cascade | kotlc

8. Our Future

 "It's about time!" Fitz shouted as the glowing gates of Everglen came into focus. He sprinted to their side with June and Elwin right behind him.

"I'm sorry." Sophie tried to stand, but was hit by a wave of dizziness. "I got us here as fast as I could."

She noticed Alden's confusion and explained about transmitting to Fitz for help.

Elwin picked at the cement on Alden's wound. "What is this stuff?"

"A dwarven remedy." Alden took Fitz's hand and Fitz pulled him to his feet. June took Alden's arms and wrapped it around her shoulders, carrying most of his weight on herself.

"June, you had a fever, you should be resting-" Sophie started to say.

She cut her off. "My boyfriend's dad and my sister are in danger. I don't care, I'm fine now, I just need a little rest." She tried for a smile.

Elwin whistled as he checked Alden's wound. "Well, you're a mess all right, but we'll get you fixed up properly in no time. And what about you?" He squatted down to examine Sophie, snapping his fingers and forming a blue orb around her. The light flashed in Sophie's eyes, triggering another headache.

"How's my sister?" she asked.

"Classic case of overexertion," Elwin told her. "She couldn't keep the whirlwind cage up, but she forced herself to, so yeah, fever. Also, her lack of deep sleep shut down half her limbic system, and she just needs rest. I talked to the Council, and they agreed June didn't need to maintain the barrier, thank god. I can't believe they'd put such a burden on such a young girl, especially after she was- you know."

Sophie nodded and winced. Her headache worsened.

"You're a mess too," Elwin told her. "I'm starting to think your accident-prone ways are contagious. Because you managed to fade."

-

"Sorry, didn't mean to startle you," Fitz said, making her jump. June was reclined against Fitz. She looked weary. Sophie wasn't sure if it was from her fever or from her worry over her own antics. She decided to be a better sister and get into less catastrophes and/or accidents.

"No, it wasn't you," Sophie said when she could breathe normally again. "I just had a bad dream."

He sat next to her on the bed. June sat halfway on his lap and curled against his chest, opening and closing her eyes.

Sophie shrugged. "How's your dad?"

"Sedated. Elwin needed to do some deep tissue repair to his head wound, so he put him under."

"He's going to be okay?"

"According to Elwin," June mumbled. "I'm tired, Fitz. Can I sleep?"

He pulled back the covers and helped her into a lying position before tucking June in tight. She sighed, almost blissfully, and Sophie leaned over her and checked her temperature. It was back to normal now. She traced her finger down June's cheek.

"What happened down there?" she asked quietly.

"Pretty much one disaster after another."

Fitz let out a shaking laugh. "I'll say." He held up a small blue vial with an atomizer. "Elwin made this for you. Breathe in. June, don't you dare help her."

He spritzed nose and Sophie inhaled the medicine, coughing as the tingly moisture hit her sinuses.

"Just like old times," Fitz said sadly. "I used to stand here, over you two, and give you a dose once every hour, watching the bits of color slowly return to your face and hoping you'd wake up. After June woke up, we were here together, spraying the medicine and praying for some divine intervention."