LUCEM
LIV Chapter

*******

Seconds built. Minutes pass.

There's nothing.

My fast heartbeat slowed to a painful stutter of fear. I've lost perspective, my time is like being deflected in the dark, I'm not allowed to sleep for how many days. I swear it feels like we've been here too long. In the dimensional space. Even though I didn't issue my unnecessary complaints and let Marbella worry about me.

"There's something wrong" Marbella said suddenly.

I heard a sharp breath from Marbella.

Moonflower said softly, "Maybe we miscalculated."

"No" cried Marbella.

That's when we heard the screams.

We ran, slid towards the sound, almost past the backyard fence. Marbella reacted abnormally, my ankles moved as my feet stumbled upon the roots growing too large, our quick steps pushing ourselves into the darkness with pure force of panic. Fences melt, streets widen, homes move away.

Sobs are tearing the sky apart. A loud cry echoed in the distance. An indistinct voice, a hoarse groan, goosebumps rose along the skin lining my chin. It was like running towards death.

"No!..." Marbella panicked. Grabbing my hand hard, dragging me backwards. "No," he said again.

"I'm— I'm glowing." surprised in disbelief.

I radiated a subtle light over my hand up to my arm.

We're slowing. Marbella clasped my hand harder and harder. "Moon's... Get him in!" marbella's orders are without dispute.

Moonflower nodded, snatching my body in the form of a black bird. It was faster than the wind, but Moonflower's speed was meaningless, the house kept moving away, we couldn't reach it. Time seemed to expand, cracking apart as my body floated within the claws of the Moonflower bird.

We crossed Jiso and his troops who took a detour. I wish they'd come straight to Marbella's, straight to Marbella.

BUGH..!!

The sound of a loud crash. Something hit Moonflower. Something I can't see.

BUGH..!!

Once more.

Moonflower. Something blunt hit me with force, making me dumbfounded, making me throw to the side. I fell on the ground. I could feel my mind being cut off, threatening unconsciousness, and somehow I forced myself not to faint in horror. Terror.

I keep my eyes open.

Moonflower knelt in a human form, holding her bloody arm near her chest.

Again came a piercing tormented cry in the middle of a strange night. I stared at the dark air, digesting at what was going on. Moonflower had been standing beside me, her body looking weak. I heard her half-choked sobs. "But your hand is broken?"

Moonflower did not answer. Jiso ran alone towards us. He said black troops might do this. Moonflower stopped sobbing. "I know," he said.

"Marbella?" My thrills on Jiso.

" We're with him, go..!" answer Jiso.

The air turned black and blue, the wind did not blow but everything seemed to move. Somehow I still can't believe my eyes. I really want this to be a nightmare. But reality remains.

Moonflower was lying on the mattress, something hard seemed to protrude from within and pierce through her skin. I approached him slowly. My hands stretched out to touch that part. But Moonflower quickly held my hand. "Don't" he said.

"I can heal myself, stay away but don't go anywhere" he asked.

I took some distance from where Moonflower was lying. He did not move, but the bone, crackling and re-filling the proper place. I shudder in horror.

The wound on Moonflower's arm didn't necessarily recover as I expected. It remains and is gaping. Moonflower asked me to help her treat and bandage her wounds. He was sitting on the bed quietly when I returned from the other room.

"James will take care of you, don't leave this house... I mean, don't walk out that door a single step" she explained.

I haven't had the time to give my answer as Moonflower's body turned into smoke and passed through the wall just like that leaving a clear flapping sound of her wings.

James had been standing on the bed when I turned around. He looked at me clingy. "You were really glowing."

I'm appalled. I've forgotten that. Looking back at my hands, there was nothing there. "You seen him?"

"Yes, you were still quite glowing when Moonflower landed here," James pointed towards the mattress under her feet.

"When are you here?" Ask wonder.

"Since you've arrived" he replied.

"Take this, Mars!" James thrust a heavy steel into my hand.

"Gun?"

James nodded. "Use only in urgent circumstances, you're not an expert."

"You can keep it here" James handed me a small leather bag with a long strap. I accepted. Put it in the bag and put it on the table.

I remember Marbella. I hurried to the window and followed James. My eyes seemed to be very clear. From where I stood, I counted six rats, dead. Their eyes opened, mouths agape, fresh blood still dripping onto their weak bodies. Jae kneels, spewing fresh blood. Jimmy stumbled back, hit a tree. When something dark hits the young rat's body, Jiso pulls it to the other side, surviving. Some of the rats were in a alert position and ready to fight. But where's my brother? There's something about that consciousness that scares my heart.

"Back off, Mars," James' voice broke my attention.

I looked over for a moment and then went back to the window. James pulled the side of my pants with a strong pull. I stared at him for a moment, then decided to follow him to move towards the chair.

"Stay here, we just need to stay here. That's the way it is if you want to help them" James said.

I'm speechless. The silent atmosphere between me and James lasted for a while until I asked again.

"Eh, where's Maria?" I remember that girl.

"He's not here" James replied.

I gave him a questioning look. "The girl disappeared when no one was looking after her. Marbella just told me that if that happens I have to keep you here."

"So Marbi has predicted today" I murmured.

I came back a few steps late. No matter how hard I try I stay late. To guard.

The sound of a step outside, I spontaneously moved to the window.

Marbella, Moonflower, Jiso, Sam who beat Jimmy followed by the remains of an army of rats. They walked calmly through the grass, a serious face. I don't know what they've seen and experienced beyond what I've seen. They have become part of what just happened, real battles that were previously just our little game. My heart was pounding waiting for them to be behind this door, where I was standing.