Until We Fly: The Guardian Legacy

Chapter 29: Crescent

-Jake-

"You really shouldn't have just left like that. What were you doing anyway?"
I asked, wrapping extra bandages around patches of Dark she had missed before.

"...the ball sounded like fun...and...Köleil knew she wouldn't be allowed to go because she is ill. So...she went by herself."

"...either way, it was smart of you to use the bandages."

She looked up at me, smiling brightly.
"...thank you...Köleil did not want to hurt anyone by an accident."

"Well...Köleil shouldn't worry. Jake will look after her."
I chuckled, grinning.

I had no problem taking care of Kö. It didn't seem like anyone else would any time soon.

Especially not James.

She was worn out, her body lacking the energy it needed to function properly.

I was preparing her for some well needed rest. She had to sleep as much as she could in her condition.

"Hey, where are your pajamas?"
I asked.

"James's room. In the drawers."

"Right. You stay there, I'll be back in just a few moments."

James's room was a mess, of course. Could he really not take just three steps to put his clothes in the wardrobe?

I pulled on the first drawer.
Locked?

That was strange...it wasn't like James to hide something.

He's too dumb for that.

Curiosity overtaking caution, I yanked the drawer open, breaking the lock by accident.

...his...phone?

Why would James have locked up his phone? Was he not using it?

I picked it up, unlocking the screen.

445 unread messages

226 missed calls

Who had...

I clicked on the notification, staring at the name in bold resting above the endless array of panicked texts.

DAD

Why was James...

"Jake? Are you okay?"
Köleil called out from the other room.

"Y-yeah... I'm coming, hold on."

I shut the drawer, grabbing Köleil's clothes and leaving the room in darkness once more.

*****

Sleeping soundly, I left her in the peaceful silence. The window open for a soft breeze, hair brushed and tied to avoid knots, she looked so calm.

I sat in the chair beside her bed, tucking the loose bandages back into place. Her skin was pale, only making the dark marks clearer. Her breathing was raspy as she struggled, barely managing to get any air through her now tainted lungs.

"I'll fix this, Kö. I swear I will."

Grabbing an umbrella from the porch, I tore open a small portal and stepped inside.

Rain began to hit me immediately. I opened the umbrella, pulled up my hood and started to walk forwards.

It was almost dream-like to walk through a normal street. Down a human path, by human houses with tiny lives all huddled inside, desperate for the warmth and comfort they need.