Nyctophiliac🌙

8 | Smoke

I spent the rest of the day by locking myself in my room, stressing and worrying. I also read some books.

Somehow I managed to keep my mouth shut until sunset, even though my anxiety was killing me. I wanted to tell mother about my unhealthy state, but something in me was holding back. Whenever me or my mother fell sick, we would always sleep together in my room. She became even more protective of me and I didn't want that to happen. I really needed to see Alec tonight, I couldn't let my mother get in the way.

I made sure mother was asleep before I sneaked out from my bedroom's window wearing my ruby ring. Tonight I wore two layers of coat, my body felt colder than usual. When I finally arrived on the Sycamore tree, Alec was already standing there, leaning on the tree with a cigarette placed between his fingers. "The stars are beautiful tonight." His eyes were fixated on the sky above us, making his eyes glistened under the light. "Throw that away." I demanded while covering my nose from the obnoxious smoke in the cold night air. "Why?" He finally turned his head to look at me, grinning.

"I'm sick, Alec." I said in the most serious tone and a straight face, with my hands crossed over my chest to cover the chilly air from seeping under my coats. "Sorry, c'mere." He immediately threw his cigarette to the ground and crushed it, before gesturing me to come closer. I walked closer to him, my head hung low. "You look really pale, Crystal." He lifted my chin up to him and observed my face. "Exactly, and that's why I came here. You owe me some explanations, Alec." I backed away. "Tell me, am I crazy? Tell me those fairi- fayettes, whatever those were aren't real, tell me that I made it all up, Alec. Tell me!" My voice rose up, it was beginning to feel hard for me to control my emotions.

"I can't tell you that, Crystal. Because it was real. All of it. You saw it with your own eyes." He stepped forward and placed his hands on either side of my shoulders. "You're just a little overwhelmed, let's just sit first, okay? Calm your breathing and we'll talk." He said comfortingly and led me back to the tree. We both sat in silence while I took deep breaths. "I'm cold." My voice quivered. "Here." He placed his arm around me, securing me while I snuggled closer to him. When I felt comfortable enough, he started.

"I don't even know where to begin, honestly. Yes, fayettes are real, so does many more mythical creatures in this town. Most of mythical creatures are divided to three kinds, what you saw yesterday were Vert fayettes, to make it easier, Earth fairies. They're friendly and takes care of plants. They disguise themselves as green crickets, but when you blow it, it'll show its original form. And then, there are healers. What you did yesterday proved that you're one of them. Was that the first time it ever happen?" He glanced at me. "Yeah. Probably because I've never touched any injured animal before that. Our home is an animal-free space." I informed him.

"I see. Oh and about the pain, I'm sorry Crystal. I don't know what could be the cause of it. Healers aren't supposed to feel sick even after their first time healing. No matter how bad the pain or sickness in someone is, when it transferred into your body, it's gone. Diminished. That's why healers are special. Maybe you're just not well, have you been sleeping and eating in schedule lately?" He asked. "No.." I sighed, frowning. "Why not?" He said. "I can't sleep. And when I try to eat, I puke." He held my hand and rubbed my temple.