Copyright Disclaimer: I do NOT own The Village. The Village belongs to M. Night Shyamalen!
Chapter Rating: PG
Warnings: Ivy loses her sight in this chapter. I know nothing about the condition of blindness and what I wrote may be inaccurate. I do NOT mean to offended anyone!
Chapter Two: Loss and Gain
"Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye"
--H Jackson Brown Jr.
He did see her again. Almost every day. Ivy frequently would say they were practically inseparable. Lucius blushed greatly at that statement. The more she said such things, the more often he'd have to look away from her. He did not like to do so, but then again if he looked at her too long, he would receive a smirk from Ivy, who would then say,
"Is there something wrong with my face Lucius?" To which he would not reply and instead attempt to distract her with something else or simply change the subject.
During break at the school house, Ivy would always challenge him to a footrace. Despite her protests, Lucius had an awful habit of letting her win. It was all just to see her face light up when she did. After a while though she got annoyed and begged him to put in his best efforts, to which he agreed, because he couldn't imagine denying he of anything. He began to win more often, occasionally letting her win from time to time. Although as he watched her run, sometimes a pained expression would pass through her eyes, her brows would crease in exertion. He would sometimes question her on this, holding her hand tight and trying to assist her in any way he could. She would always laugh him off and deny any bad feelings.
Since then Lucius kept attentive eye on her, he could see something was wrong, but no matter what he said and did, Ivy would laugh and say,
"Your worries are sweet but not needed. Though if you enjoy worrying about me so much I guess that would make you my protecter."
Once she said that Lucius blushed and did not push her further. Although he never kept his eyes off her and made a point to continue that of Ivy's winning streak.
Ivy would always congratulate him after one of his victories. Although she had a tendency to try to get him to dance about whenever he was declared the victor. He would always refuse, saying such antics were unethical.
"But I dance all the time!" Ivy objected. She then mockingly gasped, putting her hand to her chest, as if she were offended, then whispered,
"Are you a bad dancer?"
Lucius felt his cheeks flush. He knew how much Ivy loved dancing. She would twirl and spin and...sing. It did not happen often, but sometimes when she was in the middle of her claim of victory, she would not only dance but also...sing. Her voice was soft, gentle and angelic. Once Ivy caught Lucius gaping at her while she sung, she couldn't help but feel sheepish. She stopped mid verse. Lucius had noticed this as time had passed, but said nothing. Perhaps Ivy felt the same way about singing that he did about dancing. He enjoyed dancing, but doing so in front of others made him feel...self conscious. For some reason he did not want to risk embarrassing himself in front of Ivy, which resulted in another emotion he could not figure when being in her presence. Ivy smiled up at him, from where she sat upon Resting Rock.
"One day you'll dance with me Lucius Hunt. One day."
Lucius awoke just as he did every day, though unknowingly to himself, today was unlike any other ordinary day. He went to the school house, sitting in the middle row. Vertically directly in front of him, in the front row was supposed to be sitting Ivy Walker. To Lucius's surprise and dismay her seat was empty. Perhaps she moved to another area. Lucius, with a perplexed expression looked around the room. All the other kids were in their regular assigned seats, but Ivy she was not in her's. She was no where in sight. Lucius felt his heart fall by this news, maybe she was sick--a cold perhaps or maybe she had to stay home for a more personal reason. Lucius assumed as such, until he saw Elder August Nicholson enter the room. He said Mr. Walker or rather Ivy's father had business to attend to at home. Lucius felt his heart lurch.
Something was most certainly wrong. Lucius's notion on such a thing intensified when he saw that Ivy's older sister Kitty was not in attendance either. He took a deep breath. Lucius wasn't one to fret easily. He decided not to focus on what could have or could not have happened to Ivy, and rather focus on what needed to be done. Perhaps after all classes were dismissed he would go over to the Walker's home, knock on their door and ask them directly about their absences. No. He felt as if that was a boundary he was not yet ready to cross. The thought of how he would approach mister or misses Walker or even Ivy herself with such concern made his stomach churn. Perhaps his worry was for nothing. Perhaps Ivy had planned to be gone for the day. Lucius pondered that scenario for a brief moment, but then tried to form a new one, because he knew if that were to be true, Ivy would have told him the day prior.
