Chapter Two: Acedia
Footsteps. Aria could hear them plopping against the floor rhythmically, and she stilled her breath. The footsteps grew louder, closer. She murmured something, and opened then closed her mouth slowly, grimacing as she noticed the disgusting taste and dryness of it. She paused as suddenly her wits returned to her, she was in a bed, and she had been sleeping.
She heard distorted, muffled voices coming from down the hallway, and she strained to hear them, although it was to no avail. The words were too garbled.
Carefully, she cracked her eye open, glancing around her surroundings. She froze. This was not her room; she did not know where she was. There were orange Christmas lights, and colorless posters donned the walls. Aria gripped the sheet, realizing it was some type of day glow green in color, not the blue ones with clouds that she had on her own bed. She sat up abruptly, and then noticed that what she was wearing was not her own clothing either. Some gray flannel pants and a holey, old shirt. Where was she?
And then the events of the night prior hit her. The fight, she recalled, panic and nausea filling her at the same time as she remembered the other Daughters and their injuries. She blanched when she pictured Riley and all of the blood…
It was then that the door to the bedroom slowly creaked open, and she tensed in fear, expecting the worst. Yet the first thing Aria noticed was the golden, tousled, mop of hair that peered in. She exhaled in relief.
"Tessa." She whispered, grimacing as she noted the coarse sound of her voice.
"We were wondering if you were going to wake up," Tessa said quietly, easing into the room. Her hair was mussed, her clothes unclean and wrinkled.
"We?" Aria questioned, confused.
"Me and Jimena." Tessa muttered, opening the door fully, "Jacobson brought us to her place instead of the hospital," She gestured to the room, "We thought you'd sleep better in Riley's bed."
Aria shuddered. Riley's bed. It suddenly felt as if Tessa were talking about a ghost, and that Aria had been sleeping in some twisted form of a coffin. Realization slowly dawned upon her, "Why didn't Riley sleep in her own bed? After last night…" She trailed off, not willing to revisit those memories twice in one morning.
Tessa shifted awkwardly between her feet, "Riley and Imy…"
Aria felt raw terror come upon her, "Are they-?" She let her question hang in the air, afraid to ask it fully and hear the honest answer.
Tessa shook her head immediately, "No, they're not…" She couldn't seem to finish the unsaid statement either, "But they came close. Too close." She exhaled, and Aria noticed the slight tremor in her breathing, "Jimena's been on the phone with the hospital for at least an hour now, trying to check up on their conditions."
"How, how bad is it?" Aria asked with fear.
"I don't know." Tessa answered honestly, "They won't let anyone but family see them yet. Jimena's working on clearing a visit. But we…" She trailed off and looked at Aria straight in the eyes, "We wanted to wait for you to wake up."
It suddenly seemed as if a ball of tacks had found their way to Aria's throat, "You want me to…to heal-"
"No." Tessa stated, but the look in her eyes implied the opposite, "Jimena thought that maybe the four of us together would somehow help their recovery." Her tone gave away her rather nihilistic attitude towards Jimena's theory.
Aria nodded numbly, "Last night was-"
Tessa held up her hand, effectively cutting her off, "There's no need to say it. We did our best, we were just…outmatched," The way she admitted it seemed painful. "Outmatched and unprepared." Her blue eyes darkened, "But that bastard got what he deserved." She hissed, "Followers are scum, all of them. If it were up to me, there'd be no more of this ridiculous non-violent approach to stopping them, they'd be wiped out. All of them."
Aria stared at her in shock as the words came. The idea of turning cruel or malicious was the one principle the Daughters of the Moon solely rejected. To become like the Atrox in that respect was the cardinal thing they were supposed to avoid. Yet, the way Tessa was talking, full of anger, and full of hatred implied that she would readily use the Followers' tactics against them without any regret.
"I'm sorry," Tessa blurted out, causing Aria to let out the breath she had been holding, "It's just…when I saw Riley," She shuddered, "It just made me mad, you know? I hate being weak, I hate being out of control." Tessa sent her a meaningful look, "Last night, I was both. And now Imy and Riley are in the hospital." Her fist clenched, "I let my anger get the better of me sometimes." She relented.
"It's…" Aria started, but then trailed off, not knowing if she had the authority to absolve Tessa. She herself let her fear or pride control her, last night she had been too afraid to help Riley, if not for Tessa's prodding, she probably wouldn't have. "We both need to work on some things." She whispered instead.
