Parallel

line one.

"I'll be taking my leave now!"

"Alright, see you tomorrow!"

I closed the door behind me and felt the gushing wind greet me as soon as I stepped outside.

I wonder if Cyrus is doing well.

He's fine. He's a strong man! Although... he's a clumsy one.

I want to show him my efforts of practicing my healing night after night. I don't want him to think that I'm stupid again. I'll show him that I'm not that stupid girl in a frilly dress! Right now!

Or maybe I should change my clothes first. What if he doesn't like my outfit for today? Should I change my hairstyle? I think he likes someone who isn't that girly. He did say that I always wear frilly dresses. Maybe I should put on something simple?

Ever since that awkward confession, I became more self-conscious of how I look. I'd go back to the mirror countless of times just to check if I'm good to go.

"Ah, this is fine. He knows me well. If I change something, it'll make me look like I'm desperate," I convince myself.

I took a deep breath and looked at the sky. It was the same like yesterday. Is there a storm coming?

Cyrus couldn't go out so I guess I really should go now.

I started walking and I saw a lot of familiar faces as I passed from house to house.

"Irish dear, are you going to that kid's place again?" Ms. Belladona asked as I walked by her place.

I smiled and nodded. "Yes, I am."

"Silly girl. Have I not told you to come to me instead of walking?"

She came up to me and opened a portal right in front of us. The other side shows the front of his house.

"Thank you, ma'am!" I said as I stepped inside.

In a swift second, I was already at his door. It saved me a lot of time because the bakery was far from this area.

I knocked at the door and yelled, "Hello? Cyrus? It's me, Irish!"

No one replied. All I hear was the gushing of the wind.

I knocked again and yelled to same thing. I got the same results, too.

Where is he?

"Cyrus..." I whisper to myself as I opened the door and a small amount of blue dust fell right in front of me.

A sound proof spell?

The blue dust disappeared and I began hearing a person coughing from upstairs.

That must be him. From the sound of it, it already seemed severe.

I hurried upstairs and I saw him at the balcony.

"Cyrus!"

He collapsed right after he saw me.

"Irish? Ho-"

He coughed again and this time, it was much worse.

He was already coughing up blood.