Freezing upon hearing Night's voice, Eyre turned his head with a smile filled with relief. It only lasted a brief moment before being replaced by silent horror and overbearing sadness. "Leave me to suffer alone so that you won't!" He knew he couldn't do anything to stop his friend. Not a word Eyre said seemed to matter. It was so wrong for him to welcome the fact that his friend would be back, that he would keep him company under the starlight once more. Still Eyre longed for the company so, though he knew it would only bring pain to his only friend.

Soon enough all else faded away to the back of the boy's mind as he watched with growing terror. Creeping fog surrounded his friend. Writhing shadows replaced his limbs while nightmare creatures prowled around. Mouth open wide in disbelief and fear, Eyre tried to crawl back but could not. But ... his friend, Night was his friend. It meant that sickness wouldn't plague him, that such a thing was impossible! Tears of joy trickled down Eyre's cheeks as a smile lit his face, replacing the fear. For the first time in years laughter escaped his lips, though it rasped and wheezed, it was happiness given voice nonetheless.

"Night, my friend. I'm so glad, so very glad..." The words were punctuated by small coughs that Eyre did his best to swallow down. There was something he absolutely had to say before his friend left him alone once more. "I'm sorry for not believing." It had just been so incredible to think that Night had deigned to let him live, and had actually helped him. Every moment had already mattered so much, but now there was a sense of wonder attached to each minute they'd been together. The memories were treasures, and Eyre found himself comforted beyond words by the fact that they would live on forever long after he'd gone.

After sunrise, there was no sign of Night to hang over the village. That day, Day’s time was respected as a beautiful day which, devoid of the doom and gloom brought to the picture by Night, must’ve been particularly nice. Though, as had happened before, sunset was cut short as an eager darkness swept over the land in a controlled wave. Little by little, stars turned on their torches to dot the hazy violet, joined by a moon that waned and weakened in her power. Although the largest light had started showing signs of needing her regular break, none of the delicate elegance was stripped of the time.

All time apart had been spent thinking of just what to do when time came to return, as had been promised (or threatened) in their previous meeting. Suddenly, everything was so open and exposed in a way that made Night uncomfortable. Identity truly was a gift that made the giver feel as though too much had been sacrificed.

The only bit of fog had gathered just outside of the village in a massive cloud that swirled with the darkness and reached its arms out into the air in a proud cheer. As had happened on the previous two nights, this darkness took hold of its peers and nothing linked to form a body, into which, life was breathed into by Night itself. Wisps of shadow still dragged behind, trying to catch up to finish the job of forming this being, as he began walking. The destination was the same building he’d visited twice before.

Although the last night’s goodbye had ended on such an optimistic note, there was still a paranoia that threatened to overtake and whispered that maybe, he’d scared poor Eyre. It was the same fear that had kept hints of Night away in the morning.

The day passed quickly, since Eyre had been bed ridden. His parents had found him outside huddled up, shivering and coughing. The two hadn't questioned why the young man had been outside, instead they'd rushed to make him comfortable. As another cough wracked his body Eyre glanced outside longingly. With all the doors locked as they were he couldn't possibly get out, even if he could get up and walk outside.

Clutching the warm blankets tightly the sickly boy tried to think of some way to let his friend know that he couldn't meet him. Letting Night gaze upon him now, it was too horrible a thought. Memory was such an important thing and being remembered as a bed ridden person was the last thing Eyre wanted. Light, warmth, comfort. Eyre's room exuded all of that. He wanted none of it, not when he couldn't see his friend. Such contradictory feelings, he wasn't quite sure how to deal with them.

Instead Eyre closed his brown eyes. Plunging into memories of the past he smiled. He'd been so grateful that first night after being terrified. Some of the words spoken had been harsh but they still rang true in a way. The young man didn't want pity from his family, nor did he want to be a burden to his parents. Thoughts of Night crowded everything else from his mind always urging a smile from the blond's lips despite the raspy, rough, coughs emanating from his throat and the ruby blood staining his lips.

Without a storm to rock the trees or even a soft breeze, the village was an eerie place. It was only then that Night realized how it made the entire place look as though it'd just been evacuated. In a way, it had, at least the streets. That night, not even the crickets chirped. They seemed to set aside their needs to keep from further adding to any anticipation. Instead, the stunning scenery became a blank backdrop. There was no time to soak in his own creation, not until safety was certain.

