Things Lost and Found (a Waglington and Mianite fanfiction)

Chapter 33

The song for today is "New Horizons" by Flyleaf. I have survived a horrid week; let's see how this one goes. *pops knuckles* I have a 2 part final in my remaining class and 6 math assignments due by Friday night. Also, my aunt went into the hospital over the weekend, and my family's not sure if she's going to make it. :( If y'all could pray for her, I'd really appreciate it. Her name is Lynn. If things look bad, I may be skipping town again to see her this week. So this will probably be the only chapter for a little bit. I hope y'all have a less stressful week than I am. :)

*Waglington's POV*

Ow... Everything hurt. Why does everything hurt, and why am I so cold? No sooner had I formed the thoughts then the soft material beneath me vanished and reappeared to cover me instead. That was a little better. I became aware of something warm beside me shifting under the covers. I slowly pried my eyes open a crack as whatever it was moved towards my face. I was in a quaint bedroom that was unmistakably my brothers' work.

Good afternoon, Sleeping Beauty, an unfamiliar voice purred in my mind as a furry red and grey face with bright orange eyes emerged from under the blue and white pinwheel quilt covering us. I stared at the face inches from mine, momentarily wondering if I was looking in a mirror. Then I realized I could see the color red.

"Don't try to talk just yet," I heard a voice to my right say as I started to open my mouth. I stopped and painfully turned my head a fraction of an inch to see Donella sitting in a chair next to my bed, watching me carefully. This was the first time I'd ever seen her without her beloved coat on. Now I knew why. "We're both connected to your mind at the moment; so think to us." Don't worry; I'm only staying connected until I know you're stable, She added when my eyes widened. "And quit staring at my scars." I quickly moved my eyes back to her face. She looked worn out.

I decided to start with the obvious question. What happened?

"Well, we almost lost both of you when Jordan removed his witchery curse before we were ready. Martha, your brothers, and I were able to save you," Donella relayed. She gave me an odd look before continuing, "The funny thing is, you shouldn't have been alive by the time Echo and Kay arrived here with you."

What? I mentally asked as the cat who had been staring at my face up to this point lay back down, snuggling against my side with his head next to my shoulder. I think he was trying to help me warm up, and being a 25 pound cat, he was doing a decent job.

"Echo possesses a form of spirit magic. When you got here, she told me that your spirit was weaker than the ghosts she talks to. You shouldn't have still been in the land of the living. I don't know who would have the power to keep you together," Donella conceded. "But it seems someone very much wanted you alive."

Donella leaned forward in her chair, and her voice softened to a tone I'd never heard from her before as she asked, "James, I know someone hurt you, enough that you almost gave up on us while we were working on you. Who? Don't lie; I recognize the pain and jealousy of losing someone you love to another."

Instantly, the memory of Martha and Steve holding hands and looking at each other lovingly in their meeting came to mind; due to the mental link, Donella saw it too. My heart dropped as I remembered the heartache I had avoided for the few minutes after I woke up. I turned my head away from Donella to keep her from seeing the pain in my eyes. On the up side, it didn't hurt quite so much to turn my head now.

Why did you have to bring her up? He was resting comfortably! The feline next to me growled as he lifted his head to glare murderously at Donella.

I needed to know if I should worry about him trying to leave again, Donella replied. "I am sorry, James. Heartbreak is a worse hell than war in my opinion." I caught a brief flash of a wizard in golden robes smiling brightly from Donella's mind. That was Emrys, if I wasn't mistaken. I don't think I was supposed to see that. "She doesn't even know, does she?"