“Don’t you dare leave me behind!”
The shivering pairs of hands orchestrated on their own. Theodore, in a blink, unwrapped the weighty cloak dyed in ash. In pieces did he tear it down. To layer after layer, topping the hollow wound.
Breathe!
Crimson painted the bandages, sipping, creeping, and piercing.
Not enough.
Veins make their way onto the icy arms, pressing hard. For the warm blood to kiss his agonizing cheeks, trembling to taste the truth. And through those navy eyes, what could be seen?
His purpose, the anchor for him to moor. Or… A corpse?
It does not matter anymore. With clean bandages on her hands, Cecil ran back and forth to assist the determined doctor. More arrived, but seemingly the thin cloths can no longer hold the gushing stream. There is only one choice left.
“Stitches. Now!” Theodore growls. For this moment, any drops of calmness have left his sight. Startled, she rushed back to the tent to gather the sewing kit, then returned by his side. The moment he unwraps the bandages, a carnage scene greets. Gritting his teeth, Theodore hooked the sharp needle onto the lines of torn flesh. A nod is all it takes for Cecil to understand, immediately splints Alderic’s abdomen to close the wound, while Theodore works his magic. Leaving his shattered heart, he suppresses all those pains inside, to sew the fatal spot, despite knowing his partner will be in tremendous discomfort. But there’s nothing more he could do. The scent of iron attacked without mercy, the icy skin jolting each time the needle sliced. A true terror on Alderic’s face, shriveling, shaking lips, and at the corner of the already tight shut pearls, shed a bitter line of tears.
Thankfully, the duo makes it on time, not to waste any more drops of life. For the very first time, a slight sigh escaped their lips. Until the very next moment, all hopes clashed again.
Something is wrong.
Placing upon the wrist.
Alderic’s heart. Faintly beat. Until…
“No… No… No”
In Cecil's utter shock, Theodore climbs onto him, clasping his hands, and preparing for chest compression. The cold snow is still falling outside, but why does the stream of sweat still find its way to Alderic? Push, then push, and another push, the arms are already giving up, yet Theodore does not care. Push, then push, and another push, hopelessly searching for a miracle. After all, only silence painfully replies to him back.
Under this pair of hands, had saved hundreds, but why this time? Unable to save just one. One and only. And under these navy eyes, had seen thousands go and arrive, but why this time? Unable to bear it one more time.
“You have a promise. Promise to stay with me!” In a rusty tone, he growls desperately. “Please… I’m begging you.”
“Stay…”
To the deep sky above he looked. He seeks an answer, an epilogue to this tragedy. How serene the cloud and the snow were, yet the pairs of hands soaked in fresh blood through his eyes. A cruel sense of powerlessness washed over his hollow mind. What should he do? No… What could he do? With his blood on these hands and the agony painted his figure… What’s left to be done?
No more words were needed, Cecil stepped behind his back, gently placed on his shoulder. All of a sudden, a voice appeared, “There will always be miracles.” she smiled softly. “He is waiting for you.”
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Little did they know, in the end, always be a miracle waiting for those who deserved. The tireless efforts of both Theodore and Cecil are remarkable. Through the bruised wrist, he can find his pulse once again. Softly yet enough to be the lighthouse among the storm.
“His wounds are still unstable. With our limited medical resources, danger still hangs over his head.” Cecil’s concern speaks the truth. Drifting to the sight of Alderic, now immersed in a neverending pain, the little hope they barely get will soon vanish. This time, time is their nemesis. Clenching his fits, Theodore tries to rummage through memories for a key, an answer.
"Echinacea.” Such a word came to his mind out of the blue. A quite rare purple coneflower that only lives on high mountains in the North. Theodore grimaces. However, its properties for treating wounds are undeniably effective, especially for the wound that Alderic has, also prevent him from getting infections. Cecil immediately recognized the name. Instead of delight, her frown deepened. Not many were able to witness, not to mention use such powerful medicine. Lies in the depths of the forest, even the bravest dare not to seek.