Lucius thought of letting this go, Ivy surely had to be fine...He bit his lip in frustration, as he tried to focus on the alternative lesson Mr. Nicholson was teaching. He knew that wasn't true. He knew he had to do something. He felt his hands shake and fumble about and his eyes shift from Mr. Nicholson to Ivy's empty desk. If he fixated on it hard enough, he could almost imagine her--sitting there, just as she always had. He had grown accustomed to her image, not seeing it seemed foreign.
If something were truly to be wrong with Ivy...he knew, judging by his current reactions when it came to her, he would feel pain just as much as she. Whatever was troubling her would trouble him as well, because he missed her. Lucius gasped aloud at the concept. He missed her. He missed her smile, her voice, her eyes, her face...
Lucius felt his face become hot just by thinking about her. He felt his heart warm in a way he did not fully recognize nor comprehend.
The current swirl of emotions that were coursing through him reminded him of the omnipresent feelings that made themselves constantly known whenever he was in her presence. A warm feeling. A good one, though sometimes that feeling could turn to a form of nervousness. In short, Lucius tried to be the best version of himself when he was with her. He did not know why he felt the need to act in such a way, but nonetheless he did. Although due to his shyness, his ability to speak with her properly was greatly affected.
As class began, Lucius knew he had come to a decision on what he needed to do. He would find her, make sure she and her family were well. He attempted calculating how much longer the day was. He thought of Ivy, imagining that beaming smile he had seen the first day they met.
Lucius Hunt may not fully understand what it is he feels for Ivy Walker but he did know one thing, he cared for her, so much that for the whole day she was the only thing on his mind.
The pain wouldn't stop. The darkness would never fade. No matter what they did, the pain increased. Ivy Walker was currently inside the medical building, her father and mother at her side. Ivy, though young knew this was a longtime coming. The headaches, the dizziness had been getting worse as the days had passed.
In her footraces with Lucius, she had noticed as she would become uneasy while running. She would slow down, lose her balance, often. Her unnatural movements eventually became...normal.
She thought of how Lucius would slow at her speed, making it so that she would succeed. He always made her smile, the result being she'd forget about all her troubles. But now those troubles had come back to haunt her. She could only see, visions--outlines. Outlines of those she knew. Her mother, her father, Kitty...Lucius. Lucius. Ivy had not told him anything about her current state or how she had been feeling. He was probably at school now. She wondered if he was in question of her whereabouts. Despite her eyes not seeming to function correctly, she tried her very best to imagine him, to see him. His eyes. His deep blue ocean eyes. She thought of his pale skin, that turned bright pink to that of deep dark scarlet so quickly if she said something that surprised him. She wished he was here. If he was, she knew would hold her hand, just as he did whenever she succumbed to trouble.
"Papa" Ivy murmured, she slowly turned to face him, her head clouding as she did. He took her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
"Yes sweetheart" he said, his voice seemingly on the verge of crumbling. From what Ivy could see of him, he wore a grave expression. He looked to be disturbed by something.
"Do you think classes have ended by now?" Ivy asked, shifting to try to get her head to clear.
"Don't worry about school Ivy. What is most important is that you become...better"
Ivy shook her head, as she tried to decide if she wanted more or less blankets, covering her small form. Small hints of air were coming through the slightly open window, that was behind her. As she became more comfortable, in her movements she struggled with her words.
"Lucius...I need to see...him"
"Shh Shh" her father murmured, resting his hand onto her forehead.
Ivy's vision was quite pixilated and it only seemed to grow worse, now being fogged by her tears
The school bell hadn't even rung it's first note, before Lucius Hunt was out the door and racing towards the Walker's house.
He didn't know what he would say or do once he arrived, but he needed to make sure Ivy was alright.
He stood there, took a few deep breaths. He gingerly knocked on their door, but then rapidly. His mother always said to keep eye contact with those you are speaking with, but Lucius couldn't help but look down, as the door opened, a squeak in its wake.
"Sorry my father isn't--oh hello Lucius" Kitty Walker said. She had her front door half open, but once she saw Lucius she flew it open to revel herself. Lucius sighed,
"Is uh...Ivy here?" He asked, trying to to keep his voice steady and calm, but slightly brisk was all he could muster. He had a habit of stuttering, one he didn't think would ever go away, no matter who he spoke with. His mind was racing, as was his heart, but nervousness was not the best approach. He looked up slowly, only to see Kitty's eyes were misty and puffy.
