Page 184 of Seven Oars
His eyes slowly opened. The formerly black orbs were now the color of vintage red wine, a rich mahogany with vivid crimson slashes where Phex’s claws had torn into them.
With instinctive certainty, Rosamma knew then that his vision was gone forever.
“I’m here.” She caught his hand and held on tight, sensing his confusion.
“My head. My eyes.” He lifted a hand to his face.“I can’t see. It’s dark.”
“Fincros…” She nearly sobbed.
“Tell me.” His voice was hoarse but firm, leaving no room for argument.
She swallowed hard, forcing the words out.“Your eyes… They’re bleeding, and I don’t know how to stop it. You have gashes across them, five on the left and three on the right. They look… different.”
She brushed the soaked cloth over his eyelids, wiping away fresh blood.
Silence.
“We’re in the Meat Locker, aren’t we?”
“Yes. Just you and me.”
“How long has it been since the fight?”
Rosamma couldn’t say for sure. Probably two or three days, and that was what she told him.
He shifted, wincing.
“What about your body?” Rosamma asked.“Anything broken? Can you move your legs?”
He pulled them up, then straightened them out.“Yeah. Just sore.”
Relief flickered, but it drained her too. The moment Fincros gained consciousness, Rosamma’s strength began slipping away.
She stretched on the floor next to him and closed her puffy eyelids, pulling the covers over her shivering body. Her thoughts drifted to Ren, a memory she’d neglected lately. She wondered if Ren had found a Tana-Tana alien willing to share energy with him. Hopefully so. And hopefully, his alien benefactor was alive and possessing a head.
We will meet again in another life, Ren. Don’t die on my account.
Half-aware of what she was doing, Rosamma sent a pitiful trickle of energy into Fincros’hand.
His body stiffened against hers.“That’s all you have?”
“Uh-huh.” She burrowed deeper into the covers that offered little warmth.
Sleep was coming.
“Go get the collar, Rosamma.”
“Why?”
“I need you to be strong.”
“I’ve never been that, Finn.”
“My eyes are gone,” he stated flatly.“You’re all I have to guide me.”
“We’re not going anywhere,” she whispered, her voice heavy.
“Yes, we are.”
