Sweat beaded profusely on Alex’s forehead as she fought her ADD, trying to study anatomy diagrams in a stuffy room at the back of the church.

“You’ve been in here for days, dear,” the head healer announced, entering the room. “At least let some fresh air in, dear,” she continued, opening one of the windows, letting in a cool breeze.

“I’m fine,” Alex replied, her grip on her pen loosening and eyes drooping.

“You don’t look fine,” the healer chided, “when was the last time you even slept?”

“It doesn’t matter,” Alex replied defiantly and very sleepily as the healer opened another window. “I’m fine …” Alex’s words trailing off as the last window opened and the last of the sweet-smelling mana left the air.

Alex woke up, face down on the cold hard ground, head pounding, with her hair matted together. “Ow, where am I?” Alex asked herself, sitting upright in a forest artificially lit by fire and alive with the sounds of conflict. “How did I get here?” once again asking herself in the vain hope that she would answer herself. “Oof, that’s a bad headache,” Alex continued commentating to herself, touching her wet matted hair. “Well that can’t be good,” she mused, her hand covered in blood, though she hadn’t found any wounds on her person. “No use sitting here and burning alive,” Alex decided, standing up shakily. “Who’s there?” she called out to the rustling bush, moments before a dark figure on horseback rode through and she lost conscious once again.

Alex woke up screaming, quickly cut off by the realization that it had been a dream. “Well at least it wasn’t about my parents again,” Alex mused aloud. “Why am I talking out loud still? It’s not like anyone cares. That was a good nap though,” Alex continued, ignoring her previous statement, moving her legs to the edge of the bed. Alex stepped out of bed and immediately crumpled onto the floor, “Fuck,” she exclaimed, moments before one of the healers entered the room.

“We heard screaming and yelling, are you ok?” the healer announced to the room, before discovering Alex on the floor, still struggling to stand up. “Let me help you,” the healer said, rushing over to Alex’s aid. Alex reluctantly accepted the healer’s help, leaning on the healer’s shoulder, feeling their warm energy flowing into her body. The healer helped Alex back into her bed and continued feeding her some energy, searching for any injuries.

“It feels a bit hot in here,” Alex stated suddenly as a cool wind blew through the open window, causing her to shiver slightly. Sitting up quickly, Alex took her shirt off directly in front of the healer’s face, causing it to become flushed, much to Alex’s pleasure, and the energy transfer gained a slightly erratic quality.

“I think you should be good,” the healer announced, their face still a vivid red in the moonlight, “all you need is some more rest and food and you should be good.”

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“Then let’s go get some food,” Alex proposed casually, gingerly stepping on the ground, managing to stand this time.

“You really shouldn’t be out of bed so soon,” the healer replied nervously.

“I would be fine if I was escorted by a healer,” Alex prodded, taking a couple of careful steps forward.

“Yes, that would be true, but you should think of your health,” the healer continued pleading.

“I would be in better health if I ate some f…” Alex started, her leg giving out in a calculated manner, falling forward in a dramatic fashion.

“Oh,” the healer exclaimed, rushing to catch Alex.

“My hero,” Alex said attempting to sound as genuine as possible, her head nestled in the bosom of the healer. “Maybe, I should go back to bed,” Alex said, feeling the racing heart of the healer beat even harder at her suggestion.

“No,” the healer replied suddenly, “I mean you should really get some food; you probably haven’t eaten in a while.” Receiving a head shake for a response, she continued, “the cooks are asleep, and I don’t know how to cook, but I do know a tavern that’s just a short walk away from here. If we maintain contact, I can supply you a stream of energy so that you should be able to walk mostly by yourself.”

“How about like this?” Alex asked, clasping her hand around the healer’s.

“That would work,” the healer nodded, pace quickening again.

“What’s your name by the way?” Alex asked, hands still intertwined.

“My name?” she responded surprised, “It’s Seraphim, but everyone calls me Sera.”

“Like an Angel …” Alex thought aloud, startling Sera again.

“I’m sorry a what?” Sera asked, receiving a dismissive wave from Alex as a response, “and your name is Hope, but you prefer Alex correct?

“Yes,” Alex replied, unintentionally squeezing Sera’s hand upon hearing her given name.

“Seems like you don’t like that name,” Sera noted, her hand still being squeezed by Alex.

“Sorry,” Alex said sullenly, letting go of Sera’s hand.

“Hey, I thought we were going to go eat,” Sera said, grasping Alex’s escaping hand, “Put on a shirt and let’s go.”

“Oh, yeah,” Alex blurted, the realization and the breeze sending a shiver up her spine. “Do you have anything I could wear? All I have are these stupid robes and this undershirt,” Alex asked hopefully.

“Maybe,” Sera responded thoughtfully, “it might be a little big for you though.”

“I’ll make it work,” Alex replied, gazing at Sera’s superior height and proportions.

“Wait here,” Sera told Alex, letting go of her hand, “I’ll be back in a moment.”

“I’ll be here,” Alex called out as Sera left the room. “I’ll be waiting … totally not going to fall back asleep,” Alex yawned, feeling sleepy now that the adrenaline and supplemental energy had left her body.

“I’m back,” Sera announced, entering the room to see a sleeping Alex on her bed. “Oops looks like she fell back asleep,” Sera whispered.