Royal's Way

Chapter 16

Ruth followed me to Miriam's front yard, the fire still blazing anew.

"I-I saw it too late," I cried, "She's gotta be in there. I saw it too late. Ruth, the humans are gonna see you--" "I trust you."

I blinked. "What?" "I trust you," she explained, turning to me, "And your magic. You're going to stay here, right?"

I didn't understand what she was referring to, until I realized that she was referring to the invisibility nonsense. I swallowed, and nodded. "Yeah, you can trust me."

She pursed her lips, before patting my shoulder briefly, and continuing into the house.

Holding my breath, I flicked my wrist, my vision becoming clear as my power slowly returned.

Her body faded from my vision the longer I focused, before the door opened, and shut on it's own.

==

I paced nervously in front of the house for a few minutes. It was so hard not to follow her inside. I felt like I was betraying Miriam by not helping her. I was waiting for Ruth to come out with Miriam and her father with her, both fine. But I knew that wasn't going to be the case.

I wanted to do something, like see what was going on. If Ruth took any longer, I was gonna pass out.

There was a crowd behind me, not brave enough to get as close as I was.

I suddenly felt a burn on my right arm, and my vision turned fuzzy.

Did I expose Ruth on accident?
I glanced at the people behind me. I could hear the sirens of the fire trucks that had already been called.

It was the crowd. I was getting nervous.

I glanced over my shoulder once more, before sprinting around the house, and began putting all my focus on the task at hand. I heard a few people telling me not to, but they didn't chase after me, or anything. They didn't care that much.

I took in a breath, pink riding up my arm as I waited longer. I might've just cost Ruth a few minutes.

I paced in the backyard, wiping blood from my nose. I promised her I wouldn't follow. I promised.

To my relief, the back door suddenly flew open.

Ruth was glowing blue up and down. Miriam was in her arms, burned, and unconscious. She wasn't glowing, though; she didn't fight back.

I ran over and helped her down the steps into the yard. She quickly lied Miriam on to the ground, and fell to her knees.

Her fingers and hands kept twitching in odd ways. I scowled. "Are you okay?"

"Her father is gone," she explained, huffing and puffing air that she was having a hard time getting into her lungs, "That's what they want. They want to make you two vulnerable."

My heart skipped a beat. "What did they-What did they do to you-" "I need my lantern," she croaked, "Get Miriam help. I need to get my lantern."

I didn't ask questions. "I'll try and cover you." "No, don't. Don't waste any more energy. I'll be fine."

Anxious, I watched her leave, stumbling a bit. Her hands twitched, and she could barely stay in one direction.

I frowned, looking to Miriam. I felt for a pulse.

She was still alive. Weak, but alive.