Hunter

Chapter Thirty Two - Downward Spiral

My mom had managed to ruffle through some trunks and ended up finding a battle suit that Aiden could wear. It was a little snug, but it eventually remolded itself to fit his figure. I got ready with my Hunter's Toga and Jasper with his battle suit. My dagger was sheathed at my side, and I had my bag full of Syrup and magic bandages just in case we needed them. We hopped into two different cars, one with Jasper in it and one with Aiden, and we made our way to the cave. My mom didn't come with us, claiming that she felt the need to stay behind. Once we arrived at the cave, we saw Dee standing in the middle of a thousand black seeds. She looked relaxed yet energized.

"What took you guys so long to get here?" She asked us.

"Aiden and Jasper did not want to be in the same car, so you can blame them." She rolled her eyes at the both of them, mustering all the hauteur that her short frame could manage.

"Alright then." She shifted from foot to foot. "Let's get this show on the road."

"I got you something." I handed her the pillow and she grabbed it, a grateful look on her face. She went to the very center of the poppy seeds and lay down, resting her head on the pillow. Immediately, her eyes closed as she lay flat on her back. We all watched her for a moment, paying careful attention the color of skin draining away like water in a sink. Her flesh tightened around her bones, her appearance gaunt and death-like. My heart was thudding in my chest with fear, but I was frozen to my spot, mesmerized by what was happening. Not long after, her body exhaled, and a ghost-like version of her was standing before me.

"Jasper and Hailey, can you see me?"

"Yeah," we affirmed.

"Aiden, can you see me?" There was no response. Instead, he looked at Jasper and me, confused.

"Why can't he see you?" Dee sighed slightly before responding to my question.

"It's because we haven't formed a bond yet, therefore, I am unable to affect him so that he can see me." I didn't say anything, but I knew I had a look on my face because Jasper and Aiden reacted to it.

"Anyway," she crooned, "I'm going to leave now. Remember, whatever you do, do not move my body. I'm not sure what kind of effect that may have on me so try your best to keep it exactly as it is, no matter what." I nodded, crossing my arms, watching her as she faded. "Please be careful," I whispered, my eyes squeezed tightly for a second. I opened them, and her spirit was gone.

* Ω *

The hours passed by boringly enough.

Jasper kept pacing because he was trying to use up all of the energy and aggression and frustration that was targeted at Aiden, while Aiden himself was in the far corner of the cave trying to master his firepower, flicking it on and off as he went. I was lying on the comfortable poppy seeds next to Dee, being careful not to move her body.

"Hey, Hayley, do you think you could come over here and help me?" I looked over at Aiden and thought about it. I really thought about it. I was in a comfortable position on some soft poppy seeds in a cave full of rocks. Was I really willing to leave my position to go and help him? Reluctantly, I stood and went over to him, knowing that if Dee saw me refuse to help him, she would kill me right then and there.

"What's up, Aiden?" He was quiet at the beginning of it all, not even looking at me, but looking behind me. I turned my head to see what he was looking at, and there was Jasper, watching us with a cautious, but angry, eye. "Don't worry about him. What can I do for you?" His eyes wandered back to mine, and he looked slightly uncomfortable.

"I remember you mentioning that your water powers can be used to heal."

"Yeah... what about it?" He looked down for a moment before ruffling his hair in what I assumed to be frustration.