Despite his surgery, Gadalik felt nauseous and cramped during the ride home. The cold air coming through the horse-drawn carriage’s windows wasn't helpful.

  "You still look pale," Mira pointed out. "Are you sure you're okay?"

  Gadalik nodded ever so slightly, not having the energy to verbally respond. He rested his head against the back of the seat and stared absently at the roof. Even with my magic, I could barely enhance the spells and tags. Was the ghost really that strong…? Or was I just too weak?

  "The doctor said he'll make a full recovery in a few weeks," Gale answered for his son, eyes not leaving the road.

  The younger spook prodded Gadalik's shoulder. "Come on," she tried again. "Say something; you're scaring me!"

  "I-I'll be alright," the other teen breathed.

  "We've all been through a lot," his father reminded her. "Just give him some time to recover, alright?"

  Mira hummed uncertainly but didn't press him any further.

  Gadalik closed his eyes and drifted off.

  "We're back," Gale announced, letting himself inside his girlfriend's house with the key she had given him, followed closely by their son.

  "Gale! Gadalik! How was the new sword?" Glacia welcomed her family. She froze when she saw a familiar girl in the doorway behind them. "Mira? Why is she still here?"

  "She has something to tell you," Gadalik explained, beckoning his friend forward.

  The two females locked eyes before Mira took a deep breath, finally speaking. "Glacia, I’m sorry… I was rude to you when we first met, even if I didn't think it was a big deal at the time."

  "What?” The woman was taken aback by this. “I… I mean: good! You'd better be sorry.”

  Mira bit her lip as if to stifle a retort, then glanced at Gale, letting out a sigh. "I'm not going to make excuses for my behavior," she said instead. "All I can do is ask for forgiveness."

  Glacia searched the girl's violet eyes dubiously. "You mean it?"

  "Of course I do!"

  She looked between the two teenagers. Gadalik gave a subtle, encouraging nod. "Alright... Apology accepted."

  "That's not fair–” Mira began, but stopped herself when Glacia’s words registered. “Wait. Really?"

  "Yeah. If you're not gonna treat us badly anymore, there's no point in holding a grudge."

  "Th-Thank you…! Then… I guess I'll be heading home now."

  "Hang on a minute; it's getting late. Are you sure you'll be okay traveling on your own?"

  The girl again seemed astonished by her sudden care and acceptance. "I have my kusarigama."

  "But you're just a kid–and a girl, at that."

  "Kid? I'll be sixteen in a month!"

  She shook her head. "Gale, why don't you escort her?"

  "Hm?" Her boyfriend became attentive at the sound of his name. He had been distraught and staring absently at the woman. "Oh, uh, sure. I'll take her home." He turned to Mira. "Whenever you're ready."

  "Um… alright. Bye, Gadalik. I'll see you next week?" Mira asked the other teen.

  "Yeah. I won't be much company until I get better from that ghost attack," Gadalik replied, forcing a laugh that ended up more like a cough.

  "Ghost attack?" his mother echoed.

  "I'll tell you about it in a bit."

  "Guess we'll head out then. I'll see you guys later," Gale said, giving Glacia a hug and peck before he and Mira left.

  "Ghost attack?" Glacia repeated, more sternly.

  "It horned me in the gut–ruptured my intestine. Dad and Mira had to rescue me. They annihilated the ghost," Gadalik explained. "I just need to take it easy for a while, that's all."

  She frowned disapprovingly, then sighed, dismissing it. "Well, rest easy. Ooh–you're shivering! I could feel how cold it was outside from the door. Sit down; I'll make us some hot chocolate."

  Her son obliged her, sitting with one hand over his injury as he closed his eyes, fighting back nausea. He couldn't stop replaying the scene of their battle in his mind while he was alone in the couch.

  "What's eating you?" his mother asked, sitting beside the teen and offering him the aforementioned chocolate in a mug.