With rushed, unsteady steps, the distance between that home he'd already looked to too much closed quickly. It would have been better to ease into knowing, but walking slowly had become impossible. Thinking back to last night's goodbye, a bit of hope welled within Night. Surely, he would not have been forgotten. He'd been called "friend." Surely, he was still not feared. That had been the most amazing realization. Someone had just given something more precious than all of the riches of the earth. In that single goodbye, someone had given Night a chance- and that was what now brought stress. What if faith had been wrongly placed?

Or, what if it'd been falsely placed? All at once, hope dropped. Even from the distance, it was clear not a single soul was out- not even Eyre, the one who'd so boldly called him a friend. That walk broke into a sprint to show the steps who was stronger. The unfamiliar feel of a warming face, a struggling heart, and eyes drowning in tears was overbearing. Sight hadn't lied. There was no one out.

With that, the wind picked up and in the distance, thunder cracked to break the spell of calm.

A loud thundering sound accompanied by howling wind woke the young man from his memories with a start. It was Night, it had to be. Struggling to gather enough strength to kneel at the window of his room seemed like such an impossible task. Somehow Eyre managed to heave himself up with the soft blankets falling around his frail shoulders as he leaned against the window frame.

Raising a hand, he knocked weakly against the window pane. Hopefully Night would hear the small sound despite the wind running trough the air. Eyre couldn't let his friend suffer thinking that he'd abandoned him! What had he been thinking, staying within his home? The window! Of course, he could try to pry it open. Hands moving to the sturdy, rusted, latch Eyre attempted to push it open so he could spend time with his friend.

It took forever to do so. Racking coughs and weakened limbs kept betraying the young man's attempts until a final mighty heave made the window slap open. "Night," A single word escaped Eyre's lips as he searched worriedly for the dark haired man. Getting out alone was an impossible task. Simply opening the window had been difficult enough.

It was so pathetic to be so upset about rejection. Everyone else had already come to openly admit hatred, that another single being could matter so much was a wonder- especially a single being that barely hung onto life. This brought about another worried thought, that maybe the last thread of life had been cut. Perhaps it hadn't been rejection that cause the separation, but death itself. This made Night's heart tighten even more to prepare for a shatter.

With this, the wind became even more violent. Its screams cried the song of sadness and its force threatened to take down the weaker trees. Night's minions, the canines and creatures of shadow jumped at their master's feet, apparently glad to see their old Night back and ready to be set loose to hunt for the first time in a long while. In a single moment, night had become all it had been before, regaining its terrible greatness with full force and reminding any that may have thought perhaps there'd been a change that Night was still powerful.

Then, he heard it. Amidst his splendid chaos, there was a small crash of an opening window and a familiar voice that spoke just one syllable. As if it held all of the power in the world, the word brought an instant pause to everything. For a second, night stood completely still and silent. It seemed that not even the few visible stars dared twinkle and the clouds held in their raindrops as Night appeared by the window.

Upon reassuring himself it'd been Eyre's voice, he closed his eyes, turning around to hide any hint his face had harbored worry. "You're okay... and you haven't yet hid from me?"

A little hope filled Eyre's heart as he stared out into the night. His friend was out there, he would hear him. Then the dark haired man, the elements personified, would come to meet him. Why did it mean so much? It sent a wrenching pain trough his heart at the thought that maybe his friend wouldn't hear him.

He'd been worried that Night wouldn't calm, or would choose to leave without saying a word. The raging winds had frightened Eyre so! But everything was alright, except his friend looked upset. Gripping the edge of the window the blond boy shifted until he felt his weight pulling him to the ground.

The earth seemed to rush up quickly, but it took an interminable amount of time. Clenching his eyes closed, Eyre bit down on his already blood tinged lips to stop a cry of fear ripping from his throat. Pain wasn't exactly a foreign thing for the sick young man. Besides it was worth it, though some might not have thought so.

After that briefest of pauses in motion, there was a slow retreat of all of Night's torments. The clouds began to dissolve, the wind completely died, and again Night's shadows scattered away, still bitter for being denied the hunt they'd long been craving, but eager to find a tiny bit of joy return to their master. The silence was almost all consuming. The thin sheen it'd covered the village in was easily cracked by movement from within the house.

Night turned back toward the window. Much to his worried surprise, Eyre had come out- the blonde must've jumped. In panic, Night forgot entirely just who he was. It was a part of taking on the human form, clear thinking became hard when emotion was made such a large part of all life. At least as pure Night, such silliness could be put aside for bits of time. Instead, instinct was made the guide and without any thought, Night had sprinted toward the window, only closing his eyes to stupidly stand in place.

