ANGEL WINGS

Twenty-Eight

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Twenty-Eight

Jordan sat in the alley, his head aching with the Voices, whispering and humming. Telling him things he couldn't possibly know. He unconsciously rocked back and forward, tapping his right fingers on the ground beside him.

Thumb, one, two, three, four, four. Thumb, one, two, three, four, four. Thumb, one, two, three, four, four. Pause. Thumb, one, two, three, four, four...

Again and again, until his fingertips bled. His eyes were closed and tears streamed down his face as he continued to rock and tap.

Thumb, one, two, three, four, four...

~*~

Luke visited Jade every day for an hour at least, three at the most. Every time he told himself he'd do it, but every time he found himself simply watching her. He wondered what had happened to her to make her catatonic.

He'd been in Jade's room for close to four hours when it happened. He could hardly believe it, and he wouldn't if he hadn't heard her say it and seen her lips form the words. When Luke was getting up to leave, without looking away from the window or moving in any other way, Jade said, "thank you."

"What?" Luke asked in disbelief, hoping she'd repeat herself.

"Thank you, Luke," she reiterated.

Luke grinned and sat back down in front of Jade, watching her face. "Are you back?" he whispered hopefully.

She didn't reply, but her gaze shifted from the city outside the window to his eyes. The light in them was unmissable and unmistakeable. Jade may not have returned, but she was well on her way to recovery.

As Luke walked back to his own room, he scolded himself. No, he thought, you mustn't do this! You came here for a reason and when you found her in that state, you should have taken that opportunity! But not only did you neglect your task, you feel ecstatic to find that she'll be back to her old self in no time! Thanks to you, the uprising will continue!

However, as much as Luke might tell himself that he couldn't, and it was wrong and stupid, he knew he had feelings for the First to Fall. And they were only growing.

~*~

Jade stared at her reflection in her window. It was late and she could no longer see outside. She was relieved to have feeling back in her heart and her soul, she'd been convinced that she'd be a living doll for the rest of her life.

But Luke's presence had somehow drawn her out again. She wondered why, though she had an idea.

Even the simple act of rolling up her left sleeve was difficult after a month and a half of little to no physical activity. When she managed it, Jade ran her fingers over the scars on her shoulder, deciding to never allow the Darkness to persuade her to make that mistake twice.

UPDATE - Aug 3, 2015

This book is in the Watty Awards, so please vote! I love you all and it literally only takes a second!