The Son Shines Brighter 25 & 26

If not for the supporting hand that grabbed her elbow, Colli would have fallen to the floor.

“Come. There is a cot prepared for you.”  Sung guided her to a corner. 

Despite the pain, a strange pleasure filled her.  The restoration and joining of deteriorated elements grew in her body, with every beat of her heart.  A cacophony struck her.  It added a painful blast to the agony of the replenishing fluid. 

Sung pushed her down on the cot. 

Colli did not resist.  She clutched the blanket Sung spread over her, and laid her head on a soft linen pillow. 

“Go.  Leave me alone,” she croaked.  The harsh grating of Sung’s feet, as they slid on the floor irritated her.  Colli thought, putting her hands over her ears would help.  It didn’t. 

“Accept.”  The single word he left her with swirled through her mind, helping where her actions did not.

Finally she was alone.  Agony combined with the overpowering roar of sound.  Colli rolled onto her stomach.   She tried to bore her way into the soft pad of the cot.  Just as she thought she could stand it no longer, the jarring sounds evolved to soft whispers.  Colli realized these were voices from unseen creatures.  They blended into the sweetest harmony she had ever experienced.  Pain became secondary to the wonder of all the small minds who reached out.  Finally one took over and touched deep into her heart. 

“We are here for you.”  The feather light thought brushed into her.  A weak tickle at first, it escalated.  Warmth spread through her mind with a welcome that grew until she sat up, her eyes wide as she could make them.

“Is this really what I gave up?”  She pulled the blanket close against her misery.  The only response, a soft buzz of agreement lulled her with gentle support.  As her eyelids grew heavy, she lay back onto the soft bed.   Even though the pain continued, it faded into the background as the soft mind thoughts shared the wonder of their lives with her. 

Relax.  Let go.  Simply put, Colli found it easy to acquiesce. 

***

“Colli.” 

She fought to remain in the sweet blanket of slumber.  It was safe and warm here. 

“Collianna O’Glacken.”  Someone shook her, forcing her back to wakefulness. 

“No.  Let me sleep.”  She tried to pull away, but the strong hands shook her once more.  Despite her effort, she was forced to respond.  There would be no return to the comfort of sleep. 

Sung stood over her, with Mary close behind.  “It is time.”  He handed her a steaming mug.  “Drink this.”  When she took it, he turned and walked away. 

Mary sat down on the bed beside her.  “It’s good.”  She held up her own cup, then took a drink.

Colli sipped the sweet chocolate.  “How long?”  she asked.  A subtle flavor of peanut butter combined with the richness of dark cocoa and hot peppers.  It helped her come fully awake. 

“Five hours,” Mary answered.  “I have a change of clothes for you.  When you’re ready you can take a shower, then we have to go for the briefing.”  Mary nodded her head to a curtained doorway.  “You’ll feel better.”

Colli took Mary’s advice.  Hot water with lots of cleansing suds washed over her body.  With it, a film of doubt followed in a swirl down the drain.  Refreshed she dressed in jeans and an emerald green sweater.  Colli went to face the commitment she’d accepted.

“About time.”  A laugh added to the beam of pride that reflected from Sung’s face.