Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 74: Sleepwalking~

Weeks passed, and Leora did not recover. In fact, she got worse. She was bedridden, and Jiu and the servants were only allowed to visit her at certain times. Julian Frost and Henry seemed to be the most frequent visitors in her room, but even then, they'd often go to London on certain days. Not just that, but at odd hours that often made little to no sense. Leora was frequently plagued by a relentless fever, that tore kept her awake, and sensitive. Often, there would be reports of her crying, pleading to someone late at night. But no servant could go in to console her. After all, the room was locked, and only Henry and Julian had a key. The servants would rumour among each other that she was going mad from her illness. That when Henry or Julian would enter, she would scream and cry; at least, that's what the servants said. Though, Jiu never had that issue when he visited her. Nor did Edward or Soren. It had taken its toll on the house, though. Nobody seemed in the right spirits. The servants seemed to be waiting for her death, placing bets about when it would happen and such. Soren frequently punished them, without mercy, for such horrible things; giving them extra chores around the manor that would wear down even the strongest of servants. Edward, on the other hand, said nothing at all on the matter. But it was clear it was killing him inside; festering in his very soul, like some vile sort of curse. He'd often stare into space when he was supposed to do tasks, and often cry at unexpected moments.

Jiu felt devastated, admittedly. But he refused to show it. He didn't want Leora to see him in such a state, not ever. After a particularly bad day, Jiu retired to bed. He stared up at the ceiling in worry, praying that Leora would and could recover. But that intrusive thought that told him cruel things, seemed to linger relentlessly in the corner of his mind; eating away any reassurance he gave himself. There was a loud thud in the corridor. Jiu's heart lurched. The movements sounded almost zombie-like, limp and heavy. Duncan, perhaps. There was another thud. He gently slipped out of the bed, stressing to make as little sound as possible, to not disturb whatever was out there. He gently took the oil lamp from his table and made his way to the door, watching as it cautiously creaked open. He peered into the old corridor. It was dark. The oil lamp only just lit a small spot around him, but he couldn't quite see anything there. Footsteps. The floorboards seemed to creak under them. His breath hitched. It was coming from his left.
"Duncan?" Jiu whispered.
No response, but they were getting closer. Jiu clutched at the doorframe, debating whether to close the door, or wait. He waited. From the darkness, a figure emerged; its footsteps were slow, and heavy. Slumped. Staggering. Grim. Pale. Leora.

Jiu's eyes widened in horror. She was usually locked up in her room at this time. Why was she out? And why was she acting this weird.
"Leora?" Jiu whispered, admittedly, terrified of the girl in this moment of time.
Leora staggered, her head drooped; hair covering her face. She let out a small whimper. Jiu's trembling hand reached out, cautiously. He guided her chin up. Her eyes were shut tight, her breathing off, and a flush covering her pale features. Sleepwalking.
"You're really ill tonight, aren't you?" Jiu murmured," Sleepwalking all the way to my room. Did you miss me? I missed you too."
Leora was too fast asleep to respond. She slumped against Jiu, her breaths laboured. He hated how now laboured breath was normal for her. He gently stroked her back, letting her rest against him; slouched.
"I didn't...do anything wrong..." Leora whimpered in her sleep, tears dripping down her face," I was just...playing...please...leave me alone...wake up...wake..."
Jiu's eyes widened, as she trembled. Was he to wake her? She seemed distressed. But he'd heard that you weren't supposed to wake someone when they sleep walked. Wasn't it bad for them?
"You're okay..." Jiu murmured, tracing patterns on her back, trying to soothe her without waking her," It's not real, Leora."

Leora gasped, suddenly. She opened her eyes, glancing around in horror.
"Where?"
"It's okay, I've got you," Jiu held her closer, nuzzling the top of her hair," You sleep walked all the way to my room. I think you were having a nightmare."
Leora buried her face in his shoulder, trembling with suppressed sobs.
"What happened, Leora?"
Leora shook her head," Nothing."
"It can't be nothing if you're crying like this," Jiu sighed at Leora's attempt to lie.
Leora glanced away, tears dripping down her face, as she remained silent. Jiu pressed the back of his hand against her forehead; his eyebrows furrowed as he felt the high temperature.
"Come on, we'll talk in a moment, let's get you back in your room; you need the rest and medicine," Jiu murmured.
He gently guided the girl down the corridor, letting her rest against her as they did. The darkness seemed to engulf them, and the light from the oil lamp twisted their shadows into monsters of sorts. Neither spoke. They finally reached Leora's room, and Jiu went to open the closed door. He frowned. Locked. He tried the handle again. Locked. How could it be locked if Leora had gotten out? He tried the handle more aggressively, it didn't budge.

"Leora how did you get out?" Jiu murmured.
"Perhaps it was open and they locked it when I left, by accident?" She suggested, weakly.
Jiu frowned," It's a possibility, but... something doesn't seem right about this."
Jiu tried the handle again. It creaked open. He could have sworn it was locked. Maybe he hadn't pushed hard enough? Though, he was quite certain he had.
"Odd..." Leora murmured, also surprised by this.
Jiu peered in the room, cautiously. Nothing seemed amiss, or out of place. The general shrugged, lighting the candles around her room and settling her back into the bed. Leora watched as he picked up the medicine bottle and poured out a spoon.
"I hate that medicine, it makes me... different," Leora murmured.
Jiu wouldn't know how it changed her. After all, he visited her before she had the medication, and when it was time for her medication; Julian would usher him out. He raised it to his nose and sniffed.
"Smells rather vile," Jiu muttered, holding it up to her lips.
Leora took it, shuddering with a grimace," Tasted vile too."

"You should rest now, alright?" Jiu murmured, gently rubbing her arm was," Here I'll get you comfy."
Leora didn't fight against it. She let the general prop her against the pillow and tuck the blankets around her. He smoothed her hair out of her face and kissed her forehead, smiling softly.
"Sleep, okay? I'll see you in the morning."
Leora nodded, her smile distant," Yes."
Jiu gave her a final peck, before straightening up and going to the door. He paused, glancing under its lock. It had been surrounded by scratch marks, belonging to fingers. He glanced back at Leora, spotting her hands to be clean and untouched. He doubted it was her. He shrugged it off, and left the room. He had forgotten to close the door, you see. So, when he took a few steps away; his heart lurched, hearing a sudden slam. He spun around, eyes wide. Leora's door was completely shut. He went to the handle, and tried to open it. Locked.
"Leora!?" Jiu called out, wanting to ensure she was alright.
No response. He peered through the keyhole, spotting the girl. She was fast asleep in her bed, safe. He let out a shuddering breath and decided to just leave. Clearly, Duncan was unhappy.