Chapter 24: Andromeda

A strong herbal scent filled Andromeda’s nose, and she slowly opened her eyes. She let out a low groan as pain raced down her arms, her mind struggling to bring the world into focus.

“Hinna? Hinna! She’s awake! She didn’t die, she’s awake!”

A faint part of Andromeda’s mind mentally sighed. She was getting tired of people assuming she was dead.

She pushed herself up, her arms weak and sore. Her body groaned with the effort, protesting the movement of her limbs. A pounding head paired with an empty stomach didn’t bode well, and she felt a nagging urge to vomit.

Suddenly, a pair of hands gently grabbed Andie’s arm and steadied her as she sat up, and her vision finally cleared enough for her to take in her surroundings.

She was in a bed, resting in a room along with a few—maybe five—others. Some beds were occupied, but most of them were empty. With the vials and remedies perched near the cots, Andromeda quickly realized she was in an infirmary.

A young medic was staring at Andromeda, worry and slight fascination mingling on her face as she released her arm. Her short blonde hair was tied behind her face, and she carried the curious look of an apprentice.

“Are you all right, miss?” she asked.

Andromeda nodded slightly, glancing down at her body. She was dressed in a soft, plain nightgown, her old clothes nowhere in sight. Her arms were still covered in conspicuous scratches, crisscrossing where the branches had grazed her in her dream. She could feel the same piercing pain in her toes, and knew the pads of her feet were rubbed raw. The salt of the ocean had obviously not helped.

The dreams…they’ve never physically hurt me before.

Her mouth was dry as she spoke. “Yes…I’m okay, thank you.”

The apprentice’s cool hand pressed against Andromeda’s forehead, her brow furrowing. She gently let go of her arm, glancing down at her bleeding skin before looking back up.

The sound of running steps caught Andromeda’s attention, and she turned her head to see an older woman bolting through the doors. She held the aura of a more experienced medic as she jogged over to Andromeda’s bed at the end of the small room.

“Oh my, she is awake. Thank you for calling me, Edithe.” The older woman, Hinna, observed Andromeda, her eyes roaming over her body.

Slightly uncomfortable, Andromeda slowly raked her hand through her knotted hair, the long strands free from the braid she had set it in.

“Where am I?” she asked with a confused stare.

“Why, you’re in an infirmary. You were brought here after your body was found washed on the beach by some workers,” Hinna answered.

The pounding in her head kept beating relentlessly as she felt a spark of panic take root in her chest.

“Washed up? Where? Where am I?”

A quick exchange of glances between Hinna and Edithe. “In Secanth, miss,” responded the apprentice.

Andromeda’s eyes widened, her mind trying to wrap around what the girl had just said.

“Secanth?” she whispered. “I washed up in Secanth?”

“You were barely breathing when they brought you in. So much so we thought…” Hinna’s voice trailed off. “You don’t look so well. I will go get you some tonic, some bandages for your arms and feet.” She stepped away from the bed, leaving Andromeda with her apprentice.

Andromeda’s eyes dropped, her heart pounding as she took in heavy, fleeting breaths. Secanth was a full day’s carriage ride away from the Aquae Court, from her home. How could she have drifted away so far?

How am I possibly going to get back?

“How long has it been? Since they found me?” she asked through panicked breaths, looking back up at Edithe.

“You were found only last night, although I cannot say for certain how long you’ve been in the water,” the apprentice said.

Andromeda turned to the side, where a window sat nestled in the wooden walls. Cool rays of clouded sunlight came flooding in, shining against the cream-colored blanket at her legs. She could see the grassy field past the glass, the edges of forest just within her view.

“What day is it?”

“The twenty-third. Just past midday.”

“WHAT?” Andromeda gasped, a sharp stab of pain cutting into her head. She had been at sea for two days? Without drowning? Her Gift was an exceptional one, but burnout was a limiting factor. There was no way she could have survived hours and hours underwater.

And her mother. Andromeda gulped at the thought of her mum, left with nothing but a brief note and days without seeing her daughter.

“May I ask, how did you end up there?”

“I…” Andromeda stammered, “I went swimming the night of the solstice. While I was underwater, everything suddenly went black. Then I woke up here. I don’t know what happened.”

Andromeda swallowed. It was an obvious lie, yet she couldn’t risk telling this stranger about her dream state. She wasn’t in the familiarity of the Aquae Court, under her mother’s fervent protection, and she didn’t know how these unknown people would react to her explanation.

“Your Gift…I take it you are a Breather?”

