Nevaeh’s mother touches his arm, startling him out of his thoughts.
‘We’ve had a bit of a scare, her heart lost its rhythm a while back, but she’s clear now, if you can call a coma fine. Apparently the doctors reckon that she is in a light coma and should be opening her eyes soon. Her brain activity is good...’ Her voice trailed off, and Hawk automatically put his arm round her. Until now, he hadn’t considered her family, just himself and the needs of Gaia. He stared at the still figure on the bed.
When everyone had gone, Hawk slumped into the chair, where he was soon lulled into sleep by the sounds of the industrial cleaner in the nearby room.
He was immediately overwhelmed by visual fragments of dreams and visions - someone was trying to reach him. He was being shown the woods, near Nevaeh’s home, and fear took hold of him as soon as he heard the pitiful crying. He felt the muscles in his legs expand as he ran towards the sound, dimly aware of the sticky mud that dragged at his feet, slowing him down.
Around him, the woods changed shape nearer the clearing. He wasn’t worried. Dreams always change shape and visions are never about the details but the symbols. Even though blue lightning flashed round him, he could still hear the crying; it was louder. The vegetation around him was becoming difficult to move through and for the first time he felt as if he was fighting Gaia herself. Strange tangled plants appeared in front of him, snagging his legs and clothing. He felt sweat begin to pour as the cries pushed him forward.
In the distance was a clearing and summoning up the last bit of strength he had left, he punched his way through. There, the scene rooted him.
Blue mist trailed through her hair, making him think of Medusa. On a grassy mound in front of her, lay two whimpering foxes, which he recognised as Seth and Nettles. Anger seared through him when she smiled, it made her face look ghoulish, especially when she extended her arm. The mist crawled down it like a large caterpillar until it slid from her fingers into the ground.
He swayed as the earth vibrated beneath his feet and a jagged gash opened Gaia’s skin. The grass around it swept back from the heat and he knew without looking that it was deep.
‘What do you want?’ he whispered, his voice hoarse. It didn’t feel like a vision, it felt real.
She answered him by picking up the foxes in each hand like they were toys. It widened their eyes and pulled their mouths open into macabre grins. He wanted to sense them to tell them to release themselves but he felt powerless. She had the control, not him.
‘What do you want?’ he shouted again. The heat was becoming stronger and he could feel it scorching his skin.
‘Bring her to me or they will die.’
Hawk felt his entire being scream when she tossed them casually towards the opening. Steam and pitiful cries of agony made him fall to his knees and cover his ears to the horror of it.
‘If they die, so will she. She belongs to me.’ Her voice is hard.
He is woken to the frantic calls of Andrea and a young nurse pulling him free. He leans towards Nevaeh’s bed, to check her heartbeat.
‘Hawk, are you ok?’
He shakes his head wiping the tears from his face, breathing heavily.
‘Seth and Nettles, they’re in danger.’
‘Is he alright?’ The young nurse asks, baffled.
‘Just a bad dream, a cup of tea might help,’ Andrea whispers, trying to sound casual.
Andrea stared back at the still figure of Nevaeh, resembling a porcelain statue. She would have seemed serene if it wasn’t for the lone tear that ran down her face. She watched Hawk pace round the bed, before stopping him and asking for answers.
‘She wants them back in exchange for Nevaeh,’ his voice was low.
Andrea opened her mouth then closed it wondering if she’d misheard.
‘A trade then?’ She whispered, looking back at Nevaeh. Hawk nodded, noticing the consideration on her face.
‘Don’t even think about it Andrea.’ He warned.
‘It’s not even an option – understand?’
Andrea didn’t answer.
He pulled her further away from the bed as if the very act of separating them made a point.
‘Sometimes we have to sacrifice one to save the whole, Hawk. You’re too close.’
Hawk steps closer towards her.
‘If anything happens to her, I’ll know where to go.’ He didn’t disguise his threat and Andrea looked away.
‘Understand?’ He repeated gripping her arm again. She gasped.
‘Yes, okay I understand.’ He went back to his seat next to Nevaeh. He inhaled deeply.
‘Andrea, we need reinforcements, another totem group – the eco group, they’re the most invisible, to watch over her. We’re two down.’ he added, seeing the flush of anger in her eyes.
‘As totem leader, I’ll call the meeting.’ Andrea said evenly.