"Eyre! Don't," the shout came out without thought or will. Again, the action done automatically had been poorly planned, as if the words could actually reverse the action. It did, however, manage to fully break the silence that had swept over the village.

Time had slowed to a snail's pace as he fell. Night's words seemed to wake Eyre up just as he felt the jarring impact of hitting the ground. Groaning Eyre tried to raise himself up from the ground, but only succeeded in crumbling again to the ground. Tears began falling from the pale skinned boy's face as he lay there looking like a broken doll.

Everything hurt. Heart, limbs, and now coughing began to slither forth from his throat to echo in the air. It was hard to understand. The pain was so much more then physical! Eyre didn't want to die anymore, he wanted to live so he could see Night again. The god cared, cared so much that he had cried out in worry of him. Did he really deserve such friendship?

Unable to speak he shifted his head weakly to smile up at his friend with a tear stained face. Just seeing Night there made Eyre forget. It was a kind of comfort he'd never expected.

Still frozen, Night could only stare in shock as Eyre made his first attempted to pick himself up. Tears seemed to melt Night's stiffness as suddenly, knees weakened and he dropped to the ground beside the blonde, fingers finding their way to catch those falling tears and keep them from the cold earth. Then they came, like the storm that the clouds had just earlier unleashed, from his own eyes fell droplets that streaked down his face, landing on lips to leave their salty mark before finishing the travel and gathering on his chin. Like a mirror, Night reflected that sadness as he too was overtaken by tears.

"Why did you do that?" Night choked, "Are you okay?" With this, his hands left the blonde to cover and dry his own face. It was much to his embarrassment to be seen in such a state. Truly, emotion was too powerful a foe to hide. The battle was one easily lost. A fight couldn't even be put up.

That weak smile only brought more tears. There was something so sweet in the gesture that it worked its way around to being sad. Now, it was certain that the situation was not fair. One day, maybe even soon, Night was reminded, he'd never again see that smile. Eyre would leave the horrors of the world Night was forever tied to and again he'd be alone. "Please be okay..."

The blond couldn't bear hearing the tears in Night's voice. The soft tears falling down his friend's face, there had to be a way to make them turn into smiles. Making himself move was difficult, but it was far more important then it ever had been before. Every muscle strained as Eyre crawled over to Night. Panting, the young man let his head rest upon the other man's lap as he wrapped an arm around him.

"Don't cry Night, please don't." Squeezing the other in a gentle one armed hug, the blond sighed. Dying seemed like such a horrible thing right now. After a few nights, Eyre was beginning to realize that his friend might just have meant more to him then that. A quick realization to be sure, but considering the circumstances it was warranted.

Fear kept him from saying anything. Fear of being rejected, fear of being accepted. Hurting Night was the last thing in the world he wanted to do. "I'll be alright," whispered Eyre with a smile. He could feel his breath calming down. Though his limbs were still weak he felt strong enough to lift himself up to give Night a proper hug. Eyre decided to ignore how heavily he needed to lean upon his friend, or the fact that his limbs arms trembled shakily from the exertion. It just felt so good to hold someone he cared for so deeply.

Despite the plea and his own wanting to put a cease to his silly tears, Night no longer seemed to be in control of that unreliable human form. His own eyes defied him as they continued to send a flurry of tears to build, gather and fall. He wanted to keep the blonde from moving and further straining himself, but Night couldn't seem to get past the lump that build in his throat and only could respond to the first half hug with stillness, holding his breath to keep himself from heaving.

The hug finally released his breath as he was at least no longer visible in tears. Night's shoulders began to bounce with some rhythm as soft sobs escaped with more consistency. It felt as though he would never be relieved of those ugly thoughts that attacked his mind. For now, there was safety in losing himself in that embrace and the warmth it came with.

"Of course you'll be alright," Night steadied enough to speak, "I can make sure of that. I will do in my power to keep you from further pain until you go, but I won't be alright. You'll be leaving too soon and I'll go back to thinking nothing and knowing nothing." He sounded so very selfish, but the words had simply poured out fears.

Soft soothing sounds left Eyre as he hugged Night with all his strength, which wasn't very much. Baggy clothing rumpled and folded as the young moved a hand gently to rub his friend's back. There was nothing he could say to ease the pain. It made the blond's face crumble to think of it all. Pale fingers tightened to clutch at cloth at the thoughts raging trough his mind.