Andromeda nodded.

“Well, your Gift must have been completely burnt out, keeping you breathing underwater all that time. That would explain why you were unconscious for so long.”

Andromeda let out a small sigh of relief. So it wasn’t her dreams keeping her asleep. She was able to tolerate being gone for hours, but days? She shivered at the thought.

“Well, once we give you some tonic and patch you up, we can take you to one of the Guard posts nearby. They can help you sort things out.”

“What?”

“We are required to document anyone who comes in here and leaves. When they found you, the guards wanted us to see if you were alive, and requested that we bring you to them if you were. I presume it’s not often they find someone washed up on shore alive.”

Andromeda’s eyes widened. “No, no that’s really not necessary.”

“I’m afraid it is, miss.”

She twisted the blanket in her hands, her nerves heightened. She couldn’t stay here, not when she was so vulnerable to falling unconscious. If Andromeda was caught in a dream again, she wouldn’t be able to lie. Stars knew how people took to a girl who kept dropping dead.

Edithe gave Andromeda a reassuring smile, oblivious to her growing fear. “I’m going to retrieve our records for today so that I can write your name down. I’ll be right back.”

She left Andromeda alone in the corner, weaving her way between the few beds before leaving the room. Glancing around, Andie began to think, trying to quell her panic. The room wasn’t decorated in any way, the plain stone walls holding a few shelves with supplies.

She pushed the blanket off and surveyed her feet, blisters shining bright red against her tan skin. Swinging her legs over the bed, she winced and pressed them against the cold floor, a slight shiver running through her skin. She would have to bear it. A cold sweat began to creep across her body.

I can’t stay here.

Her mind was battling itself as she considered the idea. The thought of leaving the building and venturing into the city was nerve-racking, but not impossible. With nothing but the clothes on her back, she would have to find another way to get to the Aquae Court. Staying here would cause more trouble than it was worth, and she didn’t trust anyone in this strange city. The thought of being examined by the Guard was not at all appealing—what would they do to her if they found out?

Slowly sliding off the bed, she shakily stood, her feet flaming in pain. Bracing herself, Andromeda took a step forward, her mind reeling once again. Her tired body was stiff, but she took another step, lifting her chin with a deep breath.

She passed by the other beds, two of them occupied by sleeping patients. One of them was a young man, a white bandage wrapped across his forehead. Grabbing the door handle, her conviction was slowly growing as she silently glanced at the sleeping man.

Hopefully he’ll have better luck at this infirmary.

Pulling the door open, she stuck her head out and glanced in both directions. Both hallways only led to more doors and rooms, clearly not where Andromeda was aiming to end up. Shutting the door quietly behind her, she shuffled towards the double doors just up ahead.

Andromeda slowly pushed opened the doors, the light of the sky shining on her face. Tall, wooden buildings stood before her, with paths and roads laying across a bumpy hill. This infirmary seemed to be at the edge of a populated village. Wagons and carts sat at the sides of the roads, and a few quiet villagers were out roaming the outskirts of the city. Enormous grey clouds masked the sun, and a full breeze blew into Andromeda’s nightgown. She clutched her arms, shivering as she stepped down to the path.

That’s odd. It’s strangely cold for a summer day.

She walked along the bumpy dirt, her bare feet rubbing against the coarse stones. Each stride was slow and painful, and she trode carefully along the path, her back aching with soreness. Her mind was already thinking of her plan. The most rational way to get back would be to hire a carriage—but where would she find the money?

The Aquae Court is miles and miles away. Who would possibly help a lonely girl pay such a large fare?

A twisted thought emerged: maybe she could steal the money. Usually, the idea would have appalled her, but not this time. She was too desperate to get home.

A ringing cry broke her thoughts.

“There she is!”

Edithe burst out the doors, running towards Andromeda.

“Miss, where are you going? We must take you to the Guard!”

Ignoring the pains in her body, Andromeda broke into a sprint, diverting off the path and into the crowded city.

She ran with all her strength, her head heavy with a painful ache. She stepped on a bed of tiny rocks and felt a splitting pierce at her feet. Andromeda winced as a single tear dripped from her eye. She had to keep going, no matter the torment.

“You mustn't run! We can help you!” Edithe called, yet Andromeda didn’t listen. Her mind spun and adrenaline filled her veins, fogging her thoughts. She ran down a steep hill, stumbling with her sore legs, and turned at a sharp corner. Andromeda rested against a wall, taking in small, frantic breaths, her mind panging with fear and worry.

