I bit my lip and tried to calm down. I was freaking out. I'm in an office with no idea what just happened and no one will tell me.
"Hottie, please don't panic right now. Just calm down. Yoshi, Aki, talk to her," Malachi urged.
Aki looked down to meet my eyes which I knew were filled with fear. "Hey, don't give me that look. Everything is okay. You're fine. We just need to patch you up before we explain everything. Please Crim, give us a minute or two," Aki reassured me.
I blinked to show my understanding seeing as I didn't think it was best to lift my head yet.
"Good job, Crim. Just a little longer," Yoshi encouraged.
He held my hand while Aki began to soothingly stroke my hair. I took deep breaths and closed my eyes to try and calm myself. I waited for them to tell me when to open my eyes, but then my mind began to drift.
I was in a room. It looked to be a type of private office based on the arrangement of the furniture and large conference table that could hold at least eight people for a meeting.
I looked down at my hands, realizing I was a little kid. I glanced at my clothes and saw I was wearing a bright blue dress with little silver sparkles at the end of the poofy skirt.
I had long silver hair and my complexion was paler than I remembered having. I glanced to one of the display cases that held a weapon: a bow and arrow. I walked toward them and saw my reflection in the glass— wide silver eyes met my gaze.
"Storm. Don't touch anything, remember," a deep voice announced.
I turned to the tall man that stood in front of the desk, blocking my view of whoever was sitting in the desk chair.
I nodded in agreement, not of my own volition, but because I was unable to control my actions in this dream. This must have been a memory of Storm’s, but instead of witnessing it as a movie like before, I was seeing everything through her eyes.
"It's only a matter of time. The weapon will call to her or she'll die. Then the truth will be revealed and you'll be caught," the man who my mind told me was my father announced.
I walked around the first display, analyzing the bow and arrow in the showcase. My eyes moved to the second display that had a wand inside it. I moved over to it eagerly to take a closer look, but then lost interest just as quickly.
"She won't find out. And Jiyuna’s transfer has been confirmed. I don't want us discussing this any further. The secret won't be revealed. And if she dies... good riddance," another voice declared.
My eyes landed on the third showcase to my right. My body was drawn to the display and moved as if in a trance to stare at the intricate weapons inside.
Two swords that were in a crisscross position, reminding me of an X, were in a metal stand keeping them in place. The blades had magic inscriptions, similar to the ones my mother had taught me. Attached to the hilt of the blades were pink ribbons that changed into a bright orange at the ends, which rested at the bottom of the glass box.
They held power and called to me with a strength I couldn’t deny. I needed them. They belonged to me. My power was stored within them and they were desperate to return to their rightful owner.
"Crim?" Yoshi's voice pulled me out of the dream.
"Did she faint?" Malachi asked.
"Her body is trying to recover from the shock. I'm done," Haru announced.
"Crimson, can you open your eyes for a moment? You can go back to sleep after. Just want to make sure you’re okay first," Aki whispered.
I opened my eyes slowly to see Aki's face above mine.
"Oops. I think I fell asleep again."
"It's okay. After that nightmare, I wouldn't mind sleeping for a week.” Malachi sighed, sitting back and resting his arms on his knees. He looked exhausted and his running gear had rips and tears. I also noticed the remnants of blood on his arms.
I looked over to Haru who was as pale as a ghost and I was worried he'd pass out any second.
"Does anyone wanna give me an explanation of what happened and then let Haru lie down?" I questioned.
Aki and Yoshi both glanced over to Haru who gave me a weak smile.
"I'll be fine, Crim. Maybe a nap would be nice when we get home," Haru reassured me with a thumbs up.
Yoshi got up, pulling out his phone. "You guys were attacked by a group of hired assassins. Two are dead and the last one that tried to barbeque Crim is in custody and will be transferred for prosecution by the Emperor. We don't know if the attack was related to Crim or the organization just stirring up trouble. It’s the third attack today and you guys are the only ones that made it out," Yoshi told us gravely.
I frowned as I tried to remember what had happened.
Aki must have noticed the confusion on my face. "Crimson, are you experiencing memory loss?"
"I think so? I don't remember anything after I stopped running," I revealed.
"Why did you stop, Crimson?" Malachi asked. He and Haru both knew I didn't need to take a break during my runs. I could go straight through with no issues.
"I...was dizzy. I think? Everything is still kind of a blur," I admitted.
Haru sighed. "It could be the shock from the fall. For some individuals, when they experience something traumatic, their mind basically wipes it out. Sometimes it's temporary, other times it's permanent."
I frowned at the news, not liking that fact I couldn't remember what had happened that landed me in this situation in the first place.
"Crim. You were being chased by one of those crooks and I have no idea how you got up on the roof, but you fell over the edge. Malachi swung from the opposite building to catch you, but you guys both crashed through the window of the office, which is where you're currently laying." Aki gestured around the room.
"How did you know?" I asked, unsure where Aki and Yoshi entered the picture.
"We heard about the attacks and got worried. When we turned the corner we saw Haru and Malachi fighting one of the crooks. When we didn't see you, we sprang into action. Quil and Itsuki are with the authorities explaining the whole situation," Aki explained.
"They don't know I was involved, right?" I asked, worried that my name would be spread around and my parents would find out.
"No. We used an alibi. Which reminds me, we better leave before they come up here to investigate the damage," Yoshi pointed out.
I tried to lift my head up, but Aki shook his head. "Sorry Crim, I'm carrying you and I’ll need you to close your eyes."
I raised an eyebrow at him. "Why? I'm fine with you carrying me, but why do I have to close my eyes?"
"You can't stand blood, remember?" Yoshi pointed out.
I blinked. "Is there lots of it?" I could deal with a tiny little papercut and a few droplets of it, but any more than that and I'd probably pass out.
The guys exchanged looks and I groaned, closing my eyes. "Okay, I trust you. But if my clothes are drenched in blood I'm taking a nap regardless ‘cause I'll pass out from the sheer sight," I confessed.
I felt something soft press against my forehead. I peeked open an eye to see Yoshi's grin.
"Just rest for now. You did amazing and I'm proud you used what training we've taught you so far. Once Quil and Itsuki return, we’ll give you any other details we find. Sound good?" he asked.
"Sounds good," I agreed with a small smile as my eyes began to close.
"Crim?" Aki asked, but I didn't reply.
I felt exhausted and my mind just wanted to relax.
"Let's get her home. Haru you okay to walk?" Yoshi asked.
"I'll live. Let's go home."
Home. I didn't know why the words seemed to resonate with me, but it felt nice to be going back to my flat with all of them. The fact that I'd almost died wasn't sinking in just yet, and I wondered if it ever would. Maybe part of it was because I didn’t remember.
I relaxed my head against Aki's chest as he lifted me off the ground as if I weighed nothing. I noticed how quick his heart beat inside his chest. I heard fading footsteps, but I knew we weren't moving yet.
"Aki?" I whispered. My eyes were still closed, but from the way Aki's heart continued to beat erratically, I knew he was either anxious or worried.