Campout Private + Hufflepuff Finished

Part 2 of her useless and irrelevant dream.

Hilariously, the fire part was planned before Orion cast the whole place on fire, because she associates Siege with fire (sadly) - it works perfectly with the current situation though.

The red liquid continued to seep out of her lips... No one seemed to notice. The whole pub was acting like she wasn't bleeding to her death... She tried to scream, tell someone, anyone. But no one could hear her. Nothing escaped her mouth except the blood that soaked into her clothing. Serena looked down, clutching at her pained chest. Her eyes widened. bThere was a dark shadow swarming around her chest. The darkness had engulfed her heart and erupted out. She tried to grab it, pulling it away from her. But she couldn't. Her hand just threw her body. There was nothing in the darkness... As though it had consumed her chest and felt behind nothing.

Looking up, she saw the black haired boy sitting opposite her with a smile on his face. He hadn't noticed. He wasn't going to save her. He couldn't. She was alone in this. Her chair was still holding out, despite the fact that it only seemed to have two legs. It wobbled a little but held up. She had no idea how, but it held up. Underneath the chair, the shadow grew... It had consumed most of the floor underneath her. If she fell, she would be lost into the darkness forever. Serena did not fall, however. For some reason, it was as though someone was holding her up. Helping her. 

Glancing up, she failed to see the Professors anymore. The colour of her face paled. They had both gone. Reyna and Delilah had disappeared too. Her heart started to pound. She looked around and saw Ben and Bloom weren't there either... Her breathing became erratic. Everyone she had seen before was no longer around. The room was eerily empty. All of the strangers that were there had disappeared too... It was just her, the boy opposite and a Hufflepuff in the corner on the piano. Reid was still playing music, even though the room was suddenly deserted. 

Serena tried to get his attention but she couldn't. Her heart almost gave out though. From the darkness, a shadow had emerged. One with long needle like arms, with giant claws on the end. There were so many arms. It seemed attracted to the music. Serena tried to scream, reaching out, trying to get up. She had to warn him. She had to save him. She had to do something. 

Reid was in danger.

But she couldn't. No matter how hard she tried to scream, her voice was never heard. No matter how hard she pushed, her body refused to listen to her. No matter how hard she reached, her arm would never reach him. He was too far and she couldn't do anything. The darkness was going to consume him. He had no idea what was coming for him. And Serena could only cry. Tears flooded down her face, as she reached out and silently screamed at him. She even tried to pick up every object within her grasp to throw it at him or the shadow. But they did not reach. The butterbeer just ended up on the floor, the teddy bear got swallowed up by the darkness, the flowers just shrivelled up and died. Nothing reached him.

Serena had no wand either. She couldn't find her wand anywhere. There was no way she could use magic in this condition...

In this land of Hell, where the Shadows lie. Only one could rule them all, only one could find them, only one could bring them all and in the darkness bind them...

Suddenly turning back to the boy in front of her, she reached out for him again. Using every ounce of strength she could muster up, she tried to reach him. If she could get his attention, he could save Reid. Serena reached out for the Gryffindor's hand. She managed to touch his hand.

It was as though his magic flowed through her.

The instant her finger touched his hand, fire erupted. The fire magic that she had seen up close, when he almost punched her in the face with his fist on fire on their first meeting. The fire burned brightly. It combusted everything. Within an instant, the fire consumed the table between them and spread throughout the room.

Serena's widened eyes looked around the room. The fear and panic surging through her body. The darkness disappeared. But Reid was gone too. She couldn't save him. She had failed yet again. Serena turned back to the boy in front of her. He was suddenly sitting at the other side of the room. The fire engulfing everything around him. 

What the heck was going on? Everything was being destroyed. She had no idea where all of her friends had gone... She had not seen them being hurt but she was scared that the shadows or the fire had consumed them...

It made no sense. The darkness, the fire, the people... None of this made sense. The boy in front of her seemed oblivious, as always, about the dangers around him. As though he was comfortable in it. But he would be, wouldn't he? He loved fire. He was fire.

Serena, however, was terrified. Her body was shaking. The fire reached her clothing, lighting them on fire. She could smell the burning. It terrified her. The once dark room had erupted, spewing out more lava than a volcano. Everything around her combust...

She was stuck in the middle of it. She needed help. There was no way she could survive this alone. Serena needed his help. With blood still flowing out of her lips and tears flowing out of her eyes, Serena looked at the boy she had come here with. She had no idea why he was here. They weren't even friends anymore. Not since he threw her away and cast her aside like the piece of useless dirt she was proving herself to be. She did not understand why he was the only one left - nor why he seemed to happy and comfortable right now. Ignorance was truly a bliss, perhaps. He did not seem to be aware of the mess around them, as he drank his drink peacefully. There was no logical explanation as to why he was being nice either. She didn't deserve it. 

But nonetheless, she called out to him. Begging him to return to her. Begging him to come save her. Begging him to come save her friends, that had all disappeared. Although she hated to admit it, she needed him. And with that realisation, she called out one last time as the fire had surrounded her.  Acknowledging the name of the boy who she was dreaming about for the first time, even though it was obvious to everyone else... "SIEGE!" 

