the door again and calls Aaron's name. She hears a scraping sound above her head and she glances up to see the connecting rod from the door handle on the other side start to wiggle.

She painfully pushes back to her feet and starts crying as she hears Aaron's voice call her name. She hears him ask her if she's in there and yells his name again as she beats her fist against the door.