10 Chapter 10

I take the steps two at a time as i heave Laylas clammy body up. Step by Step.

I burst through the window at the speed of light sending us sprawling onto the floor, wincing i sit up knowing Im gonna feel that pain tomorrow.

However, my attention is quickly diverted to a very still Layla on the floor as she has not moved since i ran from the battle road.

Dragging myself over i turn Layla on her back and place my ear to her chest but with my human ears i cannot hear anything. Panic wells inside me and i activate my powers despite knowing how risky that can be in my state, but i do not care because it allows me to hear a faint but steady heart beat.

I drag Layla by her arms to the bed and rest her there as best i can. Her hair is wet with sweat but her hands are clammy...her breathing is laboured and her chest red with blood. My own hands are shaking with fear but I cannot give into right now i need to help Lay.

First things first i need to apply pressure to her wound.The three incisions where that bastards tail hit her are deep with the skin around it an angry red but leas it does not look infected. I rip her top to allow access to the wound and grabbing a clean shirt from the draw i place it over and hold it. Its by no means appropriate but I dont have anything else.

Next is to clean the wound ...we have no alcohol but water should do. I bolt to the sink and my body protests with every throb but i fight through it. The cup shakes as i hold it under the sink as my hands tremble. Once its full to the top i walk quickly but securely to prevent any spillage. I peel the shirt from the wound and a hiss sounds from Layla but she does not wake up, so i tilt the water through the wound urging myself to not gag at the damage. This is my damn fault. I did not protect her. I squeeze my eyes willing the tears to fade away as I need to see to help Layla but they just seep through anyway.

They splash onto the wound much to my dismay but im helpless, emotions keep overwhelming me about today, Layla's condition, my own pain and anger towards that Varian idiot. Now the hard part is attempting to close deep incision where blood is leaking from...but i have nothing not even a needle and bloody thread. A sob erupts involuntary from my throat as terror fills me...I cant let Layla die and i cant abandon her to go get help...besides no one would help us as we are.

There is no choice...i just have to wrap the wound until Layla regains consciousness then i will have to find a solution because a hospital aint one. I take a shuddering breath as i scan around the room for anything to wrap it with. Suddenly i spot the worn out towel dangling from the bathroom door...its rough and not the best for a make shift bandage but it can soak up liquid. I place the cup on the floor and wobble my way to the towel yanking it down and falling to my knees next to Layla.

My energy is depleted but i fight the heavy feeling in my head enough to wrap the towel around Laylas front with great difficulty. By the end of it im half dead myself and my side is urging me to stop moving...Layla has some variant of warmth in her cheeks.

Some relief fills me until i keel over into the ground and my eyes force my consciousness away.

Warmth. Thats all i feel. Looking around me there is grass that goes on for miles up and down the downs. Flowers litter the fields of every colour. But the purple iris are the brightest by far, I take a step through the grass feeling every grain of grass on my toes. A sigh of peace flows through me and I kneel down next to the Iris. The the middle of the iris is a beautiful violet shade with a royal purple skirt. I lean down and smell the entrancing smell which reminds me of the spring such as a place like this. Beautiful. Peaceful. Safe.

I stand once again and twirl in nature embracing the energy of this place, looking down a weight dress coats my body with not a speck of dirt to be seen. Ive never felt so holy before how strange. My head raises to the sky and I count the clouds in the blue sky, it really is perfect here.

'Erza!' I jolt out of my trance to see Layla on the other side of the field waving at me. Joy rushes through me and I hurry to get to her minding the flowers as i run.Layla chuckles as i clasp her in my arms and shudder with relief. Layla taps my head as if she is a mother with her child. I detach myself in embarrassment.

'Erza dont worry im here. We all are.' Layla beams and squeezes her eyes in happiness.

'Who else is here?' I ask with uncertainty. Layla simply nods her head forward.

'ERZA! We are over here!' As i turn to my left among the flowers sits Kyran who smiles with unbridled happiness waving his hand widely. To his left standing is Grayth whose grey eyes look at me warmly as he smirks at my surprise. On his right is Uriel her pink hair matching the bee balm flowers in her hand. She shouts ' We havent seen you in forever and the first thing you do is cry! Seriously.' Her laughter echoes the valley around us and in confusion i touch my face to find warmth tears gliding down. I hurry over and fall to the middle of the group dragging them all into a messy wet hug. Kyran is unbashfully crying. Uriel is laughing. Grayth is sneakily wiping his tears. Layla has rushed over and sits crying as well; the softie.

But where is Peter? Surely he is here too? I look at Uriel who before i even ask gestures across her soldier. Peter is leaning against a tree a good few yards from the group. His shirt flutters to his waist and the white trousers are close to skinny jeans which doesnt come as much of a surprise. He has always been fashion conscious his red hair flutters under a white beaning creating the stark contrast that has me walking in awe. Above him a coleus tree with flamethrower leaves matching his intense hair but what stops in his tracks is his eyes. The emerald shine through his black eyelashes and instead of their usual anger there is just warmth.

