No Goodbyes

The group that had set out for supplies was due to come back today. Ordell and Kay had been leading, as they were the most capable of fighting the Cozbi. Nali was making her way to edge of camp. Someone had said they could see them and she thought she could make out Ordell from where she was. He was holding someone, probably someone they had found who needed help making their way to camp. She saw him walk into camp, but a large group had formed around them. People were shouting and she thought she could hear sobs. Her heart beat faster as she pushed her way to the front of the crowd. What happened that had everyone so concerned? She pushed a few more people out of the way and was able to see who he was holding. How his clothes were covered in blood and how the woman in his arms was limp, not breathing. How his face looked so broken and so tired, like he was about collapse. He took a few more steps and stopped in front of her, blood dripped off Kay's hand were it hung, so, so still, and everything around her seemed to stop. Nali's hand moved to Kay's cheek, trying to wipe away some of the blood. Kay was so cold against her fingers. Nali's eyes stung and she swallowed. She couldn't cry. Not now. Not here. Not in front of all these people, so many of whom were so close to dying. They couldn't see her like that. "How?" That was all she could say. The lump in her throat kept her from saying more. "We found another group of survivors. The Cozbi had already found them and most of the Laylotee were struggling. She was setting up a shield when one of the Cozbi hit her in the back." His voice sounded tight, like he was close to crying. Of course he was. Kay was his soulmate. "She finished the shield, but had lost too much blood. By the time the fight was over and we could see who had been hurt..." The unspoken words hung in the air. If they had been able to use magic, if they could still use healing spells, she would still be here. She looked up at Ordell. Mother he was so close to crying, she could see his lips trembling. The squeezing in her chest tightened, it felt like it was choking her.   A quick decision was made and Nali gently put her hand on Ordell's arm. She pulled him through the crowd and towards the back of the camp, closer to the cliff side. Back to where Kay's tent was. Not a long walk, but still a difficult one. Her feet felt heavy, every step more difficult than the last, and the few minutes felt like an eternity. They reached the small tent and Nali moved the front flaps of the entrance. Ordell went through and set Kay down on her cot as Nali trailed in behind him. She stopped just inside the tent and stared at the body of her friend. She wanted to cry, or scream or yell or something, but she felt like she couldn't move. There was so much blood. Images played through her mind. Smiling and laughing and adventures and memories. The first time they had met, ice spears and poison and running, saving Jay, making her sacrifice and Kay holding her hand, keeping her from falling. Telling stories and flying and...andthe smile she would never see again. Sending her out yesterday morning, joking about how similar this was to the Rising and, Mother, her best friend's smile and laugh. She would never hear her voice again. The closest thing she'd ever had to a sister lying there. Dead. Gone. Mother please let this just be a nightmare.   A sob broke her from her thoughts and her head turned instinctively. "Ordell-" two steps and she caught him as he fell to his knees. Sobs racked his body and she tucked his head into the crook of her neck and rocked him. It was moments before she was crying too. Tears ran down her face and she pulled Ordell closer. Holding on to what she had left of her family as tightly as she could.