  The spook accepted and took a sip. "Thanks. I was just thinking… I was useless in the fight against the ghost. Spell tags wouldn't work on it, just like the one my parents died against–but if they were enhanced enough, maybe they would be effective. The booster my parents got me is still difficult to use, too. There wasn't much that could stop it aside from brute force, which Dad and Mira had to use while I was hurt."

  "You said they annihilated it, right?"

  "Yeah. I know my powers were sealed off for my own safety, but if only I were stronger, maybe the tags might have worked? Then the spirit wouldn't have had to be annihilated."

  "Maybe if you strengthen your body, you could use more of the sealed magic?" Glacia suggested.

  "I don't know if it works that way. Physically I'm pretty strong already. I can even beat Dad at arm wrestling, and you know how strong he is."

  "True." She blushed slightly.

  Her son sighed. "Well, dwelling on it isn't going to help, is it?"

  "I don't know. Sometimes it's good to let yourself feel bad when it's warranted. You know… process your feelings."

  He remembered how he'd vented into his pillow when she had gone on a date night with his father just six weeks ago. Maybe I should do that again? Let it all out?

  "Or we could talk through it," she invited.

  "Huh?"

  "If you ask me, you didn't do anything wrong. You weren't even the one who annihilated the ghost this time."

  "I know… And I know annihilating ghosts is part of being a spook, too. I've done it willingly before on that homestead; you were with me for that. But it still feels like… it should stay a last resort. Like we should keep trying to help it first."

  "First?” she echoed, “Or forever?"

  The spook thought for a moment. "You're right… forever. I'd rather abandon a job than annihilate another ghost…"

  "Perhaps. But that just means the next spook will annihilate it instead,” she pointed out. “At least you try to help them first…!"

  Gadalik blinked. "Huh. That's true... Not everyone can be helped, though, and I accept that. But it's worth making an effort to help regardless… always."

  "Well, there ya go."

  "Thanks for the talk. I'm feeling better," he said honestly.

  "Of course!" Glacia hugged him with one arm around his shoulders.

  He returned the embrace. "There's… something else I need to talk to you about."

  "Oh? What is it?"

  "About Mira… She and I will be hanging out soon, just to see how things go between us."

  Glacia froze, pulling away in order to face him, her red irises searching his striped blue eyes to make sure this wasn't a prank. "A date?!”

  “N-No! Well… I guess? But… no. It's just hanging out to decide if we want to start dating,” he decided.

  “Does she know you're demi-romantic?"

  "Yeah. I was very clear about that, so I'm not leading her on."

  "Gadalik… You know I'm happy that you moved on from Gretel. But you don't have to rush into a relationship just to prove that. Especially with Mira, of all people..."

  "It–it isn't like that," he stammered. "She's the one who confessed to liking me. This is not even a date; just two friends spending time together."

  "Well, whatever you call it, don't let her bully you again. If she knows she can get away with it, she won't stop."

  "Mira hasn't been mean to me since we left the lake. Besides, I won't date her if she is."

  "Alright. When are you going?"

  "Next week. I told her to give me time to recover from my injury. I… I just thought you should know."

  This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

  She was quiet for a moment. "Thanks for telling me. I wouldn't want to find this out the hard way." They finished their drinks, and Glacia collected their empty cups to bring to the sink.

  He was glad she was taking the news so well. Ever since he'd admitted to drowning at the lake from a magical surge, the trust between them had strengthened. The only thing he kept hidden from her were his panic attacks, since he hadn't had them in a long time now; bringing them up would be irrelevant. He did, however, mention them to his father, since Gale had bared witness to the spook having one. The teen counted himself lucky to have his parents as a support system.

  Just then he heard a crash from the kitchen. Gadalik forced himself up through his pain and rushed to what happened: Glacia was leaning against the counter, one hand on her forehead. One of their mugs lied in pieces on the floor.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, instinctively feeling her head with the back of his hand to check her for a fever, the way she often did to him. To his relief, she didn't have one.

