Into the Deep

Some of them could feel it coming back in the Living World. Ben fought back the sickness. Kris looked like she was going to throw up. Same with Max and Robin.

“Hang in there!”

Everyone looked up to see Natalia with her eyes locked on them. She looked like she was struggling to keep it altogether. The angel herself was probably close to throwing up.

“We have… to… keep… this up!” It was a struggle for her to say that. Liz had to hold her up at one point.

“Easy there,” she said.

“Thank you,” the older angel whispered.

“How long have we been doing this?” Izumi asked. Natalia counted up in her head.

“I don’t know. Does it matter?” she asked. “We have to keep the barrier up no matter what!”

“But…” Yoshiko said.

“We don’t have a choice!” the leader shouted. “We have to get them back!” Her knees started to buckle. This time, Baby Doll was the one to pull up.

“Thank you,” Natalie whispered. Meanwhile, everyone else didn’t look like they were going to hold up for long. Some of them still hadn’t woken up yet. Only one person in the room didn’t look sick.

Baby Doll had been slipping in and out of reality. The body was there. But sometimes her mind kept going in and out. Still, she kept fighting. It was just in her own way. Izumi and Himeko were the ones who had to hold her up. Even that didn’t look like it was going to last long. Baby Doll knew that something had to give.

Mama!

Baby Doll froze. She knew that voice. The angel glanced over her shoulder. A pair of little green eyes was staring at her. Baby Doll had a strange sense of déjà vu. Where had she heard that voice before? Where had she seen those eyes before? Her brain wouldn’t give her time to think about that. She felt like part of her was slipping away. Baby Doll knew that she was going to have to make this quick.

Who are you?

I don’t have time. Listen to me! Your barrier won’t hold for long. The longer he’s on the other side, the more he’s draining from all of you. You have to end this.

What do you mean?

Look around you. Your barrier is draining them all. They can’t keep this up. Look at them. An invisible hand moved the angel’s head toward everyone in the apartment. Now that Baby Doll thought about it, everyone was starting to get worn down. Natalia looked like she was about to fall onto her knees. Izumi and Himeko were barely holding her up. They too looked like they were about to pass out too. Everyone else looked just as worn down. If this kept up…

Tell me what I need to do.

Let me take hold and I will show you where you need to go.

Baby Doll took in a deep breath. Okay. Do it. She let out a huge gasp as her mind disappeared again. The whole time, the angel didn’t let go of Izumi and Liz’s hands in the circle.