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spark of𝒇𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒍𝒊𝒂𝒓𝒊𝒕𝒚 ...
SHE IS RUNNING through an endless sea of flowers.
Petals of violet, teal and peach merge into a canvas stretching beyond the cloudless sky. The earth is soft beneath her feet as she moves forwards, cutting through the sweet air like a raven. She wants to stay here forever, basking in the warmth and comfort that this world encircles her in. Her lungs don't ache for air and she feels infinite.
The first jolt of pain is sharp. She freezes in horror as tendrils of roots protrude from the soil, tearing through flowers like knives. They coil around her ankle, yanking her body so she slams against the earth which has hardened like cold stone. Her scream is stolen from her throat as the second jolt of pain slashes through her flesh. Crimson pools around her hands like glittering rubies and a fire flares from the wild grass before her eyes. It's hungry, devouring everything in its path. Heat simmers against her face as she coughs blood, clawing the ground in desperation.
The last jolt of pain promises finality. The inferno surges towards her like a phantom beast and before the amber flames can claim her soul, she is dragged backwards towards an empty hollow splintering the soil. She whimpers in terror as she nears it, fingers scrambling for a refuge to cling to. Too late. A final haul drops her into the all—consuming darkness but an odd calmness interlaces the tremor in her bones. She finally understands.
This isn't her death, it's her rebirth.
━━━━━
Her eyes fluttered open, head pounding and chest heaving as she inhaled a huge gulp of oxygen. Ria's legs were tangled clumsily between the bedsheets and her heart was slamming against her ribcage. Her fingers shakily grazed her forehead and a sharp tinge of pain erupted beneath her fingertips. She groaned in agony, struggling to adjust to the candlelight of the room which seemed to be spinning.
"Where am I?" she rasped, feebly attempting to sit up. Her arms gave way and she collapsed against the mattress. A lengthy silence followed. "Where am I?!" This time, louder. Ria's eyes searched her surroundings wildly for anyone to help her as breaths rattled her chest in shallow heaves. Two figures entered the room she was in, bursting through the doorframe. Bright light veiled their faces and panic flared within her.
Finally, Ria's vision cleared enough for her recognise Newt and Clint. Relief calmed her at the familiarity of their worried expressions.
Clint rushed towards her instantaneously, an ice pack clasped in his hand. His fist was clenched so tightly that small droplets of water slipped through the cloth. He passed it to Newt, instructing him to place it against her forehead whilst he retrieved a few things. Newt's eyes widened once he met Ria's gaze and he hurried beside her cot, exhaling shakily as he sunk into a kneeling position.