  “I'm fine,” she sighed. “It's just a dizzy spell. Guess I need more iron in my diet, or something. You two were gone for a few days and I'm… not the best at making food,” she confessed.

  He chuckled. “That's fine. You've been getting better at it, though,” he assured her, then moved to grab the broom and dustpan to clean it up. Bending and reaching was painful, but he endured it.

  "So… why Mira? I know she confessed to liking you, but do you see anything you'd like in her?" she asked as they returned to couch, genuinely curious.

  "She helped save my life three times now," he pointed out. "And… I feel like there's more to her underneath her tough-girl act. She cares, she just doesn't know how to show it. That's the impression I got from her, anyway. But I could be wrong; that's why I wanna get to know her better: to find out."

  "...Alright," she caved. "Now it's late. You need to rest, especially to heal."

  "Yeah… Goodnight, Mom."

  "'Night."

  Gadalik awoke the next morning and sat up, then winced, fighting back the rising bile in his throat. Carefully he got out of bed, turned to make it, and sat on it to rest afterward, hating how sore he felt.

  After catching his breath he started his daily routine: getting dressed into his new striped dark gray shirt, combing his green hair which he pulled back into a ponytail, then heading to the bathroom both to brush his teeth and to redress his wound. He paused at the door when he noticed it was partly open. "Mom? What are you doing up so early?"

  There was a beat before she answered. "Nothing. I… I must have eaten something bad while you guys were out yesterday."

  Is she really that bad at cooking for herself? Then again, there was a time she gave herself food poisoning… Her son waited until he heard her approach the door, then sidestepped out of her way. "Are you alright?"

  "Yeah… Are you?"

  As if in answer, his stomach cramped and he doubled over in pain, resting against the wall with one hand while clutching his injury with the other.

  "Gadalik!" She held him steady. "Maybe you should go back to bed?"

  "I…" He swallowed hard. "I just need a moment…"

  "Gadalik…"

  He sighed as it faded. "Let me tend to my wound, then I'll make you breakfast, alright?"

  "You don't have to. I'll make it."

  "After you just threw up from the last thing you made?" he halfway teased her.

  She huffed and lightly pushed his shoulder. "Fine. But if you get any worse, you're going straight to bed. Got it?"

  "Fair enough."

  She went to the living room and he finished his morning routine, following her down afterward. He made a plate of bacon and eggs for his mother, but not for himself, since his appetite was practically nonexistent.

  "You're not going to eat?" Glacia called after him worriedly as he left her at the table.

  "I've got some water… That's about all I can stomach at the moment," he explained. He went to the living room without giving her a chance to argue. That's when the phone rang. He picked it up. "Peakisan's residence; Gadalik speaking."

  "Hey, bud. How are you feeling?" Gale replied on the other end.

  "Dad! I could be better, if I'm honest… How's Mira?"

  "I got her home safe. Is Glacia there?"

  "She's eating breakfast. Should I take a message for her?"

  "Hm… Well, lately I've had a hunch that she needs me. I'm thinking about coming back over for a few days. Think that'll be alright with her?"

  "Are you kidding? If it were up to her, you'd live here," the spook laughed. "I'll let her know. Safe travels."

  "Thanks. I'll be there soon. See you."

  They hung up. Gadalik went to tell his mother but froze in the doorway when the cramping started up again. He coughed dryly and sank to a crouch, cringing.

  "Gadalik!" Glacia rushed to his side. "That's it, mister. Back to bed."

  When the pain subsided he slowly stood, leaning on the doorframe for support. She helped him up the stairs to his room.

  "Dad's coming over," he managed to say when she sat him on his bed. "He wants to stay a few days."

  "Really?" she gasped. "That's great! Usually I'd have to beg him to stay."

  "I knew you'd be okay with it. Now I think… I think I might need a bucket."

  "Hang tight; I'll bring you one." She left to do just that.

  The teen rolled onto his side and curled up slightly. He was lucky to be alive, even if he felt like he was dying. Unable to do anything else, he drifted to sleep once more.

