The Changeling's Ghost (Thirteen Gates #1)

I Talk to Gus

fan art of Conway by almostpearlescent !!
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My stream of consciousness wavers as I fade in and out between being awake and slipping back into sleepless nightmares, but I know one thing, and it's that my whole body is in agony.

I can still see Conway's raging features burned onto my eyelids.

My face is wet when I go to rub my eyes. Moving is pain. Blinking open my eyelids is pain. Breathing is pain. I've been awake for not even a minute and I already want nothing more then to slip back in the numb static of unconsciousness. Please.

"Asher?"

My mum's face comes into focus. She looks worried. I wonder what I've done this time. I realized I'm in my bed, and that the majority of my body is covered in plaster. Dad was there too, the two of them lean over me claustrophobically.

    "Oh God, Asher." She was crying when she grabbed onto one of my hands and held in tightly in hers, like I might slip away if she lets go.

I stared at her as memories start to slide back into place.

    "What happened?" I choked out, my throat was made of sandpaper.

Mum wiped her face and took a deep shaky breath. My Dad's face was solemn but pale as a sheet. They share one quick look of concern and confusion.

"We were hoping you could tell us that." Dad said gently.

At least my heart felt numb now. "I... I thought I had a lead that would bring me to Conway. I was wrong." I paused before adding, "Dryad."

Mum brought a hand up to her mouth, but still clutched mine with her other hand. They share another glance between the two of them before Mum squeezes my palm and stands up.

"I'll get Bain and Gus," she says.

I felt a wave of nausea hit me. "I don't want to talk to Gus yet."

She looks worried as she pauses in the doorway, but doesn't object. Then I'm left alone at the mercy of my Dad, who's folded his hands in deep contemplation. I've never seen him cry. I think this is the closest thing I've ever seen him come to breaking down. His red mustache trembles when he talks.

     "Why... why wasn't Gus with you?"

     "We're fighting," I say softly. "It's was stupid I know--agh!"

     I couldn't bite back the yelp of pain the escaped me when I tried to sit up. Dad helped me so that I'm not lying flat but at an angle. My head swam for a second. I'm offered some water, but I only accepted it once he held out two pain pills. I felt a little better once I've got that down.

     Bain looks almost fragile when she came into the room.

     "How are you doing kiddo?"

     "Awful," I admitted.

     She smiled weakly at me and then shook her head. "Listen, I know you think you're punk and all that but for the love of every glorified tinkerbell out there, never do that again. You had me and Gus worried to bits. I had to toss my jacket because of you."

     "He said he was worried?" I frowned.

     "He didn't need to."

     I really want to pretend my heart didn't skip a beat.

     "Asher?" Mum asked, sitting down and grabbing my hand gently again. "Care you do me a favour dear and tell me where it hurts?"

     The plaster around my abdomen had red flecks bleeding through on the sides, I weakly hold my hand above that area. "Here the most, on my back."