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Clara stared at the sky as she walked down the road, tracing the shape of the clouds with her eyes, not paying attention to anything else, lost in her thoughts. Someone looking at her might think it's strange, to see a young girl covered in dirt, staring straight up at the sky, but there weren't that many people out to see her. Clara figured they were asleep, since it was still early, after all. The sun was barely awake, and most people have been staying inside because of the pest.
As she stared up at the clouds, she thought about everyone who died of the Sand Pest. Were those people really all up there, in the heavens?
Were the people she killed during the outbreak up there?
She shoved the thought aside. Of course they weren't. They were thieves and murderers. Killing them was moreso an act of divine punishment.
You've hurt people, too. You've stolen and killed. What makes you any different from them? The voice in her head echoed. The same voice had been pestering her for a while now. Clara tried her best to ignore it, but deep down she worried the things it said were true.
But that was ridiculous. She was a saint, a miracle-worker. God loves her.
Does He? Could anyone love something like you?
She was shaken from her thoughts when she heard the sound of someone yelling, coming from a nearby alleyway.
She quickly turned down the alley, wanting to help. When she turned the corner, she saw the Bachelor. He was being attacked by two men, who had him cornered.
"Fucking dandy," one of the muggers said, holding a knife up towards him.
"Empty your pockets," the other demanded.
Though the Bachelor didn't say anything in response, he just held up his fist and punched one of them, right in the jaw. The other responded by stabbing him in the stomach. The Bachelor keeled over in pain and pressed one hand against the wound. The mugger tried to stab him again, but Daniil was able to move out of the way enough so that the blade only grazed his side. Daniil grabbed the arm of the man, stopping him from stabbing him once again.
Clara couldn't just stand there. Daniil didn't appear to have a weapon of any kind, and he definitely couldn't go up against the two muggers without one. She had to do something.
"Hey," she shouted. The muggers looked back at her. She held her hands up, getting ready to use her powers.
"Well, would you look at that. It's the little plague bringer!" One said, he pushed her to the ground before she could do anything else. He then stepped on her hand, digging the heel of his boot into her palm. Clara couldn't help but scream in pain.
"Clara, what are you doing?" Daniil said, then turned to the muggers, "Leave her alone!"
"Shut the fuck up," the other man said, he then grabbed Daniil by the shoulder and pushed him against the brick wall, then pushed him to the ground. He then kicked Daniil in the ribs. Then he kicked him again, then again, then again.
Clara couldn't bear to watch. Instead, she held out her free hand towards the mugger who's foot still crushed her other. It didn't take long before her powers started to take effect. He started screaming in agony as blood poured from his eyes and nose. He then fell to the ground, silent and unmoving.
"He's dead!" The other man yelled, turning his back from the Bachelor to get a better look, "How the hell did you do that?" He looked up at Clara, his eyes filled with fear. "What the fuck? You monster."
While the mugger was distracted, Daniil took the opportunity to take the knife and stab the remaining mugger in the back. He fell, laying next to his friend.
"Clara," the Bachelor said, "that was utterly ridiculous of you."
The girl looked down at her hand. It was all bruised, and one of her fingers definitely shouldn't have been bending that way. She was far too scared to even attempt to move it.
"I wanted to help you."
"I could've handled it myself," Daniil said. Clara found that hard to believe. He continued, "You could've gotten killed." He attempted to move, but winced in pain.
Clara rushed to his side, "Here, let me."
"No," Daniil said, swatted Clara's hand away.
"Why not? I can heal you."
"Yes, I know, but I've seen what else your powers can do." He looked towards the mugger.
"Fine." She couldn't exactly blame him for not trusting her, though she would be lying if she said his rejection didn't sting. "Can you stand?"
Her question was answered when he stood up, winced in pain again, and leaned against the wall.
"At least let me help you walk," Clara held out her arm. Daniil took it, presumably in too much pain to argue. He leaned towards Clara, putting his arm around her shoulders.
"I'm fine. I just... I just need a place where I can patch myself up."
"The Rod's nearby. I can take you there."
Daniil nodded, "That'll do." They began walking, Daniil cringing in pain with each step. When they finally reached the Rod, Alexander was no where to be found and there was no trace of Katerina, either. Clara presumed that Alexander was at the town hall and Katerina was holed up in her bedroom.
Climbing up the stairs proved to be a challenge. When they finally made it to Clara's room, Daniil took a seat on her bed.
He reached out his hands towards Clara, "Your arm."
"What?"
"Give me your arm," Daniil clarified, "Let me look at your hand."
"But what about you?"
"I'm... I'm going to be fine. Now, give me your hand."
Clara hesitantly held out her arm, and Daniil took it by her wrist to give it a closer look.
"Can you move it?"
"A little bit," she demonstrated by wiggling her fingers, but even that sent a jolt of pain throughout her arm.
"It doesn't look like anything's broken," Daniil said, "but one of your fingers is dislocated. I'm going to have to set it." He held her wrist tightly, "This isn't going to be pleasant."
And it wasn't. Clara cried out in pain as her finger was snapped into place.
Daniil let go of her hand, and Clara held it close to her chest.
He took off his coat and lifted up his shirt, revealing a myriad of cuts and bruises, both from their altercation from the muggers, and some that were days old. It seemed that Clara wasn't the only one that was struggling over the past week.
He began to clean the newer wounds with a bottle of water, hissing in pain as he did so. Clara grabbed his hands in hers, stopping him.
"I can heal you. Let me," Clara whispered, "Please." Clara wanted so desperately to be needed. To be wanted. She needed to prove that her miracles were real. She was a good person. God loves her.
Daniil paused, contemplating whether or not he should trust her. After a while, he finally said, "fine."
Clara let go of his hands and lifted hers, making sure her palms were facing Daniil. She took a deep breath and her powers started taking effect. His bruises started to fade and his cuts stitched themselves back together.
Clara felt the effects, too. She felt her energy and health being drained. Every bit of pain that Daniil felt went to Clara. It was almost unbearable. She had to stop herself from falling over.
Daniil looked at Clara with a look of amazement on his face, but that face quickly turned to one of concern.
"Clara, you look pale," he got up from the bed, giving her space to sit. She practically fell onto it. He felt her forehead, and she leaned into the touch, "You're burning." He handed her a bottle of water, which she struggled to open. Daniil took it from her, opened it, and held it to her lips. She took a few long sips.
"I knew I shouldn't have let you do that. You ridiculous girl." He sat back down, next to her.
"But I helped you."
He sighed, "Yes, you did. Thank you. But I could've managed."
Clara made a small noise in retaliation, and leaned her head against Daniil. He froze. "Clara, what-" he stopped himself. She needed rest, and he didn't want to disrupt her. It didn't take long until he heard the sound of soft snores.