Shadow Beings

51. Goodbye

"Ava! Ava can you hear me?" I gently rubbed the shadow's limp arm, whispering loudly. Trina and Aurelia were by my side and Ariana and Jay stood close by, making sure that Ava had her breathing space.

"I'm fine! I'm fine, I promise. I'm only a little exhausted." Ava laughed nervously, trying to brush off the matter, earning a disapproving look from me.

"Someone, quickly get a glass of water. Keep it only a little cold, not too much." Ariana waved her right hand towards her side as she spoke, gesturing for all of us to move as she came forward. Her voice was soft and light and though it lacked the mark of time, there was a firmness in her voice as if her duty came before everything else.

Something I would always appreciate.

Trina gave a small nod and immediately rushed towards the jar of water placed a safe distance away from the piano. Her movements were swift as the water trickled quickly and smoothly into the glass. Her fingers lingered by its hold before she brought it to the one in need.

"Seriously, all of you, I'm-" Ava stopped speaking when she noticed my glare, lowering her eyes towards her hands. She accepted the glass with a small smile and finished it in an even pace.

"Now," Ariana said, nodding in satisfaction. "You need to go to sleep for at least five hours. It's for your own good." She then turned towards Jay, but the confidence in her voice faltered a bit, replaced with slight nervousness.

"You too, Jay. You haven't slept for thirty-eight hours. That's very bad, you'll deplete your energy too much." For just a split second, I thought a cheeky glint came in her eyes but it returned to that expression of duty. Ariana turned back to Ava, softening her voice further still.

"It's a bit fuzzy," she frowned, looking at the ceiling. "but Ava has been awake for approximately ninety hours."

What.

My widened eyes noticed Ava stand up cautiously and she raised her arms in defeat. "Okay! I'll admit, I'm a bit sleepy, but who's going to take care of the headquarters then?"

My forehead wrinkled and I felt my cheeks turn slightly hot. "Really? Are both of you thinking this? I'm there, and there are plenty of other shadow-trappers here who can watch over the headquarters. I'm there - no Trina, you have to rest, and fine! I'll rest later - and I'm sure that the others will wake up soon."

"She's right about that." A deep, confident, but condoling voice came from the door. I smiled as Galen walked in with his usual calmness, though he turned uncharacteristically stern when he spoke to Ava. "You need to rest. You've been doing way too much. Both of you," he then gestured towards Jay, too, the bold gaze not breaking.

"Fine, both of us will go sleep now. I just need to look over one little thing, then it's rest time. Happy?" Jay asked, raising his left eyebrow with a small smile.

I nodded furiously, sticking my thumb in the air. Ava shook her head while laughing softly. My expression didn't falter and she squeezed my shoulder reassuringly, leaving the room after Jay.

"Now, Audrey, please let Ariana and Aurelia cure you." Trina's eyes genuinely pleaded and all strain suddenly returned to mine. My head pounded with every small movement, with the exception of the activity from a few moments before.

I sighed and nodded, standing still. Ariana simply lifted her left hand and closed her eyes, holding her sister's hand for support. I closed my eyes, too, but I could sense a flash of white light emit from Ariana's hand.

I only felt a brief sensation of cooling surge through me, lasting for only a few seconds.

"You can open your eyes now," Ariana said softly, and I did as she said. I didn't feel very different other than a certain lightheadedness. A confused look came on my face and Ariana spoke in a poised manner, clearing all doubts.