Wings & Dreams

Ch.17 - Light

I've been lying in bed for two days, but I've never felt this weak. Maybe that time I got the infusion from the hospital, so my body is still strong.

"Did the healing woman not heal me?" I asked when we were eating together. "I mean, for two days I was unconscious."

"Of course I am" Clora replied with her usual tone of ridicule. "If not, you'd be dead."

Then why am I not feeling well? I put my palm on my own forehead, and sure enough. Warm. I must still have a fever.

"Clar." Zeyn finished his meal. Maybe because he was a man who needed a lot of energy, as well as a Fae. I'm not sure he should eat how many times a day.

"The woman did everything she could. Maybe it's because you're exhausted in your dreams, so it's draining your energy, too."

"Ah," I nodded and continued my meal. My stomach has been ringing ever since I woke up to this world.

"By the way, where's Kei?" I wanted to add Jon, but I knew my friend must be avoiding me.

Again Zeyn and Clora exchanged glances, like there was a hidden electric current as they stared at each other. Zeyn then cleared his throat, while Clora began to misbehave.

"Kei is in-"

Zeyn had not yet answered, I had heard the sound of the door opening. I hurriedly got up and ran.

How surprised I was to see Kei who was busy carrying Jon.

"Jon..." His appearance makes me look. I narrowed my eyes and saw the condition of his eyes that made me nauseous. The color of his eyeballs had turned to the color of ash, while his hands carried out unusual motions. He looks like a

"Jon! What happened to you?!" I ran in a storm. My friend didn't even look me in the face.

"Claras?"

"What happened to him, Kei?!"

I was made to panic even more when I saw Kei's facial expression. "There was a mistake. Fae powder makes his eye nerves weaken, and over time he will be completely blind."

I closed my open mouth, then pulled Jon's arm. Only then did I understand the meaning of Kei's words when I saw more clearly the condition of his eyes.

"When..this happens?" I said I was running out of words.

"It seems like recently. I just saw it too."

***

For one day, I continued to accompany Jon, even though he had refused my help many times.

"I can do it myself" he said as I wanted to feed him lunch. I immediately kicked out everyone who was busy watching the two of us, so that Jon did not feel uncomfortable.

"But you can no longer see clearly" I protested.

Jon turned his head towards me, though his eyes did not look at me directly. "Being blind does not mean being weak. I can eat by myself."

I finally gave up and let him continue his activities.

But I came back to help him when he was done and was about to walk. I was still not used to seeing her use the wall as an aid, so I wrapped her arms around my shoulders.

"Clarome-"

"Don't protest much. Just shut up."

Surprisingly my friend went silent and let me take him.

"Where are you going?"

"The room, of course. Where else can I go besides being locked up in this cabin?"

I interpreted his words as insinuations to me. Anyway, I'm the reason he's still here.

After taking the trouble to bring her back to the room, I wanted to accompany her even longer, but she had already kicked me out.

"But you need someone next to you."

Jon closed his eyes, ready to go to sleep. "Do I need help if I want to fall asleep? I'm not a freak like you who can do great things in my dreams."

I ignored his words. "If you're awake, you're gonna need help."

"Then bring me a stick or something. At least I need it later."

"I'll ask Sana. But for now..." I took a breath and looked around. What does Jon need right now?

Something throbbed in my pants pocket, and I immediately touched it. A loud familiar thing. Crilie.

"Hmm?" Curious, I immediately took it out, and was amazed to see its wings which were now shining so brightly.

"I saw something" muttered Jon beside me. "What light is that?"

"Krilie's wing." Even though his body was rotten and charred like a corpse, his wings still glowed beautifully. I don't know what it means, but I know if I pluck out her wings like Rio's advice and sell them on the market, this light won't shine anymore.

"I think this is for you." I put Krilie's corpse on her palm. He had dodged, but over time he was also interested in the foreign object in his hand.

"I don't see any benefit for me."

"Save it. Consider it a flashlight. To light your way."

Jon's been groping Krilie's body. His fingers stroked Krilie's long hair which was now hardened like a lidi. "You mean to illuminate my future?"

I hit his arm. "Watch a toy, or something. To accompany you." Not to get lost in sadness, I thought.

***

[Author: Is there anyone who misses Stef? Now, the author shows what his life is like now.]

Dormat, 2008

Stef entered a crowded building crowded with people. He had memorized the plan of this building, the police station building that felt like it could be his second home because he spent most of his time here.

He wiped away his sweat, and while ignoring his unfocused gaze, he finally arrived in front of a room.

"Come in" said a voice inside after he knocked on the door.

He looks like a really handsome guy. His name is Oswald and he is the Police Captain in the central region of Ratterdam. He was a year older than Jon.

"You again" he said, shaking with worry.

"Oswald, any news of my friends' whereabouts?" Stef asked after he sat down on the small sofa.

Oswald did not answer his question.

Stef down. "No progress yet, huh?"

"Steffany..." Said. He approached her and sat next to her. "Don't worry too much. They can be found."

"What's the day?" His whisper, still covering his face with his hands. "After all we can't find him. The one who kidnapped them wasn't human."

"I hope you can still think clearly after what happened, Stef," muttered the man beside her as he stroked her back. "You're an old friend of mine. I've known you for decades, and know that you've had a hard time getting rid of your bad thoughts."

"After thinking about it for days, I think I trusted Clara" whispered Stef. "I still remember it clearly, Oswald. How strange light came out of their hands. D-and also on their backs are wings-"

"Stef." The man could not bear to hear his complaints. He had been trying to calm her down for days, but this girl was getting more and more insane. His sanity level is declining.

"Look at me." Oswald raised the woman's chin, and there was obvious fatigue in her eyes. "My team is still in the process of looking for them. Tomorrow, you'll meet them. At that time, you should be able to explain everything you've seen. Okay, Steffany?"

Stef opened his mouth slightly, feeling a little relieved that this man was still willing to help him. "Yes. I'm not gonna give up until I find Jon and Clara."