Read Madness Inside Roses :: Chapter 11: Between Here and There

Briar's eyes flickered open as the first rays of sun hit her eyes, her body dripping with sweat. As she took her first breath, she fell violently ill. She quickly laid on her side and vomited everything from her stomach, which was nothing, just bile. She coughed violently as she sat up and immediately saw a familiar sight. " I see you are experiencing withdrawals, inhaling the contents of that flower was never a permanent solution, was it?", the faceless entity mocked softly. Briar ignored it and went by the well, her steps sluggish and clumsy. She took a bucket of water and drenched herself as she caught some in her mouth. Her breathing was shallow but she managed to calm down. The faceless entity then appeared next to her, "Beautiful, you played off yesterday like you meant to cause such destruction," the entity lay on the ground as it saw a butterfly land on a blade of grass ", Did the cave remind you of the tower?". Briar, immediately lunged at the entity, trying to grab its neck and hold it down, but it was gone. Her eyes were wide and her breathing rapid as she knelt on the ground. She held herself and she softly cried into her arms, making sure no one saw as she hid behind the well. She just wanted silence for a few minutes. She just wanted to be alone. However, in the distance, she heard someone calling her name," Briar, are you okay".

Clovis ran to her as he saw her fall towards the ground. His concerned face aimed at Briar as she slowly stood with an unnatural grace. She dusted off the mud and dirt and conspicuously swiped back her hair as she wiped her face. Briar turned towards Clovis with that eerie smile and stoic eyes, her beauty radiating with the first sun's rays. Clovis felt like he was getting used to it now. "I am well. If you would excuse me, I need a change of clothing". Clovis wanted to speak to her but saw as she stopped in her tracks, "Also, I suggest we leave as soon as possible, we don't know if more people with arrive here". Clovis nodded as she looked at him. He began to gather water, but still many questions burned in his mind, the main one being, why was she acting so different?

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Clovis and others began to pack the wooden wagons with supplies and water. some gathered the remaining people and others wrapped those who passed away in extra cloth that was. Even though many were healed, those on the brink were not so lucky. The number of survivors was cut by about 7; four elderly, two children, and one adult. The dead were laid out in a row and left outside, flowers laid on them, there was no time to bury them. As the children were seated first, many of the adults went to talk to Clovis in the front with packed bags. " We have decided to part ways with you, you have already done so much for us. Thank you", the small group of 10 bowed as Clovis smiled. "Please raise your heads, I cannot take credit for all. Do be careful on your journey," Clovis looked down and saw the twins, already looking healthy by some miracle. Clovis knelt and was eye to eye with the little girl. "Thank you, because of you, everyone was able to get better", Clovis told the girl as she smiled at his remark. The little girl took her brother's hand and he returned the smile to her. The twins followed the eight other adults as they went in the opposite direction.

Briar then walked out of the inn, in a white linen shirt, and brown lace-up pants, her cloak covering her face as the golden emblem of her broach clacked on her chest. As she walked to the wagon, she saw the group of five approaching her. The adults immediately stopped, went knees down, and lowered their heads to show the utmost respect to the Celestial. The motion was almost like instinct had kicked in. The children, however, ran to her and saw beneath her cloak. A radiant face that resembled their mother's stood in front of them. The twins handed the woman in front of them a flower crown and waited for her to take it. Briar stared and knelt in front of the twins. She lowered her hood and tilted her head forward. The twins placed the flower crown on her head as they saw their mother's face smile at them for the last time. They stared at her facade for what seemed like minutes, then cries. The twins gripped her cloak as tears and cries spilled. Briar stood and she took their hands. She gestured for the group to stand and approach her, again covering herself with her hood.

"Do you feel confident you all will be safe?", Briar asked.

" Yes, Ms. Briar. I have the path I was taken from memorized. It also leads to a small hospice where my sister works. It might be the complete opposite of where you may be heading, but if you ever want to stop by, it is between the Sun Empire and the Wind Kingdom. If you ask around you will be able to find it".

Briar smiled as she handed over the children and handed them a bag of her hair. She waved goodbye as they walked off.

Briar began to walk where the deceased were laid. One by one she summoned the roots to pull the bodies down and a top, the flowers that were placed on them in full bloom and splendor. The group saw this and smiled as she came close to the carriage where Clovis stood. She then spoke in a hushed tone, "Could you please tell me, where are we heading?