It's time for the reset. After a few tries of me walking on my own, or with someone holding my hand to guide me, we gave up. I always forget how hard it is to walk with your eyes closed. So now one of the adults will just pick me up and carry me wherever I need to go. So I don't get to move too much. Elwin had me change into a pair of pjs, and wait in the cot. I'm holding Kitty, and all my friends and family are around me.
"Why don't we take that bandage off." Elwin says. "It's time." I assume Livvy comes over, because the next second, someone is handing me a pill.
"Just swallow that and relax, well, relax as much as it's possible to while having a deathly allergic reaction."
"Ok." I take a deep breath, and swallow the pill. I feel my throat close off, and I can't breathe. Soon, the world goes black.
oOo
"Ugh..." I groan. Everything hurts.
"You're awake!" Elwin says, relieved. "I was starting to worry..."
"How-" I try to sit up, but it hurts too much.
"Yeah, it's probably best if you stay down for a while."
"How long was I out for?"
"A day."
"What?!"
"You needed to recover. You still need to recover."
"Ugh... where is everyone?"
"Well, I had to fight them to get them to leave, especially Dex, but they should all be at their homes."
"Are you going to hail them?"
"After you drink these. Be careful, I already took off the caps." I drink the elixirs, which make me feel way better, really fast. I wonder how long it'll take Dex to get here... practically as soon as I think the thought, I feel a familiar tug. I know it's too late to resist it, so I have to warn Elwin.
"Ican'tstopthisdon'tholdmedown!" And I'm in Dex's room. He's on his bed, tears streaming down his face. What happened? Why is he crying? I see a book open in front of him...no. That's his diary. I shouldn't read it. But... I want to know what happened.
I know she's in good hands with Elwin, but I can't help worrying. She should have woken up by now... I don't know what I'll do if I she doesn't. I know she cares aobut me more than anyone, and even if she doesn't, I care about her more than anyone. I might even love her. I stop reading. He really does love me. I realize I'm crying. His imparter rings, and he picks it up, drying his eyes. It's a frantic Elwin.
"Dex, come fast!" He cries through the screen.
"What? Why?! Is it Lori?!"
"Yes! I don't know what's going on! She woke up and then it looks like she fell back asleep, but she isn't responding to anything!"
"What?!"
"Sophie's on her way, I'm going to try-"
"Don't!" I accidentally cry out loud. The second thing you learn when you're in Seeking lessons, right after rooting your consciousness is never talk. It drains your energy, and everyone can hear you. I can feel it leave me. But Elwin can't mess with my body.
"Lori?" Dex says confused. "What's happening?" I have to go. I'm running throught htat mental forrest again. Run. Run. Run. Don't stop. They can't catch me. Just keep running. My head starts hurting, and I have to stop to breathe. Sense around for the beasts. Mostly clear. It's never all clear. Never. But I can stop for a few seconds to catch my breath. Keep sensing while I breathe deeply. That one's too close. Start running. Run, and run, and run. Just keep running, until I'm back in my own body. I'm almost there, but... I spoke. The last of my energy is going. The beast is getting too close. I... if I could transmit, and if Sophie's already there... it's a slim chance, but the best one I have. I only have the energy for one word. ENHANCE! I try to run, but I'm out of energy. I trip over my own feet, and wait for the end. How would it feel to get devoured by the beasts ater evading them for so long? Five yards away... four... three... two... and suddenly, I have energy again! Sophie got my message! Run, run, run until I'm back in my body.
"I'm back!"