Tessa looked as if she was about to say something, but the door opened.
Jimena stood before both of the girls, a phone clenched in her hand. She looked a wreck. Her light blue bathrobe was starting to fall off of her shoulders, her black hair was tangled, and her eyes were baggy underneath her glasses. It was quite obvious to Aria that Jimena hadn't had a good night's sleep in a while.
"I just got off the phone with the hospital," Jimena started, leaning against the doorframe. Her voice was hoarse, "They're going to let us see Riley and Imy at about noon." She paused, seeming to scrutinize Aria, "Do you feel alright?" She asked, gently enough, but there was an undertone to her statement that implied she needed to be taken seriously.
Aria hesitated, and then sighed, "As well as can be expected."
"Hmph." Was all she said, no tone of emotion attached, Jimena's eyes trailed to Tessa, "And you?"
Tessa gave a noncommittal grunt, leaning her head back against the wall and breathing deeply.
Jimena pinched the bridge of her nose and let out a languish breath, "Why don't you two go out and grab yourself some breakfast?" She asked with concern, "You've got to be hungry."
"I don't think-" Tessa started, but Aria cut her off.
"Ok," She agreed softly, desperate to get out of this room, and away from the atmosphere of crushing guilt she felt pressed upon her. She wanted to forget, if even for a moment.
Tessa shot her a frosty look with her cold, blue eyes but bit her lip and inclined her head slightly in what was supposed to be a nod. "We won't be long." She muttered.
"Do you have a change of clothes?" Aria asked Jimena as politely as she could, not wanting to go out wearing the old pajamas.
Jimena seemed taken aback by her innocent question and blinked a few times, "The only clothes I have that would fit you belong to Riley." She paused, "You can borrow a shirt or something."
She made her way over to the dark oaken drawers, pulling one open then immediately shutting it after she discovered it was Riley's underwear drawer. Jimena eyed her like a hawk as Aria rifled through the few clothes Riley owned, content on finding something tolerable amidst the muck of bulky sweaters, ripped black shirts, far too baggy jeans, and long underwear.
Tessa just sneered at Aria's intrusion of Riley's belongings, crossing her arms over her chest and stomping out of the room. On her way out, the blonde sent a dark look to Jimena, then back to Aria, rage clinging to her like static.
Aria was oblivious to Tessa's anger, focusing instead on the one act of normalcy that the day would bring as she managed to take out a plain, solid gray tank top and a pair of black pants that weren't four sizes too big for either herself or Riley. Aria sent a look to Jimena, who was still leaning in the doorway, that implied she was going to change.
Her mentor simply sent her an incredulous look before shifting her weight off of the doorframe and following the direction Tessa had taken.
Aria stood in front of a mirror after she had dressed, attempting to muss her hair so she'd look presentable. If she had taken notice of it, she would have been able to tell that her nails were raking along her scalp a lot harder than they usually would have.
She stared at her reflection blankly, her eyes held bags under them, making her feel washed out and old, and she noticed now how pale her normally caramel-colored skin was looking in the morning light. Numbly, she let a hand grab her moon pendant, her thumb gently gliding over the etchings in the miraculous stone. There was a moment where some sort of contemplative look crossed her face before she let her hand drop the pendant behind the tank top, effectively hiding the necklace.
Slowly, she walked out into Jimena's living room/kitchen, where she saw Tessa and Jimena discussing something heatedly under their breath, as soon as Jimena's eyes flickered up and saw Aria standing there she immediately halted the conversation, giving a bright smile that betrayed the darkness gathering in her eyes.
"There's a diner just down the street, I gave Tessa some money." She stood up and calmly brushed herself off, "As soon as you return, we'll head over to the hospital."
Tessa stood up, her arms crossed as she looked at Aria expectantly. "You're preened?" She muttered.
Aria bit back the insult, and simply rose an eyebrow, "You're going out in that?"
The blonde was wearing dark gray sweatpants that had elastic bands around the ankles with flip flops, a far too oversized tee shirt with a faded car logo on the front, and her hair was chaotic, obviously not having seen a brush any time current. Tessa simply sneered, raking her blonde hair into a ponytail to keep it out of her face, and stalked towards the door.
Aria followed her and as she exited she swore she almost heard Jimena say, "Just don't kill each other while you're gone."
