The Summoning ~Sleep Token FF~

~5~

Vessels POV~

I waited near the tent she was in, soundly sleeping. The four of us received the news that she would be coming a few hours before she arrived. I had a feeling she would pick what she did, but I still had a bit of doubt.

"How much longer until she is awake?" II asked as he walked up beside me. I looked in his direction and sighed "not sure, they hurt her pretty good" he looked towards the tent, nodding. "Worse than us?" I nodded, looking down at my hands "10 times worse".

I saw him tense up slightly from the corner of my eye but brushed it off. Before I could say anything else, he turned around and walked back to the campfire. He is difficult to understand sometimes, but that is what makes him, him.

Walking over to the tent, I unzipped the door, stepping inside. I closed it before walking to the small chair beside her cot. Sitting down and turning towards her, she was still fast asleep.

I watched her chest fall and rise in a rhythmic pattern; at least she was breathing. It has been a while since I saw her; once she left the foster home, I never stopped and saw how she was. But she has always held a special place in my heart.

My heart ached when I helped her that night; we were the same age, yet she was going through the worst possible situation. I wish I could have traded places with her and stopped her from hurting, but I couldn't.

Since then, I have only relied on what Morpheus has said about her. He would always keep me updated when we spoke. I am not sure she remembers me; I hope she does, but I can't hold out hope.

A small groan was heard from the corner; she wiggled under the blanket before slowly opening her eyes. I watched her squint, trying to look around, never noticing me. I took the chance to look at her face and saw a huge black eye.

Clenching my teeth together, I kneeled beside her. "How do you feel?" I asked quietly; she turned to me, and a small smile formed. "Like I have been beaten with a brick," she laughed before she got into a coughing fit.

I reached over to the water bottle beside the bed and unscrewed the top handing it to her. She took it and began drinking quickly; once she was finished, I took it from her, sitting it off to the side. 

I helped her sit up, and she let out a few pained huffs before sitting up by herself. "What happened?" she asked, looking over at me. I sighed and looked up "well, you picked your faith, and now you are here" she nodded, looking at her hands. 

"So I'm stuck here?" I nodded before looking at the door. A small sigh was heard before a slight sniffle; I quickly looked over, seeing her lip quiver. I rubbed her back in small circular motions watching her cry quietly.

She seemed genuinely upset about it. Maybe everything finally felt like she got her life together and was where she was meant to be. We knew otherwise but stayed quiet and didn't interfere with her desires. 

While I was lost in thought, she stopped crying but continued staring into space. "I'm sorry," I said before standing up and walking to the door. "When you're ready, come to the campfire, I will introduce you to everyone, and you can get something to eat," I said before walking out.

I walked over to the fire and sat down beside III. "How is she?" he asked quietly. He is always quiet and shy and never talks much, but when he does, it's about something important. "She's alright; she doesn't seem to be adjusting well," I said, staring into the crackling fire. 

Watching the flames dance, growing large and then small again. "Do you think she is hungry?" he asked again; I nodded. Not looking over at him, I knew he had grabbed some food and walked it to her tent. 

A small hello was heard as he walked into the tent and disappeared briefly. I hope she grows to like us. It would be awkward if she hated us. I looked over and saw two figures appear out of the tent.

They slowly walked over as she limped a bit. She seemed happy, and so did III; they will get along the best, and they seem to have similar personalities. "I helped her up," III said, gesturing to the short girl beside him. I nodded and gave him a thumbs-up.

"Do you want to show her the waterfall?" I asked. Even though he wore a mask, I could tell his face lit up as he nodded. "Waterfall?" she asked with a big smile; he nodded and grabbed her arm, pulling her towards where it was before stopping and grabbing a towel and sitting in the clean basket. 

I watched them grow smaller and smaller; they seemed happy with each other's company. I'm surprised III quickly warmed up to her.