<\/p>\n
\u00c2\u00a0III<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
With a huff, Dr. Carlton dragged his last piece of equipment into the Durants\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 home, the aroma of burnt lizard wafting through. He looked sadly from Gaia, rocking herself, to Brion, trying desperately to reach her, to their child, still struggling to remain alive. Its body temperature was not high enough, so the doctor had ordered Brion, with his perpetually blazing skin, to hold the newborn at all times. This proved increasingly more difficult as Dr. Carlton stuffed tubes down its trachea to facilitate breathing and started an IV for nutrients. Along with all of his supplies, the doctor was moving in with the family. Though he felt guilty, he welcomed the respite from the volcano\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s victims.<\/p>\n
Over the next several weeks, word spread quietly through Hyra that Gaia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s child had been born when the Great Inner Basin Eruption began. This earned the baby the title of Harbinger. Dr. Carlton was hesitant to inform the couple of this development. He could feel the judging stares of the other residents whenever he went into town to treat his patients. Thankfully, no one had yet told Officer Zoran about the Durants\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 whereabouts, despite the superstition-fueled hostility toward their child.<\/p>\n
Returning home from his rounds was exhausting. The townsfolk besieged him with laundry lists of symptoms while Gaia continued to withdraw inward. Dr. Carlton could hear her crying through the walls when she thought she was alone. She never looked at the baby and rarely finished her meals. The doctor confided his concerns in Brion, who nodded knowingly.<\/p>\n
One night, Brion couldn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t take it anymore. He turned to his wife and hugged his kid into his core. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Gaia, you need to eat and keep your strength up. Our child can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t survive on medicine alone.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
The girl looked up from her plate slowly, dark circles under her blood-shot eyes. She continued to draw spirals in her dinner. Brion felt as if he was looking at a ghost, a mere shadow of his beloved wife. He felt his temper start to boil as the silence stretched on. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Gaia, please, we need your help. I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t do this without you.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brion clenched his teeth, close to bursting as she continued to stare at him detachedly. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153What can I do to get through to you?!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d He screamed, squishing the child.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Brion, the baby\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dr. Carlton warned.<\/p>\n
Immediately, the red faded from Brion\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s face as he looked to his squirming newborn. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry, little one. Daddy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s not trying to hurt you. I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m sorry,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he cooed gently.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153If you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re done fawning over that thing, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be heading to bed now,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Gaia hissed, her husband\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s tenderness setting her on edge. She forced herself to her feet, and ran to the bedroom before either of them could respond, slamming the door behind her.<\/p>\n
Brion gave the doctor a side-glance while Dr. Carlton sighed and pinched his brow. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Maybe visitors would help her recover,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the young father suggested hopefully. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153We could see if the Sullivans are interested in having dinner sometime.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll go call Drake\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6\u00e2\u20ac\u009d the doctor trailed off as they heard sobs coming from the bedroom.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Many weeks later, Brion opened their door to admit Drake and little Oscar. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hey there Brion. How\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s the missus?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Not too great. We\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re hoping you guys will lift her spirits.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brion replied as he closed the door softly behind them, all the while holding his baby. As of a week ago, Dr. Carlton had decided the extra medicine was no longer necessary.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Still no cryin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Nah. Getting stronger every day, but haven\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t seen or heard any tears yet.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Well, you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122re worried now, but you\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ll be dreamin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 of this time soon enough. My man Oscar here cried every night until he was two!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Drake ruffled his son\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hair affectionately. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe he\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s already four!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Time sure does fly, doesn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t it? I can\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t believe it\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s already been six months since my little one was born. We never thought\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6Well, anyway, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m glad things have mostly worked themselves out. The skin\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s less transparent now, look!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brion shoved his smiling, flailing child into Drake\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s arms.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Daddy, where\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s Guy?\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Oscar tugged at his father\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s sleeve. Drake peered questioningly toward Brion.<\/p>\n
\u00e2\u20ac\u0153Here, let\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s go see what\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s doing.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Brion took Oscar\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hand and led them to Gaia. Her bistre hair was ratted and tangled, her eyes sunken. She sat staring into oblivion.<\/p>\n
Oscar ran to her and patted her on the shoulder \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Guy! Come play with me!\u00e2\u20ac\u009d he shouted excitedly.<\/p>\n
Gaia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s only response was to shrug his tiny hand off and turn away. Tears started to fill the boy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s eyes. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Oscar, my man, com\u00e2\u20ac\u2122ere,\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Drake soothed, offering a hug to his spurned son as he handed the six-month-old back to its father. He embraced him tightly as wailing filled the room.<\/p>\n
It was the Durants\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 child, lifting its voice for the first time. Everyone in the room, even Gaia, stared in shock as the infant cried fiercely against Brion.<\/p>\n
Moments later, an explosion boomed throughout the small home. Cackling joined the baby\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s wailing. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You thought you could hide from me? Brion, I\u00e2\u20ac\u2122m disappointed. Your father would never let you leave home for long.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Zoran\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s gravelly voice wafted through the smoke. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153You and the girl come out slowly and the doctor here won\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t have to lose his head.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Dr. Carlton\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s form appeared as the air cleared.<\/p>\n
Wild-eyed, Brion pushed their infant into Gaia\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s hands, pushed a finger to his lips and snatched the sword from their mantle. Drake and Oscar backed into a corner as the golden haired boy walked out of their home, concealing his weapon behind him.<\/p>\n
Gaia, hyperventilating, stole into the bedroom. This was the first time she\u00e2\u20ac\u2122d held her infant. Tears began streaming down her face, panic, shame, guilt, and disgrace weighing her down. A scream and the smell of blood pierced the air. She hugged her child to her. \u00e2\u20ac\u0153Hush now, Bionca. Momma\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s here now. Momma\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s here\u00e2\u20ac\u00a6.\u00e2\u20ac\u009d Her grip tightened as their cries mixed with the sounds of battle.<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Brittany Teodorski<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n