"Night please, no more hurting and killing. Please? Others should see how magical your skies can be. Such beauty has no right to be hidden away." Lifting his head to look up at the dark haired man with his warm eyes ,Eyre felt a deceptively healthy pink rush to his cheeks. Lips had brushed lightly against skin in a contact that was so shocking that Eyre lapsed into silence.

There had to be a way to make Night happy. "I ... Night I care for you so much. Won't you smile again?" Death haunted and hovered above mercilessly but for a moment it didn't matter. "For me, I want you to be happy." A star, what he wouldn't do to become one of those stars shining up above eternally bright and always nestled in night's embrace.

((Waaaah T.T)))

Sobs stopped as again Night held his breath. Despite best attempts to keep them in line, a few tears still rolled down his cheek as he again saw those welcoming eyes. For a moment, the blonde had looked almost as though he wasn't ill at all, as a blush had bathed his cheeks. In that moment, Night had been raised in hope, only to drop again as he was reminded it was a simple moment and nothing to speak for the entirety of what was to come. There was still that inevitable fate that awaited mortals looming too near for comfort.

"I can promise no pain and death," Night cast his eyes away from the blonde, finally fully taking in his canvas of stars. There was no room in his head to feel pride, he'd been too consumed with grief (a truly gluttonous feeling) and now, as he stared up at the stars, a returned hatred. "But I can never share that sky. I never intended it for them and I'm not ready to share myself with those creatures."

Pulling his eyes away from the sky, Night returned all attention to Eyre. This time, a weak, forced smile inhabited his face. "I made it for those like you, even if you leave, and I smile just for you. It's too much to ask for me to bare my smile and soul to them, too."

The Night, the one the everyone feared, cried for him. Giving in to some crazy impulse Eyre lifted his lips to taste the salty tears, to banish them from existence while savoring them. A slight pang slipped trough the blond. "You won't even show it on the day, the time ... When I'm laid to rest?" He wanted the stars above welcoming him to the time after life, to light the way with all their welcoming lights and show him that someone had cared for him in a way that no one else ever had.

Breath catching in his throat, Eyre's saddening thoughts were forgotten as he gazed with something akin to wondrous reverence at Night. Those few simple words, "I smile just for you, meant more to him then he could ever say. There was only one thing he could think to do. Biting his lower lip nervously, he pressed his mouth firmly against Nights then pulled back slowly. "Only me?" Unbidden tears glittered down his cheeks, but these were tears of happiness. Clinging to Night, he buried his face into the other's chest to hide it.

In that quick moment with lips pressed together, there came a beacon of certainty amidst all of the aching and tears. Nothing that had happened in the past few nights could be cause for regret. There had always been a hole, and the blonde had uncovered it. With the badly done stitches torn out, there was pain, but somehow, it wasn't at all regrettable. Even now, thinking of the fall back to loneliness that Night hadn't even remembered suffering from, dread consumed him. Still, there was nothing to be undone. Relieving himself of memories or experiences that taunted and mocked in saying there would never again be a high as high was something he could never do, and in knowing that, there was still no regret and no wrong.

There wasn't enough time for a mind slowed by distress to think of any proper response. Again, that human form was source of betrayal. Shock left it paralyzed as Night was only able to be still and allow for the action, but not give any reply. As the blonde buried his face, Night finally broke his stillness to place a hand to stroke that hair. "Yes... And I will smile now because you've willed it and because although you'll leave me, you've made me happy," the voice came as a rasp and weak whisper.

"Why must you leave so soon?" Night had somehow managed to lower his whisper, words barely audible traced on his lips as his breathing finally calmed and tears came under control.

A certain swelling of his heart at Night's words brought an uncertain smile to Eyre's lips. This was such a new experience for him. Being the cause of another's happiness was such a wonderful thing. It was a treasure that the sickly boy had never imagined he could give to someone else. Did he not see the pain in his paren't eyes every time they looked at him? But he was causing Night pain too.

Despite the comfort given him by a soothing hand running trough his hair, a shiver ran trough his frame. He was hurting Night because he was going to die. "I never thought anyone would be happy to know me. And ... I... I know I'm hurting you Night. There must be a way to take away your pain." Pain, why did it follow him so. Now more then ever, Eyre wished it would just go away so he could be happy, so his friend could be happy. Letting out a deep breath he lifted his brown eyes to the sky and placed his head upon his friend's shoulder. The stars shone just for him, this night was for him.

