Hours bled into the night.

Specifically, eleven hours and fifteen minutes.

Painful hours of Remi pacing in circles, asking me different questions about hospitals and illness until she eventually passed out in a worn armchair. Panic broke her down and spat her out.

Daniel went with Meika to find the flat we'd been staying in, leaving me alone to deal with doctors, nurses, and a bunch of dying patients.

In passing the time, I slipped through the halls, absorbing the souls of patients who were crossing over, greeting restless and tired people and guiding them to the empty realm behind.

Theron is put in an in-patient room, unconscious.

I take a deep breath and close my eyes. Picking up Remi - her small frame rolling into me easily - is the first step to getting answers.

She doesn't stir, a sigh escaping her as I place her in another chair within the room. The privacy feels safer, an old, broken TV hanging on the wall and some curtains sheltering us from the night.

Sitting down upright, I watch every human that walks by with precision and death in my eyes.

"You look like a Sentry," a groggy voice breaks my vigil.

Internally rattled, I slowly turn to see Theron opening his eyes into slits. "You look half-dead," I smirk back.

The green eyes blink open fully, something darker hiding under the irises. "I suppose that's something, come here."

Obediently, I rise and come to his side, resting a hip against the bed.

Remi moans a little in the far corner. We both freeze, turning to look at her as if waking the young woman was some kind of crime punishable by execution. Instead, she mumbles something incoherent and curls into the soft cushions more.

The sick man turns to look at me, once again giving me an analytical staredown and then smirking a bit. "Have you been feeding off the souls in here?"

I laugh, surprised by the observation. "How could you possibly have known that?"

Theron doesn't respond at first, reaching for his head with a groan. "I-I uh, well your eyes stopped glowing for one, but I suppose it's more about the way you're carrying yourself. You look stronger," he smiles a little bit, as if happy for it.

I give him a more intense once over, inspecting every inch of his frame. Theron's frown deepens again when we make eye contact, the same look he gave me the night in the hotel.

"Stop giving me that look," I grumble. "You're not allowed to give up."

He doesn't say anything, looking largely at the floor as if there were something far more interesting in the opposite direction from me. A normal human game, something I haven't seen a lot of in my time interacting with others.

Something about shame births hidden eye contact.

"Iridian, what have the doctors been saying about my condition?" he asks, completely ignoring my statement.

I look out the window and shrug. "They haven't been talking to me. So far I've been taking the no news is good news approach."

"Not in this case."

"How do you mean?"

Theron starts playing with the IV's in his arms, one for water and the other appearing to administer medication every so often. "I woke up during the procedure, something they were talking about never happens, but the anesthesia wasn't working on me. I was awake for the majority of the time after..."

My lips purse. "And?"

"And I don't know fancy terminology, but I know what a human freak out sounds like. My entire nervous system is compromised. One lady was in hysterics about something being miraculous. The surgeon didn't know how I was alive."

I hear footsteps stop outside the door and turn to see a very nervous nurse peaking in. She holds a thin clipboard in her hands with laminated notes, some drawn on with a marker. "Excuse me? Theron?"

She comes in farther without invitation, both of us just watching her small, frightful movements. "I don't mean to bother anyone, I'm just checking in to see how you're feeling."

"Half-dead," he laughs, looking up at me. A tiny wink makes me believe he's just being a tease, but the pain in those eyes is distracting. "Not dying, I guess."

She nods and without a name tag, I suppose I just have to memorize her pointed features and tiny face.

"We're looking into everything we can do for you Theron, though there have been some bumps in the road. It would seem your bodies long exposure to the environment outside of the city compromised your immune system long before you caught this illness. Without allowing infecting members in the gates, we haven't had a chance to study the pathogen or what it contains. Even with some heavy duty equipment, the doctors are concerned there isn't a whole lot we can do for you but provide the proper environment."

He takes this without flinching, the fear and agony flickering away in his gaze as if the confirmation of bad news is in fact better.

