What's real? Is there anything free from lies in her life? A sea of doubts grew around Agatha, and the young woman didn't have more options than to learn how to swim or drown.

In the last few months the water had been accumulating at a slow pace, and she had enough time to modify her mind and actions to adapt to the new environment.

The recent change of the surface, on the contrary, took her by surprise, one second she felt safe in the arms of her boyfriend, and suddenly she began drowning. But she was stubborn enough to fight back against the hostile territory.

So she woke up the next day full of conviction, ready to take the next step. The day of the battle had arrived, Genevieve informed her about the demons' plans because they'll need her powers.

During the fight, they expected to see the biggest number of injured they ever had, and it won't be only members of the Protectors but also common villagers. Speed was fundamental and no one could heal others faster than Agatha. She didn't need to think about it before accepting the responsibility.

The entire morning passed between practice, last-moment preparations, and the doctor's instructions.

The location of the infirmary had been modified, the headquarters were too far from the center of the village and it was fundamental that the medical help was close to the battle. The Mayor offered an old clinic four blocks away from Liberty Park, he wasn't aware of the attack that was about to come, they told him that they wanted to expand their reach.

Agatha rested on a chair next to the window when a sweet voice reached her ears.

"The sky looks so beautiful today. Ironic, isn't it?"

The young woman turned her body to face the new company. Stella gave her a sincere smile.

"I think it's a good thing, it can help lift the spirit," said the librarian. "It helps me to relax."

"How're you doing? I know we're not that close but I'm here if you ever need to talk."

Agatha stood up from the seat and got closer to the window. She laid her right hand on the glass and turned her gaze to the street.

"I'm better now, at least I have something to do."

"To be busy it's not the same as to be alright. I'm afraid that if you keep avoiding your feelings they'll come back stronger."

"I feel stupid." Tears began to fall down Agatha's cheeks, she could feel her words struggling to get through her throat. "How could I not have seen it? Sometimes he said and did questionable things, but then he was so sweet and caring and I created excuses to justify him."

"Sweetheart, it's not your fault," said Stella. "He knew what he was doing, he was the one who manipulated you. No one is trying to blame you here, no one is mad at you, you shouldn't feel that way either."

"Thanks, I needed to hear that."

"I'll keep reminding you that it's not your fault everyday until you believe in it."

They remained in silence, enjoying the refreshing stillness. A new presence made them return to the loud reality a few minutes later.

"Can I interrupt you for a bit?" Lorcan asked.

The previous feeling of lost and deep pain was sent away only by the young man's smile. A simple gesture that assured Agatha that everything was going to be alright.

"I was about to leave," Stella said. "Genevieve will go crazy without me."

Carried by shy steps, both of the friends closed the distance. Lorcan took the hands of the librarian between his, and immediate relief traveled through her arms all the way to her heart.

"Feeling better?" He asked

"I'm making progress. How about you? Are your wounds completely healed?"

"Couldn't be better, all thanks to you." His right hand got closer to her face, he caressed her cheek just above her left eye. "I can see that your cut is also gone."

"You know, I heal myself without even trying. Why are you here? It's not that I don't enjoy your company, I'm only curious."

"I came to give you something before I have to go. It's almost time, and I need to be among the first ones present in the park." Lorcan took a dagger and an automatic pistol from his jacket's pocket. "These are for you, use them as we practice if something goes wrong. Remember everything I taught you, trust your abilities, I know you can do it. I'll see you again very soon."

Agatha accepted the weapons, their weight was heavier than she remembered, maybe she was also sensing the weight of their meaning, the weight of the battle they represented.

"You better not break your promise, I'll be waiting for your return."

She couldn't say anything else without releasing her tears, so she chose to express her feelings in another way. The young woman hid the weapons inside her pockets, then she hugged her friend with all her strength. She let his warmth comfort her until he broke the embrace.

"I have to go, I don't think I'll be able to leave you if I stay here another minute," confessed Lorcan.

"See you soon, my Lord. Don't forget about your promise."

"I can't forget anything when it comes to you, my lady."

He caressed her face for the last time, and with great care, he placed a kiss on her forehead before leaving.

Lost inside her mind, Agatha resumed her tasks. She turned into a body working in automatic, her thoughts still stuck in the memory of Lorcan's kiss.

She didn't wake from her vivid dream when Demir arrived at the infirmary, or when Genevieve informed her that only two minutes were left before the eclipse. All she could do was repeat over and over her desire for the young man to come back to her.

Darkness dyed the sky, for a second the world seemed to stop. The lights of the room were turned on just in time to receive the screams coming from the outside. The sound startled Agatha, making her reconnect with reality.

"We'll be okay," said Demir before reaching for her hand.

"We're strong," she answered. She wasn't sure if the words were for her friend or herself.

The first patients came faster than they expected, Agatha wasn't ready for what she saw. Working with the Protectors for the last weeks, she encountered people with different types of injuries, but they were nothing compared to her current situation.

"Agatha, I need you!" Celina screamed.

The healer ran towards the young woman, on the bed next to her was a man who was missing his right hand and with a deep cut on his left thigh. Using her power she stopped the bleeding, her priority was only to put them out of danger, to not overuse her ability.

One after another the patients kept coming, some were members of the resistance, others were simple villagers. Agatha acted without paying much attention to the injuries, she feared that the constant images of blood, broken bones, missing limbs, and bowels would shut her brain out. She let her power flow, it was better that way.

"They found us!" One of the guards announced from outside the building.

A bullet broke one of the windows and flew across the room, then crashed into the wall. More projectiles tried to get into the infirmary but a blue aura appeared around the place, protecting them from the bullets.

"I'm going to help," Demir said to his friend.

"Take this with you," she said, offering the gun that Lorcan had given her earlier. "You needed it more than me."

The young man accepted the weapon, he got closer to the protection field and part of the aura moved to let him pass. Agatha didn't have the chance to see her friend cross the entrance door, the number of injured people increased at an impressive speed.

"How much time can you hold the field?" Asked Celina.

"Only a few more minutes," answered Genevieve.

"How long can an eclipse last?" Complained Stella while she treated one of the patients.

"A normal eclipse would have already finished," commented Agatha.

"What about this one?" Another doctor spoke up.

"I don't know," confessed Genevieve. "It could last minutes, or it could last forever."

Only three chapters and the epilogue left.