• Letting out the breath he didn’t even know he was holding in, Justin turned to stare at the door Dawan the miracle worker had just exited out of, the room she named her medical room.
    Dusek also proved to be persistent and it wasn’t until Justin was made comfortable on the bench which the latter had decided to make his bed for the night before his awkward presence disappeared, leaving Justin to his own devices, which mostly consisted of him pacing the floor in a highly agitated state, until he finally wore himself out and fell asleep on the previously prepared bench.
    “That guy is either really stubborn or madly in love.” Dusek commented on the third day Justin had fallen asleep on the bench after a day of pacing.
    “I should think it's the second.” Janiquil answered, her words somehow unhampered by the mouthful of fruit she was chewing. Her eyes slowly moving to meet those of Aurelia’s little sister, who sat, solemn and tearful at a corner.
    “Stop talking about her as if she wasn’t there.” Dawan scolded as she pressed an apple into Isola’s unresponsive fingers. Isola stared at it blankly, before she raised it to her nose, as if to give it a smell test, before she sank her teeth into it. She munched on the soft flesh slowly, as if the chewing reflected her thoughts, but she couldn’t bring a small smile on her pale face.
    “My sister… is hurt.” She whispered, a watery pearl tracing a single line down her marble coloured face and tremors rocked her petite frame. The numbness that dammed up her feelings for so long melting as the cold reality finally sank in. Immediately knowing the conflicts going on inside of the crying girl, Janiquil wrapped her arms around the latter’s shaking shoulders in her clumsy attempt to comfort the girl.
    “Go on Isola. Just let it all out. You’ll feel better.” Taking the advice, Isola wailed louder, as she felt her pain bubble up and boil over. In the medical room, Aurelia winced unconsciously in her sleep and a sapphire tear rolled down her pallor cheek.
    “Isola.” She murmured, attracting Dawan’s attention, evident by the way her grey eyes widened, causing her head of silvery white hair to jerk back, invoking surprise in her twin, Dusek; who was further shocked upon knowing that Dawan had lent the necklace to Aurelia.
    “I thought to take it off would be suicide.” He hissed, when Janiquil’s attention had returned to pacifying the little girl. Pursing her lips, Dawan decided to reply mentally instead.
    “It was necessary. I sensed a dark presence around her. Besides, I felt a connection. A connection with her. I can’t afford to let her die.”
    Acknowledging his twin’s words, Dusek let the matter drop and instead, started to chatter openly about random topics to Isola and Janiquil. But it wasn’t until he touched upon the topic of flowers did she start to open up a little. Even so, it was all related to the unconscious invalid.
    “I think that roses are the most beautiful plants in the world.”
    “Maybe so, but white ones suit my sister the most. I think it’ll match her skin tone.”
    Sending a gaze that practically begged for help to his sister and friends, Dusek happily relinquished the task of entertaining the single minded Isola to Janiquil as he settled back in the cushy sofa, preparing himself to discuss about the only topic that heavily weighted in everyone’s minds with his twin.
    When she woke, everything was a mess. She couldn’t think straight and her brains felt like mashed cheese. Every joint and muscle in her body ached like crazy and her throat felt like it had been parched by the combined heat of a thousand suns.
    When the flimsy wooden barrier burst open, she couldn’t seem to remember who did the face belong to, the face filled with worry and eyes full of tender concern.
    “Aurelia! Aurelia! Answer me! Can you hear me? Aurelia!” The voices and calls surrounded her at every corner, confusing her with their cries and her head swarm. Shutting her eyes, she tried to fend against the many waves of dizzy nausea that threatened to overwhelm her.
    Just as she thought she couldn’t take anymore of it, a cool hand placed something soothing on her heated forehead and the owner of the gentle hands quieted the noisy room with her calming voice. Feeling a sense of security in the unknown person’s touch, Aurelia drifted of to a peaceful slumber.