"Lucius...Ivy is...she's sick"
Lucius could tell by how Kitty spoke that the term "sick" was not being used lightly. He felt his stomach flip, and his blood turn to ice. His horror to her words grew, once she burst into tears,
"She's been ill for a while now. S-She's been getting dizzy and her head aches constantly a-and--" she paused to let out a cry. Lucius wanted to comfort her, but he couldn't contain the anger inside him. A while. It made sense. How she would slow down at random points throughout their runs. She would always say she was fine. Lucius mentally cursed. He should have done better--kept a better eye on her. He should have furthered questioned her on her well-being.
"Mama and Papa are with her now. Elder Victor says he doesn't have access to..." Kitty paused, leaving Lucius on the verge of turmoil.
"What?" Lucius demanded, his voice a harsh whisper. His harshness was not intentional, though his nervousness for Ivy was all that consumed him. Any inkling of hope left in him was being squashed the more seconds that passed of Kitty's silence.
"Medicines" she finally murmured.
Medicines. Of course. Lucius thought.
"The medicines that Ivy needs are only located in the towns"
The towns...
Lucius felt his heart lurch. The towns were forbidden. The towns were always something he was curious about, ever since he was small. Whenever he mentioned his peculiar interests his mother would tell him to hush. It was commonly said that "you must not go to the towns or 'those we don't speak of' will find you." The creatures were the people of Covington's enemies. Although Mr. Walker said they had a truce, Lucius wasn't sure he fully had trust in that.
Ivy needed medicines and though forbidden she needed them.
He would go to the towns for her, if it came to that. In that moment Lucius knew he would never again let Ivy Walker out of his sight.
Lucius was approaching the medical building, when he saw Mr. Walker. He sat on the rocking chair that slowly rocked back and forth on the porch. Lucius could see from the few yards that he stood from him, that his face was red and his eyes were watery with tears. Lucius felt the breath in his lungs catch.
He slowly made his way towards him, giving him a small nod, as he approached the door, his hand lifting to knock.
"Lucius" Lucius jumped with a start, swiftly turning to face the elder.
"You noticed her absence today?" He murmured. Lucius took a tentative step forward, facing the back of the rocking chair, facing the back of Mr. Walker.
"Yes sir" Lucius replied.
"She has been asking for you"
Lucius felt his face burn and his heart warm. She had been asking for him--requesting his presence.
"May I-I see her sir?" Lucius murmured, his hand instinctively reaching out for the door handle.
"If you wish. She is quite exhausted Lucius please be wary of that."
"Of course sir" Lucius said, his eyes lingering on the elder, who he had never seen loon so distraught and defeated. He may be young but Lucius knew what sorrow was, this had to be it.
He slowly opened the door. The room had no scent, the air was thick and the room was dark, except for that of the open window curtain letting the light from the outdoors graze the insides of the tiny room. Lucius took a few steps forward. There was a bed, in which patients would lay to recover from whatever sicknesses were upon them, but inside that bed now was a lump. A lump of blankets and then...Ivy's small form. Lucius gasped. She was so pale, she had sweat dripping from her forehead, her lips were slightly parted, as small shallow breaths left her lungs. Her eyes were open, though her gaze wasn't on him. Her eyes were focused on the ceiling. If he looked closely enough, Lucius could see small little tears run down her cheeks. Each one of her tears pierced at his heart. He knew instantly that, that was something he loathed. Ivy crying if not for joyous tears should not ever be. He gingerly lifted his hand so that he may take her own and whispered her name.
Her hand was cold and clammy, but nonetheless molded with his. Her eyes averted downward onto his face. He gave her hand a squeeze, perhaps to give her reassurance of his presence.
"Lucius" she whispered, her voice broken and hoarse.
"I'm here Ivy" he replied back to her, slowly bending down so that he could sit at her bedside. With those words spoken aloud, Lucius could feel the tension in Ivy release and reform itself into contentment. He felt a light smile waver across his face. His touch had comforted her--had calmed her.
Lucius noticed a small table to his left. On it sat a bowl, which appeared to hold chicken broth. The bowl was full, it didn't even looked to be touched. Next to it sat a tall glass of water, which at least appeared to have a few sips taken out of it. Ivy hadn't been eating nor barely drinking for that matter.
"Here Ivy, drink this" Lucius said. He took the water glass and pushed the tip up close to her lips. With the hand holding her's, he pulled her upward so that she could swallow properly. The second the water made contact with her mouth she began to cough. Lucius gasped, panicked and taken aback.
"Ivy-" he cried, his hands instantly moving to her back. Hit the back open the airstream.
