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Time passes, and for as exhausted as Pyro is, he can't sleep. Even by the time Scott comes to collect him to go and hang out with Shelby, Pyro hasn't managed any rest.
His neck still hurts every time he moves, and he can feel his pulse in the healing bite mark, the sensation uncomfortable at best. Still, Pyro forces himself to keep a smile on his face when Scott brings him up into the castle.
It's a shock to see how much progress was made while he was shut away, and Pyro tries not to gape as Scott leads him into the dining hall.
Scott notices his awe, despite his effort. "You like the work Shelby and I've put in, firelight?"
Pyro nods, his eyes tracing the stone bricks as they pass by. "It's beautiful."
Scott smirks, taking Pyro's hand into his own as he opens the door to the hall, revealing a long dining table.
Shelby is sitting in one of the chairs, though she stands quickly when she catches sight of him.
"Pyro!"
Shelby runs over to them, smiling widely enough Pyro can see her fangs. He tries to ignore the ache in his neck at the sight. "Hello, Shelby. How have you been?"
She rocks back and forth on her heels. "I've been good! Scott's been teaching me a bunch." Her expression softens into a gentle sort of concern. "How have you been though? Scott told me you haven't been feeling good."
Pyro blinks, glancing over at Scott, who's still standing beside him. The elder vampire tilts his head with a smile on his face, though Pyro doesn't think he's imagining the warning in his gaze.
It makes something tighten in his chest, but Pyro doesn't deny it, not with Scott right there. It wasn't a complete lie anyway. Pyro hadn't been feeling like himself these past few days.
Pyro tugs lightly at his sleeves, smiling despite the dread that settles in his gut. "I'm alright. Much better now that you're here."
Shelby brightens. "I'm glad you're feeling well enough now to see me. I missed talking with you!"
Pyro resists the urge to look back at Scott for clarification. Had Shelby asked to see him earlier?
Why hadn't Scott told him?
He pushes those questions down, following Shelby instead and taking a seat opposite her. He avoids Scott's gaze as the vampire sits beside him, swallowing hard when Scott's hand lands on his thigh.
Shelby rambles on about her lessons, and Pyro tries to pay attention, but his ears feel like their stuffed with cotton.
"I can turn into a bat now, Pyro. Can you believe that? Scott's still teaching me how to fly, but I can do it! I also don't need my glasses anymore, did you notice? It's like I suddenly have perfect vision!"
Pyro nods along even as his head feels like it's splitting open, his smile feeling more like grimace. "That's amazing, Shelby."
Shelby tilts her head and frowns at him. The action reminds Pyro a lot of Scott.
It makes him feel sick.
"Are you doing okay? You look pale."
Before he can manage an answer, Shelby is walking over to his seat and pulling him up and away from Scott. The motion almost makes him retch from the sudden onset of dizziness, but it clears quickly enough to spare everyone the sight of the contents of his stomach.
Shelby supports his weight easily, something that shouldn't be possible with how tiny she is, but Pyro guesses vampirism has to have some perks.
She turns to Scott. "I'm going to bring Pyro out for a walk. I think some fresh air will do them some good. Is that okay?"
If Pyro wasn't watching for it, they wouldn't have caught the minute expression of irritation that flickers across Scott's face. Pyro blinks and it's gone, a fond, indulgent smile on Scott's lips.
"Of course. Just don't get too close to town. I'm sure you could handle yourself, but Pyro is only human."
Shelby nods, smiling. "I'll be careful, promise!"
She waves to Scott, leading Pyro towards the front entrance and pushing the large doors open.
Pyro is overcome with how much better they feel as soon as the cold night air hits their face, their head clearing almost instantly as they leave the castle. Their breath seems to come easier and their senses feel sharper.
Shelby grins at them, pulling them along behind her and over the bridge. "You look better already!"
Pyro can't help the chuckle that escapes them, feeling more free then they've felt in weeks.
They slow down after crossing the bridge, walking hand-in-hand through the forest. It's nice to be outside, and even though Pyro's never been an outdoorsy type of person, they never want the moment to end.
Shelby is skipping beside them, energetic as ever, humming quietly to herself. Pyro almost loses themself to the calm that's washed over them. They close their eyes, letting the quiet sounds around them soak in.
"Pyro?"
Pyro's eyes snap open, darting over to Shelby, but she isn't the one who spoke.
Apo stands across the way, sword held tightly in hand. Her eyes are wide and she blinks at them, as if they might disappear should she look again.
Pyro's heart pounds in their ears and they know Shelby can hear it.
"…Apo?"
Apo sheathes her sword quickly, making her way over. Pyro tries to back away, but Shelby's hold on their hand keeps them in place. Apo reaches them, her eyes steely. It makes Pyro swallow dryly, fear building.
They like Apo. They were roommates. They don't want Apo to be the one to hurt them.
Apo's voice is surprisingly gentle when she speaks, though her tone is firm. "Where have you been?"
"I—"
Shelby speaks up. "You don't have to answer her, Pyro. It isn't her business."
Apo turns, seeming to only now have processed Shelby's presence. Her expression hardens, her hand gripping the hilt of her sword. Pyro darts their gaze between them, panic speeding their breathing.
This time when they step back, Shelby lets them, dropping their hand. Apo's eyes move back towards their retreating form.
"I— I'm sorry," they stutter out. "Please don't."
Apo blinks at them, her eyes shifting from them to Shelby and back again. She takes a step forward. "Pyro—"
They flinch back when she moves. A look of hurt crosses Apo's face, though Pyro doesn’t wait around to see what happens next.
They grab Shelby's hand and run. Shelby yelps a little as she's pulled along behind them, but she's adjusts quickly. Pyro thinks they hear Apo calling after them, but they don't stop running, not until they can no longer see Apo's silhouette.
"Pyro!"
Pyro flinches, almost tripping, but it's only Shelby. Her face is twisted, but Pyro can't read her expression. They pant hard, their throat burning from gasping in air.
Shelby rubs their back, guiding them into a sitting position against a nearby tree. "Slow down, Pyro. You're okay. We're okay."
It didn't feel okay.
Nothing felt okay.
The oppressive feeling from earlier returns, and Pyro feels dizzy.
"Shelby?"
"Scott?"
Pyro darts their head up, seeing Scott stood in front of them. Shelby's expression relaxes as she sees him.
"Scott! We just ran into Apo, she—"
Scott's eyes widen. "She attacked you?"
Shelby frowns a little, but Scott's already crouching down in front of Pyro, cupping their cheek. "Oh, I'm sorry, firelight. That must have been scary. I told you not to stray too close to town. They've been getting more aggressive."
Pyro's too tired to respond, having exhausted all their energy in running. Shelby and Scott talk above their head, but they're already halfway to passing out.
It doesn't take long for unconsciousness to take them.