Chapter 55. Don’t Worry, Be Happy.
After the match was over, I felt that same nauseating feeling of being transported. I sighed while the strength in my legs faltered. I was content laying on the ground while riding this one out, but Alexis and Blair had different ideas. They both supported me from behind, keeping my feet on the ground. It was then that a pillar of fire surrounded us, transporting us from the inside of this active volcano, to outside at the base of it. I clicked my tongue while glancing at the card of Nightshroud in my hand. “Couldn’t at least transport us back to our dorms, huh fucker? I’ll have plenty of fun with you…” Zorc and I snarled at the soul fragment of Nightshroud.
I finally sighed while glancing back at Alexis and Blair, both still holding onto me. Blair had her massive innocent eyes, shining from the moonlight and the tears she was about to shed. While Alexis was scowling at me, but I could tell it was anger derived from worry. ‘That match was way too close for comfort but…’ “I’m fine.” I said with a frown, lightly tapping both their heads to let me stand on my own feet. Although reluctant, they both let go, but Alexis’ scowl never ceased. Her watchful eye noticed my legs slowly letting me down to the ground.
“Just shut up and let us help you.” She grunted while placing my arm around her shoulders. Blair nodded as she helped support my back, since she was too small for me to really lean on. I sighed while grabbing onto Alexis’ shoulder, accepting her unneeded help, ready to be dropped for the man laying passed out on the ground before us. Alexis and Blair paused seeing him, and kept their distance. “Should we get a teacher?” Blair asked, but Alexis shook her head. “He might be gone by that time.”
Both girls looked at Rakki for the tie-breaker vote. His face distorted in dismay as he spoke. “Alexis… I think you need to look at him first…” Alexis looked at the face Rakki was making with confusion. He always acted like his almost dying didn’t matter to him, including now. However, something about that masked man brought him down more than usual. Rakki, without waiting for Alexis’ answer, pushed her towards the man laying on the ground, while falling down himself. “Rakki-” Alexis was about to say that he should take more care of himself, but Rakki cut her off. “Alexis… Look at his face…”
With that strange request, Alexis’ curiosity helped move her away from Rakki, and towards the mystery man attacking them. ‘His hair… that… no…’ Her mind short circuited at the slight hints of who this man was, laying before her. The closer she got, the more sure of it she was, and the faster she moved to make sure it was real. She fell to her knees, and soon cradled his head in her arms, staring absentmindedly at the face of her brother, Atticus.
She saw his slow and steady breaths, and quickly pushed her ear to his chest. The slow methodical thumping of his heart beating in his chest, quickly bringing her tears of joy. “Atticus!!” She cheered while holding his limp body tight, so that she would never lose him again.
Blair, helping to keep me sitting up to watch the tearful scene, asked confusedly. “Who’s that?” The image of Alexis’ smile while closely holding what she thought to be a dead family member only caused slight jealousy to itch in my chest. “That is Atticus… Alexis’ older brother.” I spoke with a frown, the itch of jealousy growing at how she could have her happy family. One that I would never have again. With a sigh, I took out some gum from my jacket, and started chewing as a substitute for smoking. ‘I should be happy…’ I sighed again to try and let go of my jealousy, but the mint flavor only reminded me more of the family I would never get back.
It wasn’t long until we heard our names being called in the distance. “Alexis!” “Blair!” “Rakki!” Alexis, immediately called back while still cradling her brother in her arms. “Over here!!” with some shuffling of the overgrowth, we were soon found by Jayden, Sy, Zane, and Banner. “There you are children!” He yelled with relief, that only sent my stomach for a loop. However Alexis didn’t bother with everyone finding her, she was more concerned about her brother. “Zane! It’s him!” She yelled between stifled tears.
Zane, confused from seeing Alexis crying, shook his head as he quickly walked over, squinting to see who she was holding in the moonlight. “Who, Alexis?” Alexis turned Atticus over, so his face was more visible while blubbering in relief. “It’s Atticus! He’s alive!” Zane, paused at the bizarre sight, in shock of the missing teen. “I can’t… Believe it…” He mumbled while kneeling down to get a better look at Atticus.
“Hey bud? You doing alright?” Jayden asked while holding a hand out for me to grab. I rolled my eyes, but took his hand. Making sure to keep Blair behind me, and bring all the attention to myself. Blair wasn’t wearing her hat when we transported, and now her long flowing hair was a dead giveaway to her real gender. “I’ve been better.” I sarcastically said while looking over at Alexis, making both Jayden and Syrus do the same. “Who’s Atticus?” Syrus asked.
“Alexis’ missing brother.” I said with some bitterness. Jayden glanced at me with a perplexed frown. “Isn’t this a good thing?” I sighed while showcasing the trapped soul that was controlling him. “Yea, it is… He was only controlled by this asshole, so he should be good soon.” Jayden kept staring at me, hardly giving the card that Syrus was wary of, any thought. “Then why do you look like that?” He asked, making my frown turn deeper. “Nothing… I’m happy for her.” I said while reaching instinctively for more gum, starting the cycle of jealousy, guilt, and respite all over again.
“I’m going back to bed.” With a sigh I started walking back to the dorm, with Blair in front to hide her hair from the others. “Wait! Shouldn’t you help Alexis' brother? Or maybe go to the nurse’s office?” I paused, and glanced at Blair’s worrisome gaze in front of me. I just shook my head while looking back at Alexis, crying tears of joy. My jealousy thumped and flared seeing her so happy. “No… ”
Jayden watched Rakki slowly walk off with the help of his roommate. Jayden frowned at the sight of Rakki, something was wrong, and he wasn’t saying. Jayden glanced at Syrus, staring off where Rakki disappeared. “He did win the Duel right?” Jayden asked, making Sy jump from being stirred from his thoughts. “Well… Maybe he feels guilty over beating Alexis’ brother?” Jayden frowned at Syrus’ idea, it didn’t sit right with him. “Maybe… But he didn’t seem to mind beating Alexis herself. Why would he be like that over beating her brother?” Jayden asked while looking over at Atticus’ limp body surrounded by everyone else.