epiphany, james potter

12.

Lyla could feel her blood pumping through her veins. The loud hushes of the wind and her struggling breaths coming out in huffs.

She didn't know where she was, it was getting dark and she could feel the ache with every step she took.

Crunchy leafs sounded under her black platform boots. She saw trees surrounding her, but they were almost spinning every time she looked up.

She craved water, she needed it. Her throat was dry and felt swollen. She felt the aching from running as fast as she could here.

Was she being dramatic? She couldn't help it, why does everyone she ever trusted always do something to ruin it?

She kept running, trying to find her way out, a large stump didn't catch the corner of her eye, causing her to trip over it.

She felt her leg go in front of her trying to stop herself, but she ended up falling onto her stomach into the puddle of mud from the rain earlier. She let out a whimper realizing the position she was stuck in.

Maybe she would die out here? She almost hoped. The Blacks sure had a thing for dramatics.

She tried to pull herself into a sitting position but due to the soreness of her elbows she fell back into the mud, cringing in embarrassment even though no one could see her.

She eventually managed to roll herself into a half sitting position, she caught a glimpse of a large cut on her leg, it was oozing blood and she felt dizzy at the sight of it, she saw bits of dirt in it which she knew would cause it to become infected if she left unintended.

She closes her eyes barely being able to resist, until she hears a loud voice booming.

"Lyla!" James voice is heard, "Where are you?"

Lyla opens her mouth to speak but it comes out as more of a whisper, "James?"

Sirius comes running over and gasps when he sees her condition, "James! She's over here!"

James runs over in a panicked state, gaping his mouth when he sees her.

He immediately bends down next to her. She rolls her eyes even though she was in pain. "Asshole."

James sighs, "Yeah yeah, you can yell at me later."

He huffs when he sees the cut on her leg, trying to wipe off the blood. He then pulls her into a half standing position and hauls her into his arms, shuffling her around to make her more comfortable.

"Stay awake Black." James flicks her forehead gently and she huffs as he does it.

She feels her consciousness fading away more and more with each passing second, and instead of being terrified, the quiet rhythm of James heartbeat pounded against her side, calming her to an extent she's never felt before.

"I hate you James." She whispers looking into his brown eyes.

She finally lets out one more breath before leaning her head into James chest deeper, looking up at him with her eyes half closed, "I know Lyla, I know."

She lets herself fall asleep, forgetting all about James and the pain she was in. All she could think of was the warmness against her, and the slight breeze tickling her head.

A hand rested into Lyla's, and she felt harsh scrubbing against her leg. "It's okay dear, I'm just cleaning your leg."

Lyla grumbled quietly in her sleep, stirring and rearranging to a more comfortable position.

There was a dip in the bed right beside her body.

Her eyes slowly opened, spotting the boy she most certainly did not want to see.

He smiled down at her trying to brush her hair out of her face, but she very tiredly shoved his hand away.

"James." Euphemia sighs, "She obviously needs time to rest and be alone." She gestures to the door, "Let's leave her be."

Lyla smiled as James left, and in this moment she just wanted her brothers. She wanted Regulus and Sirius. She missed Regulus dearly and she knew he would never do to her what Sirius did.

She huffed and went back to sleep, feeling a small burn on her leg give her a twinge of pain.

And in the moment, she just wished she was home.