Necromancer For Hire- Arc 8

Arc 8, Chapter 23

The Awakening

Victor gasped for breath, snapping his eyes open. The room spun around him as he rose up, finding himself splayed out on Morena’s couch.

“Lay back down, kiddo,” Morena murmured, laying a hand on his chest. She pushed him back onto the cushions, rubbing a washcloth against his forehead.

Panting, Victor jerked his head around, looking out the sliding doors. Time had obviously elapsed, the sun having lurched further down the horizon. Cool air from the ceiling fan hit his face, but he still felt like he was in an oven.

“Wha-what…” Victor mumbled, thoughts too muddled to prepare a proper sentence.

“You blacked out,” Morena said, brushing a lot of wet hair off his face. She knelt on the floor beside him, hovering over him. “Are you sick? You look terrible.”

Victor struggled to escape Morena’s well-meaning hands, sweat soaking the back of his neck. Struggling to catch his breath, Victor felt his cheeks burn red.

He couldn't believe it. He had passed out at a stranger's house! Fainting was embarrassing enough, but in the vicinity of someone he didn't even know? Victor wanted to evaporate on the spot.

“I'm really sorry,” Victor stuttered out, averting his eyes. He couldn't even look at Morena. “I'm sorry for the inconvenience.”

Morena frowned, squeezing Victor’s shoulder as he struggled to hold back tears. “Victor, I'm not mad at you, you know that, right? I'm more worried about you than anything. I haven't seen you eat the whole time you've been here.”

“I'm just not...not good with eating, like, in front of people…” Victor said, laying his head on the arm of the couch, “It makes me feel all sick.”

“Is that all?” Morena asked, leaning in. Her eyes were full of concern, which made Victor bashful.

“I, uh, I'm just afraid of people, you know?” Victor clenched his eyes shut, a dizzy feeling washing over him, “I know it sounds stupid, but being around someone I don't know just terrifies me.”

Morena sighed, placing the washcloth in her lap. “Victor, I'm so sorry.”

“It's not your fault,” Victor said, squeezing painful tears from his eyes. He dug his nails into the side of the couch. “I'm just being difficult. I'm always like this.”

Arms wrapped around Victor’s torso, and he instinctively went rigid. Morena ran her fingers through his hair, brushing out the knots. Victor released his pent-up breath, and his muscles relaxed, too tired to fight her. His eyelids drooped as he placed his forehead against Morena’s shoulder.

“It's okay, Victor,” Morena murmured, her voice almost a coo, “You don't have to be embarrassed about this. I understand.”

“I...I haven't taken my iron medicine either. I was too scared to ask for any water,” Victor confessed, finding the warmth of Morena’s chest soothing.

Her fingers massaged Victor’s back, lulling him into a sense of security. “Victor, do you need anything? Do you want something to eat?”

“I just want to sleep,” Victor squeaked, feeling pitiful.

Morena lifted him effortlessly, carrying him into his temporary bedroom. Victor was helpless in her arms, his body still trembling from weakness. Morena sat him in bed, pulling the blankets to his chin.

“Is this yours?” Morena asked, holding up his stuffed dragon.

Victor blushed, slowly nodding.

“I like it, it's very cute,” Morena said with a smile, sitting it beside him.

Settling against the pillow, Victor looked up at Morena, who sat by his bedside. Her smile had faded as she stared at Victor, an almost wistful frown taking its place.

“Sleep well, kiddo.”