Miss Cloudwalker (COMPLETED BUT MAJOR EDITING)

Chapter 24

Elixir: A good potion

I consumed pill after pill. I was on my third one, but I didn't feel any exhaustion pull at me. I grunted, spilling a decent amount into my hand and tossed them back. I sucked down the water and popped in another pill for good measure. I just wanted to go back to my garden, back to my happy place.

I couldn't stand these people anymore, at least in my dreams, there was something good. There was beauty and Alora was there. I consumed another round of pills and sighed as a tired feeling pulled at my bones. I fell back into my pillow and rolled over. I closed my eyes and was out in seconds.

☁☁☁☁☁☁☁☁

I woke back up in my garden. I sat up, staring at the gorgeous flowers that stood high. I felt at peace and my eyes darted to the saturated sunrise that was sinking slowly. Casting a warm orange glow around the outline of everything. Pink, purple, red, and orange painted the sky. I sighed, falling back into the long grass.

Finally, everything was how it should be. I heard the sound of footsteps. I looked up as Alora approached me, smiling at me. She sat cross-legged beside me and watched the sun dip below the mountains in the far distance. A warm breeze blew over us, snuggling into us like a soft blanket.

"It has been a while since I last saw you," she murmured, tucking a piece of her brown hair behind her ear.

"Sorry about that, my life just seems to be collapsing lately," I murmured.

"I could tell. That Aaron was nothing but trouble from the beginning," she sighed, shaking her head. I sat up on my elbows, staring at her in confusion.

"How would you know?" I muttered.

"You-uh, talked about him one time," she explained, refusing to meet my prying eyes. I couldn't remember ever telling her, but I shrugged it off.

"It is so perfect here," I cooed, "I wish I could stay here forever."

"Believe me—you don't," she huffed, frowning down at her hands. She picked at her fingernails and then looked to where the sun had disappeared.

"Why not?"

"It's lonely here. Also, things aren't perfect outside of the garden walls," she shrugged, looking away.

Her eyes moved towards the large leaf hedges. I stared at them took, the dark green leaves looking much more sinister in the dark. I sighed, closing my eyes and snuggling into the the grass. It tickled my arms and legs. I guess I'll just stay inside the garden walls then. Peace filled me and I accepted it willingly.

BOOM! FIZZZSHHTTT!

I shot up, glancing around wildly. What the hell was that? Alora glanced over at me nervously and then into the sky. I followed her unwavering stare to a streak of red filling the sky. Once more the loud noise thundered through the air. Two more red flares shot into the sky, leaving behind a trail of smoke. She widened her eyes, standing up. She turned to me accusingly.

"You took the pills, didn't you?" Alora snapped, blue eyes full of icy fire.

"I mean—they help me sleep," I huffed, glancing at the red streaks, "Why does it bother you? They send me here so you're no longer lonely."

"You idiot! You took so much, didn't you?" Tears fell from her eyes. She wiped at them and then turned back as five more flares shot off into the sky, "why?"

Her voice was broken, gone. It reminded me of myself. I stood up, coming to stand beside her. I stared at the countless smoke trails, they looked like dripping blood. Alora sniffed, trying to bury herself in her sweater. She ran a hand through her brown hair.

"It is over."

I opened my mouth to ask what she meant but paused. Red started to fill the sky. Alora sobbed, falling onto her knees. She shook her head over and over. I was confused, what was going on?

I choked when excruciating pain blossomed from my stomach. It spread over my whole body. I fell over clutching my stomach. I choked again when more pain raged through me, it didn't feel right. I coughed, blood spilling slowly between my lips. It dribbled down my chin and dropped onto the grass, staining it red.

Alora watched me sadly, and then turned to the red that continued to fill the sky. More blood bubbled from my lips. I collapsed completely onto my side, coiling into fetal position. Pain seemed to be the only thing I knew as it took over my body. I knew right then and there—in the back of my mind—that I was dying.

I was drifting away. Tears slipped from my eyes. I didn't get to say goodbye, I didn't get to apologize. I closed my eyes and my thoughts drifted to Ethan. His gorgeous smile that rarely appeared. His shining ocean eyes that pulled me in every time. Aleah and her fiery attitude. My parents, Grammy. Everyone I lost, even Aaron. Despite breaking me, he was still a good friend who was there for me. I couldn't have asked for more.

"Thank you for sharing your garden, Alora," I said weakly, smiling at her. She watched me, her blue-gray eyes shining with tears.

"Thank you for making me this beautiful home," she whispered. I frowned, confusion etching me. She scooted over to me and placed a delicate hand on my face. She smiled softly, her hair falling over me.

"What do you mean?" I groaned, an imaginary knife wrenching through my gut.

While we spoke, the red took over the garden. Her gaze swept over it and she glanced at me.

"You created this garden," she said, and then whispered quietly to herself, "you created this place. You gave me a home."

I closed my eyes, letting the torment consume me.

"You have failed again, girl."

A dark voice filled the air. Alora glanced back at me and then towards the red. She stood up, defiance sparking in her eyes.

"Not yet," she snarled.

"You can't stop this," the voice roared from the sky.

"Not if I can help it!"

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Doves! 

Yup,  I just started this with birds. Not sweet or anything. Just doves ._. Don't judge me BLECK

Anyways, this is the last chapter of Miss Cloudwalker and then the prologue. I don't do "end thingies" so... yeah

I hope you've enjoyed the book as we draw to an end! ^^

Chow! *~*