“I will notify Reid, You-” Cecil’s words stopped with just a single look. His determined eyes speak for themselves. “No, Theodore, you can’t do that. You know it’s dangerous.” Before her concerns, he replies back with a gentle smile. She knows that expression. The kind she prayed for its disappearance more than ever.
“I will be back soon. Take care of him for me.” His hand patted her shoulder softly. Standing beside his bed, Theodore gently wipes away drops of sweat from the black hair. Crouching down, a kiss lies on the cold cheek. “I won’t give up on you.” He whispers.
…
Shot through the blurry mist of snow, lies Theodore and his horse. With time and space, he will race against it. For the mission that shines, find the plant that will treat Alderic. On the journey to the North, Theodore passes through fields that were once full of life, to the dark forests that only those who are courageous can dare. The deeper they went, the harsher the way, and to be surrounded by a dark, ominous atmosphere. The scratches of the branches trampled under the piercing cold, and the exhaustion chained his whole being. All of them could never match the pain of losing a loved one. Faster… Further… no matter what it cost.
Right when Theodore led his horse near the base of a mountain, his keen eyes were finally able to find his target - “Echinacea.” Crouching down near the stream, he could pick a handful of those stunning purple flowers before stuffing them into small pouches on his horse.
From the sky, a raven lands before him. A ray of fright slowly invaded his heart. The strange expression and appearance of Orville only showed how short the time he has left. Quickly back on the horse, Theodore rushed back to Alderic’s side. Each of the piercing breezes harmonizes with the fragment of his radiant images, torn apart his heart. If only he could be Orville and fly to where he is. If only all of this was just a nightmare. If only, the one who hurts was him… Each minute that goes by becomes torture.
Yet Cecil’s teary eyes speak of his worst fear. Seeing the sight of him, she hopelessly blocked the door to Alderic’s bed. “What happened?” A broken tone barely escaped his dry throat, just to get more tears and silence from her. “Cecil, tell me!” Gripping his bag tightly, where the flower rests, he shouts. “It’s too late.” Can’t face the broken in those eyes, Reid turns away “I’m sorry. We couldn’t do anything.”
“No, it can’t be. I have Echinacea. He will be alright!” Theodore tries to force a smile. Yet only melancholy colored their expression. Without hesitation, Theodore breaks the door open. Peacefully lies on the bed, his world, his everything. Alderic
Staggering to his side, Theodore can’t seem to breathe. “No, he must be alright… He must be.” Pulling the petals and then grinding, he swiftly covered the wounds. Repeatedly, like an endless circle, ironically, reality responds.
His efforts were merely a drop in the ocean.
Cold as snow, he is. “Alderic?” Theodore held him, guiding so he could lean on his chest. “Can you wake up for me?” Tears rolled down his pale cheeks. “If you wake up, I will never be mad at your teasing… I will always listen to you.” The coldness of his hands broke Theodore’s heart into pieces. “If you wake up, we will build a nice home and a garden. I will sleep in your arms every night, and wake up with you every morning. We will watch the snow fall and laugh together” His voice broke from the sobbing. “I never get to try the cooking mastery you have always bragged about.” The laugh hid in the stream of tears.
Unbearable pain devours each of his cells.
Stubbornly, longingly, he holds Alderic in his arms. Softly caress his soft hair, a kiss resting on his closed eyes. His fingertips traced along each line of him lovingly. “You are everything that I have.” He tightens the embrace. Closing his eyes, the way those emerald eyes look at him with affection, the way his smile glows in the sunlight, the way he comes to his world. All of them vividly live in his memory. “You are my beginning, my end.”
Even though he could no longer feel the warmth, even though he could no longer hear the voice calling his name, he chose to disbelieve. Stubbornly clinging onto a promise, a hope.
“You have promised to return.” Alderic always keeps his word.
“You have promised…”