The Battle Of The Basilisk

-17-

Pranaty's eyes moved up and down Ayano's pale body.

Not even pale, no- her skin was chalk white, as though all the blood had been sucked out of her body, along with copious amounts of flesh. Her bones were more prominent, and her cheekbones so sharp they looked like they could cut diamonds. Turquoise veins ran up her arms.Her vivid blue hair created the image of some ghastly creature from outer space.
How had she not noticed it before?

To her surprise, Ayano didn't seem to be bothered in the least. "Well," She eyed her unpigmented palms with what appeared to be mild annoyance. "I've seen worse. So, what are we going to do now? I'm guessing someone should wake up Charles- He's snoring."

Pranaty glanced over at Charles- Sure enough, the Chinese boy's mouth was partly open, letting out the most ridiculous sounds. Will crawled his way to Charles, and slapped him awake.

Charles' eyes flew open. "Wha-Who?" He stuttered. Will's face spoke of exasperation.

"You can't expect a warm 'Good Morning' in the forest, especially not with muffins and scones."

Pranaty had to hide her laughter- Typical Will Blackscar.

Raghavi turned to Will, not looking too pleased. "You do realize that snoring signifies deep sleep, don't you?"

"Not something you can prove." Will pulled Charles up, who looked beat. His eyes rested on Ayano and quickly moved away, his face clearly saying Uh-oh, I wasn't supposed to do that.

"Well, now what?" Ayano examined her nails, her tone businesslike. How she could act so normally, Pranaty didn't know.

"You first." Jane piped up. "Charlie, can you do something about Ayano? She's bloodless."

"Whoa whoa, watch it, Everlasting." Will's dark brow furrowed. "If Ayano were 'bloodless', she wouldn't be alive and kicking, would she? I believe she does have enough to live."

"A severe case of anaemia, more like." Raghavi added.

"Forget that." Ayano interrupted. "Will actually has a point. I'm alive and that's that. Now, on to more serious matters. Is there a toilet around here, by any chance?"

"A toilet? We're in the woods, Ayano!" Pranaty exclaimed.

"Behind the leaves, then." She replied dismissively, and stalked away.

"Don't go too far!" Charles called.

"I will!" The sarcasm in Ayano's voice was crystal clear.

Charles rolled his eyes. "Well, I guess I'll go too. Maybe I can find some potion ingredients along the way. This time of year is ripe for the growth of Dittany in particular."

"Can I come with you?" Jane asked. Her face looked bare without the facial tattoos, but much more normal.

"Alright, but stay close."

Pranaty watched the two of them walk away, and something struck her all of a sudden.

"Everyone's going, so maybe I should go too." She said, lifting herself up. Raghavi and Will nodded.

"Not for long."

Pranaty gave them a weak smile and exited the clearing, moving into a thick grove of trees, where there was hardly any light.

She peered around the corner of a large tree trunk. She couldn't be seen or heard. Good.

Fingers trembling slightly, she pressed her thumb to the base of her throat, as she did every night before going to sleep. As expected, her neck grew warmer and warmer until the air around her condensed to form a metallic chain around her neck, at the end of which hung a heart-shaped transparent locket, embroidered with metal design and at the center of which was inscribed the letter 'P'.