The Thrill Of Your Love

Chapter Thirty

Alice gasped dramatically, taking in a huge breath of cold air as her body slammed forward abruptly. Hands immediately held her back whilst her glassy eyes focused on her surroundings. She realised she was in a bed in the infirmary, the sterile smell and the beeping of machines confirming her location. Her breathing was heavy, panic rising within her as she tried to make sense of what had happened and why she was here.

"Thank Satan, she's okay." Anna muttered beside her, her grip on her hand still as strong as the moment she was brought here.

"You're alright." Copia shushed her, gently lying her back down on the bed. "You're safe now. Breath darling." He demonstrated some deep breaths in through his nose and slowly exhaling, which she mimicked whilst he mother rubbed soft circles on her shoulder. "Good." He smiled.

"What... what happened?" She asked, her voice shaky.

"We did the ritual to bring Terzo back." Copia's expression softened. "Do you remember?"

The memory of the ritual and everything that had happened came flooding back to her in a colourful flashback. Her vision faded to the images of the dark temple, Terzo's lifeless body, the circle of black candles, she sound of Latin chanting, the feeling of a painful pressure in her chest. It all became too much, the rapid sound of the heart rate monitor ringing in her ears then a sudden shatter of glass.

"Alice!" A voice pulled her from out of her trance. She panted, a singular head of sweat trickling down her temple. She shook her head, recomposing herself.

"Erm, yes I remember." Her voice sounded unsure. "But only up to a point. Did it work?" She sounded desperate. "Is he... is Terzo alive?" She whispered, her voice trembling.

"Yes, he's alive." Copia softly smiled whilst Anna placed a reassuring hand over hers.

But Alice pulled her hand away as they flew up to her face, breaking down into uncontrollable sobs; the news and the ritual had all been so overwhelming.

"Sweetheart it's ok." Anna whispered, taking her daughter into a hug. "You were so brave." She whispered. "And you brought him back."

"Where is he?" She asked, trying to get up again, but Copia gently pushed her back down.

"Easy now." He chuckled softly. "You're still fragile."

"How... how did I do it?" Alice's brows furrowed as her mind raced.

"Well, we don't know." Copia shook his head. "No one has ever crossed that portal before. Your memory would have been wiped after coming back."

"Wait what?" Alice's heart sank. "Does that mean Terzo's memory is wiped too?" She asked, her voice breaking.

"Yes." Copia looked at her with a look of sympathy and sorrow. "We think so. He thinks that he has been in a coma for the last ten years. His memory is... not good."

"Ten years?!" Alice felt a pang of heartbreak. "So...he won't remember me? At all?" She asked, tears silently streaming down her face.

"I mean we don't know for sure but," Copia shook his head gently, "I don't think so. The last memory he had of me was when I was a schoolboy sporting a mouthful of braces and this tall." He lifted his hand to mimicking his small height as a growing teenager.

Alice's tears flowed freely as she processed the news. Her heart ached with the realisation that even though Terzo was alive, the bond they shared, the memories they made, all might be lost forever. What if they never reconnect? What if he woke up with a different personality? With a different character? With a different heart?

"I have to see him." She said, determination in her voice as she wiped her eyes- she'd spent an agonising week mourning the loss of him, she wasn't about to waste another second spent without him. "Please." She looked between the worried eyes of her mother and Copia who looked unsure.