Hidden Before Their Eyes

Chapter 25: They Did Not Find Her

Waking up in a hospital bed is never as fun as waking up most every other place. Better than a giant spider den, but not much else. The room I am currently in has fifteen other beds, all currently occupied by humans for monitoring. To my left is a soundly sleeping Lily and next to her is an already sitting Ealric.

Two people, of the older sort, come in and start dismissing a few other humans. The room starts emptying out and soon only Lily and I are left. The two people come between our two beds and looking down at the papers in their hands the one says, "You two are to be kept a while longer, you are moving to a smaller joint room in the mean time."

Beside me a sleepy Lily asks, "Did they find her?"

"Unfortunately no, they did not find Esklan," one of them answers disheartened.

"So that was all for nothing?" Lily questions, clearly distraught.

They just give a sad smile and then help her to stand. We walk silently to the new room and inside see two beds that are more comfortable looking than the previous. I would have to suppose that these are more meant for long term stays than the previous room had been.

A few hours after the two leave, Ealric come in for a visit. Along with him is Maris, Hak, and another that I cannot place. Lily squeals upon seeing the last one and as soon as he is within reach pulls him into a hug. Lily thanks him for coming and I smile at the scene.

"Carino, this is my brother, he came a year before me so he is already on the level above us," Lily explains to me.

I give him a friendly hello, and he returns it in kind. It is not long before he leaves and the room is reduced down to only five people. After exchanging a few quick words with Hak he goes on his way as well. Maris sits on the edges on my bed and faces me with a small smile. "How are you?" She asks.

"I actually am doing quite well. The experience was jarring but I am already feeling fine. They seem to just need to monitor us for a while longer," I answer.

That night I am restless. I toss and turn as I worry. I worry about Lily and the consequences of my actions. I worry about the deal with Kalvik and what it will end up entailing. I worry about Dracix and how he will take the news that I have not been found.

With the coming of the morning we are allowed to walk around but not leave the medical wing. Neither Lily nor I are all that excited to be trapped here whilst awaiting to be discharged. When I had asked earlier they denied me of Erphi which only proved to add fuel to the fire.

The days in the medical wing began to blur together as there count grew in number. I spend most of my time reading any books that I can convince Maris to bring me from the library. Ealric often visits but I check out from the conversations because it always wanders to the mysterious Esklan. In turn my mind focuses on Dracix.

Nine nights and eight days later we are finally discharged from medical attentions. Clearly nothing was wrong as nothing had changed since the dispelling ritual over a week ago. I carry out the pile of books that I read to pass the time, needing to return them now that I have been released.

After returning the books to the library I hurry off to my room, needing some quality time with Erphi. I pick him up and he is quick to curl up around my arm. I smile softly at him as he gets comfortable. Not seeing him in almost nine days has been odd to say the least, Erphi being my constant companion for so long now. I shake my head dismissing my thoughts and decide to head up to the green space.

On my way to the green space I spot Dracix looking downcast as he walks ahead of me. Not sure if it is even the wisest choice I catch up to him and softly ask, "How have you been dealing?"