The Art of Truth (TRC #2)

Chapter 10 - Recovery

A/N: Hey everyone! This chapter isn't one of my best...Actually, I need to apologise in advance for the quality of the next couple of chapters. I only have about two prewritten chapters left, so after that there will probably be a higher level of inconsistency. *flails* I also have exams coming up in under a month, so updates will be slower. I really hate doing this, but Uni does come first.

Also, it's my birthday next week so have some virtual cake! *hands out cake*

Next update will be on 03./05/14

Thanks for reading! Vote, comment and share if you enjoy it! :)

~Hikari

Chapter 10 - Recovery

I hugged myself tight as I stumbled down the road. It looked so different at night, the buildings looming beasts in the orange glare of the streetlights. I shivered and climbed over the fence the best I could with my body in the condition it was. The ground slammed into me as I slipped and rolled up. Lying on the floor, I looked up at the apartment block and tried to remember which window it was. I had no idea if he’d even be there and if he’d want to see me. But I needed help and I couldn’t go home. Not without putting my family at risk.

I dragged myself into a standing position and started up the stairs, clinging to the rail for support. My stomach cramped from hunger, my head spinning. I kept my eyes on the worn steps, counting them to keep focus. It wasn’t far. I could get there. Even if the apartment was empty, I’d have food and somewhere relatively safe to recover. Somewhere to try and forget.

I collapsed against the door, curling up on the floor as my energy gave out. I knocked against the door feebly, hoping that it would solicit a response. I closed my eyes and rested my head against the hard wood, cold.

I felt a sudden rush of air and someone touch my shoulder. I opened my eyes to a blurry figure.

“Maya? Oh my goodness...” Kairo’s voice was full of shock. I reached out as he knelt next to me and guided my arms around his neck. His warmth and familiarity were a comfort as he picked me up and I passed out.

***

“They had you? Those bastards had you locked up and they did all of that to you?” Kairo stared at me in disbelief. He paced and slammed his fist into the wall; the window rattled.

“I’m going to kill every last one of them,” he muttered, taking out his gun and checking the bullets. I stared back at him and held up my hand. I shifted under the duvet and took a sip of water from a glass next to the bed. Kairo said that I’d been asleep – unconscious –for over three days, even after he used a symbol to heal the worst of my injuries, but it felt longer. That night felt like it had happened to someone else, and I spoke of it as if it had.

“Violence won’t work against them. Not yet, at least. They’re too well-organised now. And they’ve got two of the symbols, remember. We need to find a better way to take them down. In any case, Art is impossible to kill. I tried.”

I suppressed the image that rose to my mind. The blood, spreading crimson against white hair and dripping over those open, and still alive, sapphire eyes.

“You tried to kill Art? Maya...”

His gun clattered against the nightstand as he dropped it there and sat on the edge of the bed next to me. He brushed a strand of hair off my face and grabbed me in a tight hug. I winced as my strained muscles tensed, but allowed myself to relax for a moment and accept the comfort. I pressed my forehead against his shoulder and took a deep breath. His fingers tangled in my hair as he rubbed small circles on my back. I held onto him as I relieved the horror of the past few days.