  "...lik…! Gadalik," Gale's urgent voice woke him up.

  "Dad…?" the teen answered weakly, opening his striped blue eyes. “When did you get here?”

  The bounty hunter sighed with relief. "Thank goodness… You were really out; I was scared you wouldn't wake up. I got here around noon; it's evening right now. It's not like you to sleep this long, so I was worried…”

  "I'm just really tired," he sighed. “I'm fine.”

  "I made lunch not long ago. I can bring it to you," Gale offered.

  "N-No thanks; I'm not hungry…"

  The man placed a hand on his son's forehead. "You have a low fever… At least let me get you some water?"

  When the spook nodded, he watched his father leave for the kitchen. It feels like I'm always sick, or hurt… I truly am weak. I need to get stronger, somehow… He placed a hand on his chest where the seal locked away his power, eyes narrowed in thought.

  Gale returned with the promised water, helping him sit up to drink it. The spook took careful sips. That's when he couldn't help but notice his father's expression: a mixture between sympathy and… Guilt…?

  "Dad, is something the matter…?" he pressed.

  "I… Err… It's nothing," Gale said quietly.

  "You're hurt too, aren't you?" He remembered the spirit throwing him into the table.

  "A bit. Luckily I came out of it with just some bad bruising. That's nothing compared to what you're going through… You almost died. The doctor said if it weren't for your enchanted robe, that injury would have been lethal…"

  Now it was Gadalik's turn to feel guilty. "I know. I hate this–being so weak… I should've been more prepared after it broke through my shield the first time."

  "No, you're not weak…" he murmured. "It's my duty to keep you safe, and… I failed you."

  "What…? No, Dad… You and Mira saved me. That's the opposite of failure…!"

  Gale wasn't convinced, but didn't argue.

  Gadalik sighed. "I'll be fine in a few weeks. It's not that big of a deal."

  The man nodded ever so slightly. "I'll be here… as long as it takes.”

  “Thank you…” he murmured gratefully. Then he remembered their phone call. "So what was that you mentioned earlier? A hunch about Mom?"

  "Oh… Yeah. It was just a feeling that she needs me, even if she seems fine. And of course I want to make sure you're okay, too. Two birds, one stone."

  "She has been acting a little off for a couple weeks now,” Gadalik admitted. “Sleeping in later than usual, for instance. She's been a bit more emotional, too.”

  “Hm. Well, she's always slept in late, and her anger is kind of endearing–it shows she cares,” he said with an assuring smile.

  “Not anger… sadness.”

  “What…? Do you think she's been depressed? I mean, if she's also not getting out of bed, then–”

  “N-No, nothing like that! She has gotten sad more often, but it never lasts for long. Nothing's been too different from normal. At least, not until last night.”

  “Last night? What happened?”

  “She got dizzy… and this morning, I found her vomiting. It could be because neither of us were here to cook for her during our mission, though–that’s what she's saying it is, too. So I'm glad you made lunch; that should help. In fact, I'm glad you're here even if it's not to help.”

  Gale narrowed his eyes thoughtfully.

  “Dad…?”

  “Huh? Oh, don’t worry. I'm sure she's right. Thanks, bud, for telling me,” he said. “Now, I'm off to clean Glacia's room. Yell if you need anything."

  "Cleaning her room? I thought you valued your life," Gadalik laughed.

  "I do, but if she and I are sharing a room for a while, I'd rather it be hers than the guest room. Besides, it's due for a cleaning anyway. Hasn't been done since we came back from vacation all those months ago."

  "True. I thought about what you said back then, too… how I tend to clean it as a distraction from the bad things that happened. Thank you for telling me; you were right. It's still hard for me to process my feelings, but that helped me realize I really needed to."

  "Oh… Are you alright? I mean, emotionally?"

  "Well… I know I should accept things as they are, but I still wish they were different."

  "I understand. But as I've said before, all we can really do is work to change the future."

  "Yeah… Thank you."

