Flashing lights, crackling sounds, and an intense head shove Qrow back into the world of the awake. He tried to stand, to regain his balance, only to fall again. I'm pretty sure I'm not drunk this time. After three or so attempts, Qrow finds his footing, grabbing Harbringer as well. His crimson eyes scanned the room, and one thing struck him the hardest. The room was damn near sideways. One thought struck his mind almost instantly. The General! James would never let this happen. Not unless something happened to him first. Before Qrow could even move a muscle towards James' office, a voice called out.
"H..help! Please!" The voice coughed out. It belonged to the soldier who brought Qrow here, and the one who trusted him enough to let him out of his bindings and be given his weapon. Qrow turned his head towards the voice, only to instantly regret it. A metal rod severed the man's leg. Qrow could feel the vomit rising in his chest, it looked horrid, and he couldn't shake the feeling that somehow, someway, this was his fault. It was always his fault.
"Just... just hold still and... shit... talk to me. What's your name?" Qrow voice shook with every word as he searched for something, anything, that could help him save this man's life.
"Cer...Cerulean Mist,"
"Cool name. I like blue. Blue's m' favorite color,"
"Am I... Am I going to make it home?" Cerulean croaked out, taking his helmet off, revealing a young man, in no way older than 17, with eyes so blue they rivaled the sky itself. Qrow bit his lip, his eyes landing on the fire in the nearby room. He didn't want to do that. Cauterizing it would destroy the nerves in the leg. If he ever wanted a prosthetic, they would need to cut even more of his leg off. Yet, there was nothing else to do. Qrow couldn't just let this kid die.
"Yeah. Yeah I'm gonna get you home kid," Qrow responded, tearing yet another part of his cloak, wrapping around a small metal poll, and lights it ablaze. Qrow's expression softened when he turned to see Cerulean wide eyed and terrified, "I know kid. It's gonna hurt, but you're strong. I can tell," he slowly walked over to the injuried kid, letting him grab his arm as Qrow used the fire to cauterize the wound. Cerulean bit his lip, tears flowing down his pale cheeks as he desperately grabbed Qrow's arm in an attempt to stop himself from screaming. As soon as Qrow was done, Cerulean finally gave in, knowing he was safe, and passed out. Qrow took a deep breath as he set the poor kid into a lying position.
You did this to him. You're nothing but bad luck to everyone who sees you.
Qrow was pulled out his thoughts as his scroll began buzzing. He pulled it out, answering without even looking at the number.
"Uncle Qrow! Bzzt ...Atlas!.. Bzzt ...Salem... Bzzt ...into the mountain!.. Bzzt ...stay where you are!" The voice of Ruby mixed into the static before Qrow finally lost signal. But that didn't concern Qrow as much as what the young girl said. Salem was here. He felt his blood run could as his body started running to James' office. That's what happened to him. Salem happened to him. Thoughts once again filled Qrow's head.
She killed him. She definitely killed him. She killed him and you'll never stand a chance to win.
Qrow picked up his pace. Jimmy wouldn't die, not to her. He wouldn't... would he? Qrow shook his head as he neared the office. He would open that door and James would be there. He would be alive. He would be fine. Right? Qrow once again picked up his pace, slamming James' office door open, only to wish he hadn't.