It was then that Kai recognized her as Lyssa Ragi. He went over to her and knelt down beside her. Lyssa didn't seem to know he was there. Kai put a hand on her shoulder and squeezed lightly. There was no reaction.
He heard Lyssa take a shuddering breath. Her eyes focused on him. Then she said, "Kai…why?"
The older Kai felt a lump form in his throat. The younger Kai put a hand on Lyssa's cheek. She put her hand there and leant her face into Kai's hand. Her tears touched his skin. He heard her whisper, "Dominic."
The tears flowed. The older Kai knew they did, but his body was too weak still. He couldn't hurry to wipe them away. Kai remembered, he'd killed Dominic, he did. As the dream faded from Kai's mind, he wondered if Lyssa still had any liking for him. He'd caused her so much pain.
Then Kai became conscious of his body. It felt hot and clammy, something Kai had never experienced before. He also felt that all the wounds and cuts had been tended to. By who, Kai wasn't sure.
-
Lyssa turned around to check on Kai and saw the tears come out of his closed eyes. She knew he was never one to cry, even from the pain inflicted on him by her uncle. But from emotional pain, she never knew. Her hand moved to wipe away the tears.
-
Kai felt fingers graze his cheeks. They were wiping the tears away. He didn't want anyone to know he was capable of crying. He struggled to regain consciousness.
This resulted in searing pain behind his eyes. Kai's brow creased and some wounds flared as the muscles tensed. His eyes shot open.
At first, Kai couldn't see anything, even though the lights were off. His eyes adjusted to the dimness and he saw a girl sitting beside his bed. Her back was to him. But Kai thought he recognized her. He reached out an arm and lightly grasped her shoulder. Kai squeezed. There was no reaction.
"Lyssa." Kai whispered, his throat sore and dry.
She turned around, her face covered by one of her hands. When she'd hope to see his eyes again, she couldn't bear it. Had she done the right thing by bringing him in? Lyssa felt so weak, so stupid. She couldn't bear it. Lyssa looked into Kai's eyes.
It was déjà vu. They'd met, for the first time, by eye contact. The similarity was eerie. Only this time, Lyssa's self restraints and composure broke. She put her head down to the bed as she began to cry softly into the blanket.
All the memories came back, to both of them. Kai put his hand over his own eyes. The crying stopped abruptly. Lyssa sat up and turned around. She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand.
"It's good to see you again, Kai."
"It doesn't seem that way." Kai looked at her out of one eye.
Lyssa turned around again. Kai got a good look at her. Lyssa's hair was longer, but the same color. She had scars up and down her pale arms. Lyssa wore black pants and a purple shirt.
"It's just the memories." she said. "They all came back, right when our eyes met. All the memories from when we met until you left the Abbey."
"Same here." Kai muttered. He moved his hand away from his face. "How long have I been here?"
"I brought you here just a few hours ago. You've been asleep."
"Did you tend my wounds?"
Lyssa nodded. She looked at the clock hanging on the wall. It was almost two o'clock in the morning. She hadn't slept a wink. Lyssa sighed.
"I have to get ready. Breakfast is at two." Lyssa got up and looked back at Kai. He reminded her of so much. Kai's eyes closed. Lyssa went to shower and get the students out of bed. She hoped it wouldn't be a long day.
-
Kai heard her leave the room. He opened his eyes and stared at the bottom of the top bunk. He was back at the Abbey, in the place he thought he'd never be again. Kai wondered if he would see Tala and the others. But then, he wasn't so sure if the others wanted to see him. It'd been painful enough with Lyssa.
Then again, it was different with her.
Pain
I can't think.
I feel numb.
Nothing seems right to me.
Open wounds
And broken hearts.
They can't be healed
Without the pain.
The pain of living.
The pain of dying.
It's always there.
So when will I be able
To smile?