Peter uncrosses his arms as he sees me approaching and walks towards me. Anticipation grips me...the last time i saw Peter i left him to a certain death. I dont know how to handle this interaction. But just as i hesitate Peter is before me smiling earnestly.

Tears burst from the seams as he reaches a hand out to me. That same hand i ignored...instead of taking his hand i rush to him. Thanks to my misgrace i knock us both off court which earns a chuckle from Peter. I bury my head in his chest hearing the thump of life and his hand is immersed in my hair which causes me to look at him.

'Erza..' His rough voice rings in my ears, the emerald twinkles among the grass as if he is one with nature never ageing never moving on. But im broken out of my trance as pulls me closer...we are so close that are noses are touching like two animals of the same pack greet each other. However this feels to close to a farewell to comfort me.

'Erza you need to go. This isnt real.' Peter grimaces as if he dare'nt utter these words.

I sit back slightly worried i misread the situation but his expression looks troubled.

'What do you mean? Im finally here. Im home with you guys.' I ask shakily.

Peter pushes me away as he gets to his knees. He places each hand on my shoulder and stares into my eyes.

'Erza this isnt real. You need to wake up and help Layla.' Peter's sadness is radiating off him.

'Help Layla but she is over there fine? Your not making sense.' I pull away from Peter the rejection stinging.

'Erza this is all in your head. You need to wake up. This isnt about me not wanting you here but this isnt real'. Peter scrambles over to me.

I pull back and turn away. 'I knew you wouldnt be able to forgive me so easily like this...i knew there was a damn catch..' Pain spreads throughout my chest as i squeeze my eyes shut.

Peter shakes me. 'Erza wake up now!'

I open my eyes and the grass is no longer green. The flowers arent blooming. The others are no way to be seen.

My breathing quickens as i search round for the others. 'Uriel! Kyran! Grayth!!!'

I twist to right but nothing. 'Layla!'

Peter pulls me towards him by my hand. 'See this isnt real. You need to wake up now Erza.'

A sob erupts from my throat as i grasp his arm tighter. 'NO Peter dont leave me. Please!'

Peter looks at me with minuscule tears forming in the bud of his eyes. 'Erza im not real. Find me when you wake up okay!' He pulls his arm out of my grasp as everything fades away.

'Find me in the real world Erza!' Everything is now black.

Gasping my eyes flap open. I sit up abruptly earning a groan thanks to my side injury, i look to Layla who is now moaning in her sleep. I crawl to the couch and drag myself to stand. Placing a hand on Laylas head she feels warm...too warm. Shit she will need antibiotics which we cant get or if we can wont come easy.

I gnaw on my nails in frustration...looking down i recognise my tattered clothes from the battle and wince at the state of me. As I look down at Layla regret panges through me and comparing her now to how i saw her in that weird dream thing i just woke from. The difference is immense, at least in that dream she looked like a normal teen but here in this godforsaken world she is a creature of war.

I clench my fists as fury flows through me, luckily laylas wrap isnt red so the blood hasnt soaked through.....yet.

'FUCK'. I yank a hand through my grime covered hair as anger builds. My powers begins to flow and its not until my side radiates pain that im snapped from an emotion transformation.

I look over to Layla who groans but shows no sign of waking. Once I shower and sort myself out Im gonna get help, even if it has to be that Varian jackass who stood by and watched us fight.

I lean on the bed and push of it sending me to the wall which jolts my sore abdomen but least i have support. The dragging sound of my body against the peeling echoes around the flat but after sometime i make it to the bathroom.

Flinging my jeans off in agony as i try to bend and twist to get them off, i finally step in the cold shower. I look down at my abdomen and in grimace at the dark litter of bruises over my abdomen. At about 8 inches thick and the colour of deep purple, with various shades of violet i cant help but think back to the iris in my dream. What the hell did that dream mean anyway. Why were they in it? Does this mean they are dead...and because me and Layla nearly died we were there? No. My power isnt supernatural so i cant have dreamed through a weird sixth sense. But it hurt so much seeing them and having them ripped away.

The longing in my heart to see them again has become excruciating enough that it makes me want to do anything to see them which is dangerous. This feeling leads to weakness, it means people will take advantage of it to try and get me to cooperate.

As i rinse my hair and revel in the cool liquid soothing my battered body a startling revelation causes me to stop. I have never had dreams like that. Whats the coincidence i have a dream when an entity shows up? But entities dont have that kind of power that only comes from the people like me.....Who did Layla and me bump into that day?...Varian. A growls erupts from my throat. What was his power again....it didnt seem anything physical which is possibly why he didnt join the fight unless he doesnt like getting his hands dirty.

That damn Varian did he do this? Does he have some power to make you see illusions?

I slam my fist to the wall in frustration, just wait till i find him. Hurrying out of the shower i grab some leggings and a jumper, wrapping my hair in a bun then im ready to find him.

I check on Layla before i go but no change. Time to go, strutting towards the window i ignore every wave of pain that rolls over me. I dont matter right now Layla does. He will help us if its the last thing he does because i am not letting Layla die so young just because he wanted some entertainment.

A growl erupts from my throat and my fangs elongate.

I will find him. I'll find him if i have to rampage every area of London.