It was too unbelievable to be real. "Can you stay with me tomorrow?" It would certainly be impossible. Day hated Night, they always battled each other. "If you can." He was asking for the impossible, and he knew it. Eyre let out a sigh. Being with someone you loved during the end of your life. That was all he wanted. If he had to find Day and plead with the deity, he would.

Night pressed his eyes shut. Somehow, taking away his own sight seemed to enhance all else. In the distance, the sound of little creatures finally sure they were safe to go about their nightly actions started up again. Even that was easily ignored. Perhaps, if he worked hard enough to live in imagination, elements of it could leak into the bittersweet reality to knock out all sadness and make further room for joy. As long as eyes were shut, he could pretend that the rest of the world could melt away to leave him suspended in his best moments.

The request was so unthinkable. There had long been an agreement that each would get a portion of time and so keep peace. The two could not exist in the same place at the same time because they were bound to destroy one another. The balance would be broken. But, it was just as impossible to refuse.

"If it can bring you comfort, I can stay," somehow, Night sounded so sure of this. Trouble was sure to follow the upset of balance, and what consequences would await were impossible to predict, but the sureness was not something fabricated to keep the blonde calm. Night had meant the words and intended to keep the promise, the stability in his voice was brought about by that determination. Whatever it brought about would be his burden and just sitting in the calm, Night found a sense of complete indestructibility. No treaty nor light could force his leave.

For a few moments Eyre was torn. He was certain his impulsive words had many more consequences then he could ever imagine. But, the young blond was selfish enough to want to spend all the time he possibly could with Night. Time was against him after all. Putting his friend in a dangerous situation was the last thing he wanted to do. Sighing a little, Eyre cuddled as close to Night as he possibly could.

"What will Day do?" It had seemed like such a wonderful thing to ask for at the time. The thought of angering Day made the question seem crazier then before. All of a sudden, Eyre realized he didn't really know all the much about Night, nor did he about him. There was so much left to talk about , in an amount of time that neither of them knew how long would last.

((Sorry for it kinda of being short))

Night shook his head slowly, putting a hand on the blonde’s head and gently pulling fingers through soft hair. There was an uncertain silence as he attempted to find an answer that would allow the moment another minute, knowing only that his hesitance was likely the worst answer to give. The warmth that accompanied closeness gave too much comfort. If he hadn’t been trying so hard to be optimistic, he would have been lost in the contact and ready to spend eternity in that time.

“Day… Day will do nothing, at least not for a while,” a soft voice began to deliver a response, “Day will be angry, but one does not simply vanquish Night. I am the other half and light and dark must always coexist, lest they take the chance of both falling into nonexistence.” Talking in circles was the only way Night could think to give a light reply that didn’t give hint to any fighting that could very easily break out. “Anything else that may happen will be past your time and I can carry any burdens on my own. For now, there’s no reason to worry.”

((That's fine~
I'm sorry for almost typing "One does not simply... walk into Mordor." I was so very tempted
By the way, have you ever tried getting walking directions from the Shire to Mordor on googlemaps?))

((No but it sure sounds interesting!))

Making an unexpected sound of pleasure, the blonde shifted so he huddled even closer to Night. Being so close to someone like this was a dream come true, one Eyre had been too afraid to even think of, let alone imagine. Again he found himself waring with disbelief. He knew Night would, and probably did, skim over the truth in an attempt to make Eyre feel better. Hadn't he done the same thing while trying to hide his identity?

"Since it seems like things will be alright, and I truly do want to spend as much time as I can with you ..." His parents would worry so if he disappeared for the day, but it was the only way he could spend time with Night. They wouldn't allow him to leave the house anymore, not with how he was. This was too important for him though, and against his parent's will he would go. Eyre was chasing happiness. "I'm so happy," murmured the young man as he pressed a kiss to Night's cheek and clung to him with a gentle smile.

Warmth overtook that stern, shadowy face at the little sound released by the blonde as he shifted and made his way to kill the distance even more. A light pink colored the otherwise lifeless cheeks of the dark-haired man, growing darker as lips pressed against one and hands came to hold onto him. The wonderfully painful heat was impossible to suppress and only grew hotter with each small movement. He'd made that fragile, insignificant little life happy, and that somehow meant more than all his entire existence prior could ever measure up to. All of it was still so wrong- so impossible. But somehow, in the moment, everything from the previous few nights, the short time spent together and the promise of at least a short while more, was all in the world that was right and all that made sense.

