Consuming Darkness: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 34

-Ronnie-

   I walked quietly into the Infirmary. The room was dimly lit, with only moonlight streaming in through the windows. Sebastian lay in the last bed on the left side of the room. There was a small candle burning on the side table, causing eerie shadows to dance across his features. Ominis sat next to the head of the bed in a leather chair. He placed a folded up piece of parchment into an envelope as I approached.

   Seeing Sebastian lying in this hospital bed caused the hollow feeling inside of me to grow. He seemed to be sleeping peacefully enough but I couldn't push away the agony I watched him endure only a few hours before. "How-"

   "Nurse Blainey told me that she was able to stabilize his injury. She gave him a few different potions and tonics that have already started the healing process, preventing infection, and assisting in the blood loss. She also gave him something for the pain and a pretty strong sleeping potion to ensure that he is able to sleep well. She informed me it will be a very painful healing process," Ominis interrupted, already knowing what I was going to ask.

   I nodded quietly, more to reassure myself. I was glad to hear that he was stable, and hopefully able to sleep through the worst of his pain. I hoped that his dreams were pleasant since he was forced to be trapped in them . I looked around and noticed that the nurse was not present. "Where is she?"

    "She just left to go grab a few things from Professor Sharp. When I refused to leave she said that I might as well be useful and watch over Sebastian while she was away," he informed me.

   "Care if I join you?" I asked, as more of a formality, there was no way I was leaving Sebastian's side.

   "Not at all," he flashed me a weak smile.

   I pulled Sebastian's blanket back to look at his wound. His clothing had been removed from his upper body and his entire mid section was wrapped in fresh bandages. There wasn't any sign that he was still bleeding. The blood had been mostly cleaned off of his body, hands and face. I put his blanket back down and pulled it up over his bare shoulders. I wanted to touch his hair or kiss his forehead but I was scared I'd wake him, so instead I sat cross-legged on the empty bed next to his. I wrapped myself in my blanket, pulling in a semblance of comfort from it.

   "How does it look? His wound?" Ominis wondered.

  "I mean... there's no arrow, and hardly any blood so I would say he looks much better," I told him, unable to hide the bitter sarcasm that crept into my voice.

   "What happened?" Ominis asked.

   "He was shot in the stomach with a massive arrow... there was so much blood..." my voice cracked at the memory of the blood spilling out of him.

   "I thought you guys had detention tonight? Didn't you petrify him in the hallway?" He asked with a quiet laugh.

   "Yeah I did..." I sniffled, smiling fondly at the memory.

   "I'm sure he deserved it," Ominis smiled in the direction of his sleeping friend.

   I laughed. "He wouldn't listen," I responded.

   "Oh I know the feeling..." Ominis replied. If anyone understood that feeling it would be Ominis. We sat in silence for a little while, both lost in thoughts and memories.

  "What happened with detention?" He eventually asked.

   I recounted the events of the night to Ominis, leaving out the bits about ancient magic. It just felt like too much to tell him right now, and I knew he really just wanted to know about Sebastian. I also avoided telling him of the more intimate moments between Sebastian and I. Ominis and I had still not talked about the kiss we'd shared. We hadn't talked about much of anything really since he'd kissed me. After Sebastian and Ominis had fought in the Undercroft they'd both avoided me like I'd had the plague. I wasn't quite sure what to say to him either. I didn't know how to salvage the friendship that we all shared, since it was already shaky after last years events. What words could I say to take away the mess and pain that I had such a huge hand in creating?

   "I'm glad you got back in time. Professor Pierce is a horrid human..." Ominis responded sharply.

   "I do not have the words to express the hatred that I hold for that man... Why would someone so cruel become a teacher in the first place?" I asked in disgust, pulling my blanket tighter around my body.

   "I have noticed that some people, like Professor Pierce, will do everything in their power to make those around them feel as small and insignificant as possible in order to build themselves up. It's the only way that they know how to find their self worth... in the suffering of others." His voice seemed distant.

   "Like your family?" I wondered.

   "Yes... like my family," he answered coldly. We both sat in the comfortable silence of the infirmary. My heart latched onto the steady sounds of Sebastian's breaths as he slept. I wondered if Ominis felt the same. The way he had rushed to be here despite the possible consequences, was evidence enough that he still cared about Sebastian. Evidence that they were still friends.

   "I wish to be nothing like my family..." Ominis admitted, pulling me out of the trance that I had entered. "I have seen what valuing dark magic and purity of blood has turned them into... It is the reason I don't have my sight..."

   "I thought you were born blind?" I asked confused.

   "I was... my family values purity of blood so much that they have married those that are in too close of relation to one another. When family members have children with each other as frequently as mine have, it leads to many... horrid side effects..." he confessed. It hadn't occurred to me that could have been the reason behind his lack of vision. "In all honesty, I am glad that I was cursed with this lack of sight instead of the madness that seems to plague many, perhaps all, of the other Gaunts."

   "I had no idea Ominis..." I said softly. "But you cannot think yourself worthy of such a punishment strictly because of your family's vile behaviors."

   "You do not need to comfort me in this... There are some facts that simply cannot be ignored," he said plainly. "But this is also the reason I have chosen to write my family off. I want... well, aaI want to be more than that... I... I want to be... good," he admitted. I watched in admiration as he opened up to me.

   "You are good..." I reassured him. "One of the best people I've ever met."

   He smiled, but there was a sadness in his smile. "Not good enough..." he said softly.

   My heart ached at his declaration. I knew that he was referring to me. I didn't know what to say. My mind scrambled for the right words. I got off the bed and walked over to him. I put my hand on his face. "Ominis... that is not it at all," I said softly, as he put his hand on top of mine. "You are amazing, and kind, and wise, and you care so deeply about the people in your life."

   He leaned into my touch and smiled at me briefly before saying, "But you do not love me..."

   I did not expect this conversation to happen tonight and I did not expect it to go this way. "I do love you Ominis, just... not in the way that you want me to..." I confessed. I owed it Ominis to be honest with him.

   He let out a defeated laugh through his nose before turning and kissing the palm of my hand with closed eyes. My heart ached for him. I wished that I could give him what he wanted but Sebastian had all my heart and there was no one else I would rather hold it.

   "Well, I wish you and Sebastian the best... but do allow me time to lick my wounds before you rub your mutual affections in my face?" He laughed. I dropped my hand from his face, and he reached out, grabbing it before it fell to my side. "I just want the best for you..." he turned to look at Sebastian. "Both of you," he let out a light laugh.

   "And I only wish for you to be happy Ominis... I'm sorry I cannot be what you want me to be," I responded.

   "You already are everything I want you to be," he said as he squeezed my hand before letting it fall. He turned to Sebastian with a weak smile as he continued speaking. "You make him happy... happier than I think I've ever seen him... That is the main reason I am willing to cease my attempts in pursuing you further. He deserves to be happy."

   "He's lucky to have you," I said sweetly.

    "Yes he is," he chuckled.

   I went back and laid on the bed beside Sebastian's. The conversation I'd had with Ominis gave me the resolution that I had been longing for. With my mind clearer, I felt sleep tempting me. My eyes felt heavy and every muscle in my body felt utterly depleted. I closed my eyes and eventually the sound of Sebastian's breathing lulled me to sleep.