Magic

28: Wounded and Whispers

Niomi's POV:

It's over. It's finally over. We are finally rid of the terrors that threatened my new family. Alden and I trek back tot he others, who are gathered around something. When we get there, I send Alden back for our "guest" and I peer around Henson to see whats wrong. That's when I'm faced with my biggest fear. 

Lying on the ground, clinging to life, is Hazel. She's gasping for breath, her side slashed open. I fall to my knees next to her, then I tear my cloak off and press it to her wound. She doesn't have the power to flail. She just breaths heavily, tears rolling down her cheeks. 

"Hazel, Hazel, look at me. You're fine. Everything's fine, You're gonna be ok. Just keep looking at me and keep breathing." I say, pushing on the wound, trying to stop the bleeding.

She shakes her head.

"N-no. I-I-I don't t-t-think I c-can hold on this time." she gasps, the coughs. Blood spills from her mouth. She tries to spit it out, but doesn't have the strength. I wipe the blood form her lips and take my blood-soaked cloak form her wound.

"Hazel, this is gonna hurt like hell, but I need you to hold on, ok?" I say slowly, looking up at her face. Her eyes are closed, but she nods.

I rip the fabric away from the gash and set my bare hands on her pale side. She sucks in a shaky breath and I begin.

I give up all my power and free it into Hazel. I feel the blood creeping back into the gaping hole and then the I feel the skin stitching itself back together. I can feel Hazel's pulse strengthen, and then the wound is almost fully healed.

When the pale skin of her stomach is back to it's original state, I feel myself fall backwards, exhausted. My head hits the ground, and the last thing I see is Killian, looking over Audrey's shoulder, seeing the magic I've just used.

I blackout after that.

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When I open my eyes a few minutes later, I'm greeted with a bucket of water about to be thrown on me. I come to my senses just quick enough and turn the water into snowflakes.

The little pieces float in the air for a few seconds, then dissolve into the ground. I look up angrily at the person who was gonna drench me. It's Kaden.

"Why did you do that?!" I say, standing up and brushing myself off.

"Well, you wouldn't get up and we still have more wounds to tend too." He says sassily, turning away and walking towards the woods. I huff, then turn to Winnie, who holds out her arm.

There's a good sized gash on it, so I press my hand to it and heal it quickly. This only makes me a bit fatigued. Winnie gives me a small smile and returns to picking up her scattered weapons.

All the others have wounds that will just have to get a bandage. I'm done helping. I sit down on a boulder, close my eyes, and sigh. I jump when someone speaks to me.

"You know, no one ever made friends by sitting out." Killian says, sitting down next to me. I sigh angrily this time.

"What do you want? Gonna taunt me some more? I'm kind of in a bad mood right now, so get it over with." I state gruffly. He just shakes his head.

"No, I'm done with that for now. I just wanted to see if you were ok." He says with care, almost sounding nice.

"Why do you care?" I says incredulously. He shrugs.

"You did spare my life, so I owe you this at least." He sighs, putting his head on his arms, which rest on his drawn up knees.

"Well, thanks for asking, but I'm fine. No one here really cares, though. They all see me as an asset, just something to use to win. I don't think I'll stay. I just never quite fit in, anywhere really. Sorry, I don't know why I'm telling you all this. You wouldn't care." I dejectedly say, facing the ground.

"Well, maybe I do." he says quietly, but I hear him. I'm about to say something back, but someone calls me.

"Niomi! Come here! Hazel wants you!" Henson calls out. I give Killian a small smile and stalk over to where Hazel has been resting.

"Hi. How are you feeling?" I ask her, kneeling down next to her. She gives me a sleepy smile.

"I feel better. Thanks for saving my life. I really appreciate, you know, living. Henson, could you give me and Nims a minute?" she asks politely. He gives a curt nod and walks over to the others.

"Did I hear you say something to the soldier over there? That you don't think they don't appreciate you?" She asks, dumbfounded. I sadly shake my head yes.

"Well, it's not true. They do love you. It's just hard for them to show it. They're used to being alone, just the five of them. Their hearts have hardened a little. They just need to be softened up a bit. And you can do that! You have that effect on people. You're great at making friends and being strong! Please, don't leave again..." she leads off, falling back into her sleep. I sigh.

"I wish I could stay. But I just can't." I say, and with that, her hand slips from mine and I walk away.

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I start gathering my things, cleaning my weapons as best as I can. My shirt is stained red after I finish, but I have a change of clothes with me. I was planning on this.

I change behind one of the many boulders in the field, then I make my way over to Alden. He's been keeping an eye on Killian, but I don't think he'll try to run. He seems perfectly content with staying with the group.

Alden and I sneak off, getting pretty far into the forest before we take off. I'm on Alden's back, him running at full speed. I hit the second field, after the small peninsula of trees.

This is the field we came from. I find the scorch marks from where the portal has opened and I take out my spell book. I only need it for a small part of the actual spell, since I've memorized most of it.

I get the portal open, and when I'm about to step through, I hear Alden wine behind me.

"It's ok buddy. I'm just going home for a while. I just need some time alone. I'll see you really soon, ok? Be good and watch over them. I love you buddy." I say, and with that, I step into the portal.

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Ahhh!!! She left!! Also, only two more chapters!! Get ready for a storm.....

I hope you all enjoyed and please comment, vote and favorite!!

I love you and I'll see you all soon!!~Embior2

P.S. The pic on the side is the field that they fought in.