The Broken Light and the Broken Boy

Golden Boy

It was like I walked into someone's nightmare. 

They were all swarmed around a bed in the far corner of the room.

All of the healers were frantically trying to use their healing magic on the girl lying in the bed.

It was one of the Aphrodite children, her name is Lily. She is about 12.

I could hear it. Her heart.

*Budum*Budum*Budum*

Her pulse holds as all the healers try using their magic. The air is heavy with hymns and prayers to keep her alive.

Some of the healers were starting to fall to their knees catching their breath and trying to help again.

Almost all at once more than half of the healers fell to the ground. 

I could hear her pulse fading.

*Budum*...Budum*...Budum* 

She was dying. The healers were sobbing trying desperately to get back up.

*...Budum*.....Budum*.....Budum*

Will was one of the only ones left standing. The remaining that stood fell around him.

*.....Budum*.......Budum*........Budum*

Will had a look that I knew all too well. Despair.

I could see his struggle. His struggle to stand. His struggle to keep going. His struggle to keep her from dying. His struggle to stop himself from giving up.

*.......Budum*.........Budum*

Lily opens her eyes and gives a weak smile. She tries to speak and stutters softly, "Thanks ...f-for trying Gold...golden boy..." 

*........Budum*............Budum*

Wills's face contorts. I see so many emotions replace his smile that was there only 15 minutes ago.

I see his rage, his despair, his hopelessness, his sadness. Most importantly I see his fear. His fear of not being able to save someone he loves.

He starts to sob and he sways on his feet losing strength desperate to save her. 

Her eyes flutter shut for the last time.

*........Budum*..........*

He lets out a heartwrenching sob and suddenly a shining light shoots out of his chest and engulfs her limp body.  

It's blinding. Standing on the other side of the room all I can do is watch as all the others too close have to close their eyes.

He lets all of his emotion pour out into this light and it becomes stronger and steadier as it starts to take form.

The light starts to take form on his back. He starts floating and the rays of light on his back start to flutter like wings.

The rays channel through him into the girl until the light starts to subside.

He touches the floor and the light disappears back into his chest. He breathes heavily and sways not fully grasping what just happened.

He snaps back into reality and rushes forward to check her heart.

*...............*.........Budum*.......Budum*

With each passing second, her heartbeat grows stronger. She opens her eyes and smiles. She sits up and her eyes water and she hugs Will in a vice grip and he returns it almost as if he'll never let go again.