How were the previous parts? So far you're still with me? That's good.. because this is going to be a long ride! Com on in pple!
The Daybreak Hospital was busy. Injured Daybreakers were wheeled to different departments, some of them so badly injured they were unconscious. Packets of blood were so highly demanded that the supply ran low. Witches with healing abilities busied themselves over internal injuries, while those daybreakers who were certified doctors worked on open wounds. Casualty after casualty was brought in, giving the medics no time to rest at all.
Jodie sat outside the operating theatre, a cup of coffee that was once warm in her hands. Russell was inside, so badly injured that she did not know what were his chances. She put down the cup of coffee and hugged herself. The doctor had come out once, but he did not say much, except that his injury was bad.
They were quarrelling in the balcony outside the ballroom. She had said hurtful things to Russell, and she knew that he was really angry with her. She blamed herself for being so insensitive, often asking for Russell to be with her when he was tied down by so many tasks. Don't let anything happen to Russell, please, she prayed. The blast took everyone by surprise. In a moment, she found herself on the ground with Russell on top of her. He had shielded her from the debris of the blast, and ended up with a wooden bar lodged in his stomach.
If the doctors are unable to remove the wood in time… she stopped herself. Nothing will happen to Russell. Instantly, she regretted hurting Russell. She knew he loved her, yet she kept asking for more. His self-sacrificing act was more than just a proof to show that he loved and treasured her more than his own life.
"Jodie," Jade had come up beside her, her eyes swollen from crying and she looked tired. Jodie was glad for the company. "Was it Blood Iris?" she asked Jade, hoping that she had some answer. Jade nodded, then she started crying again. "It's all my fault! I had to be the source, I had to bring all these trouble for all of you." She said remorsefully. Jodie hugged the petite girl , realising that things had not been easy for her either.
"Kyle killed Clio in order to save me. And then Nathaniel hit him with a bolt of dark energy." She continued. Jodie was stunned by the way things had turned out. "How's Kyle now?" she asked, concern in her voice. Jade wiped away her tears, "He's alright now. Skye reached shortly after Kyle was stuck down, and healed him. But Kyle would not look at anyone or speak to anybody after that. I felt like… I felt like I had caused him to kill Clio…" she sobbed.
"Oh, Jade…" Jodie comforted her. The doors to the operating theatre opened and both girls jumped up. Jodie was about to ask the doctor about Russell's condition, then she saw the smile on his face.
"He's out of danger."
* * * * * *
Nathaniel shoved the things off his table and laid Clio on it. Her hands are so cold, he thought. "Mervyn!" He screamed for the damn witch. In a flash, the witch materialized beside him. "Heal her! Heal her!" Nathaniel yelled. Mervyn shook his head. "Her injury is fatal." He said meekly. "No! You will save her. Come on! Or I'll kill you!" Nathaniel would hear none of Mervyn's words.
"Uncle Nat," Nathaniel leaned close to Clio. Clio lifted her hand and wiped away Nathaniel's tears, but that only made him cry harder. He strained to hear Clio as she struggled to speak, "Don't… Don't cry. I brought… this upon myself."
Then he heard her call him for the last time.
"NO!!!" He bellowed. He punched the ground in anger and then hugged Clio's lifeless body tightly to his chest. He swore to avenge her death.
* * * * * *
The ruined ballroom was cleared up and renovated, but unlike the walls, broken hearts of the daybreakers could not be mended. It had been one week after the attack, and the daybreakers had gathered in the very same room to mourn for the lost of those killed. The coffins of the deceased lay in front of the stage, each behind his respective photos. Grief hung in the air like a dark cloud and the atmosphere was solemn. Most people had chose to wear white – a color that signifies loving remembrance for the dead. Soft cries filled the room as those alive remembered their love ones.
Jade saw Kyle sitting at the last row of the seats, Russell beside him. He stared ahead and did not appear to be talking to Russell. He felt Jade's eyes on him and when their eyes met, he turned away and continued staring ahead forlornly. Jade would never forget the look of remorse and guilt in the pair of black eyes. Russell had followed Kyle's gaze and pointed her to where her mother and Jasper were seated. It was clear that Kyle did not want any company.
"We gather today," Dermot began to speak. "To mourn for the lost of the brave souls who died. Nobody had expected that fateful day to turn out this way." He removed the gold-rimmed glasses and wiped his eyes. The room was silent except for the sound of sniffing. Replacing the glasses, he spoke, strength in his voice, "But we shall not let them die in vain. We shall avenge their deaths and not let Blood Iris get the source. The Council reminds all of you here, that it is your duty to protect the source. If she falls into the hands of Blood Iris, it will be over for all of us."
Jade instantly felt herself under the stares of the daybreakers. She shifted her weight in the seat uncomfortably. Paula reached over and laid a hand over hers. She turned to look at Kyle, and then realized that he was no longer in his seat. Russell caught her eyes and shrugged, then he leaned over to Jodie and whispered something in her ears before leaving his seat too.
When the memorial service was over, Jade found Kyle and Russell beside the fountain. Russell stood up as Jade walked over, then he left the couple alone.
Jade did not know how to start the conversation. She debated within herself over what to say. Before she could catch herself, the words came out. "I'm sorry." She watched Kyle, but he continued to stare at the fallen leaves on the ground. The water from the fountain formed a small rainbow behind them as the sunlight shone on it. The sight would have looked beautiful. Actually it did, but the beauty had a little sadness in it.
"I'm sorry." She said again, this time softer. The words did not ease the pain in anyone's heart. The damage done had been far too severe. It was a long while before Kyle lifted his head, but he did not look at Jade as he spoke, "I was doing my duty. You have nothing to be sorry about."
Jade tried to catch his eyes. "It was my fault. I –"
"It wasn't. Nobody wished that you are the source." He cut in curtly.
"Then why aren't you looking at me? Why are you avoiding me like a plague?" Jade asked, unable to control herself.
Still, Kyle did not look at her. His eyes moved as if they were searching for answers in the space in front of him, but they simply refused to look at Jade.
"We are supposed
to be soulmates." Jade said. Kyle closed his eyes at the last word, as if it
was a taboo to say it. Jade did not understand him – it was their fates, and
they had no choicer in it. Yet why was Kyle still unable to open his heart and
accept it all?
Kyle finally opened his eyes, but
they strayed back to the ground. "No. It won't work out. Clio was right. There
is no future for us." His weary voice signaled his resignation.
"But we can try. Skye did not object, did he? If he didn't, then the council surely didn't either!" Jade said hopefully.
When Kyle did
look at Jade in the eye, she wished instead that he had not. The coldness in
his black eyes and his paleness made him seemed as if he was carved out of ice.
What he said chilled her heart thoroughly even in the warm afternoon.
"But I wished we weren't
soulmates."
* * * * * *
Aww… evil evil Kyle. Hate him if you must… Stay tuned to see what happens in the next parts of the story, guaranteed to be extremely captivating.
The fun has just begin… *diabolical laughter*..
