Charlie’s lips brush hers, and he pulls back. Seeing her like this is awful. She’s in a suspended state, induced by an experiment gone wrong. He wipes the tears from his eyes.
You’d think he’d get used to it after two months of this, but he hasn’t. It’s beyond reasonable for this to be happening and— ah.
He feels his heart clench and he doubles over, stifling a sob. The sound dies as it leaves his throat and he steadies himself, taking a few breaths. She wouldn’t want to see him like this. “Just do your best.” That’s what she would tell him.
The door to Thandi’s Room clicks open and Charlie looks up, startled by Vitani’s appearance. He runs down the stairs, desperation clear on his face.
Vitani shakes her head and Charlie’s face drops. “It’s a matter of spirit. There are no potions nor magic to bring her back… but.”
“But?”
“If someone goes to get her…”
“I’ll do it.”
“You may end up taking her place.”
Charlie grits his teeth. “I don’t care. Thandi comes first.”
Vitani reaches into her sleeve and pulls out a vial of swirling red and black liquid. “Lay beside her and drink this. You will have to find her and bring her back on your own.”
Charlie takes the vial with a nod and takes a breath. “What’s the catch?”
“Get my student back and we will call it even.”
The look on his face is resolute. He takes the steps two at a time, resettling Thandi before popping the cork of the potion. He drains the whole thing in a few swallows and curls up next to Thandi, hand over her body as he slips into unconsciousness and into Thandi’s dreams.