  Gale gave him a gentle pat on the head, then left for his girlfriend's wrecked bedroom.

  The spook was alone with his thoughts once more.

  What can I do to prevent a situation like my last mission, going forward? Do I just give up if I'm too weak to fight? No… I should just practice.

  Gadalik reached his hand out and cast a shield. He exhaled, then poured more magic into it, expanding it into an encapsulating bubble. Enhancing it further made the barrier larger.

  Changing the shape and size doesn't change its durability, though… The only thing my enhancement is good for is repairing the shield if it cracks. That doesn't stop it from cracking.

  He closed his eyes and concentrated on the shield, remembering what he'd learned about surges from the witch who had placed the seal on him. Surges can happen because of despair, or because of a sudden increase in magic. Despair must have caused it at the lake… so maybe if I can feel that despair on command, but control it enough so it isn't too sudden to surge, I can release more power?

  The witch-hybrid then was wondering how to make himself feel genuine despair. His mind drew a blank as he stared absently at his shield.

  After a minute he shook his head. This is hopeless. I'll never get stronger… Everyone tells me how powerful I am, but just look at me: I failed to save the spirit and now I'm bedridden from its attack… Why? Why am I so weak?

  The bubble began to shrink and return to its original shape, flickering out of existence.

  No…! he argued with himself.

  Gadalik output more magic to restore it.

  I can't keep beating myself up!

  He closed his eyes, breathing hard with emotion. He strained to have it encapsulate him once more.

  I'm sick of feeling bad all the time… I'm sick of getting hurt all the time…! Just stop!

  The shield expanded and he felt a cold chill down his spine.

  Then he realized what he was doing. Control it… Control it…!

  He took a deep breath and focused entirely on the physicality of it all. The more he concentrated, the colder he felt, but the shield was becoming thicker and more saturated than ever before.

  The cold was now transitioning into numbness. This is fine… It's working. I think I understand now–

  A cramp struck him out of nowhere, and he cried out in pain, the shield dispelling. He reached for the bucket and retched dryly until specks of blood came out. The teen was shivering from the numbing cold and curled up with his arms wrapped around his wounded stomach, blood dripping from his mouth, head pounding from fever.

  "Gadalik?" Gale's voice was getting closer. That was the last thing the spook heard before the world went black.

  "Gadalik…can you hear me…?" a familiar woman's voice sounded.

  "Guinevere…?" The teen was awake but didn't have the strength to so much as open his eyes.

  "Yes. The day you visited me, I cast a spell that would allow me to speak with patients on their deathbed."

  "Deathbed…? You mean I'm… dying…?"

  "You were. Believe it or not, your injury saved you. Overusing your magic in that capacity would kill you if you don't experience a surge."

  “That's what I was told… Except I thought that as long as I let that extra magic out, it wouldn't build up enough to kill me.”

  “You must understand… in order to ‘let extra magic out,’ your body has to have that extra magic coursing within it–which it's currently not able to contain. That's why your seal exists: to keep your body from accessing that power.”

  “Did you know this back when we first met…?”

  “No. But right now, I can feel the physical state of your body, and that's what I can gather from it.”

  “Oh…”

  "You must know by now that your seal exists for a purpose. Breaching that seal is dangerous. You either surge, or you die. There's no in-between."

  "But… I… I have to get stronger…!"

  "Only time can help you with your magic. Choose your battles wisely, young man, instead of fighting with yourself."

  What…?

  With that, her voice faded out.

  "Gadalik!" Gale called him.

  The spook opened his eyes. He'd stopped shivering at this point, and managed to sit up, wiping the blood from his mouth. "Dad…?"

  His father breathed with relief and hugged him securely, not letting go for several seconds. "Your fever spiked and you were bleeding... I-I thought you were dying… Your fever's gone back down, at least."

  "I…. I'm better now," the teen murmured, returning the embrace and simply taking in the feeling. Maybe being strong isn't what's most important… What really matters is having people you can depend on when you're weak.