Even In The Grave, All Is Not Lost

You're the Miracle, Right?

Adria sobbed, scratching at her arms. "It itches."

Luna caught her hands weakly. "I know, my love, but you can't scratch them. You're only making it worse." She'd already torn open several of the blisters, the wounds oozing with dismay.

Adria wept. "It hurts so much."

"I know." She could feel the burn along her own arms, spreading across her cheek, hungering to cover every part of her. Hated that it was a pain Adria had to endure as well. But she had nothing to ease it. All the herbs they possessed for pain management had so far proved too weak.

Useless.

Everything Luna had to offer was useless.

Adria screwed her eyes shut, body contorting as she clutched at her stomach. "Please make it stop."

Luna would grant this child anything - would give her the heart from her body if ever she was asked - but she couldn't give her this. Swallowing, Luna settled down beside her on the blanket, drawing Adria into her arms, mindful of the welts.

She winced and groaned but collapsed against her with relief.

"Do you hurt?" Adria's voice was weak, but the concern in it burned harsher than any of the welts plaguing her body.

"Shh, don't worry about me, I'm fine." She ran her fingers through her hair, wincing as she caught on a snag. It was damp and tangled, absent its customary bright glow.

Adria coughed, nudging her face into Luna's neck. Tears wet her skin. Hot and sticky, sewing themselves like needles into the lesions that coated her flesh.

Luna didn't wince at the pain, only tightened her hold as guilt swelled inside her.

Other members of her clan were sick. She needed to see to them, tend to them. Say their rights as they were lowered into the sea. But she couldn't tear herself away from the child in her arms. Not yet.

Wasn't sure she would find the strength to stand even if she could.

Everything hurt. But that was something she could contend with. Overcome. The way her limbs felt as heavy as anchors, though, impossible to lift. . .

That was a far more intimidating obstacle.

She hadn't felt like this since she was five years old. Not even at her most ill. The only time she could recall even coming close hadn't been an illness at all. And she'd recovered quickly.

She could get up. She knew she could get up. Would somehow find the strength. If only she. . .

Luna drew in a breath, eyelids faltering.

Adria groaned, twisting against her.

(She wasn't sure there'd be any recovering from this)

She just needed to rest. Just for a little while. Then she could do what needed to be done.

Knew she was only grasping at any excuse she could find not to lose the reassuring weight against her chest.

Not to leave the one she loved most.

(She would have made a poor Commander.

Had already proved she made a terrible leader)

She wished Derrick was here.

If Derrick was here, Luna would be able to force her arms to open, her legs to stand. It would not feel so impossible to walk away, knowing he was there to take her place.

But he was not here.

And that was her fault.

Just as it would be her fault if she couldn't get her clan the help they needed in time. Because she had put an ocean between them and the aid they so desperately needed. An ocean that she thought would keep them safe but now only proved a barricade, an obstacle they may not have the time to overcome.