The walk to the diner down the road was silent, as Tessa stomped angrily, her hands jutted firmly in her pockets, and she seemed to be having a staring contest with the concrete of the sidewalk.
Aria ignored her partner's obviously less-than-enthused look as she held her chin high for she had effectively blocked out the previous night's events and was now concentrating on clinging to some bit of normalcy. She noticed with disgust that Tessa was receiving some sniggers and she had the gall to be embarrassed and wishing she had come alone. Tessa paid them no heed, concentrating on something other than her surroundings.
Robotically, the blonde Daughter of the Moon pushed open the door to the place, sauntering over to an empty booth and not even bothering to wait for seating. Aria rolled her eyes at her impossible attitude before following her and taking a seat across, shifting uncomfortably on the vinyl upholstery.
Within moments, a harassed looking lady dressed in a 1950s getup chewing viciously on gum, approached, a notepad in hand. Aria scrutinized her, she had a heavily made-up face that seemed to emphasize the telltale crow's feet at her eyes rather than hide them, and there were several buttons with stupid phrases pinned to her uniform. Her nametag revealed her as 'Toots'.
"What do you ladies want today?" Despite her appearance, her voice was relatively polite.
"Coffee." Muttered Tessa, not even making eye contact as she stared out the window.
Toots didn't even bother to scribble down the order, "And you?" She asked Aria.
"Pancakes," she responded automatically, then added, "And some hot coco."
"Whipped cream?"
"No thanks."
She scribbled down the order and placed it in her apron, "Alright, I'll be right back with the coffee." She said, turning around as Tessa gave an apathetic grunt.
Aria sighed, crossing her arms and leaning back, "You know, you don't have to be so rude."
Tessa sent a vicious glare her way and decided that would end the conversation.
But Aria was nothing but persistent, "She was just doing her job, you could have at least muttered a thank you."
"Just shut up, Aria," She seethed.
Aria wanted to make a reply, but she was cut off as Toots returned, placing two ceramic mugs facedown on the table with a thermos/pitcher contraption.
"Thank you," Tessa bit out, making it sound like a curse instead of a showing of gratitude.
Toots stared at her wide-eyed for a moment before clearing her throat and turning around, heading back to the kitchen area.
"Great, now you've scared her," Aria commented once she was sure she was out of hearing range.
"Excuse me for being in a bad mood right now," She replied nastily, her voice quavering which indicated that she was on the verge of an outburst.
"There's no need to take it out on others-"
But Aria was cut off as Tessa slammed her mug on the table, "At least I'm acting like something's wrong!" She spoke loudly, not yet yelling.
"You're acting like a toddler!" Aria responded.
Tessa's grip tightened, and Aria could see her left hand moving slightly towards the cutlery, "You're the one acting like a child Aria!" Now her voice had escalated, and people were beginning to turn and look in their direction, "Always running, always pretending! I'm getting so fucking sick of it!"
"I'm not running from anything Tessa!" Aria screeched, "And stop yelling, you're making a scene!" She yelled back just as loudly.
Now, the entire diner had their attention focused on the pair of teens.
"SO WHAT?" Tessa bellowed, her face flushing from anger, "I'LL MAKE A GODDAMN SCENE IF I WANT TO!"
"YOU ARE SUCH A FREAK!" Aria could feel her face heating up, embarrassed but extremely pissed off at the same time.
"I'M THE FREAK? THEY ALMOST DIED AND YOU DON'T GIVE A RAT'S ASS!"
Something about Tessa's words made her embarrassment freeze, a cold fury overtaking her, "You don't know what the hell you're talking about." She hissed between her clenched teeth, her shrieking dropping down to a dangerous whisper.
Tessa's lip quirked, and she began to speak, before someone beat her to it.
"You know," Came a deep, lazy drawl from behind Aria, "If you two carry on like this, they're going to call the cops." Both of the girls froze in recognition of the voice, "And I'm sure the last thing Selene's lackeys want is a criminal record."
The curly haired Goddess slowly turned around, fear filling her as she was met with cold gray eyes, "Tymmie." She muttered.
A cigarette was perched between his lips, his black hair slicked back and slightly greasy with bangs falling into his eyes. His hands were placed laxly in the pockets of his ankle-length trench coat as he stared at her.
"What the hell do you want?" Tessa growled.
His pierced lip twitched slightly before he shrugged casually, "Just stopping by to say 'hello'." He commented caustically.
