𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐎𝐍// 𝐖𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐒𝐨𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝟐𝟎

"Does Chiron know?"

"I just told him. He said he's coming."

Will stirred awake, steeling himself for another day in Hell.

But as he came to his senses, he realized that he wasn't in a pitch-black cell, but an infirmary room. Indeed, those were his siblings' voices. They stood with their backs to him, heads close together as they talked, as though they were confiding deep secrets to one another.

"You saw his injuries," Austin Lake said bluntly. "Whatever happened to him..." His voice became strained. "And his wrists..."

Will lifted his wrists, ignoring the pain, and studied them. His makeshift bandages had been replaced with real ones. He could feel the stitches strain as he raised his arms; he hastily let them fall back to his sides.

"He was restrained," Kayla finished. "And he fought until he tore his wrists to the bone. That much we can tell."

Will shifted, realizing that he had been put in a hospital gown, and that his other injuries had been stitched and bandaged. His siblings turned as he tried and failed to sit up, rushing over to him.

For a moment, they stared at each other. Then Will broke the silence. "I guess you want an explanation."

"We thought you were dead," Kayla said. "We burned your shroud."

"You were gone for months," Austin said. "Then you appear out of the blue with all these injuries. So, yes, an explanation would be nice."

The door opened, and Chiron and a few counselors came in. "Yes," he said. "An explanation would be nice."

So, with a deep breath, Will began.

He described his kidnapping and waking up in a cell. He told of General Blyden, and how he had "interrogated" Will in an attempt to force him to swear fealty.

Will didn't dare describe the torture in detail. And he didn't need to; his injuries said enough.

He told of his escape, then finished, looking at them all, waiting for a response.

Chiron only nodded. "I'll give news to the others that you are back. I won't tell them what happened, unless you want me to."

Will shook his head, something like fear curling in his gut. "Don't. Please."

Chiron nodded again. As you wish." His gaze flicked from Will to Austin and back again. "Now that Will has returned, who will be Head Counselor?"

"I'll step down," Austin said instantly.

Chiron thought for a moment. "Remain Head Counselor until Will is well."

Austin nodded, and Will fervently hoped that he'd heal soon. The thought of his younger brother under such a burden...

Chiron and the counselors turned and left the room. Will laid down and pulled the thin blanket over his head, wanting nothing more than to sleep.