Vigil (Kaeli POV)

Kaeli sighs as she sits in the dimly lit room, watching over Victoria. Time moves at a crawl, and alone with her thoughts, she can’t avoid her fears and doubts. Victoria hasn’t stirred since the day Nicholas drive Niran from her mind, and Kaeli wonders if she ever will.

Over a week has passed since the others left, and Kaeli has rarely left this room. Part of her wishes that she had gone with them, but she knows that she couldn’t leave when her old friend is here, like this. The medics do what they can, but nothing seems to change. Even those with healing magic are unable to rouse the former warlord. They all say the same thing, that physically, she’s fine, but no one knows what kind of trauma her mind has suffered. Between the corruption and the cure, it’s a wonder she’s alive at all.

Kaeli remembers the time before the corruption, when things were hard, but simple. Even though they scraped to get by under the tyranny of the warring factions, there was happiness to be found. The two of them shared moments of peace, even joy. They were friends, companions, lovers. Her feelings towards Victoria were stronger even than what she feels towards Nicholas now. Kaeli would give up a lot to have that Victoria back. And now, even comatose, Victoria looks like she did in those days. The dark hair, so stark a contrast, seems like a beacon calling out to better times.

Kaeli sighs. Better days could be coming back, but it seems hollow if her oldest friend isn’t there to join them. She shakes her head, trying to banish the maudlin mood she’s finding herself in so often lately. Looking again at Victoria, she sighs.

“I miss you, Vic. I miss us. Come back to me, there’s so much good happening. You’d be glad to see the change.”

Kaeli stares at her friend for a moment, before leaning in and kissing her on the forehead. As her lips touch the skin, Victoria’s brow furrows slightly. Kaeli sits up with a gasp. It’s the first movement of any kind she’s seen from her old friend. She reaches out and grasps Victoria’s hand, and feels the fingers squeeze hers, ever so slightly.

“Vic! Can you hear me? Can you move?”

There’s no response for a while, then, once again, the gentlest of squeezes. Kaeli can barely breathe in her excitement.

“Oh, Vic…”

Victoria lapses into stillness once more, but the tiniest of movement was enough. Kaeli hugs her friend’s hand to her chest, a tear running down her cheek. Gently, she lays Victoria’s arm back on the bed, and sits back in her chair, smiling now.

“You rest. I’ll be here when you’re ready. We have so much to talk about…”

Kaeli relaxes, feeling a weight she didn’t know was there lift off her shoulders. It may take time, but now she has a hope that her friend will come back to her. The gloomy thoughts of before are gone, replaced by the potential of a happy tomorrow.