"Then leave," Tessa commanded, Aria was trying desperately to keep from shaking, her memories of last night's battle with another powerful Follower circulating in her mind.
He snorted, taking a drag of his cigarette, "Where's Riley?" He asked, and Aria was slightly confused by the genuine interest in his tone.
At the stating of her name, the pair froze, and Aria could practically see the blood drain from Tessa's face.
When he was met with silence, a darkened look crossed his face that neither Tessa nor Aria missed, "Where?" He reiterated, his voice icy and final.
Fear once again gripped Aria, "Hospital," She muttered, she saw Tessa gape at her incredulously.
"Are you an idiot?" She blurted, "This is Tymmie, the same punk that kidnapped her last month! She's powerless, he could kill-"
Her rambling was cut off as Tymmie cut in, his tone nasty, "As honored as I am by your high expectations of me, believe it or not, I'm not the type to take advantage of hospitalization," A cruel smirk appeared on his features, "Unless, of course, it's to my favor."
"You wouldn't-" Aria stammered.
Tymmie laughed and was about to reply, when he too, was suddenly interrupted, "Excuse me Sir," Came none other than Toots, "I'm going to have to ask you to put that out," She stated, gesturing first to the cigarette perched on his bottom lip and then to the red 'NO SMOKING EVER' sign on the far wall.
He huffed and turned on his heel, "I was just leaving," He muttered, stalking off, before turning abruptly around, "Give Riley my best wishes," He stated, "I'd send her a card, but if you couldn't tell, I'm not exactly a Hallmark kinda guy." His eyes then shifted to the now terrified waitress, "Boo!" He yelled suddenly, smirking when she jumped back slightly.
He winked at the two Goddesses, "See you around." He proclaimed before disappearing out the door.
Aria shivered as soon as he had departed, "Creep." She whispered.
For once, Tessa didn't argue.
Toots then turned her attention to the girls, "I'm afraid I'm going to have to ask you two to leave as well," She mumbled warily, as if expecting another explosion like earlier.
Tessa just nodded, placing three bills on the table for the coffee as she stormed out of the diner, Aria following her after giving her patented 'I'm sorry' pout to poor, overworked Toots.
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"You two look like crap," Jimena declared bluntly as the pair sauntered back into her apartment, "And you were only gone about ten minutes." Her stance became intimidating, and even Tessa felt herself shirking back slightly, "What happened?"
Tessa and Aria looked at each other guiltily and remained silent.
Jimena cleared her throat, her arms crossing over her chest and portraying her lack of patience, "Well? No blood, and all your limbs are connected, so I assume you didn't kill each other like I had anticipated."
At Jimena's descriptions, Aria was once again reminded of the incident that had occurred last night and she felt as if she were about to be sick once again.
It was Tessa, noticing Aria's blanching face that had spoken up, "We ran into Tymmie at the diner." She admitted.
The ex-gangster's eyes widened, "What happened?" She demanded.
"Aria, being an idiot," Tessa shot her a venomous glance and Aria had to bite back the retort forming, "Told him that Riley was at the hospital."
Jimena swore and began talking in rapid Spanish to herself, something the girls noticed she only did when extremely enraged, before mentally calming down, "Did he specify what he wanted?"
Aria just shook her head, "He only wanted to know where she was."
Jimena stroked her chin thoughtfully, "Which implies that he knew she wasn't at home," Her gaze narrowed, "Which also indicates that he's been keeping an eye on my apartment."
Silence overtook the two as they processed this, knowing that if Tymmie was watching Jimena's apartment, it meant much more trouble for not only Riley, but for the rest of the Daughters as well. Jimena's place was where they practiced and honed their gifts, strategized, and basically anything else connected to Selene was exercised there. If Tymmie knew where Jimena lived, he also pretty much knew every damned thing about the Daughters as well.
"Not good," Observed Tessa.
Jimena sent her the trademark 'well, no shit' look before sighing and saying, "We need to go to the hospital quickly, if for nothing else than to ensure Imy and Riley's safety."
"And pulse," Aria whispered this to herself, but Tessa overheard and gave her another nasty look. She seemed to be doing that a lot lately.
Jimena continued her plan, "After we've made our visit, we'll try and reduce visitors to only us, and Imy's parents." She paused, "It more than likely won't do any good should Followers decide to attack Imy and Riley, but it will present an obstacle." She began to count on her fingers, "After that, you two need to get a hold of your own families. I've already discussed the situation with Gordon, and he's managed to erase all connections between you four and the robbery, plus he's provided a cover story for the Follower as well."
