Chaos & Order

Chapter 16

Aliyah turned out the lights and climbed into her bed. She hugged one of her pillows tight and kept her back to the door. Even as Siel walked in and sat on the stool at the foot of her bed, she kept her back to him. She was glad he couldn't see the tears coming from her eyes. Eventually, she felt her eyes shut and slowly fell asleep.

With a sudden cry, Aliyah bolted upright, covered in a cold sweat. While panting heavily, she looked around. It was quite dark out, making her guess that it was the middle of the night. Unconsciously, her hand went to her stomach...

"What is it, Aliyah?" Siel asked. Aliyah looked at Siel quietly with fear in her eyes. This only made Siel more concerned, "Aliyah?"

"Just...a nightmare." Aliyah said, though fear could be heard in her voice.

"You're hiding something." Siel said, giving her a suspicious look.

"Just something...from my past...I think." Aliyah said, "I mean, I have a scar...but I...can't remember."

"If you're anxious...I can apply a soothing aura." Siel said, "If you want it."

Aliyah put her hand to her head. After a moment of thought, and no shortage of hesitation, she said, "I just want you by my side right now."

"Then I'll stay." Siel said, a golden light flowing from his hand to lighten her worries and anxiety. Aliyah leaned her head in her hands, finding a comfort in his application of the aura, "Calm, Princess...calm..."

Aliyah finally laid down, but then a sudden pain shot through her. She spasmed, grabbing onto her stomach. She looked at her hands as she drew them back...and was immediately shocked. They came back red with blood.

Siel immediately sprung to her side as Aliyah looked at him, eyes full of panic. He grabbed onto her hands and looked her in the eye, "Aliyah, look at me."

Her hands trembled in his, mind a complete jumble. Did the scar reopen? Why was there blood? What was going on?

"Aliyah." Siel said, repeated, "Look at me."

Aliyah looked at Siel again. She met his blue eyes and saw only compassion and concern for her. Maybe...the glimmer of something more. As she looked in his eyes with her fearful ones, her breathing started to calm and her grip on his hand tightened.

"There. Easy..." he said, rubbing her head with his free hand. Aliyah closed her eyes, leaning back into his hand as her breathing slowed, "You're strong, Aliyah. You may not think it. Others might not, either. But you're very strong."

She opened her eyes, looking at him before finally speaking. "Siel, th-the blood..."

"I don't know how. But stay calm." Siel said. Aliyah nodded and put a trembling hand on his chest. He nodded, gently, "There. There's my princess."

Once her breathing steadied, her grip lightened. She looked at her hand again and saw that there wasn't any blood on it, "The pain is gone."

Without waiting for him to respond, Aliyah let go of his hand. She hopped out of bed and walked to the tall mirror on the far side of her room while unbuttoning the front of her night dress. With a small tug, she exposed her abdomen and looked at the long scar that ran across it. It was still a mostly-healed scar, though. No sign of blood. Then how could...?

"Boogey?" Aliyah asked quietly.

"Yeeees?" Came Boogeyman's voice. The exiled demon's shadow poked its head out from behind the mirror, his mischievous smirk on clear display.

"Of course you're nearby." Siel murmured.

"Was it a hallucination?" Aliyah asked, reapplying the buttons of her nightdress.

"Hmm...no blood. Only thing here being a bad case of the jitters...not a hallucination. Angel boy here saw it, too, right? If he did...then someone's experienced her first illusion."

Aliyah looked at Boogeyman's shadow, "An illusion?"

"Yep. Illusion." Boogeyman's voice confirmed.

Aliyah frowned and looked at Siel. The angel put a finger to his chin, "I don't know. If it's just an illusion, I wouldn't have picked it up as a threat. Those aren't particularly dangerous in and of themselves."

She sat on the chair at her vanity, rubbing her head, "What's going on? First Cerberus and a Hunter, then a curse and some kind of demon. Now, illusions..."

"The only thing I can recommend? Try to discern what's real and what isn't." Boogeyman said, "It's easier than you think."

"Boegarian, I'm-"

"Her Guardian Angel, yes. But...how did this recent occurrence go?" Boogeyman asked, "She needs to know how to protect herself to some extent."

"He's right, Siel." Aliyah said, "There may be times where we get separated..."

"And it would do for you as well, Princess Lost Puppy." Boogeyman said, "Besides, if you can take care of yourself, it's a little less hassle for Mr. Stirs Up the Fire of God here."

"Don't address her as Princess Lost Puppy!" Siel snapped.

Aliyah looked at Siel, surprised, "Siel?"

"What? No one talks to my charges like that in my presence." Siel said.

"That's what you say." Boogeyman said, mischievously, "But still, Lost Puppy, I think I could help you with that...if you're up for a few hours' a day of seeing things."

Aliyah gave Siel a glance before nodding at Boogeyman, "I'm in."

Siel only nodded, "I wouldn't agree if I Boegarian was dangerous. He's obnoxious...but doesn't actively seek harm."

"Yes, I know. Just....no clowns." Aliyah mumbled.

"Use clowns at every opportune moment, got it." Boogeyman saluted.

"That's not what I said!" Aliyah shouted.

"Oh, I know." Boogeyman smirked before his shadow vanished.

"That's a demon I wish I could see less of." Siel murmured.

"He's annoying...but helpful." Aliyah said.

Siel sighed, "Yes. I'll grant him that."

Aliyah looked at Siel, "I don't think I've seen you snap like that. Even when I fell into the lake."

"He insulted you." Siel said, "How would you have responded?

"I didn't think he insulted me." Aliyah said, shaking her head.

"What would you call 'Princess Lost Puppy'?"

"Teasing?" Siel didn't say anything, but sighed in concession.