I saluted her as I hustled out of the pub and practically ran to Kizzi’s apothecary.
The shop was dark when I approached. Unnaturally dark. I couldn’t even see through the windows. I pressed my face to the glass to get a better look, trying to peek through the gaps in the curtains, but all I could see was thick, shadowy darkness.
Was she still sleeping? It was past midday. I knocked tentatively.
No answer.
I knocked again, louder this time.
Still nothing. A kernel of worry bloomed in my gut. Something about this didn’t feel right.
I knocked a third time, banging so hard that my healing hands ached. “Kizzi!” I shouted. “Are you in there?”
I heard a small rustling sound from inside. My ears flicked out, trying to gather as much of the sound as possible.
“Kizzi? Is that you?” I held my breath. I heard the strange rustling again, followed by a small, pained whimper.
“Kizzi!” I shouted. “I’m coming in!”
I yanked on the door with all my might, but the lock was solid. Probably enchanted to be un-pickable. The wood, though, didn’t seem to be enchanted.
I backed up, braced myself, and delivered a mighty kick to the center of the door. It buckled slightly. Yes!
I kicked the door again. And again. And again. Finally, wood splintered, and the door flew open.
I stormed inside. The first thing I noticed was that the darkness was indeed smoke—and it was suffocating. It billowed out the open door, seeking fresh air to taint. I yanked my tunic over my mouth and nose and dropped to the floor, where the air was less densely smokey. I felt around with my bandaged hands as I traveled the perimeter of the room on my hands and knees. “Kizzi! Where are you?!” I shouted, slightly muffled through the fabric covering my face.
The quiet whimper sounded again, closer to a groan this time. I crawled faster.
Slowly, the smoke began to clear.
What I saw made me pause. It wasn’t a fire that had caused the smoke, because nothing was damaged. There was no flame, no ash, and nothing was burnt. I tentatively got to my feet.
A flurry of movement in the far corner caught my attention. It was a fluttering, bustling mass of movement that I couldn’t quite distinguish.
Until I noticed a flash of green curly hair peeking out. I bolted for the corner. “Gods almighty, Kizzi!”
The mass broke apart into shimmering flashes of movement and dispersed, spreading throughout the shop. I hardly noticed—my attention was fixed on the small witch curled up on the floor.
Kizzi appeared to be asleep, but her position was unnatural. She was slumped sideways, partially propped against the shelf on the wall, and one of her arms was squashed beneath her.
“Can you hear me? I’m going to sit you up, alright?” I wasn’t sure if she could hear anything in this state, but speaking to her made me feel better. My heart was thundering in my chest.
Gently, carefully, I tucked a hand behind the nape of her neck, and the other grasped her shoulder. I slowly sat her upright, being cautious to keep her head still in case she was injured. A small rivulet of blood trickled from her ear. Her eyes fluttered, and she groaned again.
She began to slump, so I grasped her head with both hands, bracketing her gently but firmly. Her eyes fluttered again. “Wake up, Kizzi. You’re okay,” I insisted. My blood thundered through my veins with an almost painful ferocity, but I fought to keep my panic at bay.
A moment passed. Ten. Endless moments. Eventually, her eyes slowly opened. Her gaze was groggy, unfocused, but the green of her irises was the prettiest sight I had ever seen. I decided right then and there that green was my favorite color. I huffed out a sigh of relief.
“Tandor?” she asked, confused. “What are you doing here?”
“Did you fall? What happened?”
“I don’t know…” she mumbled. She tried to look around, but I held her still. Her eyes jumped to mine, startled.
“You were slumped on the ground. Are you hurt?”
She closed her eyes for a moment. “I ache, but I think I’m alright.” She lifted a hand to the back of her head, her fingers lightly brushing mine where they grasped her. She prodded her scalp for a bit and then brought her hand into her line of sight. “I’m not bleeding. I think I just bruised myself.”
