Kai POV: I said it… I actually said it. I told Nya what happened, but now I don't know what to do now. I just wanted to stay in her arms right now, even though I could feel my tears staining her shirt. I also didn't know what else to say, if there was anything else. I just want to stop thinking about this all together, but I know that she has questions. However, she just held me for a long time. And she stayed quiet as we just sat there. Which I was secretly grateful for.
Eventually, after a long time I think, she gently pulled away, but kept a hold on my shoulders. I rubbed my face and looked at her. Her eyes were watery and she had a sad look on her face. I hate that I put it there.
"Do you feel better?" she asked gently.
Instead of answering I just shrugged and looked down. For a long time I thought I was fine, but now that it's out to my sister… I just don't know.
She sighed a little and said, "That's okay. You don't have to figure that right away. But I promise to help with whether I can."
I glanced at her and smiled a little. Her saying that does make me feel better in a way. "Thanks."
Again, she pulled me in for another hug and I let her. When did she become so good at giving hugs? This time it wasn't as long because when she let go she asked, "Do… you want to tell the other? I won't if you don't want that. It's up to you."
Again I didn't say anything, but I didn't know what to do. I just don't know, but I know that it's not fair to make her keep secrets. Maybe it was time though.
Quietly, I said, "Alright. Go ahead."
She blinked in surprise, she probably thought I wasn't going to say yes. But she nodded and squeezed my shoulder.
She got up and asked, "Do you need a minute?"
"If you don't mind. But can you tell them now and without me? So I don't lose my nerve." I responded, moving back on the bed.
She smiled and nodded, and left. Closing the door behind her, and I pulled my legs up to my chest again. Everything was so… overwhelming and also not at the same time and I could feel every dark feeling I've ever had swelling in my chest. I don't know what to think, or how to face the others. I know that they're going to look at me differently and I know that I was going to hate it. Why did this have to happen in the first place? Why did I have to have this trauma in the first place? Everything would be so much better.
My face felt wet again, I was silently crying. I laid back curled to the wall, still hugging my knees. I needed to sleep and wanted it too. I just hope that the nightmares leave me alone long enough to get some sleep.
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Lloyd POV: I was frozen in my seat after listening to Nya. She gathered all of us half an hour ago to tell us something. At that moment I knew that it was about Kai and I was eager to finally learn what was going on. But this? I wasn't expecting any of this. I wanted to cry, go to Kai and hug him, find the monsters and destroy them for hurting my brother, and so many other things. But at the same time, it felt like I couldn't move. I never thought something like that could even exist, but here we are. And I don't know what to do next.
"This… is a lot." Jay said, with a completely shocked look on his face. Just like Cole, and I probably had it too.
Zane, on the other hand, seemed to be thinking this over. After a few moments he said, "Cole, was this similar to what you saw in the labyrinth?"
"Sort of. I mean, I did see him get strangled, but I never thought…" he said, but couldn't finish. So that's what he saw. I guess it's good that he didn't tell us. I definitely would've freaked out.
"But what now? What can we do?" I asked, but no one answered me right away. That probably means that they're thinking the same thing as me.
This is something we've never had to deal with before. And there's the fact he hid this for so long. He's buried this for so long and he might be sharing now. But there's no way that he's sharing everything right away, and there's definitely things he isn't saying right away.
Finally Zane suggested, "The one thing we can do right away is be there for him. As well as try to not overwhelm him with questions."
"That is a good idea. He could also take a break until he's better?" Jay added, but I don't know if that will work.
"Maybe, if we can do that." Nya responded, trying to lighten the mood.
But I think we all know that she's feeling the worst about all of this. After all, this happened before we all met. She was the one who was with him at that time, yet she didn't know anything.
She looked at me and shook her head, she probably saw right through me. She took a quiet breath and said, "Right now should be fine. But I'm too curious about that place to leave it alone."
"Agreed, but none of the information that I have is similar to the description Kai provided." Zane explained, which was concerning.
Zane usually knows something, even a little bit. So the fact he had no idea wasn't the best feeling.
"What about Master Wu? He knows pretty much every realm. Maybe he knows something." Cole suggested, and I liked it.
"Maybe. It certainly doesn't hurt to try." Nya responded, and I nodded.
"He's out right now, but he should be back soon." I said, remembering that he mentioned that he was going out.
"Here's hoping we can do something." Nya said quietly.
But I heard her and took her hand. She glanced at me and I smiled to reassure her. She smiled back, but she didn't look convinced. I had a feeling that look wasn't going away any time soon. In a way, none of us are going to be okay for a while.
But no one can be okay all of the time, right?