The Only Exception

Part #11

Nai's P.O.V

I felt something around me pulling me into a warm surface. I want more. I've been floating in this weird dark place for a while now. Days? I've lost track of time. I try to reach out into the warmth. It's like I'm stuck floating not able to move at all. I focus all my energy on reaching this comforting warmth. Something shifts suddenly and it gets cold again. I can't even remember what or who I am. Names float in my mind but I can't remember any of them although I feel something different with each name that pops up. I feel strong affection even love, happiness, and longing when the name Gareki passes through my head. I feel warmth and happiness when the names Mitzi and Bridget pass through. Then the name Nai passes through and sticks there. As hard as I try it won't leave it just stays there like an old scar. Then pictures of strange people pop into my head. It feels like I know where each one is from but I just can't pinpoint where I know it from. After a while I give into the darkness and sink into it. The warmth return and I immediately use all my strength and energy to bring it closer. I feel a sudden shift and the warmth envelops me. I keep struggling trying to form words to tell the warmth to stay there with me while also using my remaining strength to keep it there just in case my words fail me like they usually do when I try to speak. Eventually my strength and energy wears out and I go back into the darkness. At least the warmth isn't leaving me.

Gareki's P.O.V

I didn't sleep at all last night. I kept checking Nai every few seconds to see if he had changed or for any sign he was going to wake up soon. I refused to give up on him now. Although his wounds have gotten a bit better Mitzi says he might have some mental wound that's stopping him from awaking. After I finished thinking I let Nai go so I could change his bandages. As soon as I placed him down his hands shot up again and his face twisted into a pleading look. I grabbed him by the shoulders and shook him. Hoping he could hear me I started screaming, "Nai if you can hear me you need to fight and wake up for me okay?! Please I'm begging you Nai please wake up!!" He seems to be trying to say something but starts to fall back into unconsciousness. I shake him harder trying to get him to stay awake. His face twists into a face of pure frustration and determination and he starts to fidget more. Mitzi and Bridget get up at the sound of me screaming and watch as Nai's movements become more frequent and powerful.

After a full twenty minutes or so of screaming, crying, and fighting what I had hoped for happened. Nai stopped moving his breathing becoming more even and his eyes opened. His bright fiery eyes held the same brightness and innocence they always had and I couldn't help but pick him up and spin him around. Mitzi and Bridget came over after I finished spinning him and we all enveloped him in a giant hug all smiling occasionally shedding tears of joy. After we all released Nai he stared at us for a while. He looked confused but contempt and happy at the same time. I told Mitzi to take Bridget out into the kitchen so I could talk to Nai privately. She agreed and soon the room held a very uncomfortable silence. Eventually I approached him and hugged him. "What's wrong Nai?" I asked him and placed my chin on top of his head. He pushed me away slightly and sighed agitated, "I don't know you, although I'm assuming I'm Nai since that's what you just called me." I pulled him away from me and held on to his shoulders. I laughed and ruffled his hair. "I'm serious." He swatted my hand away and I started to get worried. I felt like I was going to throw up. He looked down at his thumbs, he looked like he was at a loss for words. I told him to sit on the bed and got Mitzi to check over him while I sat in the kitchen and silently cried with Bridget watching and trying her best to comfort me. What a sweet child.