CACKLE- Book 1

Chapter Thirty

Remi's eyes fluttered. She could see flashes of Anna hovering over her, felt wetness on her forehead and a cool hand stroking her cheek. She waded in and out of consciousness. Her brain was foggy, and her mouth felt like it was full of cotton. When she finally gained control and awoke, her throat was too dry. She tried to speak, but only a small moan came out.

"Oh! Thank the Goddess!" Remi could hear Anna's voice somewhere in the distance. She heard the click-clack of shoes on the stone floor. "Remi... Remilia... My little flame, can you hear me?" Anna asked.

Remi couldn't speak, she looked at Anna. She tried to use her voice, but again, nothing came out. She tried to lift her hand, but it was so heavy, shaky, and weak. She pushed past that, with all her strength, she raised her hand to her mouth and motioned to Anna for a drink.

"Oh, my dear. Of course." Anna said. She lifted the back of Remi's head and placed a cup to her lips.

Remi sipped the cool liquid; it coated her mouth and throat. The relief was short lived as the water met her stomach. It filled her up too quickly, and she suddenly felt incredibly nauseous.

"Not too much, or you'll be sick." Anna said.

She leaned Remi's head back down on her pillow. She was so dizzy, closing her eyes she attempted to focus but her thoughts were fuzzy.

Anna pet Remi's forehead, brushing her hair back over and over. It was soothing, Remi wanted to drift off to sleep again but she forced her eyes to remain open.

"Hangover." Remi managed to whisper.

"Hangover? No... you're not hung over... You're... OH! You mean... Okay! Yes, I'll be right back!" Anna said.

She rushed off to another corner of the room, returning with a small vial of yellow liquid. "Only take a bit, I don't think you'll be able to make it to the bathroom on your own." Anna lifted Remis's head again to help her drink. Immediately Remi's head began to clear. Her vision was no longer blurry and the fog in her brain was slowly lifting.

"Arsenio! Get in here!" Anna shouted.

Remi's bladder began to cry out, she needed relief, but her body was so heavy, she couldn't move. A large man entered her field of vision. "Carry her to the bathroom, I'll help her from there." Anna said.

The man scooped Remi up in his arms. She dangled like a limp noodle as the man, called Arsenio, propped her up on the edge of the tub.

"That's fine, I've got it. Go wait outside the door." Anna said.

She helped Remi relieve herself and called the man back in to carry her to her bed.

"Go tell Huxley she's awake." Anna commanded.

The man nodded once and rushed out of the room.

"Anna..." Remi whispered.

"Yes! Yes, I'm here." Anna said.

"I feel so weak. My limbs..." Remi tried to move her legs but they wouldn't respond. All she could manage was a wiggle of her toes.

"Yes, my dear. I'm so grateful you're awake. I was so scared." Remi could hear a crack in Anna's voice, like she was trying to hold back tears. "You've been asleep for months." Anna said. She propped Remi up to take another sip of water.

Remi's brows furrowed together, she tried to lift her chin away from the cup to ask, "Months?"

"Drink, my little flame. I'll explain everything." Anna gently coaxed Remi's lips open with the edge of the cup. Remi took little sips until her stomach started to turn once more.