"So you're saying I won't recover?" He asks, the question sounding more like a statement than anything.

The nurse makes a face, her lips quirking a little before she backs away. "I'm not qualified to tell you anything beyond the facts."

"Well, what are you qualified to tell me then?" Theron snaps, forcing himself to sit up before coughing viciously.

She isn't ready for all the anger bubbling up inside this boy, eyes flashing between me and the blood running out of his nose. Without letting her speak again, I wave her off gently and put my hand on his back.

"I need you to breathe... You can't yell right now, don't you see?"

He shrugs me off, only to stare sadly at my hand.

Using this as an excuse to grab his, I sit on the bed and wait until he looks at me. "You have to be more careful, Theron."

"Can't you see I'm tired of being careful?" He growls, but his hand squeezes around mine. "I'm just tired..."

"Then why don't you sleep? I'll make sure no one bothers you and we'll assess your condition in the morning."

He nods and slinks back into his sheets, eyes locking onto the young girl snuggled into her chair.

I walk away, dragging a thin chair over and sitting just below his bed. The monitor regulates itself when Theron closes his eyes and my hand is back on his.

His breathing softens and when I finally think he's asleep, I lean forward and prop my head on the bed, stroking his arm.

"Ira, I need you to promise me something," he murmurs.

The first word out of my mouth shocks me. "Anything."

His breathing gets even more shallow. "If something happens to me, I need to know that Remi is going to be safe, I need to know that you'll look out for her. Even if that means taking her with you to find Lindon, even if that means locking her up for her own good... I need to know she's going to be safe, Ira..."

I feel tears in my eyes, but swallow the hurt out of my voice. "Of course, I promise."

He squeezes my hand and starts snoring softly.

Remi shifts in her sleep, tossing and turning in the final hours before throwing herself on the floor. She accidentally knocks her head on the metal of the chair.

The racket almost causes Theron to stir, but drugged sleep is far stronger than anything she could do at this point.

"Ira? Did I miss anything?" She asks, launching off the ground and scrubbing her eyes in dizzy disorientation. "Have any doctors been by? Has he woken up?"

I shush her and roll my eyes. "So many questions girl, he needs to sleep. The answer to all of those is yes, doctors have come to check on him and he has woken up."

"And?"

"And his condition is unstable and highly likely to collapse without rest," I half-lie, looking at the paling man's features and frowning. "We don't know what's going to happen next but I suggest not putting too much pressure on him."

She nods solemnly and rakes fingers through her thick mane. Sweat and dirt make it impossible for her to make it, but she plays it off with a quick yank.

Remi looks at the bathroom and hesitantly walks over. "Is it bad that I don't know what any of this stuff is?"

I shake my head and get up. "No, of course not. You were raised without all of it. But there is an emergency shower, the toilet, and a sink. Once upon a time, humans were clean," I chuckle a little bit, pointing as I list things off.

She seems to have understood, considering the next thing she does is lock herself inside and try washing out her hair.

Meika and Daniel approach, voices loud enough in the hallway for me to compose myself before they enter.

Each looks substantially cleaner and overall different.

Dan's matted brown hair is a glossy oak now, flopping over his eyes slightly with the length I'm sure he didn't know it had. Even though the clothes are old, they suit him more now than before, with clear skin and no sweat stains.

The Fae Witch took extra good care of herself in the past few hours. Though she's been able to survive with cleansing magic, the whole demeanor has shifted. A smile lights her lips, pale skin shining in the light and straight hair reaching down towards her elbow.

Even her uniform is crisp and glistening in the light.

"You could use a shower," she grins further, looking around the room. "You both could, but I think a haircut is in order too."

My lip quirks up for a second, though it does not last. "Perhaps I'll allow it when this hospital mess is over with."

"Such an honor your majesty," she bows mockingly. "Will I be allowed to fetch you some grapes as well?"

My eyebrow raises, expression staying dark and calm. "Are you high or something?"

