fragile time

~chapter 3~

I followed my first instinct and rolled over on my back as she lightly struck the ground where I was laying. Weapon still in hand, I jumped up. My feet didn't have time to plant firmly in the ground as I tried to strike my attacker. Emily grunted as she pulled her sword out of the hungry mud and blocked me. It was then when she noticed I didn't completely regain my balance, so she slipped her foot under mine, causing me to fall and lose my grip on my sword.

I hit the ground a lot harder this time. My head was throbbing with pain and my ears were ringing, the entire world seeming to sway. Every sound seemed to have an echo, so I knew I'd had a rough fall. 'Ouch.' was my first thought, 'Surrender. It hurts.' Part of me wanted to listen, while the other part of me kept fighting. Which part was stronger? I couldn't tell until I reached for my weapon again. This all happened in no more than two seconds. As I struggled to grab my sword, the harmless tip of Emily's touched my chest. I could hear the smirk in her voice, "I win."

Afterwards, I gave up trying to take my weapon and I laid my head down on the rough earth below. I winced as a rock met the left side of my head. I must've landed on it. The pain in my head continued, and my hand extended up to feel it. When it returned to my eyes, my hand was covered in blood. The part of me which told me to blackout finally met triumph and I let myself slip unconscious.

~✶~

"Oh, come on," I heard a familiar voice nearby reassure someone, "he'll be fine, alright? Summers is the toughest kid I know." My eyes fluttered open, though my vision was still a little blurry. I could make out Emily's blonde hair and Taylor's round eyes. Xavier's fiery wings stood out among them- along with Lillith's hat.

"Look," I could hear the grin in Taylor's voice, "He's waking up!"

"You think I would've noticed by now," Xavier remarked. Everything started to come clearer into view. I could see everyone's more definite features. The gray walls of the wing of the school came into view, the gold designs on the ceiling. The infirmary?

"Micheal?" Lillith peered over Emily's shoulder, "Are you feeling alright? Your head looks damaged." She pulled out her dark brown wand, about to heal me.

I stopped her, "Yes. I-I'm sorry." I lifted my head and sat up in bed. "I'm fine."

A couple nurses rushed around the room, helping other patients. This room had a different aura than the rest. This room had us all feeling stressed, worried, or forlorn. The tall brick walls stretched up to the ceiling, closing us all in. Inside of this cage, keeping us locked in forever. Only the occasional gothic window let light into the gloomy setting. The large chandelier above me was only occasionally lit. I always wondered why they kept it there when it wasn't ever shining.

Taylor shook her head, "You should probably lay back down. That was a really bad fall back there. The nurses cleaned up the bleeding, but it'll take a while for the potion they gave you to fix you completely." Me? Oh, please. I'm tougher than that. It was only one fall. Or was it two..? Anyway, it didn't matter. The only thing which mattered now was I was fine. Right?

"My, my, Summers." Emily raised an eyebrow, "One blow to the head and you're blacked out. I knew you were weak in the rain, but I didn't know you were that bad." Yes, it was true. I couldn't fight well while the sky was pouring rain. I can't hold my ground as firm because of the mud, it's harder to see, and I easily lose my grip on my sword.

"You know just as well as I do you would've failed," I said bitterly, "if the sky hadn't been crying."

"'The sky hadn't been crying?'" Xavier repeated, hiding a laugh. However, Taylor didn't bother to hide hers. The sound of her rippling giggles filled my mind, calming me. That was the sound of my home.