Chapter 8: Bloody Green Crystal
Her sight was cloaked in blackness, a certain coolness wrapped around her body like a blanket and silence enveloped her senses. It was comforting, Kayla concluded. Her thoughts echoed through her darkened mind. She was so tired... maybe she could just go to sleep.
Thousands of ants raced over her skin as feeling returned to her body. Her fingers clutched at cold wetness, one side of her face was planted firmly into the ground and heavy raindrops pelted her skin. Even so, her tired body, aching side and muscles refused to move. A ringing grew in her ears, and faded away to a cacophony of noises. The splat of raindrops, rushing of water and over it all a desperate call for help.
"KAYLA!"
"KAYLA GET UP!"
She stirred, Loki. 'I can't leave him' She strained against her natural instincts, tugging her arms out of the mud and planting them on either side of her. She pushed slowly, her whole body screamed, begging her to stay still, to just relax. Her arms quaked, the pulses rattling her teeth and making fresh red blood squirt from her side. She collapsed face first, mud shooting into her nose and mouth. Once again, she struggled, and managed to push herself onto her hands and knees. Body convulsing suddenly, she coughed, crimson spattered the small white rocks that stuck up through the mud. Even so, she continued moving. Hoisting herself onto her feet took a small step towards the river and dragged a useless foot behind her. This continued for several seconds until she was at the bank, a grimace was pasted on her face and her skin was becoming more and more cold and clammy. She looked out at the rock and the young boy sitting on it. And a small whisper ran through her mind "Your job is to protect the dimensions from these creatures" It was something she had heard every day since she found Seren... And it was her duty not just her will but her duty to protect this boy who had become so close to her. She held out her arms...
"Loki! Loki, you have to jump!"
His emerald eyes scanned the water "I-I-I can't... I can't do it"
"Loki, you have to. There is no other way I can get to you right now." She pleaded with him then her calm voice sputtered and she coughed into her arm. When she removed it, a fresh blossom of red had stained the fabric.
He stood, slowly, carefully and motioned his arms back and forth. He shut his eyes and leaped into the air, as far as he possibly could.
Kayla reached out and snatched him from the air, the force of his weight knocking them both into the mud with a splash. Loki scampered off the top of Kayla as fast as he could and took a few steps back giving her room to stand. She took a labored breath but didn't move. "Loki... Loki you need to run and get home. I won't be able to walk that far." Her soft smile couldn't reach her eyes. She pulled her cloak off and draped it over his shoulders.
"...But..."
"No buts Loki you need to go."
His bottom lip quivered and his eyes were brightly illuminated for a few seconds as a flash of lightning arced across the sky. "But if I leave you... you... there's no way you could survive" Kayla sighed. Loki was smart. Sometimes too smart for his own good. He needed to leave. Her time as Guardian would have been short but she did her duty well. She had nothing left to live for in her own dimension anyway. Scott would break the news to Nathaniel and Skyler. They would have each other, they would be okay. The army would be fine, they would miss her and a new guardian would come in. Serenity... she felt her heart twang. Serenity was strong, she would leave the army and hunt out the thing that killed her parents. It would all be okay, her heart rate slowed more and more. Suddenly a cold tingling feeling branched across her side. She looked up to see Loki, his pained face illuminated a faint green and a emerald crystal spreading across her wounds, holding her precious life blood in. The gossamer glow faded and he folded into himself, collapsing on the ground. Drained but he would be okay.
"Ha.." A smile spread on her face "the dang kid may have just saved my life." Her good arm reached up to her ear and switched back on the com link. "Scott, your orders have been revoked" She coughed, her voice quieting and black tinged the edges of her vision "Medical assistance is needed immediately... and take Loki home." Her vision was engulfed in black and she lost consciousness to vivid swearing in her ear.