A Ruined Core

Chapter Two

Sunlight slipped through the gray clouds that threatened the bring more snow. Buds bloomed on branches slick with melted ice. Stems poked through white patches reaching for that golden light. Birds who stayed chirped happily on cold brick walls. Yet not a person was wrapped up in thick wooly jackets.

"Spring is here!" Radiant mused, setting down her camera.

"Yes, it is. Only last week it was freezing. Now the snow is melting and we can finally move around outside for once," Melody agreed, setting down the tray of fresh warm pastries. She moved to the window to check the temperature. "It is still too cold to forget a jacket when going outside."

Radiant didn't mind, she was staying inside no matter how warm it was outside.

"Spring makes my nose itch," she muttered.

"It does that to everyone, Ray."

"I know," Radiant sighed and lifted her head. Beyond the many types of trees and plants, she never found the culprit of her terrible springtime allergies. She thought about the previous night, how her dreams became jumbled and strange. How she walked and walked through a black liquid void, only to stumble upon a thin, clear veil. She couldn't move past it, but she could see through it. Someone was on the other side.

"Another day of enjoying the rich world of anime boys?"

Radiant stifled her laughter at the suggestion.

"Yes and no. I still have to record a video for later today, but after that, I will be enjoying the company of boys who have many idiotic attempts at doing things. It is quite amusing," she replied, trying to stay "matter of fact" with her moody friend.

"We both know you already recorded that video. No need to lie. But tell me, did you get some sleep at least?"

"Yes, I did, Melody. It was the first time I think I got some real sleep."

"Good. Well, I'll be heading out to the restaurant. Get something done, other than watching your shows all day. Marina will be home around noon."

"Okay." Radiant sighed and watched Melody exit the treehouse. Besides the animals, the house was only a tree scarred for ages with memories of many people. Some books still lay scattered around the library when Radiant entered, left out after a long night of reading and writing.

"Better clean that up before anything else," Radiant murmured, grabbing a small leather-bound book. Picking up a few more, she cleared off the floor ten in total.

"Let me play."

Radiant groaned as her head began to pound with pain. Anyone could tell her it was just a simple migraine, but to her, it felt like a hammer beating against her skull. She dropped the book she had been holding and grabbed her head.

"No doctor could help us. They'd just give us stupid little pain relievers and tell us to get some rest."

Shut up.

Radiant blinked. She was laying in bed, her computer screen giving off the impression it had been used. Nothing else seemed touched, other than her camera, moved a few inches to the left of her keyboard. Looking closer, she could see both her email and editing setup open, with a frame of video.

"You're awake. I thought I'd have to call someone to come help."

Glancing up at the door, Radiant found the concerned figure of Marina stepping through.

"Sorry. What happened, though?" she asked. Marina set down the tray of warm food and sighed,

"I found you passed out in the library. I suppose you didn't get much sleep and fainted out of exhaustion."

Radiant looked at the sheets.

"But I did get eight hours of sleep. Make that ten, two more under Melody's orders. I shouldn't have been exhausted, because I was full of energy before I fainted," she reasoned, looking up at Marina. Both girls couldn't explain what happened.

"Let me play, and I'll make you so happy. You won't be contained to stupid rules if you let me play."

"But I know my head started to hurt. To pound. Then I think I said shut up in my head or something. And then I was waking up in bed." Radiant muttered, rubbing her arm. Marina sighed and motioned to the tray.

"Have some lunch. I've been working on editing your video for you since your editor is sick," she said, returning to the light lavender chair.

"Thanks," Radiant replied, gripping the fork tightly.

"Why won't you let me have my fun?"

"Thank you for coming, Miss Dawning. I hope you haven't been waiting long. I'm Doctor Jones."

A thin averaged height female settled in a chair adjacent to the door motioned to a soft white couch opposite her. She wore dark clothes and kept her long hair up in a messy bun that always looked like it was made in haste. Most of the decor was potted plants that reached up toward the ceiling, a coffee table, and a desk piled with folders of other patients. Radiant paid no attention to how she looked, having thrown on a simple tank top and leggings.

"Please, have a seat," Dr. Jones said gently, picking up her notepad and pen. Radiant settled down on the couch, feeling the instinct to lay down and fall into slumber. But she wouldn't sleep, not then.

"Mrs. Marqui contacted me, mentioned the sleep problems and the recent incident. I know you've been to many doctors, and none have been able to help you so far, but I'm talking to you to see if psychiatric treatment might be an option," Dr. Jones said, looking over the small record of the recent months. Radiant nodded absentmindedly along, thinking about which video Melody would post for her.

"Miss Dawning I'm sure you've heard this quite a lot but have you had any problems with work or personal life?"

"What? Oh, no I haven't. Everything is going perfectly fine. I mean, life is life, but nothing is wrong at the moment other than.. well what we are talking about," Radiant answered, bringing herself back into the conversation. The air seemed stale to Radiant, and she didn't want to be there any longer.

"I'm sorry, I can't be here anymore. I'll call you later today or tomorrow," she muttered and left the building.

What is happening to me?