Tessa's blue eyes widened, "I totally forgot about Ezra, he's going to go ballistic on me." It was a well known fact within the Daughters' circle that Tessa's older brother and guardian was extremely protective of his little sister, and constantly paranoid that she would return to her old habits of staying out all night to party and pop ecstasy or drop acid.
Aria thought of her own family, surely her own mother would be having an aneurysm by now. More than likely her father too.
Jimena cleared her throat, redirecting their attention, "Are you ready?" She asked crisply, to which both girls nodded. "Then lets go."
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"And whose room are you looking for?" The receptionist said cheerily as she looked up from the computer screen to address Jimena.
"Riley Zalank, I'm her guardian Jimena Castillo," She replied smoothly, leaning on the counter as both Tessa and Aria sat down in the waiting room, Tessa's arms were crossed and she looked incredibly grouchy as Aria appeared to be her counterpart, smiling and even humming a bit.
But appearances were deceiving. In reality, Tessa was eagerly anticipating seeing Imy and Riley to ensure their safety, and she was only irritated with the long wait, whereas Aria was actually dreading the confrontation. The polished linoleum and the smell of sterilization that seemed to cling everywhere was driving her insane, her memories drifting back to the last time she had been to a hospital, when she had saved Twiggy from a fatal brain hemorrhaging.
"Room 123," Answered the receptionist, "Can I help you with anything else?"
"Imy Ormond, please, I've already cleared a visit for her as well." Jimena prompted.
The sounds of keys being punched echoed throughout the eerily silent room before she stated, "Room 126, it's actually the room right across from Ms. Zalank's." She said, giving a smile that was all teeth.
Jimena nodded, "Thank you." She swiveled on her heel and faced the pair, "Ready?" She asked, not expecting an answer but receiving two nods in return. "Good."
The trio was silent as they walked down the hallway to the designated rooms. Aria simply walked numbly, her brain trying to calm down the panic that was overtaking her. She didn't want to be here right now, she wanted to be safe at home in her big comfy bed, not going to see two of her 'sisters' that had just rebounded back from the brink of death. Aria wasn't stupid; she knew what was expected of her on this trip. She could tell from the look in Jimena's eye to the expectant tone Tessa used when she addressed Imy or Riley's conditions.
They expected her to heal both of them, to send them back on their merry, fighting-immortal-evil way.
In truth, a small part of Aria most definitely didn't want to heal them. The images of the night prior haunted her, from the disgusting display of Riley's self-inflicted injuries, to the sight of all three of the Daughters of Selene weak and powerless at her feet. To heal them would be to send them back to the trauma and the constant danger of death, imprisonment, or enslavement to the Atrox. Aria herself no longer wanted to be a part of it.
"Jimena!" Came a frantic voice as an older brunette came flying at the girls' mentor, breaking Aria's introspection, "I'm so glad you're here! I have no idea what happened, when I got a call from the hospital this morning I feared the worst-" The woman was clearly hysterical as she gripped Jimena in a tight hug.
"Catty, calm down, Imy's going to be fine," Jimena reassured the lady.
Aria stared at the lady named 'Catty'. She had dark brown hair that was cut above her shoulder in a style more suited for a punk rocker than a middle-aged woman. Her eyes, almost the same shade as Imy's, were a light brown and framed in pointed glasses. Between the exuberant aura that seemed to cling to her like static, and the facial features, Aria automatically deducted that this was Imy's mother.
"Jimena," Came a weary voice from the hall. Aria turned to see a good-looking, clean-cut man also in his middle ages and she resisted the urge to snort at what polar opposites Imy's parents were.
"Kyle, can I speak to you in private for a moment?" Jimena said, and the two shared a knowing look as they muttered some polite 'excuse me's' and wandered to the end of the hall.
Catty looked at the pair in confusion for a moment before directing her attention to the two girls, "Are you girls Imy and Riley's friends?" She asked gently.
Tessa's nod was immediate while Aria's was more undecided.
"What are your names?" Catty inquired politely.
"I'm Tessa Lockland, and that's Aria Anderson-Moore."
Catty's eyes widened, "Tianna's daughter?"
Hesitantly, Aria nodded, wondering how this seemingly crazy lady knew her mother.