"Then tomorrow, the sun will not rise, unless ready to come and face me once again," Night cooed, the smile that he'd only become aware had made home on his lips laced his own contentment into his voice. There was no past nor future to look to, and because of that, there was nothing to dread. All that was of importance was the feel of blonde locks sliding beneath his fingers and the sound of a murmur from the one who'd made himself out to be the most important being on the planet. "Would you like to get some sleep for now? I swear on those very stars- your stars, that I will be here when you wake."

((Night's being corny now~))

((I think Night's adorable. XD))

Reassured by Night's words, the boy let out a sigh of relief. More time together, this was wonderful! Lifting his eyes to catch the smile upon the face of night personified, Eyre could find no words to express the swelling in his heart at the fact that he would be right there when he awoke. It meant so very much to him ... But being found by his parents would ruin everything, as well as bring Night's wrath upon the village. That was the last thing the blond wanted, though the people had not always treated him well having them suffer for his sake was not an option.

"Would you take me away someplace else when I sleep? My parents wouldn't understand ..." Finishing upon a cough, Eyre lifted a hand to his lips. He'd turned away automatically and was glad he had as red stained his fingers. Closing his eyes upon a raspy sigh, the young man cuddled against the dark haired man. Soon his breathing slowed and for the first time in quite a while Eyre slipped into his dreams with ease.

Night could only nod to agree to the next request, any verbal response being interrupted by another cough, which prompted Night to tighten his arms around the blonde, as though he could somehow keep life in place with a tight enough grip. Then, breathing calmed and the Eyre was in the unpredictable world of sleep. For a long moment, Night sat there, beside the blonde's home in the same position, arms wrapped around the sleeping being, where they were comfortable. Of course, staying there would be impossible. Even if the sun did not rise, people would still wake up and cause a commotion. Although there was no place Night truly had to call his own (as, at certain times, all belonged to him), he fully gathered the blonde in his arms, half fading to shadow as he stood to find a peaceful place to sit.

Waiting wouldn't at all be a task. After such a long life (if what he had could even be called a life) even a year and a second seemed separated only by big events, and it had been long since anything of importance had happened. Exactly what was going on with the villagers had long been lost to Night. In fact, the specific humans that had first stirred anger would have died hundreds, if not thousands, of years ago. The latest thing to catch attention had done so without any intention and still so innocently went on becoming larger than life itself, despite being so near death.

Night stopped in a clearing in the surrounding forest, where he often took to allowing his shadows to find and take lives.

After a night of restful sleep, Eyre's eyes slipped open. For a few moments he looked around in confusion. Strong, warm, arms held him gently in an embrace he found familiar and welcome. It was only when he lifted his head that memories began to return of what had happened the evening before. Closing his eyes again, the young man found himself loathe to leave this comforting hold of one he cared for so dearly.

A hunger gnawed at his stomach though, making rumbling sounds among that of the forest. Night still reigned, which was a little strange to say the least. To Eyre it was a welcome change. Day had only served to make him more aware of his faults in it's harsh light, but Night hid all of that. Remembering something Night had said about the stars above being his made a blush and a smile cross Eyre's features.

He'd never been this happy, and it was all because of something caused by those who'd always teased him and caused him grief. If they'd not taken Eyre's staff, then he'd never have met Night.

Wringing her hands nervously, the blue eyed brunette stared at the empty bed. "B-b-but he was too weak to leave his bed! Someone must have taken him, oh dear poor Eyre!" Worrying and fretting she tugged at one of tiny braids she made every time she was bored. The healer had no idea what to do and the young man's parent's were looking at her with such sorrow. Add to that the frightening fact that Day had not taken control of Night and Aletta was in a panic.

There were so many people to go and see, but Eyre was her main worry. Something had changed, he was so happy lately! Could it have anything to do with his disappearance? Shivering, the healer looked to his parents with a sigh. Oh this wouldn't do, not at all! People were too afraid to leave their houses with Night still in control, she was the only one who'd braved it's wrath. Taking care of her charges was more important then her own life, Aletta was certain of that. Still it was horrifying to step outside once more into the clement air to being her search trough the empty village. All the while small squeaks of fear left her lips at every strange sound and shadow. Too much mystery! Aletta wanted Day to govern again and chase away all her fears, or at least half of them anyway.