The Wrong Sister

Back Again

Asta had found a spare dress like the one they put on me in the cave. It was better than nothing, but it made my skin itch. 

As the drive went by exhaustion settled on me like dust. In my small bubble of warmth I fell into a daze.

When the car stopped I was slumped against the door. 

A hesitant touch shocked me out of my trance. 

The house from my memories stood tall. Much taller and more menacing than I remembered. It was quieter too. Caution filled my heart. It felt as if I was seeing something I shouldn't.

A crashing sound started within the house before the front door joined the symphony and let the noise out. 

The beautiful doors framed a wild and messy version of Gabriel. Perhaps he wasn't as feral as he seemed, but the contrast between his seemingly collapsing sanity and the manicured house emphasized his flashing eyes.

Waves of sympathy like knives pushed me out of the car. I never thought that Gabriel could be affected by anything in this way. 

I stumbled a second before Gabriel's arms closed around me. Together we fell to our knees never releasing the other. 

"I'm sorry I didn't listen to you." I sobbed into his neck. 

Gabriel shook violently and held me tighter. 

"I've got you." He breathed into my ear. 

As if a plug had been pulled, my tears dried. Relief filled the basin just emptied of fear.  I relaxed against him. I  knew that I would have to deal with the last of the cult, but just for now. Just for now I wanted to believe that I could stay wrapped in his warmth forever. Somehow in this moment it seemed I could. The fierce warmth he radiated was washing away all other thoughts. It was dizzying. 

Gabriel heaved a deep breath and froze. He let my body fall away from his to get a better look at me. 

I whined at the loss of his heat. The dizziness persisted.

"You're bleeding. How long have you been bleeding for?" He sounded worried. 

I wanted to reassure him, but it was too difficult to dig through the cotton hiding the words. So instead I smiled. 

"If she has been bleeding the whole time, about ten hours. If she just opened the wound... I don't know, she lost a lot of blood earlier and there is blood all over the seat."

Asta's voice moved closer. 

Gabriel scrabbled at the materiel of the dress, yanking it up to see the wound. 

His face turned grim. 

The man, who earlier could barley stand, scooped me up and marched through the house bellowing orders. 

People seemed to materialize out of nothing and fussed around us provoking more yelling. 

I laughed, "I'm fine." 

"How long have you been bleeding for?"

I stroked Gabriel's face, It was beautiful.

"I don't know, I don't remember most of the drive." 

"And that's not a red flag to you?" 

"Blood red maybe." I paused waiting for him to laugh. 

"Do you think now is the time for that?" 

"Well I might die. Wouldn't want to go with jokes left untold." 

Gabriel said nothing, but his grip tightened.