"I haven't seen you since you were six!" Catty exclaimed, reminding Aria of some type of wayward relation, like the stereotypical psychotic aunt, "You probably don't remember me, but your mother and I were close friends in high school."
Fascinating, she muttered to herself, but outwardly she smiled brilliantly, "That's cool! I never get to hear about my mom's high school days!"
"How's Imy?" Cut in Tessa, grimly reminding Catty of the situation.
Her lips pressed into a thin line and her big brown eyes were sorrowful, "As well as can be expected, whatever happened last night aggravated her bad shoulder," She cleared her throat, "The doctors told me it had dislocated again, and her ribs aren't as strong after the car accident a while back, so they're bruised as well, one may even be cracked, the x-rays haven't been returned yet." Her voice was beginning to shake, and both Tessa and Aria understood the connection between her and Imy was a strong one, "And…" Her voice trailed off, "And both Imy and Riley are in comas."
The silence that statement was met with was thunderous, as Tessa and Aria stared at the brunette in wide-eyed shock. "How?" Aria blurted, knowing for a fact that there was no physical justification for such a coma.
Catty shook her head, "Everyone's completely at a loss about what's causing them, as neither a doctor nor a surgeon has observed anything unusual about their injuries." She inhaled slowly, "They're hypothesizing that these comas are self-induced."
Tessa's mouth dropped open, "That doesn't make any sense!" She stammered.
Catty pressed a hand to her forehead, "I didn't understand it myself, but…" She looked at the two teenagers before waving her hand dismissively, "No, never mind."
"Never mind what?" Tessa prompted.
The older woman chewed her lip, "You're going to think I'm crazy but…" She let out a breath, "There's this dark aura surrounding both of them…like really, really bad karma."
Aria's eyebrows shot up to her forehead, knowing it sounded like a Follower's influence. She turned slightly to see Tessa mouth the name 'Tymmie' in fury.
It was at that moment that Jimena strode towards them, looking for once frazzled and out of control, very out of character for the professional and almost prim Magna Mater the girls were familiar with. Behind her came Imy's father, his face red and a vein throbbing in the corner of his forehead.
"Jimena? Kyle? What's up?" Catty asked, scrutinizing them carefully.
Imy's father sent Jimena a dark glare, "Jimena's just told me that the cops suspect Riley and Imy were attacked by a…" His voice trailed off and his glare intensified, "A gang."
Catty paled, "How do they know?"
Jimena cleared her throat, "A police officer informed me that the girls were discovered downtown," Her eyes narrowed, "On streets that I'm very familiar with, if you understand my meaning."
"But…" Imy's mother trailed off, "But that doesn't seem right…Imy knows better, Riley too…After, after what happened with Vanessa she wouldn't be so stupid-" Her voice cracked and trailed off as she stood there awkwardly, hugging herself, her once exuberant attitude effectively killed.
"Catty," Kyle said, his voice loosing its previously biting quality as he gently laid his hands on his wife's shoulders, "You're tired, let's go down to the cafeteria and get some coffee," He coaxed, once again shooting Jimena an enraged stare, to which she only met with equal intensity.
Catty numbly nodded, allowing her husband to steer her down the hall. Jimena watched the pair fade into the distance before turning to the Daughters, "Let's go see to Riley first," Her voice was surprisingly gentle.
"Did you hear what Imy's mom was saying about a coma?" Tessa said bitterly, her fists clenching at her sides, "She says they're surrounded by dark vibes." She hissed, "Tymmie beat us to them! That bastard did something to Riley and Imy, I know it!" She spat.
Jimena cleared her throat, "Calm yourself down Tessa, and try to remember we are at a hospital."
"How can you be so collected at a time like this?" The blonde seethed.
Their mentor froze, "Because if I'm not, you all will fall to pieces," She responded honestly, and Tessa was immediately quieted.
"Why was Imy's father so angry?" Aria whispered.
Jimena sighed, "Let's just say that he now knows Imy's a Daughter of the Moon, and he isn't too happy about it."
"You told him!" Tessa cried.
"He's very familiar with the war between Selene and the Atrox," She stated, "And he's had his suspicions about Imy being a Daughter since her last 'accident.' I simply confirmed them."
"How does he know?" Aria cut in.
"It's a long story," Jimena said vaguely, killing the topic as she walked over to Riley's room, as she mumbled tiredly, "Let's assess the damage, shall we?"
