Blackout

Blackout
Lilieth
Words can't describe just how Corey reacted to Anice. 
I knew that Corey seeing her would be a bad idea. I felt it deep inside of me. 
Corey's always been strong—he's just about the perfect example of a big brother. I've never seen him cry for absolutely anything. It's not that he's emotionless. Most of the time, he can't even control his anger or his emotions. When he's angry, sad, or happy about something, you'll know it. 
But upon seeing Anice, he started to cry. 
It tears me up from the inside to the point where I feel like one big walking bruise. I sit next to him and take his hand in mine. He holds onto me and his shoulders shake with every sob that wracks his frame. 
I sit with him for a long time. Hours pass, and I'm still holding his hand. I know exactly what he's feeling because I feel the same.
Amazingly, we don't exchange a single word. 
The healer gives him something to drink to accelerate his healing process, and after he takes it, he's asleep less than ten minutes later. We rearrange him so he's lying on his side, then leave the room.
I find Deo in the kitchen with a cup of tea between her palms. "Want some?"
"Yeah. No, don't get up. I'll do it myself."
After I pour myself a cup, I sit across from her. We're the only ones in the house. I know Anice is in her room, perhaps asleep. It's all she ever does, apparently. Deo and I haven't spoken for a while. I have a few sips of tea and feel much calmer. It's delicious, too. 
"How was he when you left the room?" she finally asks.  
"Not doing so well," I admit. "He fell asleep because of the concoction the healer gave him, but that's about it. I'm sure he'll be worse when he wakes up."
"I know you didn't want us to tell him about Anice, but you know how Corey is. He'd never stop pestering us, and then he'd try to crawl off the bed because that's just the kind of person he is."
I sigh. "You're right."
"I didn't tell him about the baby."
"I figured."
"I think that can wait. He's going through so much right now. If I tell him, he'll lose hope. That won't happen on my watch."
That's also true. 
"I feel sorry for Anice," she claims, glancing at me. "You know, at some point, I didn't care if she died. In fact, I think a part of me wanted it. I'm sorry for saying this to you now, but I want to be honest."
"You can always be honest with me, Deo. To tell you the truth, I still don't know what to think. I'm too numb to hate her. That's the truth for me."
Deo shakes her head. "I keep asking myself what they could've done to her to...they're so evil, Lili. I spent my whole life with them, yet they never cease to amaze me. Oh, I also wanted to mention to you that my parents will be joining us. Their pack agreed to Draven's terms."
I gasp. "Deo, that's wonderful news."
"I'll be glad to see them," she admits. "I hadn't really filled them in on what was happening. I was so consumed by everything. The future does look bright, though. Corey's awake, and I know that while he has breath in his body, I have a life. Something to look forward to."
I reach across the table and we clasp hands. "He's lucky to have you, Deo."
"I'm lucky to have him, too," she claims. "All of you. You helped me discover who I truly am. I have a purpose here, you know? And though all of this has happened, I can't imagine myself going back to the way things were."
"When do they arrive?"
"Oh, maybe tomorrow morning. They want to help us prepare for the showdown with Cadeon's father. What an odious man he is. Honestly, I'll be glad if he dies at the end of this. He's a tyrant, and you know what? He was always the worst of the Alphas."
"It's a wonder Cadeon and Timmon turned out the way they are."
"Or maybe not. They grew up with him. Something about that man pushed them away and made them realize that they needed to fight for something better. What he did to Cadeon was cruel. He gave his son power, but it was merely an illusion. An act. Cadeon would always take the blame for the decisions he made."
"That's true."
Deo sighs. "In any case, soon, this will all end. For better or for worse."
We sit in companionable silence for a few minutes before the door opens and Cadeon walks in. The way his face is set makes me ask, "Is everything alright? What's wrong?"
Wordlessly, he hands me a piece of paper. I read the words carefully.
I couldn't take any more of this. I'm going back. I'm sorry. T. 
"What's this?" I ask him in confusion. 
"Timmon's been missing all day, and when I checked his tent, all his things were gone and I found this. He didn't have much, just clothes, but the tent was empty, and he wrote this note. I know his handwriting."
I blink. "What do you mean, he's gone? Where'd he go?"
I suddenly remember what Draven talked to me about. I stand up, staring him dead in the eyes. Fear takes hold of my body. "Cadeon, did he tell you anything about receiving a letter?"
"No, what letter?"
I run my fingers through my hair. Dammit. "Draven told me that he was seen receiving a letter from one of your father's men. He wanted me to find out if it was anything serious, but you didn't know? And now he's gone?"
Cadeon curses. "What's that boy getting himself into?"
"Could we try to find him?"
"The last time I saw him was in the morning, Lili," Cadeon claims. "I bet he's long gone by now. Long, long gone. We wouldn't be able to find him. Where would we even look?"
I bite my bottom lip. No, I refuse to believe that this is an act of betrayal of some kind. Timmon would never do anything to harm us, I know that. 
It has to be another reason. 
"Dammit, I didn't need this."
I place my hand over his chest. His heart's slamming against his ribs. "We'll have to trust that he's doing the right thing."
Cadeon nods and drops his head. Our foreheads touch, and I make myself breathe steadily and deeply. Timmon. My heart aches whenever I think about him. I genuinely hope that he's safe. 
That he'll take care of himself. 
"Why didn't he tell me anything?" Cadeon wonders. "Why would he just run off? That's the part that's killing me."
My heart sinks a little at this because this is something I'm also thinking about. He always shares everything, so why this all of a sudden? Where would he go!m? Is he in danger? Goddess, we didn't need this. I try to be comforting though, so I say, "He likely had his reasons."
As I speak, I notice that my speech is a little slow and my stomach is churning. I'm blinking faster than I usually do because black is creeping along the edges of my vision and I have no idea where this feeling has come from. None whatsoever. Cadeon continues talking, and his voice is distant now. I move backward and try to hold onto something because it feels like all my strength has fled my body. Tingles spread all across my body, and numbness takes over. 
I try to say his name but I fall forward instead. The last thing I feel is his arms around me before I sink into a black, bottomless abyss.