Chapter Eight:

"Can't or won't?" Eddie snarled. He didn't even wait for Archie to respond.

"So help me Archie! If you leave Patricia to die I will kill you. You know as much as anyone I'm more than capable!" Eddie was screaming at him now.

"I also know that you won't." Archie said in equally nasty tone.

"I wouldn't be so sure." Eddie spat. He was watching Patricia jerk helplessly around the floor, coughing and muttering, suffering.

"If you would just shut up for one second, I could tell you why I can't help."

"I'm dying to know why, but only metaphorically dying unlike Patricia." Eddie yelled.

"I can't help her. And neither can you." Eddie went to interject but Archie kept talking.

"Theoretically she has sacrificed herself for you."

"What?" Eddie said in disbelief, the anger gone from his tone for a mere second.

"By being so... Close... To you, she has "connected, linked" herself to you in the minds of the Gods. They are trying to communicate with you. The message must be received, no interruptions. We have to wait."

"We have to sit here and watch and do nothing, I won't." Eddie said trying to hide his tears.

"You don't have a choice." Archie said firmly.

Eddie tore his eyes away from Patricia and looked straight at Archie. They exchanged a glance and a silent agreement was made. Eddie stood up and went to stand next to Archie. Archie clapped his hand on Eddie's shoulder, almost supporting him. They watched as Patricia did seizure like motions crying out in pain.

Patricia screamed a blood curling scream that was not hers. She flew into a sitting position and her eyes opened quickly. They were cloudy and also not hers. She opened her mouth. These words Eddie could understand, not the meaning but the words.

"They are coming." Patricia said as she fell backwards to the ground again, when she hit the floor she stopped shaking. Eddie looked at Archie for answers.

"Got any enemies?" Archie said in almost a joking way, this was not the time to test Eddie's humor.

"What are they trying to tell me, what could be this important?!" Eddie demanded.

"The Paragon is coming."

"Here? Now?"

"Soon." Archie answered.

Patricia let out a small sigh behind them. Eddie looked at her and then back at Archie.

"What now? Will she be ok?"

"For now." Archie said calmly.

"They delivered their message. They can leave her alone now." Eddie said angrily.

"True, but I'm afraid that's not how they see it. They will use her whenever they feel the need. She is just sleeping now, you can wake her."

Eddie went over to her and sat down. He leaned over to kiss her softly on the cheek. She stirred slightly.

"This is all very sweet now, but I should be on my way." Archie said heading for the door.

"One more thing." Eddie asked.

"What?" Archie said annoyed.

"Can they... Control her?"

"They can't control her as in move her, but they can plant images of actions for her to do that would most likely upset you or her. The Gods doing this is not likely, it requires too much effort on their part. However in the rare occasion if it were to happen, she wouldn't have to do whatever they instructed. She could be strong enough to fight it."

"Okay." Eddie said, it was the only thing he could say. Archie turned to leave again. Eddie stopped him once more.

"Archie?"

"What now?"

"Thank you." Eddie said. He didn't get any response in return, just the sound of the door not slamming for once.

Authors Note:

Thanks to everyone reading! I might start updating twice a week!