One on the Dark Path Finds Light

Chapter 5, The Elf Tries to Help the Sick One

Glenn looked at him. "What? Ephraim, calm down. Who's coming?"

Ephraim groaned and rubbed his forehead. "Make it stop! It feels like a knife stabbing my skull! Help, please. . . He keeps talking. . ."

"What is he saying, can you tell?" Glenn asked. 

Ephraim nodded. "Yes. 'Come with me and you won't suffer'. 'I will heal you very soon, but first you must come'. He keeps telling me to follow him."

Glenn helped Ephraim to sit up again. "Don't. Please don't. Who knows who is behind this and what they're capable of."

Neamei frowned. "What does he sound like?"

"His voice is smooth and silky, like Glenn's hair. . ." Ephraim said.

Neamei gave Glenn a look, which made a light blush spread across his cheeks. He didn't know Ephraim knew what his hair felt like. It was a little personal. . .

Ephraim shuddered. "Oh god, he's pulling me. . .Glenn, it feels weird, like ropes pulling me along. . ."

Glenn rubbed his shoulder, the other hand holding Ephraim's own. "It's okay, he can't hurt you. Just listen to my voice, let it bring you back."

Ephraim slackened against Glenn. "Sing. . ."

Glenn began to vocalize, letting his voice guide Ephraim back to him, like a siren's voice in a storm. . .

Ephraim squeezed Glenn's hand, his face going even paler than before. Glenn started to worry, because Ephraim looked like a ghost everywhere except his face. His cheeks were flushed bright red, and he had his eyes shut tight. Neamei sat on his knees next to Ephraim, checking his pulse and temperature. He looked up to Glenn with an anxious expression.

"Glenn, his pulse is weakening by the second. And his temperature is spiking. . ." he said.

Glenn's heart filled with panic, and he laid Ephraim down. "What do I do?! You're the doctor!"

Neamei stuttered but finally managed to get the words out. "You should probably do CPR to get his heart pumping again! His pulse died out just a second ago, so seriously get to work!"

Glenn didn't have time to be embarrassed as he pumped on Ephraim's chest and gave him air. He did CPR on Ephraim for a long time before Neamei finally sat back in relief. Glenn could tell he was about to cry and felt he was about to cry as well. Ephraim coughed.

"Ow. . .my head hurts. . .Glenn, Neamei? Are you two still there?" he asked, reaching up.

Glenn and Neamei each took a hand, holding them tight even as tears rolled down their cheeks.

"Yes," they said in unison. "We're here."

Ephraim chuckled weakly. "Okay. I was scared. . .He was calling to me."

"Do you remember his name?" Neamei asked before Glenn could.

Ephraim frowned. "No, I don't. . .Why can't I see?"

"You have your eyes closed, silly," Glenn said.

Ephraim's frown became a scowl. "I can't. . .open my eyes."

Suddenly, a memory surfaced in Glenn's head. He could hear a calm, quiet voice call his name. He looked around in confusion before answering. The voice called him to come closer, saying it couldn't see him well. Glenn, being a child, stepped closer, into the moonlight. A slender, pale hand reached out to him. He extended his hand, but after that, he couldn't remember anything but blackness.

Glenn didn't know where the memory had come from, but he knew he had experienced it. Ephraim pulled his hands away from Neamei and Glenn, stretching his fingers down on the ground. He pushed himself up. The color was returning to his face, which relieved Glenn. Neamei rested a hand on his shoulder.