Do You Remember? (Chapter 2.5)

Her head throbbed, a dull thump reverberating within Aria's skull. Where was she again? The last thing she could remember was the Council meeting, nothing more. She tried to focus, but the pain only increased. She could hear a voice calling her name, nothing else seemed to make much sense.

"Derin, did I fall off my cot again?” Her voice was barely a whisper, the weakness in it surprising. “My head is falling.” No, that wasn't what she had meant to say, she was just about to correct her mistake when the pain intensified.

Something wet and warm fell on her face; the salt burning her vellum-like skin. “Why're you crying, did something happen?” The memories rushed back almost immediately, blankly staring eyes, warmth of freshly spilled blood, and breath that would make your nose rot. Her nose wrinkled just recalling the smell.

"Aria, look at me, do you know who I am?” Stress lines seemed to age his face, sweat beaded on his brow. Aria raised the corner of her mouth, a chuckle forming in her eyes.

"What do you mean can do I know you? Do I look like I lost both of my eyes or had my brain blown out?” Her smart alec reply formed a smile on Derin’s face, she would definitely be okay.

"It is my professional opinion that you will be okay. The real question is whether you can run.” His hand reached to her strong but shaking. So it wasn't just her, he was scared too. Aria was about to accept his offer of assistance when a fit of coughs overwhelmed her. “Aria! Aria, what’s wrong?!” Soon the coughing turned to hacking, and then the blood came.

Her blood was not red like most humans’, instead it was a sickly grey, dyed by the Gardilla poison. Where the blood landed the floor began to steam and sizzle. That was one side effect of the contagion, when oxygenated the blood turned acidic and could burn through even the thickest of Nark skin. His hand shook and his fingers stumbled over the strings that held the bag shut. The medicine was slimy and pink, the consistency of pudding. Derin wrinkled his nose, just seeing the stuff made him want to puke.

He put a little of the gel on his finger, careful not to get too much he smoothed it under her nose. The sheer stink of it would fight off the poison, for now. Seconds after he had smeared the goo under her nose her coughing calmed and color came to her cheeks.

"You got the medicine, when?” The blood from her mouth was starting to come out chunkier and clotted, good, the blood flow was slowing.

"I took a slight detour with the rest of our clan,” his voice wavered. “I snagged it then." More tears fell, coming to a violent halt on the marble floor. “Come on, we need to go before anyone finds us.” Gently he helped her to her feet and they ran.

Hall after winding hall, statue after broken statue, and body after lifeless body. Everything looked the same, where they were going was unknown, just as long as they got out of there. If they could just sneak in with the rest of the clans and remain unnoticed then everything would go according to plan. As they ran Aria’s legs shook, the sighting of the Gardilla beast had shaken her, the effect was evident.

Outside a group had gathered, hidden but still there all the same. Leading the group was Mira, the girl from the Council meeting before.

"You two! What did you think you were doing?” Her voice was strong and dauntless, not a single hint of doubt. All Derin could do was gawk, this was so not what he had planned, they were supposed to meet in five minutes, what was everyone doing here?

"I’m sorry Mira, it was all my fault. If I had listened to what Derin told me then nothing would have gone wrong. I will accept any punishment that you see fit.”

"I am sorry to say that punishment will not be enough Aria. By the end of this morning you and your brother are to have all possessions you wish to keep packed and ready to leave. You are not to make any contact with other clan members, if you do you shall be hunted and arrested as if you were a criminal.” Aria couldn’t believe what she was hearing. Was Mira really exiling them over something so little?

"Whoa, Mira. Don’t you think that you should think things through before you make a stupid mistake?”His voice was rising now. “Is it really within your rights to banish another Council member?” Mira remained expressionless, she was as cold as ever.

"Choose your words carefully insolent fool,” Aria had never heard Mira like this before, “I have just become a Council Elite, you have no right to speak to me in that manner.” Council Elite, when had the election taken place? Why had they not been informed, they were part of the Council, weren’t they? “Go pack up your things!” What choice did they have? They had no authority when it came to the Council Elite. Aria’s mind seemed even fuzzier than when she had just been knocked out.

The rest was really a giant blur to them, questions whirled around in their already bruised skulls. Why was any of this happening? Wasn’t Mira their friend, or was she just pulling their legs? It took Aria all of her concentration to keep the tears from falling. Everything was falling apart, their happiness, her’s and Derin’s, everything that they had worked for. What were they to do now?