3
Later that day, Eight locks himself in his room. Someone knocks. He ignores it because he let himself shower in Six's newspaper attack. That was just utterly embarrassing.
He has several bruises that didn't really hurt. (An understatement) What really hurts is his ego. Nine got away with his plan and he rubbed it in Eight's trampled dignity. Trampled, thanks to Six.
"Eight, open up."
He jumped. Maybe the beating was worthy after all. Eight quickly opens the door to find Marina. Her hair is in a ponytail which makes Eight smile wider. He gets a better view of her face when her hair is kept in place.
"Let me in."
Eight blushes. Now Nine will have more references to tease them. Regardless of the malice the other Garde might put in, Marina steps in and closes the door.
She pulls Eight to his bed. "Wait. Marina."
"Shh," Marina reprimands. Immediately, Eight formulates a weird thought in his head of what Marina might do, might want to do.
Marina sits down and pulls his shirt upward. She is so close to him it made Eight's heart start pumping so hard; he'd thought he has set the alarms in a Mogadorian facility.
"Oh my Pittacus," Marina says softly. "Six got you good."
Eight feels shivers traveling along his spine as Marina studies more bruises. Being with Marina was no problem, but letting her study his body is making him a nervous wreck. He should've been used to her checking his body. Furthermore, Eight was healed by Marina the most.
"Yeah," he said huskily with a laugh.
"You'll be good in no time," Marina smiles. As she starts to work on his injuries, Eight gets mesmerized. He wanted to kiss her so badly; he thinks he has the right to do so.
Once she is done, Eight can't resist to place his hand on top of hers. "Thank you."
"No prob," Marina squeezes his hand lightly.
Now Eight gets her full attention, this is the perfect time to tell her. "Earlier this day I wanted to say that the cave's panels—"
"The one that showed your death?" Marina asks like a child asking if their favorite pet is dead.
"Yes," Eight say grimly. Before he could say more, Marina scans his hand; strong and a little calloused from the rough conditions of the mountain. Her silence made him curious. Then, she looks at him with sympathy and pride.
"It must have been hard on you."
Instantly, Eight curls his hand to hold Marina's. They never talked about the panels; it was supposed to be a forbidden subject. But that doesn't mean they don't talk about it, they are not thinking about it.
"Yes," Eight responds as he drops his gaze. He twists his wrist without letting go of her hand. The scars, remnants of his outrage, are small and barely visible but it is there. Marina must have noticed it.
"I can heal it," Marina speaks gently.
"You don't have too," Eight says. "I deserve it. It is unwise to attack something that foresees our fate." Unlike right now, he doesn't even know how to react to his vision. But Eight knows, he can still change it. The element of surprise isn't on death's side; there is still a small fraction of hope. "We make our own fate."
Marina nods, closing the subject.
Eight seems satisfied. Today isn't the right time.
Then suddenly, Marina screams and he holds her. Placing his arms protectively around Marina while she screams in agony, he asks. "Marina! What's wrong?" It was supposed to be soft, but in his nervous state it came out hoarse.
"It's Ella." Marina's eyes start to water, she groans. He didn't want her to cry, so he hushes her. "She's screaming Eight," she says in a trembling voice. "Take—"
Poof. With Eight's Legacy, they are in Ella's room. Marina rushes to the bed to wake her up. After a minute, Ella wakes up and hugs Marina. The younger Garde cries, but starts to doze off in Marina's arms. Eight also helps by sitting at the other side of Ella, caressing the top of her head.
Making sure that Ella's asleep, Eight asks. "She screams telepathically in her sleep now?"
"Twice," Marina replies. "Eight, her dreams are getting worse. I hope John can find a way to help further. Or I can, but I can't. My Legacy can't heal her haunted dreams."
"You are doing great, Marina. The dreams will have to vanish."
"I don't think so, Eight. I wish it disappears right now. Ella suffering is torturing me. I want her okay," she whimpers, trying to hold off the tears.
Words carry power. And Eight feels every word wrapped in loneliness. He knows by a certain connection that aside from loving Ella, Marina hates to be of no use. She is a girl who wants to be of help to anyone. Marina didn't want to be dead weight. She'll do anything to make people important to her happy.
Assessing his life, it breaks Eight's heart to love someone as wonderful as Marina. Telling Marina about his death is selfish. He can't bear the fact that if she will know his vision it'll make her stressful. Marina can't have additional burden. She doesn't even deserve to have a dead boyfriend. As painful as it is, he wanted to set her free. Free from his atrocious prophecy.
"I also want her to be okay," Eight says with an encouraging smile. Marina kisses Ella forehead while Eight teleports to her side of the bed. "Even Ella thinks she is happy to have someone like Marina to look after her."
Marina sniffs. Her tears are about to fall, so Eight places his thumb to wipe them away. "You don't look beautiful when you cry, so don't," he says in a voice that completely melts her heart.
Marina sobs and brings herself towards Eight, who catches her.
"Thank you for being here," she sobs heavily. "I don't know what I am going to do." Then she pulls Eight closer. Her hands wrapping his neck as her tears wet his shirt. Nevertheless, Eight does not mind. Crying is not for the weak. It is also an indication of strength; a sign of accepting the one's weakness.
"Lemniscate," he whispered repeatedly. He didn't want to lie, but he desires to be with Marina infinitely. However, given the vision of his Legacy, Eight will have to leave her early. The saddest part is he does not want to do it.
At first, he grimly understood to accept death as long as he fights for Lorien. Right now, looking at the girl who makes the ruthless world mirthful lets him wish he could stay longer. The cruelest thing that his prophecy has brought him is the guarantee of a broken promise. Eight can't give her more days like the one yesterday.
