"What do you want from me?" Soren's voice was raspy as he spoke. The chains dug into his skin, marking it. His chest heaved. He should have never followed the 'Matron' to the cave. But if he hadn't. He wouldn't have figured out the truth.
'She' smiled, "you, my dear, are perfect for this. The curse didn't affect you as I saw it." 'She' continued as Soren's stomach churned, "I would have gotten that little girl with the white bow," Soren stilled, "but her body wouldn't have survived another experiment."
Soren wanted to vomit. He wanted to run. He wanted Cyrus. He wants Cyrus to keep everyone else safe in the orphanage. But he is uselessly bound. He wished there was a way to warn all of them.
"You on the other hand are older, matured early and a capable body," 'she' stepped closer and put an almost sickenly gentle hand on his cheek, "and of course… your water magic…"
Soren visibly flinched and jerked back from the contact on his skin. His breathing got heavier, "don't touch me!" He almost shouted.
The 'Matron's' smile never dropped. 'she' reached out a hand towards Soren's chest. Soren grimaced uncomfortably. 'She' had 'her' over his heart, "hmm…" 'she' grinned, "you are not immune to a stronger dose of the curse…" 'she' chuckled, "I wonder how someone closer to your age would react to it…" Soren gasped as 'she' continued, "you do have that little friend who follows you around like a little lap dog."
"Don't touch him!" wanted to cut 'her' hands off.
The 'Matron' tilted 'her' head in amusement. "Hm?"
"Touch him, and I will kill you!!!" Soren spat out angrily. He felt heat rising on his skin.
"You are in no position to be making empty statements, my dear…" 'She' smiled, "well I will visit you tomorrow night…"
"I'm serious. Don't touch any of them. Not Cyrus. Not Marryanne. Not Fallon. I'm gonna kill you. I'm serious." Soren spat, he was exhausted from all the screaming.
The 'Matron' ignored Soren as if he were a child throwing tantrums on the floor. 'She' went out of the cave.
That was two days ago
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Soren…?" Cyrus carefully approached the boy bound in chains.
He is unconscious.
Soren's hair looked tousled longer. It's unusual for it to grow just in a few days. Soren's shirt was dirty, and a few buttons were ripped off. He looked pale, really sickenly pale.
Cyrus approached more, dropping to his knees beside him. Soren's back was slumped against the wall. His lips looked dry. His piercing blue eyes… Would Cyrus ever be able to see them again? But his perfect long lashes were intact.
Cyrus puts a gentle palm, resting it against Soren's cheek.
Even that arrogant ribbon he used to tie on his neck like a bow was hanging from his shoulders. There were purple cracks on his body. It led straight to his heart. Cyrus has seen this before. It's the mysterious disease that he and Soren had gone to find the cure for.
"Soren…?" Cyrus called again. He can feel his voice breaking. He never thought he would find Soren like this. In this condition. He never thought he would find Soren at all.
He had followed the matron. He didn't expect Soren to be here. Tied up in chains. In this fragile state. Cyrus felt a rage shimmering in his bones. Heat rising in his chest. His left hand, which wields fire, sparked a little.
"Soren…" if it wasn't for the slight heave of his chest. Cyrus would have thought that Soren was no longer with him.
Then he remembered something. He has the cure. He quickly put his hand inside his pocket and fished out the vial with the red liquid inside it. He unplugged the cap.
He parted Soren's lips and poured the liquid in Soren's mouth. He held Soren's head up so none would spill from his lips. He watched Soren's Adam's apple bob up and down.
Soren gasped a little as the purple cracks began slowly disappearing. Soren breathed heavily. Cyrus was relieved. He almost smiled but stopped himself from smiling. Soren's finally be
Soren looked at Cyrus, "sunshine…" his voice was still raspy. He didn't look good, "this place is dangerous, go back."
Cyrus let himself be a little angry at that, "I'm not leaving without you…" Cyrus rested his head against Soren's chest. Listening to his heartbeat.
Soren felt Cyrus's soothing weight on his chest. "Please you will be hurt," Soren almost begged, "the matron isn't what she seems." Soren huffed.
Cyrus nods his head. He understands, but he won't leave without Soren. His friend. His rival. His enemy. He just won't leave without Soren. "Who really is the Matron?" Cyrus asked. He doesn't wanna ask Soren these types of questions cause Soren looks like he already is in a worse position. But he has to know what had gotten Soren trapped here.
Soren exhaled a long sigh. He held Cyrus close to his chest. Cradling his head on his chest. The chains rattled as he did so. "The Matron is dead."
At that, Cyrus looked up at Soren.
"She has been dead for Lord knows how long." Soren took a deep breath in, "the one we had been with in the orphanage is—"
"Oh my~" a sweet voice floated from the entrance of the cave. It wasn't the Matron's voice but someone they knew. A male voice.
Both of their heads sharply turned towards the voice. Soren looked fearful. His hand cradled Cyrus's head protectively tightening around him as the chains rattled again.
"You also have found this out, Cyrus?" It's the Matron. But 'her' voice is different.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Fallon sighed. He had been glancing over at the skelping kids in his room. Maelis and Levi are sleeping so soundly. Fallon's kinda jealous of them. He also wants to sleep. But he has been looking after these two crotch goblins.
"Why hasn't big bro Cyrus here yet?"
He sat there for some time. A burning smell floated through the air and seeped into his nose. He looked around.
"What's that burning smell?"