"Mouth--and--throat--are dry" Ivy said, coughing in between her words, now attempting to clear her throat. Lucius felt his face crease up in concern.
"Ivy are you alright?" Lucius murmured. Ivy did not respond, instead lifted her hands to hold the glass as she drank.
"Sorry" Ivy whispered, as she gulped down the water. Once her thirst was quenched she handed the glass back to Lucius, though he couldn't help notice her delay. Her hands moved in a disorderly motion. The water in the cup swished around as her hands shook, searching for his grasp. He took the cup from her and set it back down on the side table.
"Have you eaten?" He asked her. Ivy responded with a mumbled reply. Her eyes hurt, in a way that she could not think of to describe. She was at a loss. Lucius. His form was becoming that of a silhouette to her, perhaps even less than that.
Lucius did not understand Ivy's words. He felt his breath hitch, his worry for Ivy was becoming prevalent.
"Lucius...Lucius..." Lucius heard his name fall from her lips, her voice was jumbled and small.
"Shh Ivy you are alright" Lucius said, in a calming tone. His voice was very soothing for Ivy, almost like a melody. She felt her fear subside but tension still remained inside her. Lucius stood to look around. He needed to find something for her to eat. Crackers perhaps, maybe fruits.
He could hear Ivy mumbling softly, again something he couldn't understand, though he knew his name was part of it. Lucius looked up to see her, her eyes were beginning to close. They fluttered back and forth, fighting to stay open, then finally gave out.
Good. She needs rest.
Lucius rummaged through a couple bins and cupboards. All of them seemed to contain nothing but medical supplies and other trinkets. Lucius made sure that he kept everything he touched in order and returned it back to it's rightful place, once he was done examining it. He was bent down on his knees pushing back in a cupboard that also contained no food options.
"Lucius"
Lucius turned his head swiftly in the sound of his name. Ivy was awake again. It had only been ten or fifteen minutes, yet here she was awake.
"Lucius where...where are you?"
Lucius stood. He could see Ivy's face. She was weeping. Her eyes were open once again and though now he stood in front of her, it was as if she was looking right through him.
Like looking through a looking glass.
"Ivy?" Lucius murmured, his voice sounding in a question. He was confused. Ivy was crying...again. He felt at a loss, for any way to comfort her.
"I...I can't...see you"
What? Lucius couldn't process that one simple phrase. He moved to her in an instant. He gripped her hand and held it tight.
"Ivy I--I'm right...right here" he was about to saying something else, in hopes of comforting her, but couldn't due to the fact that Ivy burst into sobs. She was practically screaming. Lucius felt his heart rate increase as a familiar sense of panic coursed through him.
"Ivy-"
In that moment the front door flew open. Edward Walker and Victor entered the room.
"Ivy!" Edward ran to his daughter hurriedly.
"What has happened?" Victor asked, rushing in behind Edward. Ivy continued to cry. She did not know what was happening, all she knew was that all there was in the world right now was darkness. One moment Lucius was with her, the next he was gone. But now her father was here, along with the medic. Due to all the commotion Lucius was pushed aside, not intentionally of course, but that resulted in him losing his hold on Ivy's hand. Now he stood only a few paces away from her, yet no one seemed to acknowledge his existence or perhaps they just didn't care.
"Ivy what is wrong? Are you feeling any pain?" Victor asked. His voice was surprisingly calm.
"I-I-I-" Ivy let out another pained cry. Lucius felt his body instinctively move forward. The floor creaked underneath his footing. With that, all eyes turned to him.
"Go home Lucius! Now!"
Lucius was taken aback. He had never heard Mr. Walker speak so harshly, but he understood--he was trying to protect his daughter.
Father's are meant to protect their children.
Edward Walker was a good father. He was the father, Lucius always dreamed of having.
The thought of leaving through, he couldn't do that. No. He wouldn't. Lucius wasn't one to disobey an adult, let alone an elder, but Ivy was...she was hurting. He couldn't leave her when she was like this.
In fact, he wouldn't leave her side ever again.
Lucius took a deep, slow breath, trying to gain as much confidence as he could muster.
"No sir. I can't do that."
Before Mr. Walker cold respond, Victor turned to him, a look of mere distress in his eyes,
"I think I've figured out what has happened. I'll have to take a few more thorough examinations but..." he paused looking from Lucius to Ivy.