Dan shakes his head and walks to the other side of Theron's bed. "She's been doing that all day, I'm not entirely sure what's in her head."

Just as this is said, Remi comes bounding out of the bathroom with the biggest smile on her face and a fresh tee shirt from her pack. "Oh my god, is this what clean feels like?"

I note the glossiness of her skin and hair, the same attributes everyone shares. A suspicious sensation quickly spreads through me but I can't help but feel sorry.

They're only excited because this is the first time in years that they've been exposed to feeling clean and healthy. It's more than possible that all a smile takes these days is the beauty and luxury of being clean. Judging them for being excited it harsh, even is something smells fishy.

Looking down at myself, I feel the dust and dirt move with me when I move. Sweat is grimy and uncomfortable, but livable compared to being stuck in a chained cell, waiting for someone or something to be stupid enough to wander in.

"Yes, Love," I smile sadly. "Now everyone needs to get out of here before you wake him. I'll keep you updated."

Remi's heart breaks, her features falling faster than I can finish the sentence. "We'll be quiet, please let us stay, I can-"

"Remi," I warn softly. She swallows and avoids my eyes. "Can you two show her the apartment you found?"

Daniel nods, easing an arm around her and escorting the young girl from the room. Meika stays behind for a minute looking at me skeptically. When they're far enough away, she approaches.

"Do you think it's smart, them missing his death? Won't they resent you for it?"

My brows furrow. "What are you talking about?"

"He's going to die, Iridian. Soon. I can smell the death on him and even I have my limits. You have to know what's coming without Lindon or more advanced medicine. It could be hours or days, but that boy is going to die."

Eyes stinging, I stare back at her with defiance similar to children. "I won't take his soul."

"Oh? Then what, Ira? Damn him to this planet and force his spirit to remain cursed to these lands? Better yet, a restless ghost following you around everywhere. Don't be foolish, you're not this sentimental, you know what is required of you. Death is a part of life."

I feel physically assaulted by her words.

Slapped by the reality of my stubbornness.

Theron stirs a little bit, but eventually settles back down into his sheets and tucks himself to the side slightly.

With everything in my power, I stiffen up and right myself mentally. "Alright, bring them back in an hour or so. I don't want them too far from him," I say.

"Okay," Meika agrees.

The silence is deafening when she leaves.

When being able to hear soft shifts in the air, the sound of obnoxious machines and people are less than welcoming. Theron's breathing is irregular and hitched, but the softer snores are endearing.

I close my eyes and try to concentrate on Lindon's energy, searching for the energetic tether binding us together until something glitters before me in a glowing ray. The line zigs and zags out of sight, disappearing through buildings.

The feeling dampens and disappears when I follow it straight into thick water.

A shiver rolls down my spine and sets my hair on edge.

"She's right you know," I hear, scaring me back into reality.

"I'm sorry?"

Theron opens his eyes and rolls his head to face me. "Meika's right. I don't see myself making it out of this Iridian."

A tiny gasp gets stuck in my throat, searing and burning there. "I said I was going to protect you... I said I would keep you three safe."

"Until we got to the city," he smiles, a knowing, sad look outweighing the wisdom there. "You've done well, Ira."

"I hardly call this safely," I mutter, bitterly crossing my arms and looking the other way.

He laughs, the raspy edge in his voice grimace-worthy. "The last thing I ever expected in life was for a Goddess to become attached to me, let alone the Goddess of Death."

"These are certainly abnormal circumstances," I sigh, sitting down on the edge of his bed again. "Lindon and I don't interact with Humans, not even before this whole world began falling apart. Most of the Gods don't."

He considers this for a moment. Theron's breathing grows labored again. "Ira... I'm sorry for... for how I was when we found you..."

The emotion rising up from him alarms me.

Theron finally shows those hopeless feelings he's been hiding for years if not his whole life, innocent, heartbreaking sadness written all over his face. He takes my hand gently and looks at it.

