She wanders off into the forest. She doesn't stop this time, even though everything's blurry and she keeps walking into trees, falling down, and nearly vomiting, but she doesn't stop.

The forest was bathed in hazy starlight. The flowers had opened completely and were glowing as if tiny moons nestled between the petals, throwing back the darkness. Ethereal moths and ghostly butterflies flitted over the carpet of snow and flowers, delicate wings reflecting the light as they floated between blooms.

She doesn't even see it. The pain is so bad she can't think straight, and each step is becoming more and more difficult.

Ash stood in the middle of a clearing, surrounded by glowing white flowers, eyes closed as tiny lights swirled around him. They shimmered and drew together, merging into a luminescent faery with long silver hair, her features so lovely and perfect. Ash opened his eyes as she reached for him, her hands stopping just shy of his face. Longing shone from his eyes, and the spectral faery moved right through him, dissolving into tiny lights.

For just a moment, her sight clears enough to recognize him. Then she lets out an agonized gasp and collapses.

She simply shrugs.

He sighed. "Okay, then."




Ash whirled around, his eyes widening at the sudden interruption. Seeing her, several emotions crossed his face--shock, anger, shame--before he sighed in resignation and went and knelt beside her

Her body is barely moving, only twitching every now and then. Her breath is coming in quick, agonized gasps, to the point is practically sounds like she's hyperventilating. Tears are welling up in her eyes, and her fingers are extremely red.

She turns away from him and lays down.

"I'm leaving," Ash said quietly. He gently but her in a sitting position, solemn, beautiful, and as distant as the stars. "Have Goodfellow take you home. It isn't safe here any longer."



He just get into one of the cots