Trails of Intertwined Stars: Chapter 74 {Part 1}

~Chapter 96: The River...it Heals~

Jiu helped Leora back to her room when the sun started to set; knowing she needed rest now more than ever. Leora leaned against him as they walked, her footsteps weak, but smiling to herself nonetheless.
"I enjoyed today..." Leora hummed, softly.
Jiu glanced at her, holding her slightly tighter," Me too. Today was a nice change."
"I wish every day could be like that."
"Then Edward would have to cook a lot."
Leora chuckled," You know what I mean. Not necessarily food, but..."
"...warmth?"
"Yes, I suppose that's the word for it..."
Jiu watched as Leora weakly glanced away; her footsteps light on the carpet below them. They arrived at her room, and he gently opened the door; revealing the bleak room, that seemed to be a reminder to them both that happiness does not last forever.
Jiu forced a smile," C'mon, let's get you to bed."
Leora nodded, letting him carry her to the bed. She frowned, worried.
"I'm not too heavy?"
"Not at all. You're lighter than last time, which...worries me, to say the least."
He set her down in the bed, trying to ignore the gnawing thought that her tuberculosis was slowly killing her. He turned for the desk, trying to find the vial of medication for her; Leora made herself busy by settling into bed, wincing occasionally. Jiu searched through the drawers, confused why he couldn't find any, till he stopped; seeing an injection.

"What's this?" He frowned, taking it out and holding it up for the girl to see.
Leora glanced away," New medicine."
"From Julian?"
"Who else would it be from?"
Jiu pursed his lips, staring at the needle. He shoved it on the table and swiftly rushed over to her, yanking up her sleeve; revealing patches of small bruises. Jiu bit his lip, his finger gently tracing them.
"He does it roughly, doesn't he?"
Leora nodded, weakly.
Jiu sighed," I told you to tell me if something happened..."
"I..." Leora glanced at him, worried he was upset," I didn't think it was worth the trouble. It's just medication."
"It might not be," Jiu uttered, his expression turning dark," We don't know what he's put in those wretched things. Could be poisonous. Maybe they're the reason you're getting worse."
Leora frowned, knowing that Jiu was likely correct. The general stormed back over to the desk, searching through the drawers.
"I'll throw those stupid things out afterwards, for now; I'm going to find you some actual medicine..."
He searched longer, before pulling out the old vial; pouring some out onto a spoon, sighing.
"Let's hope this helps," Jiu muttered, gently administering it to her.

Leora grimaced, gulping it down, before shivering convulsively," Gross."
"I bet," Jiu smiled, screwing on the cap and setting it aside," Unfortunately, it's the best thing we have. Sorry about that, love."
Leora hummed in response, rubbing her eyes as a yawn fell out. Jiu helped her settle down; kissing her forehead.
"Get some rest, alright?"
Leora nodded with a hum; already half asleep from the medicine. Jiu smiled weakly, before getting up and leaving her to rest. Though, leaving her that night, was perhaps one of his biggest regrets.

Leora did not have pleasant dreams that night. She tossed and turned in a fevered sleep; gasping for air slightly, until she woke. She sat up in the darkness, her chest heavy with pain, as she tried to hold back a cough that had the taste of blood. It was no good, and she coughed into her hands; trembling slightly as she glanced down and saw the blood pooling in her palms.
"Must be...better..." Leora groaned, weakly; her throat throbbing in pain from the strain of it all.
She stumbled out of bed, in somewhat of a fevered daze. It felt like she wasn't really in control that night, that she was aware of what was happening but her entire being ached with a purpose that she was unaware of. She searched through the drawer, until she finally found a bottle. She staggered to the patio, tugging it open as she felt the cold autumn night nip at her face. It was late, no doubt about it; it had to be about two in the morning. Barefooted, she slipped across the cold slabs of the patio, before staggering onto the grass. Beside her foot, was a flower; a buttercup, sagging its head miserably. With much effort, she leaned down and plucked the head off its stem, before shoving it into the bottle. And then, she continued. Her gaze was set in only one direction; the rest of the world around her didn't seem to matter. The river.

She was unnaturally aware where to avoid, even within her dream-like state; carrying herself in such a way that it'd be impossible for her to trip. She knew the garden like the back of his hand. She reached the edge of the bank and stared down at the murky water, her eyes wide; as she tried to make out the blurred reflection of herself upon the water surface. Her own pale face looked back at her, blood smeered down her lips. With a heavy breath, she reached down and plunged the bottle into the water; watching with a dark fascination as it filled to the brim.
"The water...it heals...it takes...it uses...and it heals..." A distant voice whispered in her ear.
Leora raised the bottle to her lips slowly, ready to sip," It...heals..."
"Miss!" A familiar voice cried out, nearly making Leora drop the bottle into the river, but she held it with a deathly grip.
Archie Mills, the gardener, rushed over to her wide eyed.
"You can't be outside mi-" His face paled," Yur' bleedin'...oh hell, miss; yur bleedin'! You need to go back-!"
"NO!" Leora hissed, venomously," Leave me! The house is what's killing me!"
Archie didn't care to listen, seeing how feverish she looked, he assumed she was hysterical. He tugged her arm suddenly, trying to pull her back.
"Miss! Please!"
Leora let out a horrible scream; thrashing hysterically against the gardener. With an unnatural strength, that no person with tuberculosis should have, she managed to tug Archie violently so he lay beside the bank of the river; groaning.

Leora let out a weak groan, all of her strength taken out of her; swiftly shoving the vial into her pocket, before passing out onto the grass. Archie sat up, rubbing his head. He went to grab Leora's arm, to carry her, but as he squeezed down he heard her whimper loudly in pain from his touch. And then, on the other hand, by the water surface; something grasped him violently.