Begin Anew - 4

A gasp echoed from my lips - "truly - I spoke. A mixture of true excitement and surprise falling from my mouth as I turned and stared straight into her soul.

"Of course." 

Abby spoke. A mixture of pride within her voice as she turned the page of that book she was reading… no, it was actually a… a stack of papers. 

I placed my hand over it and imbibed the power the necklace gave me. My mind reading through countless words within a moment's time. 

"Paper's?" 

I asked, tilting my head in confusion. Whatever had been written upon them were similar in nature, yet each of them held that same quality about them. Spoke of topics that I could not envision within my mind.

They went completely over my head.

"Yes, I had to abandon my classes for some time…" Abby paused, her voice trailing off as she leaned her head over my shoulder, "Of course I don't regret it, not at all."

I smiled, leaning into that touch of hers. Time passed in such a manner, only the rote sound of pen against paper, an accompanying white noise that filled the comforting silence between us both.

"Mmm~" Abby moaned, stretching her arms as she took me into her embrace. Modest breasts placed against my face, her arms groped at my back. 

"Ready?" I nodded, grunting my response. An almost echo within her chest that brought both of us to the floor. 

My feet placed over her back as she carried me in such a way. Only moments later did Abby place me down on the ground. Under the weight of my own feet.

…

I took a glance. My sight transitioned once more. Watching the grand souls of those within the academy infirmary. How she had obtained the permission I neither knew, nor needed to ask. 

For I was happy to place my hand over the first. Her wounds squished under my power. Placed unto and over my body. A pain that drove me towards the bed. Where I placed a supporting hand on the mattress.

The same girl hurriedly pushed herself up, her hand placed on my back. My face scrunched, forced to sit as the wounds held their power over me.

Only for a moment though. As the nurses and doctors placed careful hands over my face. Measured my temperature and tried to diagnose my problem.

Only for me to wave my hand. My smile slight in nature.

"Don't worry…" I spoke. Glancing slightly to Abby who stood off to the side, "It is only a side effect, I'll be better in a moment."

Only I wasn't. As that same fever flared over my body. It burned. It hurt so much. But even so… even with my body wracked with so much pain. Enough to place me on the floor for moments longer.

I still refused any more help than a mere hand to place me next to my next. My own touch against their flushed skin. Against the stub of their torn hand. Repaired… replaced. Until each and every girl and boy within this clinic was healed.

Until the beds that had ultimately filled within the length of my visit. Until even those were emptied.

I collapsed. A hand over my head. Ears filled with nothing more than a whisper of death. Flushed against the cool floor. Only to be placed on those same beds.

"Professor Lauragne." One of the doctors spoke. Her voice completely professional. But I could see the rage within her soul.

"Was it truly prudent to let such a student use such a… such a debilitating ability."

There was no response. I wanted to defend her. To say that it was my own choice, a gift of the highest order.

But I couldn't. My mouth merely croaked out a faint groan that had the nurse, who cared for me, place a hand over my own. Gently shushing me to the best of her ability.

An attempt to comfort the pain I felt. Only this pain, this ultimate agony I felt as heat sheared through my body, it was nothing compared to the agony I felt at Abby being yelled at for what was ultimately my own decision.

But as the nurse's hand ghosted over my eyes, powder faded through my nose, my eyes closed within the same moment.

My hand searched for that same warmth. Only it never appeared. For I had fallen deep into slumber before even she could reach me.

…

And when I woke, was there such a commotion? I had thought that my awakening would be easy. That I would not be in such flames when I opened my eyes.

Yet as I opened them, my sight once more restored. Watching that swirling void, the swimming sea of souls ripped apart within my vision.

Of tens of those same souls clamored around my side. Their emotions… nothing more than a mere swirling mess. 

One approached… greater in courage than the ones that hid behind walls of others, in wait of their own turn. And in wait of whether I would be in a good mood or not.

I smiled.

It was lucky for them… that despite the pain I found myself in - because of all the healing I had done - that I would still find time to take their thanks.

And so I took her hand in mine, smiling up to her.

"There is no need for thanks… if that is what you came here for… I would do it again in a heartbeat."

Within that hand of hers. I could feel her heart pound, her pulse quickened. All as she hurriedly rose from her position. Even so, she still was oh so gentle when parting from my own hand.

"Please tell the others… I have no need for thanks… and that… that if they need any more healing or have others that need healing…" I trailed off, a blush on my face as I tried to finish my sentence.

"I understand." She spoke for the first time. And although she had hurriedly parted. She still took my hand in hers, kissing it oh so gently.

"I will inform them."

"Thank you." I spoke, parting the blanket and daintily placing foot after foot on the ground. Taking Abby's hand in mind. Allowing her to lead me from the clinic.

"Find me here," I mumbled off a place I knew I would be in a lot.