Eyes Open

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== Summary ==
== Full Text ==
“Come inside, Vox. Please, come inside.”
The boy fought to keep himself from shaking any more violently than the current situation had already caused him to. Vox saw the deceased face of his childhood friend burned into his memory. The blood flowing from his nose, the weapon of his demise sunken deep into his back…
Please, please let me die. Let me die and bring Dario back.
Vox couldn’t formulate any words verbally, rather, his articulation was limited to shrill cries and chilling wailing while he mourned his loss. The man and woman that led him to safety couldn’t hide their concern, for their son had seen the worst of what High Central could bring upon a child.
Gerick pulled Vox in front of the forge, and sat him down. The boy made it a point to gaze at the ground, mumbling through his tears and rocking himself in a feigned attempt at comfort. Leona mustered up a wet cloth to drape across Vox’s forehead, in hopes that it would soothe him enough to breathe normally.
“You have to calm down, son. Inhale slowly… that’s it…”
Vox continued to peer towards the earth beneath them as his father’s words hit his ears. Leona further pressed the cloth against his head, running her fingers across his back as she did so.
“It’s alright now. Just try to calm down so you can sleep.”
She knew these words meant nothing to him. Dario had died; there wasn’t anything Gerick or herself could say to remedy their son’s pain. He hadn’t spoken in the hour since the event at the Centre. 
“We know it hurts,” Gerick assured as gently as he could, “Vox, we know. He was a wonderful young man and what happened today isn’t fair, by any means. But for now, you’re not thinking clearly, and you need some rest.”
Vox cringed. He couldn’t think of slumber at a time where his best friend would never breathe again.
“Vox, just close your eyes. Let us take care of this.”
The young Arnason boy pushed the idea of fixing this out of his mind. There wasn’t anything left for him to do here in High Central. Save for his family, he had lost the one thing keeping him there. He and Dario had often spoke of their plans to leave, knowing that they couldn’t stay safe forever under the mage’s watch. It could have been the immaturity and innocence he harbored in his youth, but Vox had been convinced that the two of them had a shot at surviving out in the Wilderwest.
“No… no, no…”
He muttered the first words he had been able to in the past few hours. Gerick and Leona took the opportunity and moved in closer.
“No? What is it, son?”
“No… I can’t… I can’t…”
Gerick placed his son’s face mere inches from his. He was almost through to him.
“Can’t what? What is it, Vox?”
Vox felt his heart begin to burn in his chest. The lack of cognition on the part of his parents was eating him alive. There was no way thy could ever understand why this loss was so crippling for the young man who’s only friend was a half-breed in High Central.
They don’t get it… they don’t… they can’t…
He was all I had.
I killed him.
Vox threw himself onto his feet, and made a sprint towards the door. Gerick was quick in pursuit, but was halted by Leona. He instantly knew her intentions by the look in her eye – Vox needed some time alone, and to try to impose on him at this point would prove to be more counterproductive than either of the two would like. He watched as his only son ripped the door open, nearly off of the hinges in his state of instability, and rushed off into the evening light.