It's pretty boring here in the Manor by myself.
Looking for something to do, I pat my pockets in an attempt to find my phone, but with no luck. I realise with a groan that in my haste to leave the club earlier, I must have left it there. A quick search through my bag confirms my fear. How embarrassing! Especially after I was so worried about them not answering.
I make the decision to go hunt it down. Before I go, I to leave a message with Wyatt's babysitter. I really don't want them to think I've been abducted when I'm gone upon their return. Case in point, little Wyatt. Noticing he's awake, I coo at him and spin his little mobile. The action makes him giggle innocently with wide eyes, and my heart melts at the sight. His babysitter's piercing stare makes me feel uncomfortable, so I thank her again and give her a parting nod as I leave the room.
The drive is quick, and I relish having some time to myself so I can clear my head. It's barely midday but it's been such a long day already. I park out the back and use my keys to unlock the loading bay door before locking it again behind me, I don't want any unexpected guests disturbing me. On seeing the mess I left in my haste earlier, I get absorbed back into work quickly. I start counting the bottles we have at the bar, noting how full the opened ones are so we can calculate how much re-stocking we'll need to do base on how popular they are. I'm so consumed by work completely I forget to even search for my missing phone.
I'm not sure how long I'm there for, but my progress is interrupted by flashing lights and a familiar otherworldly jingle - announcing an incoming orb.
"What are you doing here?" Chris asks with urgent worry as soon as he is fully materialised near the doorway.
"I work here, obviously. What are you doing here, Chris?" I combat.
He speed walks towards me as he informs me, "I'm luring the Titans away from Leo so he can go talk some sense into the sisters."
My face pales at the realisation as an unbidden, "Oh shit," escapes my mouth.
He looks like he might laugh if the situation weren't so dire. "Here, C'mon. We need to orb out of here, and I don't want to lose track of you."
He grabs my arm before I can start to question him, and my sight is blinded by white lights.
I feel myself scattering apart, like every single atom of my being is being gently taken apart with the utmost care. The warm glow from his hand on my arm gently guides me apart as we float away from where we once stood and fly through the air. It's an incredible feeling. If I still had a mouth, I would be laughing! I feel so carefree!
We seem to stop and form together for only seconds before de-materialising again, there's barely enough time for me to feel solid before being scattered once more. I couldn't tell how many times this happens, I start to lose count. Each time I began to feel more light-headed, less connected to myself; even forming a cohesive thoughts becomes tiresome.
I try to move, to indicate my distress to my guiding light, but they're so driven forward, pulling me on with such determination. I feel their unwillingness to stop longer than a moment to form ourselves. Once again, the light fades and settles for a moment before it's sparked again and we scattered off together.
Then came a noise, or more a feeling, like a ringing vibration calling out to us. I feel my guiding light hesitate, before changing our course. As we move together, the vibration becomes stronger, pulsing all around us. It only ceases when we finally travel down and settle in form.
The act of pulling myself together again is extremely arduous. It's a struggle to remember what belongs where, the organs inside me press against my bones uncomfortably. I missed the feeling of flowing through space.
Gravity feels too heavy.
I can only hold myself upright for a few dull moments before crumbling under the weight of my physical being. Not even the continuing hold of of my guiding light was able to keep me on my feet. Any events that may have been unfolding around me were cut short by my collapse and subsequent seizing motions.
"What's wrong with her?" I hear a concerned voice ask, and recognise the vibrations that called us here moments ago.
I feel a cool hand press against my skin, and it helps to settle the sparks that keep jolting through my body. A deeper voice answers from its direction, "She must have been orbing consecutively. It puts too much strain on mortal bodies, so we do our best to limit it. She'll be alright after she gets some rest."
"Mortal? But she..." A familiar voice stammered out. I longed to reach out and sooth the distress it conveyed, but found myself unable to get my hand to respond. "I mean- We needed to keep moving so the Titans couldn't track us."
Our caller seems to say something with accusation, but each syllable seems to fall further away as I slip into unconsciousness.