The experience was similar to walking into a black hole as all sound vanished instantly, save for the mechanic beeping of a machine in the far left corner of the room. Jimena took the lead, Tessa flanking her, but Aria couldn't manage to move passed the doorway. She stood there, rocking on her feet uncomfortably as the suffocating aura of the room filled her. All she could see from her position in the room was the foot of Riley's bed, as a curtain acted as a divider between it and another, empty recovery station.
She heard Jimena and Tessa's conversation carry over.
"Shit," Tessa swore, "She looks horrible."
"What exactly happened last night, Tessa?" Jimena's voice was cutting and held a dangerous note to it.
Aria could hear the awkward swallow before Tessa began a retelling of the night's events, but Aria found it difficult to understand. Her heart was thumping viciously against her chest and her breathing had become tiny pants, signifying the start of hyperventilation. Blood thudded in her ears and her hands were beginning to shake. Fear was commencing to choke her up, that and the unbearable stuffy quality of the hospital.
"Aria?" She distantly heard Jimena call, "Come over here."
Even though her brain didn't process it, her feet began to follow Jimena's voice, and before she was aware, she was standing on Riley's bedside, Jimena to her right.
Tessa wasn't lying. Riley lay there, somehow appearing much worse in real life than Aria remembered. There were splotches on her face that were discolored and puffy, indicating bruising and perhaps even a fracture in the cheekbone. Breathing tubes were stuck up her nose as well as an IV cable feeding itself into the crook of her right elbow. The only visible part of her, her arms and neck, were covered with a variety of scratches and abrasions, and Aria grimaced to think of what the lacerations on her back looked like.
Her panting escalated to full-fledged wheezing and she was sure she wasn't imagining the black spots creeping up into the corners of her eyes.
"-what about the coma? Do you think it was Tymmie?" She heard Tessa say, randomly picking up bits of conversation.
There was a pause and Aria saw Jimena pick something up off of the nightstand, something silvery and glinting, "…I don't think it was Tymmie." Was all she said, her tone implying curiosity and confusion as she scrutinized the small object.
"Her necklace?" Tessa gasped, knowing that it had been missing since that day in this same hospital a month ago, "Why would he return it?"
The Magna Mater shook her head, "It only makes sense, the amulet was wrapped up in a handkerchief, implying that whoever was delivering it wasn't keen on touching the pendant."
The rest of their words faded out as Aria felt her knees go out under her, a disembodied sensation of vertigo taking over her simultaneously as she felt her heart about to explode within her chest. The beeping of the life-sustaining machine reverberated throughout her skull, driving her nausea even further.
"Aria?" She heard Jimena ask in worry, her voice sounding stretched and out of key.
Aria's eyes darted around the room and her panic increased. She couldn't heal Riley, she couldn't. She. Couldn't. Her eyes drifted up to Tessa, and saw the blonde staring her expectantly. She resisted the urge to scream out, to proclaim that she couldn't be what Tessa and the others wanted her to be.
She couldn't be a Goddess.
Not when she was feeling like she was about to pass out simply standing next to someone who was injured.
Not when the mere mention of the Atrox, or its Followers, sent raw terror into her entire being.
Not when she in all honesty failed to tolerate the other Daughters of the Moon. Tessa, who grated her nerves the most, Riley, whose stoic indifference irritated the hell out of her, and Imy whose constant pushy and arrogant attitude made her want to punch something.
She couldn't handle this. She didn't want to handle this.
She just wanted to go home.
Aria's hand clenched the front of her shirt in an attempt to still her rapid heart. She felt Jimena ask her something, her tone reassuring, and her hand land on her shoulder in a try to calm her down. Aria rapidly jerked out of Jimena's grip, and turned to face her mentor.
Harsh, caring, teaching, calculating, and elusive Jimena. Her mentor, her guardian. Aria didn't have the spirit to tell her that she had failed miserably.
Abruptly she spun on her heel, sprinting away from Tessa, Jimena, and pathetic, comatose Riley as fast as she could, refusing to look back. All that mattered was placing as much distance between her self and that asphyxiating hospital as possible.
She didn't want this.
She was done.
Done forever.
OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo
I'm not happy with this chapter. It could've been better, but I rewrote some parts as much as three times and it still doesn't seem right. Sigh. Pwnd again Nym, pwnd again.
Much thanks to Shadow Goddess Akhet and Henna for their help with names!
Next Up: Aria finds that her desires and her conscience cannot coexist peacefully as she attends an average day at Turney High.