Shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit shit

The trees flitted by me like green static, the ground beneath me, paved only by carriages and horses and boots crunching loudly as my leggies sunk just a bit too deep into it. The body in my arms weighed heavy. He was breathing, but only slightly. Quick breaths, much like mine.

He hadn't said anything before, after I'd returned. He hadn't said anything when I picked him up, and he hadn't said anything when I asked the old man about hospitals and bandages, either. Not that that was any important. The result was the same. We had to return, and fast.

My arms and chest were bloodied. I couldn't tell what was bleeding. Where or why. Just that this was urgent, as urgent as anything I had ever experienced, as urgent as when dad took that great fall just last month. No, it wasn't last month, it was longer... I don't want to think about it. As a matter of fact, I don't want to think about anything.

All I can think about is the village. The old man told me that was my best bet, to talk to the wizard there. He didn't have much first aid stuff, not for what I needed. Whatever it was that I needed.

The village should have something.

...I hope I'm not going too fast. Not like I could ask him if he's comfortable there, in my arms. Squeezed close to my chest. Mother always said, press the wound hard. But not too hard. If I could crush a spider, a strong one like that, what could I do to Mal? Those lime-green innards felt wrong in me.

I didn't want to think about it.

In the distance, I could see the village, full of houses and people and things. How long had we been gone? Not look enough.

In hindsight, I really shouldn't have simply barged in like that, running into the middle of the village without a care, especially not when I had learnt only an hour ago that there was a reason people feared monsters like me. Only minutes ago that I had a taste of why that might be.

Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

I clench my sharp-toothed jaw.

Time has stopped, people are looking at me. I can't read their faces.

I... I'm not moving. My chest is heaving and my legs are trembling, but I'm not moving. Still. A young woman is a mere two meters in front of me. She might be scared. She might be concerned. I don't know. Her buckets drop to the ground, water splashing everywhere, and she runs away.

This must have triggered the rest of them. They scatter, but I remain motionless. Blood drips from Mal, making the water pooling by my feet take on a slightly red colour.

"You dare trespass-"

I turn to the emerging wizard. He's running towards me, but I feel no fear. Once he's gotten close enough, I just sort of... put Mal down. Place him on the ground, besides the buckets, beside the water.

The wizard stops, looks down, and changes expression. His arms lower, computerized thoughts running through his head, before he crouches down beside Mal himself. He gets to work without a word, hands glowing in warm light, enveloping Mal. I watch.

Some villagers calm down, maybe stop to look at the sight, while others hide inside their homes. Is that the appropriate reaction? I can't know.

"Guhh..."

Someone groans, but it isn't Mal. Mal is silent, passed out cold, but he seems to be regaining some colour. No, the source of the sound...

I look over to the church.

Todd.

Weak on his feet, stumbling out of the proto-church, one hand massaging his temple, pale as a corpse. Both his sword and boots are gone, but that's okay, that can be regained. He can get those back. 

"Huh-? Oh, hi Johnny, sorry, I feel a bit-,"

Once he said his greeting, he buckles over, hurling his lunch onto the ground. But that doesn't matter. With speed like mine, he doesn't even have time to glance up before I'm right in front of him. 

"D-, dude-?..."

Jesus. I almost lost you, I-,

I grab him, arms locking around his chest and arms, easily heaving him into the air, holding him close, as close as I possibly can. Hugging him. He's making a few odd sounds, but that's okay. He's here, and he's alive. That's all that matters. My light. I won't lose you again. 

"Dudeduedueedeuduuede-,, sTO-,"

"KrCk-"

-Hm? 

For some reason, he goes all limp. And in the next second...

Poof. 

Into a cloud of black-mould dust. 

Uh-, uhm-,,

"-Dude!!"

Todd bolts up and out of the coffin, looking almost furious. 

I-, uh, I can explain!

"Not cool! No crushing people to death, ya hear??" 

-Y-, yes sir...

I clasp my hands behind my back, crouching down just a little in shame. 

"Right, that's better. No hugging!"

I glance up at him, and for some reason, he's got this odd little smile on his face, mischievous and planning. Huh-?

"-Unless it's on my terms!"

Saying so, he pretty much jumped at me, hooking his arms around my midsection. With a face-full of grins. Even when jumping and all like that, he can still only barely reach up to hug me properly. Hah! Fool! Behold my superior might!

With that, I easily heave him up, just like I did before, holding him in front of me, arms to the sides. He flails his legs, and I understand exactly what he means. Yes, of course, we'll do it your way, sir. 

Finally, I pull him close, and hold him, my chin on his shoulder and his chin on my shoulder. Equal. 

Good. That's good. 

Everything's good.