Consuming Darkness: Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 37

-Ronnie-

   The Infimary was quiet as Sebastian slept. I sat in the leather chair next to his bed, swirling a shimmery, dark green potion that I had gotten from Nurse Blainey. I felt terrible about waking up everyone in my room with my nightmares, so I finally gave in and told her about the nightmares. I also told her about my the sleeping potion that I made. Nurse Blainey had been surprisingly kind and understanding. She told me it was very normal for someone who had gone through the things I had. She also suggested I talk to someone about all of it, and that it might help. Nurse Blainey kindly offered to talk to me if I needed it and then gave me this potion that was supposed to practically knock me out for 8 hours. I didn't love the idea of not being able to wake up but I was excited to get a full night's sleep for the first time in a long time. I know all my roommates would be excited to not have to be scared awake by my screams.

   Ominis had left to go to dinner but I hadn't been too hungry. He promised to bring some food back for the both of us despite my protests. I knew I must look like death itself. I hadn't been eating very much since Sebastian had been shot and my sleep had only gotten worse. Ominis had been the sole reason that I had been eating any food. I just didn't feel hungry and I hadn't wanted to leave his side.

   "What's that for?" Sebastian asked, his voice deep from sleep.

   "Something to help me sleep..." I admitted.

   "Hopefully this one actually works," he voiced my concern. "I'm guessing you got that from the nurse? Finally willing to ask for help?" He teased.

   "I didn't really have a choice... I've been keeping my whole dorm up..." I confessed.

   "I'm sorry..."

   "It's not your fault," I said quickly.

   "So it has nothing to do with me getting shot through and almost dying in your arms?" He questioned me.

   "Maybe a little... but it's not your fault you got shot... it's mine. It was my fault you had detention in the first place," I told him. I didn't really want to talk about this but I was trying to follow Nurse Blainey's advise and be vulnerable. He felt like a safe place to be vulnerable.

   "You couldn't have known. It's no one's fault but my own for not paying close enough attention to what was going on and... ya know..." he shrugged with a smirk, "the fault of the sentinel that shot me."

   I couldn't help but roll my eyes at his response. Of course he'd say that but his words did reassure me slightly.

   "I'm more sorry that you had to see me like that... and like this..." he responded solemnly, gesturing to himself in the bed.

   Something about his tone, or maybe it was the depressed expression on his face caused me to fall apart. Tears began to roll down my cheeks and no matter how hard I tried to stop them, they just kept coming. I wiped them away as they came and tried to laugh it off. "Sorry... I don't know why I can't stop crying... it's stupid..." I apologize with an embarrassed laugh. It had just been a long week.

   Sebastian sat up and tried to hide his pained groans. "What are you doing?! Don't sit up! Let me help you!" I stood quickly helping him sit as he swung his legs over the side of the bed.

   "I'm fine Ronnie. You've helped me enough for a million lifetimes... I... I don't have words.... I... I'm sorry you've had to endure what you have," he spoke softly. I sat in my chair and moved it in front of him so our knees were touching.

   He grabbed my chin between his thumb and pointer finger, and tilted my face up towards his. I sniffled and flashed him an apologetic smile as he wiped the tears from my cheeks. "You don't have to hold the weight of the world on your very beautiful, but very exhausted shoulders. Let me carry it with you," he told me earnestly. My heart skipped a beat. "I'm here for you. I've got your back as much as you have mine. And if you won't give me all your burdens, then... just know that I will stand by your through it all."