After The Shadows // Sebastian Sallow

Chapter 18 : The Curse

A/N : Hello Loves, I wish I could start this off by saying the reason I have been gone for so long is because I was working vigorously to perfect the story, but in all honesty, I hadn't obtained the courage to even look at it until a couple weeks ago. I had something happen in my life that has made it very difficult to write. A situation that made me simultaneously question the existence and equally hate the concept of love while somehow also hating the idea that love could even exist. In the months I have been gone I have been attempting to heal. My friends and family have helped me immensely during this difficult time, as has the amazing community whose art, writing, and comedy never ceases to amaze me and bring a genuine smile to my face even on the hardest days. I feel like I have finally reached a point in my life where I can once again find solace in my writing. I ask for your patience as I continue to write and post, at will likely be a much slower speed, as I continue to heal. I love all of you, and your comments or messages always make me so happy 💕

⊃🝐 ⠁⭒*.✩.*⭒⠁･｡ﾟ . *:｡･✧:*

"Ms. Song, it is a pleasure to have you back." Nurse Blainey greeted them as they made their way into the hospital wing.

"Thank you." Siren reciprocated with a smile, a bit more forced than she intended in the feeble attempt to hide her nerves.

"Miss Burton sent me an owl and explained that she would like for me to give you a once over as well as set you up with some of those dreamless sleep potions. Unfortunately, I do have some bad news." Siren froze as a wave of dread instantly washed over her.

"What do you mean?"

"Well, we had a bit of a flea incident here with the kneazles, used up our entire supply of Wormwood. Not to worry though, we put in a special order with Timothy Teasdale at The Magic Neep. He assured us it will arrive by tomorrow."

"Tomorrow!" Siren burst out, a panic flooding over her. "Isn't there anything else we could use? Or, a different potion?" Nurse Blainey looked Siren over with wide eyes, clearly taken aback by her outburst.

"I could perhaps whip up a calming potion..." her voice trailed off, hesitant as Siren shook her head frantically.

"No, it has to be the dreamless sleep. Please. Isn't there-" 'Siren felt a comforting pair of hands land on her arm.

"Don't worry Siren, I will be here." Siren looked over to Poppy, her sad eyes looking soothingly into her own. Poppy, the little brunette who had been brave enough to run away from home and save Highwing from her own family. Surely, Siren could brave the dreams for one night, especially with Poppy by her side... right?

Siren winced as the memories of the horrific dreams she had flicked through her mind. Anne disintegrating into dust as Sebastian grasped desperately at her ashes. Poppy, limp and lifeless after she had been sliced to shreds by poachers who cast diffindo at her. And Professor Fig... Whose body rotted as she laid over him; her cries answered only by the bugs that crawled from him and burrowed into her. They were all dreams, she knew they were, but they had felt so real, and the feeling of them still clung to her like spider webs.

"Well then," Nurse Blainey continued with noticeably less enthusiasm and more hesitancy, "Let me check you over so you can get yourself settled." Siren went and sat down on the bed she had gestured to before she began tentatively removing the scarf. Poppy gasped, her hands flying up to her mouth, regret instantly flashing over her features.

"I'm sorry, I just.." She trailed off, shaking her head. "I just didn't expect that much." Poppy took a step closer, her eyes following the tendrils of black that splayed from her neck before they disappeared under her blouse. Nurse Blainey walked over, tilted Sirens head to get a better look, and ran her wand over the raised skin.