Shrike's Heart (#2)

[idolpro]

The woman before you is beautiful—fair of features, with lovely golden skin and luxurious long black hair, petite. You have the immediate and distinct impression that she's just let go of your hand, and she steps back, and smiles.

It's not quite a happy smile.

"I'm sorry," she says. "There's just nothing I can do, as things are. But the way is there; it just needs to be lit."

You open your mouth—maybe to say something, or to express confusion—but you have to cough, and taste something metallic, spattering black blood onto the ground in front of you. Then you realize—blood seeps from opening wounds in your arms, your chest, your stomach, your face. It rims your eyes and trails from your nose and you feel like you're dissolving—

—and you fall through the ground like it's the surface of a lake, and go down, down, down.

> Wake Up

Comments

[nihilmancy]

I will, then. Those girls will find someplace safe for your brother, where he won't be exposed to the elements. They're looking for medicine as well.

And I'll protect you. You won't be alone.

[handpuppets]

Long as I—

[ he coughs again, and it sounds dry and painful; a glob of blood splatters against the ground in front of him. ]

...long as someone stays. Just for a little bit.

[nihilmancy]

...I will. I'm here for you. I won't leave you.

[handpuppets]

I—know. I know—

[ and then he starts coughing again, hacking—it sounds really bad, and there's a lot of blood coming up with it now— ]

[nihilmancy]

...If you want to rest, you can. We'll look out for your brother. I promise.

[handpuppets]

Than—

[ but he doesn't quite finish that thought. ]