Glistening Embers

Chapter 18: A Morning Surprise

Author's Note: Oops, I forgot to post last week! Well today, I will post two chapters to make up for it. Happy reading!

Glisteen narrowed her eyes. How did Sabecary know anything about what was happening to Yilasia?

"Oh, yeah? What do you know?" Glisteen questioned, angrily.

"That every time your sister uses her Gift, she loses part of her soul. And, in children, it happens much, much faster. Did you know that?" Sabecary replied, sitting next to her.

"I just figured out the first thing. Why in small children does it happen faster?" Glisteen asked, worryingly.

Sabecary shrugged. "I don't know. It just always has."

"Well, that's helpful, but how do we save Yilasia? She can't just stop using her Gift, if she's to make it out of here." Glisteen replied, pinching the bridge of her nose to stop the tears.

"You're going to sacrifice yourself for her?" Sabecary asked.

It was true. Glisteen had thought long and hard about this, and came to the conclusion that if Yilasia were to make it out, she would have to lose, or die. It would be hard, but Glisteen didn't know what else to do. She had to get Yilasia out of there. "Yes."

Sabecary sighed. Glisteen couldn't tell if it was sadness, or frustration. Or maybe both.

"What was that about?" Glisteen asked.

"Are you sure about that?"

"Sure about what?"

"Sacrificing yourself for your sister."

"Why wouldn't I be?"

"If you sacrificed yourself, she would still be using her powers, with no one to calm her if she starts losing her soul even more."

"Oh." That hadn't occurred to her before. "What about Raya? She could take care of Yilasia."

"Glisteen, Raya may seem kind, but she's really cold and scheming."

"Funny, she said the same thing about you."

Sabecary chuckled at that. "Great minds think alike."

"Sure." Glisteen replied. "But what am I going to do?" she whispered.

"Stay in this thing with her as long as you can."

"But, what if we get to the final two?"

Sabecary's expression darkened. "Hope it won't get to that."

Glisteen's stomach twisted. What was going to happen to her and Yilasia? Would they make it out? Glisteen didn't know, and that worried her.

Glisteen sighed. "Well, nothing's going to get done sitting here, and I'm hungry."

Sabecary smiled. "Then let's get you some food."

They walked together to the cafeteria, where they ate and talked to each other, almost like old friends, which was weird because, Glisteen had only known him for about a month. Sabecary then walked Glisteen to her room.

"Well, I guess this is goodnight." Sabecary said.

"Yes, thank you for the advice." Glisteen replied, though, she really didn't want to go.

"Anytime, goodnight." With that, he walked off.

Glisteen stepped into her room. She took her clothes off and stepped into the shower. The water was turned up high, but Glisteen didn't notice until she got out and realized the bathroom was filled with steam.

She felt like she had just washed off the day's adventure, and that she was left alone with just her thoughts.

She wrapped her hair up in a towel, since she found that much more effective than letting it drip all over the floor. She put on a crimson nightgown that barely touched the floor.

She climbed into bed, but had trouble falling asleep, because her dreams were a little better than reality.

"Maybe... just maybe, things will get better." Glisteen thought, as she drifted off, and sleep consumed her.

Glisteen awoke, with a hand pushing on her shoulder. She jumped up. It was Sabecary.

"Come on, let's get an early start." Glisteen looked to the side, and saw the same hole in her door, again. Glisteen laid back down, face first into the pillow.

"Creepy stalker." Glisteen muttered into the pillow.

"I know I am, but what are you?" Sabecary countered.

"Not a creepy stalker." came the muffled reply. Sabecary laughed and Glisteen was glad Sabecary couldn't see her face, because she felt a great warmth rushing through her cheeks.

"I'll leave you to change."

Glisteen heard his footsteps recede, but before he got to the door, she said, "Yeah, don't want you to be a creepy stalker and a pervert."

Sabecary chuckled and Glisteen heard the door shut. She got up, and walked over to the closet. Carefully, she picked out a black dress with exposed shoulders, black leggings, and black boots.

She felt like she was at a funeral. Because of that, and noticing how cold it was, she shrugged on a red leather coat and a red beanie.

She walked out of her room, just in time to see Sabecary, fist raised to knock again. "Remind me why I'm up, again." Glisteen said, not happy with being cheated out of her sleep.

"Because we want an early start." Sabecary replied.

"That's not a reason." Glisteen said.

"All reasons are reasons, especially reasons."

"Confusing me won't make me believe you." Glisteen said.

Sabecary shrugged. "It was worth a try."

Glisteen rolled her eyes. Then together, the two traveled through the long hallways, twisting and turning, until Glisteen felt for sure they were lost.

"Where are we going?" Glisteen finally asked.

"To a place." Sabecary replied, as if it was obvious.

"What is the place called? Or are you going to be vague?" Glisteen pressed.

Sabecary thought about it for a moment. "I'm going to be vague." he decided. Glisteen sighed, but didn't say anything. She knew she wouldn't get an answer,

They finally reached a tall, light blue staircase.

"Ladies first." Sabecary bowed.

Glisteen rolled her eyes, and went up the staircase. It was rather steep and never seemed to never end. Glisteen was tiring.

"How... much... longer?" Glisteen panted.

"Not much." Sabecary replied, sounding just as tired as Glisteen was.

They finally reached the top, and Glisteen went in the room there. She was unimpressed. It was a simple blue room, with a long window.

"What now?" Glisteen asked, not happy that she hadn't been able to sleep in, then dragged all the way up here.

"We jump out the window." Sabecary said, dead serious.

Glisteen searched his face, for any sign that he was joking. She could find none. "Tell me you're..."

She paused as Sabecary opened the long window. "Tell you what?"

"Sabecary." she whispered, fearfully.

He smiled. "Are you coming?" And with that, he jumped out the window.