Bear slept fitfully that night. When ever she came close to waking, I did my best to calm her mind and eased her back into deep sleep. At dawn, I let her wake. I guided her to the kitchen and gave her more water and crackers, as they are gentlest on the stomach. It passed with out incident, which I was grateful for. Bear's health had improved. I made her sleep through the rest of the day until dusk, when I fed her again. She slept peacefully until early the next morning. Ignoring my pleas, Bear forced herself up and around. She asked if I had remembered everything I had learned from her and the classes. She told me that day and the next would consist of many tests and that she may need my help. I begged and pleaded with her to stay and recover. She replied that if she did not, she would have to redo the entire school year. I sighed and complied. She carried me on her shoulders. This slightly surprised me, because, when we were traveling to or from, I would walk. I soon understood why. In her state, after roughly half the journey she was continuing sheerly on determination. Bear's will impressed me, but I had to end her suffering. I gave her access to my reserve of energy. At first she refused, but I didn't close it. After a while, she stumbled and finally started to draw from me. Just before we arrived, Bear told me that she was going to create a shell of silence around her and asked me to be her ears, so to speak. She asked for me to relay benign messages that were directed to her. She explained that she couldn't afford to be distracted my those who would mean her psychological harm. I understood and prepared myself to give more energy, should the need arise. The day consisted of many hours of siting and answering questions on paper. I helped where Bear's memory failed. After that we walked back to her original house. The next day she had more of her own energy and had to siphon less from me. It was much like the previous. However, Bear was elated as it was her final day. She removed the barrier around her for a gathering of the entire school. Afterwards, everyone was released. The same song that had been sung in the room with metal boxes. It began with the same initiators as it had then. Soon enough, the entire group adopted it. Bear held her tears until we were a block away from the building. She slid me to her back and I was forced to hold tightly as she quickly approached the speed of sound. We reached the stairs of the mansion within minutes. She dropped me off her back and burst through the doors, grabbing the attention of everyone she passed. She ran up the stairs to the black room and propped the door open. Before I could stop her, she broke the barrier around the harp and began to play. She wasn't controlling the power. 'This is bad.' Bear's song was accompanied by unseen instruments. This could end very badly.
(POV Change)
I opened my eyes again, this time not to darkness, but a thick blue mist. I sat up and looked around. I was at the base of an ancient, leafless oak in a seemingly equally ancient forest. Everything had a blue hue to it. I heard what sounded like a music box. I stood and tried to find the source. I was lead to an apparition on a young girl, similar to Shíjiān, but not her. She was roughly the same, with short auburn hair and no blindfold. She looked at me and turned from me, beginning to sing something that eerily reminded me of the song I just played. I followed as she sang:
Six feet of dirt above and below. The sprites used to always knock at my front door. Upon their circles green, 'Round and 'round we spun. Clapping hands and stomping feet,
I want to move, but there's nowhere to go.
This is the time the wisps come out to play,
but here in solitude I have to stay.
Until my father forbade to speak more.
That night them I followed to their glade.
Such beautiful music with which they bade.
they danced before their queen.
Before her throne of blue,
I wanted to dance too.
It was lots of fun.
Clapping hands and stomping feet
and locking arms with all I meet.
all to their relentless beat.
Upon the hill dawn did glow. From the glade I chose to roam. Six feet of dirt above and below.
I was told I had to go.
Due to all the fun I had
to leave, to go was truly sad.
I did not want to go home.
On the way I met a snake.
I was the soul he wished to take,
I was the soul he wished to take.
I want to move, but there's nowhere to go.
This is the time the wisps come out to play,
but here in solitude I have to stay.
The sprites used to always knock at my front door. Such beautiful music to my death they bade.
Until my father forbade to speak more.
That night them I followed to their glade.
Such beautiful music with which they bade.
We were now at the edge of a lake. She turned and gave me a knowing grin and faced the water, walking into it. I hesitantly followed. The water felt like only mist. The girl stopped at the bottom of the lake and sat. She patted the stone next to her. I sat and she whispered, 'Breath...' I closed my eyes and did. Mist... Darkness... Silence...