"No, you don't get to apologize like you're saying goodbye..." I whisper. "I-I won't forgive you if you're just going to give up."

"I need you to do something for me," he says, tightening his grip.

My teeth grind together. "What...?"

Theron tries to sit up in the bed, barely strong enough to get up halfway. "This is worse than being dead, Ira..."

"I-I-"

He shakes his head. "You promised me you would take care of Remi, I know how hard that was for you. I know you hate the thought of letting anything happening to her anyway. But I can't let her watch me like this..."

"Where are you going with this?"

"I want you to end this..." His voice is barely audible. The pain of just one sentence tearing me to shreds from the inside out. "I-"

"Stop talking," I growl pushing off the bed in a panic.

"Iridian..."

"No, I said stop, damn it!"

He sits up fully, the heart monitor going crazy with the motion and huge groan is forced from his body. I pace to his side, hand on his back. Tears flood my vision but I don't dare let any spill over.

Theron chuckles a little bit. "You care too much."

"You apparently don't care enough."

We stare at each other for a moment.

"You will be protecting me, Iridian. By ending this suffering, by putting me out of my misery. I can't even see..."

I choke on the heavy air between us, eyes widening in shock. "You can't see?"

He shrugs. "I woke up with blurry vision, but it's fading very quickly. I can't live like this even if I do recover, don't you understand? I wouldn't be able to function properly, I wouldn't be able to do any of the things that kept me going in the first place."

Theron looks out the window and down the hall, seeing a bunch of nurses and doctors busying themselves with minor injuries and patients whose lives aren't even at stake. Something pains him in those seconds, but following his line of sight, I can't see anything.

Perhaps that's the point.

"Consider the part of the promise," Theron whispers, going back to watching our hands. "You'll be saving Remi from the most painful part and I wouldn't even know what to say..."

Lindon is miles away, days and nights of endless walking and weak as I was when breaking out. Hypothetically, every solution had become impossible. Every method of saving this man from death. Every chance he had at living a normal life with the girl he loved, protecting and serving her inside these gates.

All of it gone.

My body is trembling, viciously trembling with the weight of this. Tears pour down my cheeks without restraint anymore, falling onto my shirt and Theron's limp arm.

Helpless.

Absolutely, irrevocably helpless.

"Okay," my voice breaks, sobs fighting their way out of me. "Okay."

I slide down in front of him and take the deepest breath I can muster. My lips are wobbling uncontrollably. My mana flickers inside my chest, reaching out for him almost in recognition.

"It's okay," Theron whispers.

Leaning forward, I wrap my arms around him gingerly and hug him with as much restraint as I can manage. My power swells a little, but I steel it down inside of me.

He sighs, smelling me and relaxing. "Thank you, Ira..."

I can only manage to nod, so as not to scream. The pressure in my throat is almost consuming.

"You tell her I love her," he says. "You tell Remi I loved her so much, that I would've wanted to spend the rest of my life with her."

I nod again. "I will."

"Thank you..."

I feel the man I'd grown to love going limp in my arms, the machines picking up in a wretched, loud screech.

The next few moments pass me in a blur.

Laying Theron's body back down, I hear footsteps clambering into the room from doctors and nurses alike, coming to pull out heavy-duty machinery. Trying to be heroes.

Then the screams, the agonizing screams of Remi trying to claw her way in and doctors roughly dragging me out.

But I swear what will haunt me forever is the painful buzzing of a flatline.

Following me for an eternity. 

Well, I think some apologies are in order. 

To Gabby, for killing her favorite character and ruining her ship. To Gwyn and Song, for inevitably making them cry. And to any of you out there, that didn't hate Theron or don't anymore. 

RIP Theron...

I love you all very dearly, so thank you for sticking with me this long. I know it isn't always the easiest, but I'm more than grateful for all of you. This story is about to get intense, so buckle up. 

Don't forget to vote and comment if you enjoyed the story! Thank you guys and have a lovely day!