I’m all alone in a strange city, where could I go? Think, think, think, Andromeda!

“Please, come back! Someone stop her!”

Regaining her senses, Andromeda frantically searched around the street, before spotting an ashy door just at her side. Without hesitation, she darted into the building, slamming the door shut with a violent thud. Taking deep gulps of air, she slid over to a window just at the side and peeked out through the curtain.

Edithe appeared in the middle of the street, turning in circles with confusion as she looked for Andromeda. A few passerbys observed her with concern.

The apprentice called out, her voice muted from within the stone walls. With a look of defeat, Edithe scurried off back down the path, disappearing from Andromeda’s view.

Thank the stars.

Andromeda let out a sigh of relief and crouched on the floor, her knees heavy and her body cramping. She closed her eyes, leaning her head against the wall as she held her left hand. She took in a deep breath and sniffled, her nose struggling to breathe through the stinging tears. Her dusty fingers raised to her face, wiping away the wetness from her cheeks. She felt her anger rising through her panic, and she aggressively rubbed her face, trying to stop her breakdown.

What am I going to do? And why does everything hurt so much?

Andromeda glanced at the soles of her feet, cringing at the fresh, wet blood that had sprouted during her dash. Dropping her head, a curtain of tangled hair fell around her face. She took another deep breath, trying to clear her head and sober up.

This isn’t helping. I need to get up.

Suddenly, she felt a small touch at her shoulder, and a crackly voice rang out from above.

“Need something, deary?” Andromeda looked up, startled by an old woman towering over her. Her clothes were ragged and torn, her hair mangled in all directions. Her teeth were a straggly mess, most of them even missing from their place. She held a cracked mug in her hand, filled with a bit of a bubbling drink. The woman leaned heavily on her cane, her back bent.

“What a pretty thing you are. Are you lost? I’m sure we can help you,” she said with a crooked smile and that same, wheezing voice. Andromeda immediately stood up, her heart racing and ignoring her body’s objections.

She looked out behind the woman and saw a room full of scruffy, seated men. All of their eyes were on her, some of them filled with malice, others holding a frightening grin. Bottles of drinks sat on tilted shelves behind a long counter. The room carried a putrid scent, a stinging mixed fragrance of body odor and a rotten sweetness.

No, no, no—

Andromeda trembled, her back against the front door. How is it that she had burst into a menacing tavern so carelessly? She took a deep breath, her eyes still level with everyone in the room. Andromeda tried to keep a brave face, impassive and unbreakable, as her shaky hands subtly searched for the handle behind her.

“Come with us…don’t be afraid,” the woman said eerily, reaching for Andromeda’s hair with her withered fingers. Some of the men behind her began to stand up, their eyes flooded with a drunken madness as they began to slowly stumble forward.

“What do you have there, you old hag?” one of them mumbled.

Andromeda clutched the door handle fiercely, slowly pushing it down.

“We can help you…” she croaked again.

“Um…no thank you. I’ll be fine on my own,” Andromeda assured the woman, before rapidly swinging the door open behind her. Spinning around, she burst into the streets, stumbling past confused villagers, while tiny droplets of water began to land on her from the sky. Yet she let nothing distract her. All that mattered was getting as far away as possible. The awful smell was slowly washed away from the rain, a small relief.

She turned down a wider street, its lanterns dimly lit in the darkening sky. The road seemed to be empty, and the drizzling rain dotted the dirt road. Andromeda glanced behind her, only to see a barren path, the people in the tavern nowhere in sight. With a grateful breath, she slowly stepped forward, her feet grazing along the dampened lane.

She felt the rain land against her head in battering drops, each one leaving her hair even more soaked and heavy. She hugged her arms together and walked through the mysterious streets, unsure of where she was headed. It was getting strangely colder in the summer rain, and she couldn’t seem to shake off her grogginess.

Suddenly, a burst of thunder erupted from above, and the rain started to pour down in buckets. As she continued to make her way through the streets, her nightgown was soaked in the pummeling water, and her feet were coated with dirt and mushy mud. A biting chill ran through her spine, and she let out a low groan. The buildings and lampposts around her started to blur as her head ached with a distressing heaviness.

She was lost in a foreign city, with no available way to get home. Her body was exhausted, and she didn’t know why. Pushing her wet hair back, she closed her eyes and the rain fell down her face, cooling her cheeks. Steeling herself, she continued down the barren road, her one resolve clear in her foggy mind.

She had to find a way to get back home, and fast.