The Darkness: 3

Part 16

Italics- Lydia's visions

Oliver

Oliver was standing with Tatsu on the side of the road, waiting for the truck to come by. "How come you're not coming?" He asked curiously. "Maseo needs me," she explained, looking down.

He turned his head when he heard honking in the distance, and the truck pulled to the side. He opened the ledge and got in the back with the other people as Tatsu closed it.

"You will make it by nightfall," she said, handing him a bag of herbs and bandages. "I'll try to keep the weather clear so your journey won't be delayed." He frowned but then nodded again, trying to understand as the truck began to drive away.

Lydia

Lydia turned over in her bed to see Oliver holding her tightly. She buried her head against his warm chest and sighed. "When you wake up, I do too," he huffed. She smiled when he ran his hands through her hair. "I miss you," she let out and she felt his chest exhale, "and I don't what to do without you. When Stiles left me, yes,  I was heartbroken. But now that you're gone... I feel empty."

Lydia's eyes shot open and she groaned, trying to pull herself up but that didn't work out. She was in her dimmed room that was closed by the curtains and her eyes painfully wandered the room.

"You're awake," Laurel said, entering. Lydia slowly pulled herself up and rested her head on the pillows. "I'm exhausted," she exhaled, rubbing her sore shoulder. "Can I ask," Laurel said, sitting beside her, "how did you survive the fall?"

There was a small pause of Lydia staring at her. She mumbled under her breath, trying to figure out what she did, but nothing came out. "My scream?" She asked herself, "I don't know, I just slowed down."

Saying those words brought a chill down her spine, remembering the night. A hush of wind only she could feel, came through and Lydia pulled the comforter up to her chest. "Well as long as your okay... then it doesn't matter," Laurel smiled and the two hugged.

"What's been happening in the city?" Lydia asked curiously. "As soon as the police left, Brick completely took over the Glades," Laurel explained and she sighed, lowering her head. "Well, I should probably get ready," she said enthusiastically. "Lydia you almost died, shouldn't you be resting?" Laurel asked concernedly. "Nope."

Lydia entered the hideout with Laurel behind her, hearing many phones ringing. "People in the Glades keep calling the police department," Felicity sighed. "They should know they won't be coming back," Lydia said bluntly and Felicity got up and gave her hug.

"It's great to have you back," Diggle smiled and Roy agreed. "Oh, I just got an email from Quentin," Felicity said, opening it on the larger screen, "It's a file on Danny Brickwell." Roy and Diggle went through all of Brick's charges and stopped on one. "He killed Rebecca Merlyn," Diggle said and they all looked at each other.

"We should ask Malcolm for help," Laurel suggested and she glanced at her until she saw Felicity's wide eyes. "What? No!" She exclaimed, standing up, "Ask Malcolm Merlyn for help? He literally tried to kill us." "We do need the help," Diggle thought, crossing his arms. "What would Oliver do?" she asked him. "Oliver isn't here," Roy broke in. "But still..." Felicity trailed off. "We're doing this for the city," he said and she stormed off.

———————

Lydia went back to her apartment at night while Diggle, the Black Canary, and Arsenal, recruited fighters to take back the Glades.

She heard the whistle of the kettle go off and she poured herself tea. She blew on the steam and held the mug, to warm up her hands. Lydia slowly tilted it and drank it, feeling the hot liquid go down her throat. She set down her mug the moment she felt something was coming and a knock was at her door.