Steam

Chapter 15: Fragile Voice

Blaze woke up with the worst hangover. River had brought Zil with her and they played drinking games in the cavern. His head throbbed but he never broke his promise to be at the beach. After changing his clothes, Blaze made it down to the kitchen. Pouring himself a large glass of water he drank it as fast as he could. He was so thirsty and dehydrated. Blaze promised to himself he would never drink with River again but it was a lie. But he promised himself that five times before and every time she asked, Blaze immediately caved. Grabbing a green apple he made his way out the door and to the beach. His spot was over by some shaded trees. Taking a seat he looked up to River's window. She wasn't there. Strange to Blaze, since she never missed a sunrise with him. She was likely eating it with whatever she was doing or passed out with all the drinking they did. Blaze tried not to put too much thought into it. Biting into his apple he still couldn't help but hope she would appear. He ate slowly, he was supposed to be watching the sunrise but he was more focused on River's window. Igni could always check on River but Blaze knew it was too risky. River would probably just think he was being silly. Blaze finished his last bite a few minutes after the sun had risen. He went back home to sleep hoping he would see her later.

Blaze was violently woken sometime later by Igni.

Her voice was low but forceful, " Blaze, wake up."

"What Igni? I'm tired."

"You're hungover and have been sleeping all day. Get the fuck up."

"Go away!" He said as looked at his sister.

Igni had a scared look in her eye. "It's River."

Blaze's panic grew, "What happened?"

"I don't know Kai showed up at the door. I was in the garden with Ember. Kai told me to get the key to the small house near the beach and meet there. He told me to bring you."

Blaze looked outside and it was pitch dark. Whatever it was it had to be River's father. Igni had already grabbed the key. They both rushed out the door without drawing too much attention. Blaze was racing ahead of Igni. He knew he should have checked on her. River wouldn't have come to stay in the Fire District if the abuse wasn't bad. But it was always bad. He had arrived at the house but couldn't see River or Kai. 

"River?" He called quietly. 

Tide came from around a corner holding his sister in his arms. Kai followed close behind. Blaze saw River and he was devastated by the state of her. She was covered in cuts and deep purple bruising. Igni had finally caught up but froze when her eyes stopped on River. Blaze was reaching out to her but pulled back.

Tide's face was displeased, " I would prefer you didn't but I don't really have much say in that matter."

Igni quickly unlocked the door and Tide brought her inside placing her on the bare bed gently.
Blaze walked over to the side of the bed sitting next to her. He wanted to hold her hand but he didn't want to hurt her.
"What happened?" Blaze said as he looked at Tide. But his gaze didn't stay for long drifting back to River.
Tide sighed, "She came home drunk. Our father wasn't pleased, he probably would have stopped earlier but then he found the ancient language pages on her and all hell broke loose. He kept asking where she had gotten them. No matter what he did she kept insulting him and wouldn't tell him. Which didn't really help. We begged him to stop but he wouldn't and every time we tried to intervene she told us not to." His voice wavered before continuing, "Salacia was able to get him to finally stop. But by that time River was coughing up blood. He had broken her wrist, her ankle, and two ribs. She lost consciousness. We took her to her room, she was asleep for a few hours. Then she woke up and told Kai and I about you and that she wanted to be brought here. She lost consciousness from pain when I picked her up."