"Let's further discuss this outside" Victor murmured, his voice turning into that soft tone that adults get when they try to have private conversations. Mr. Walker took one last worrying look toward his sobbing daughter, he turned and followed Victor out the exit. Lucius's gaze followed the two men as they went out on the front porch. Mr. Walker sat in the creaky rocking chair, awaiting the unfortunate and life altering news on his youngest daughter.
Ivy's sobs had grown into soft whimpers and mumbles.
"Lucius" Ivy sniffed. Lucius's full attention was fully on her. He ran to her. He took his place at her bedside. He left a comfortable amount of space between the two of them--any closer and he knew he'd be a flustered mess, for reasons his brain still couldn't seem to process. Ivy could feel Lucius, she felt the warmth of his body heat and though that was some reassurance to her current state, her mind and perhaps all of her was going completely haywire.
"I can't see you! I can't see you!" she cried over and over. Lucius's hand went to her shoulder, to hopefully stop her worrisome shaking and shuddering.
"Shh Ivy. Shh Shh." Lucius murmured softly into her ear. His voice, so soft, so delicate and meaningful. Despite this, Ivy couldn't stop her shaking, she had never felt a fear as intense as what she was she was feeling now.
"It's dark...Lucius I-I" Ivy's breath was heavy and uneven. Lucius tightened his grip on her shoulder, normally he would feel extremely uncomfortable touching her like this. Being so close to her, his hands so firm, while holding her. But this wasn't about him and his feelings, this was about Ivy and what she needed.
Ivy felt her breath catch as Lucius whispered sweet, comforting words in her ear.
"I'm here Ivy. I've got you. Don't fret, no, no more."
Ivy had words on the tip of her tongue. She wanted to tell him how grateful she was for his presence and that he made her feel so happy. He brightened her even while she was stuck in the dark. He had a sense of color to him...
Her lips seemed incapable of moving, so instead she moved her hand, desperately trying to find Lucius's hand. Lucius felt himself suck in a breath, as Ivy's hands roamed inches away from his body. He gingerly took her hand again, the second their hands linked, Ivy squeezed as of her life depended on it. Lucius let out a whisper of a chuckle.
"Stay with me" Ivy whispered, pleadingly. Lucius's small chuckle suddenly washed away as fast as it had came. He had no intention of leaving. He would be with her, stay by her side for as long as he could--despite the feelings in him such actions may cause. He often wondered if Ivy experienced the same foreign feelings he did, when they were together?
She did.
Ivy adored Lucius, in a way she did not adore anyone else. For example, she adored her father and the time they spent together, but when she was with Lucius that adoring feelings seemed to severely intensify. Also it presented a different tinge to it. Ivy felt her heart feel warm, when Lucius was with her. She felt her stomach flutter and her lips curl up into a smile. Especially now, he was her safe haven. He was comforting her and holding her. Lucius ran his thumb over her knuckles, in a claiming manner, his other arm moved forward to pull the blankets further up over her body. Ivy reveled in the warmth.
They lay there, for quite some time. They could hear the sound of the grownups muffled voices from outside. Both Ivy and Lucius could hear the sound of Mr. Walker's sobs, once he heard that his daughter would never again be able to see.
"Oh, no papa" Ivy whimpered out. Lucius squeezed her hand once again. They could hear tear-filled yelling coming from the two elders--most prominently Edward Walker. Ivy felt tears succumb to her eyes. Her father had been so worried, yet he always had hope and now that hope was for nothing. Ivy turned to face Lucius, who had a look of sympathy in his eyes.
"What will be of me now Lucius?" Ivy murmured, her voice was tearful, yet at the same time expressionless--monotone. Lucius, surprised did not know how to answer her. Did she not think she'd still be the same person? Her life would be different, yes, but nonetheless she'd still be the same Ivy...
"You are Ivy Walker. You may no longer be able to see, but I will be with you. I will guide you. You won't ever have to be alone." Lucius said his words slowly, for taking in a long string of words was unusual for him. But that did not mean the words were any less of the truth. He would be by her side. He would help guide her and whatever else it was that she needed assistance with.
He would be there.
"Thank you Lucius" Ivy whispered.
Lucius's response to that was to simply hold her tighter and perhaps move himself a little bit closer.
Ivy noticed his moments and his firm grip, yet also how gentle his hold was.
With that she finally could understand what the feelings inside her truly are.
Author's Note: This took me a lot longer to write then I originally anticipated. Nonetheless I had a lot of fun. Please comment, share, and support this story. It will be updated!
