Chapter 20 THE WEIGHT OF WEAKNESS

Chapter 20 THE WEIGHT OF WEAKNESS
Aria's POV

It took more than four hours before Nesari left the infirmary to come see us. We'd spent those hours in near silence. Zephyr couldn't sit still, pacing to the door every few minutes, staring down the hall like he could make Nesari appear faster. Payten sat with his knees drawn up, head down, not looking at anyone. I tried to think of something comforting to say, but words felt useless. So we just existed together, waiting, the weight of the night pressing down on all of us.

It was already night time and most students were asleep. Payten, Zephyr and I couldn't actually do that. For some reason it felt wrong to just leave Ciora in there by herself. 

Even though, logically we didn't really help her case. When the head healer walked out she gave us a meaningful glance.

“What happened to her?” she demanded.

“Is she alright?” Zephyr replied with a question of his own. 

“Yes, she is stable now. Although I think all I did was keep her alive long enough for her…” she paused, squeezing her face as if confused about what to say. “... Long enough for her to heal herself. So I will ask again. What happened to her?” 

“Can we see her?” Zephyr asked again. His crimson eyes were filled with so much concern and pain that it was strange to me. It felt like he was overreacting, but he seemed to really care about Ciora. 

“Yes, of course you can. Although, she isn't awake at the moment.” 

The boy nodded and brushed past us, Payten also followed which left Nesari and I outside. 

“Is he in love with her or something?” Nesari asked. 

I raised my eyes realizing that the healer might have just found the reason for his reaction. Zephyr didn't really act like it but I did notice he had a knack for trying to get Ciora to talk to him. Even if she would just insult him, he always wanted to hear her speak most of the time. 

“I don't know his deal,” I replied simply.

“Alright, what happened to her?” she asked.

Then I explained the bizarre events that happened and what the Head teacher did to us. Nesari frowned. “Ghoul?!” she exclaimed. “Then she decided to test run rune flames on you?” She bulged her eyes. “Is she okay in the head at all?”

I shook my head also wondering if they were really alright. “I don't know. I just… I feel like she didn't care who had to die, killing the ghoul was more important.”

“Yeah, killing a ghoul is important but doing it at the expense of students’ life is wrong. I am going to go have a word with…” she paused realizing that it was already too late in the night. “I am going to go check in with her tomorrow. This will be the first thing I do. I won't even brush my teeth so she can understand the extent of this foolery.” 

I smiled. Nesari shared that same warm aura like Ciora although she felt more like a mother while Ciora was like a fiery spirit that could either cook your food or burn it. Memories of her fighting and knocking out those bullies came rushing back to my head. 

“I need to go see my friend now,” I said.

“Of course. Although, I must say. You feel more alive than the last time I saw you. Are you settling in nice?” She asked.

“I am trying to. It's hard to… this place calls for more than what I was!” 

“I can only imagine. Now, off you go!”

I smiled and then walked in. Realizing that she cared about me made me feel good. I walked into the infirmary to see Ciora sitting up on one of the beds while Zephyr was talking about something. 

I walked closer and she offered me a small smile. The smile wasn't enough so I walked closer and gave her a hug. She held me tightly for a while before letting go. 

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

“Like I got run over by a horse.” She chuckled. 

“Is this the kind of school we attend?” Payten's voice suddenly broke into the atmosphere. The boy seldom spoke but his tone carried pain and resentment. 

“What, Payten?” I asked.

“I am annoyed. No. I am angry…” he paused, trying to recall something as he ran his fingers across his mouth. “What do the mist kingdom thugs say? I am pissed off, raging. Yes. I… consider you all good people. I mean why else would you want to be seen around in the school with someone like me. Yet, you are the ones suspected of being a murderous creature. The teachers didn't care, the Head teacher didn't. They all acted like we are nothing but replaceable goods. Like we are a thing that only matters when we are not there!”

I looked at him and I blinked twice. The way he spoke made me realize there was pain in him. A fire that he couldn't ever ignite due to his natural gifts. “If this had happened just to me. It would have been a normal occurrence. I am not necessarily a good person but her. She didn't deserve any of this and yet here we are. The school only answers to power and those of us unfortunate enough to be born without it are seen as nothing but sacks and cracks?” 

“I am angry. I really am. But I am not necessarily angry at the school. I am angry at myself. Why do I have to be like this? Why am I the weak one? Why!” He yelled and then stood up. He looked at us for a while but then he stormed out of the room.

Ciora raised her eyes. “He is very angry.” 

Zephyr inhaled. “I am going to see the head teacher tomorrow and we will talk extensively about what happened tonight.” 

He turned around and walked away. “Waoh. Fiesty!” Ciora chuckled.

“You find a lot of things funny don't you?”  Zephyr smiled. 

“Yes. Flame boy, I do. Although I am feeling a little sleepy. You guys go get some rest. We will talk tomorrow.”

We were about to leave the room when a cold breeze blew into the room heralding the entrance of Kael. The man just stood there with his stormy grey eyes and he gazed at us three. “The four of you should meet me at the Head Teacher's office tomorrow morning before the first light.” He said simply. “There is going to be hell to pay!”