wait for me [illumi zoldyck]

Chapter 17

(updated: March 30, 2021)

Mia 

By the time we arrive at Sibitzu Island, I slip back into sleep. Illumi insisted on staying awake the entire time, despite the long journey. His lack of fatigue is beyond me.

Illumi shakes my shoulder gently. "We're here," he murmurs softly, watching me intently as my eyes flutter open. I peer up at him from where I lay on his lap.

I brace myself against the leather seating as I get up, a wave of nausea and dizziness washing over me. It hits me so unexpectantly that I almost fall over. The world spins in my eyes, forcing me to shut them. The sickness that has attached itself to me is progressing a lot faster than I had imagined it would. Just in the span of this flight, I can feel my health worsening. I'm becoming weaker by the hour, this being evident proof. 

I don't know how much time I'll have left, which is why we need to find help right away.

We need to find Mamuro.

A large hand rubs my back soothingly. I can tell that Illumi's worried about me. I can't hide this from him anymore. The symptoms have gotten too overwhelming to simply playoff. But I don't want to worry him.

Instinctively, I lean into his touch, keeping my eyes firmly shut until the nausea subsides. At some point, I open my eyes and the world is no longer spinning. Illumi watches me closely, brows furrowed with soft concern. He does nothing to hide his worry and remains silent as he helps me onto my feet.

I give him a reassuring smile, feeling his supporting hand fall away from my back. 

I'm grateful that Illumi hasn't started asking questions. He knows how I'm feeling, and doesn't want to make me feel worse than I already am. No words need to be shared, he knows I don't have much time left. 

Before my thoughts could stray any further, a warm hand slides into my own. His hand envelops my small one and encases it in warmth. He's not one to show affection like this. He's never been the emotional type, but this is his way of trying to comfort me. 

I look up at Illumi, as he intertwines our fingers together. His face is masterfully stoic, but I can feel the worry seeping out of him. He understands the urgency to find Mamoru.

As we leave the busy airport, we are faced with a small town that is largely inhabited. Throughout the day, we scour the town, stopping to ask vendors and locals about my brother.

We search.

For hours.

However, despite the countless people we ask, none seem to know about Mamoru. The thought crosses my mind that perhaps he does not actually reside on this island, or maybe he changed his name to avoid being found by our father. 

"Maybe it would be easier if we split up," I suggest, peering up at Illumi who continues to look around the market. As soon as the words leave my mouth, his attention snaps down at me, as though I've just said something abominable.

"I'm not leaving you alone," he says quickly, frowning at my suggestion. "You might suddenly feel unwell again, and I won't be there to help you."

He's worried, and I don't blame him. But the longer we take to find Mamoru and his wife, the worse I'll get. If separating to find them will increase our chances of finding them sooner than later, then it's a risk I'm willing to make.

"We don't have time to worry about that, I'll be fine. The sooner we find them, the better," I mutter stubbornly. I think he forgets that I'm an assassin. I have trained my whole life, and am stronger than the common person. If anyone can do this, in this condition, it's me.