Her voice echoed in the room, scaring herself. It was the first time she had managed to say anything. Serena's bright eyes caught his emerald ones. Within an instant, Siege sprung into action as though he finally realised what was happening. For a split second, there was hope that perhaps they would be okay. Perhaps he could find her friends. Perhaps he could save them...

The flames flickered in her face, causing her to flinch and shut them. She was scared. There was nothing else she could do. She had tried everything and failed. 

Serena had failed to protect the people around her. She had failed to protect herself. She was just a burden to everyone around her. Because of her, they all disappeared. She had brought the shadow into this room. She had started the fire. She had hurt them all...

There was nothing she could do but wait. Wait to be saved. Like she was some pathetic muggle Princess who couldn't save herself. Stuck in her tower, waiting for a prince to come save her. She could use that long hair of hers to help him climb up if the dragon didn't burn it off first... 

Opening her eyes slowly, as she noticed the room had suddenly gotten quiet, she was greeted by nothing. Absolutely nothing. Everything was pitch black dark. She couldn't hear or see anything. She couldn't even feel anything anymore. The chair that had been underneath seemed to have disappeared... She couldn't tell if she was sitting on the floor or falling in the abyss. There was nothing. She couldn't feel anything around her.

No matter how much she tried to touch something, say something or see something, she couldn't. There was nothing in this void. All she had were thoughts, memories and feelings. Serena clutched her hair in her hands, gripping it tightly. It seemed she could feel her own body... and that was it. The loneliness sunk in. This was it. This was her home. She had failed to save her friends. This was her punishment. 

Eternity in the abyss. Eternal darkness. Forever alone and unloved...

She could feel a coldness. A cold sensation in her chest. But when she reached for it, her hand went through it. It was as though her heart was no longer there... It was no longer in her chest. There was just an empty hole. No matter what she did, she couldn't find it. The rest of her seemed to be there but... her heart seemed to be missing.

The darkness had engulfed her. The void had consumed her. The abyss had taken her. 

It was a feeling she would have to get used to.

For that void was now her only companion. 

Little did Serena know but the dark abyss she was in was her cold empty heart.

Roma hears a growl, freezing in place, terrified, and turning pale as a sheet. Slowly turning around, she stares at the shadow beast, too frightened to so much as utter the spell that could have repelled it, if only temporarily. She spots a girl running into the forest. Beginning to tremble violently as a few tears made their way down her face, she lets out a soft "Please help me..." but to her dismay, she didn't stop running.

The beast lashed out at her, and she stumbled backwards, hands instinctively covering her face, eyes squeezed shut.

The claws never hit her.

Something had repelled the beast.

Roma opened her eyes to find that she'd made it inside the globe of light, and let out a breath, wiping the tears off her face. I'm alive... she thinks to herself. I'm alive!

Before she could say any thank yous, though, the rest of them all seemed to disappear at her appearance, the prefect being dragged along with a boy, another boy being dragged out, and the girl who had cast the Lumos charm and saved her life.

With her, the soft, comforting light left, and the heat of the flames set in. Roma quickly scrambled away, putting her wand in her robes to protect it from the fire. She wonders if the girl she'd seen earlier made it out of the fire. Roma begins coughing, the smoke triggering her asthma, causing her to wheeze. Hoping the light from the fire would keep the shadows at bay, she begins trying to make her way out of the woods, hoping that somebody, anybody, would come help her.

If they didn't, she had a next to nothing chance of finding her way out of here, fire or no fire.

The forest was ablaze, the tall, thin, twisted living monuments now a canopy of flame. The fire would spread quickly, it had not rained in some time and the branches and leaves would go up like kindling. The flames would climb to the baldachin and spread from there. The trees would crackle and hiss as the flames burnt away their bark and blackened the wood.

"Periculum!"

The Slytherin Prefect would shout. He was doing the right thing, calling for help.

Ezekiel's Cast Attempt [Periculum] Roll: 7 (Failed)

But he would fail again. It was not that he lacked skill, but rather he lacked luck. That was why he was here. That was why they were all here, they were all very unlucky. This would be a terrible feeling, this feeling of powerlessness. This feeling that he was not going to be able to summon the backup he sorely needed. That he would have to depend on himself. That he might have to depend on others as peers. That was not the Slytherin way. While nobody truly fits any perfect mold, there is often similarities seen in people or at least groups of people.

What was Ezekiel's strength: Ambition if he believed the hat.





How would ambition serve him here. He was not among peers but he was not a cliche either. He had to do something. He had to try.

There were others trapped in the burning wood. Heroes come in all forms and they are not house dependent. Ezekiel, like the rest of them, had to try.

Orion was unconscious, he could not feel the heat all around him. It was as if his young body had been placed in a great furnace. The encroaching fire threatened to consume the unfortunate lad but there was nothing he could do. He had given all he had to cause this explosion, it was ironic that the product of his efforts would likely destroy him.

Orion Death Saving Throw: 8 (Failed)

A branch over Orion would give way, the flames had weakened the wood. With a screaming noise the branch still ablaze would come crashing down on top of Orion. A veil of cinders would fill the air. Orion would not cry out, he was not even aware that this was his time to die. That he was dying.

Serafina was also unconscious. She did not even do anything wrong, she was simply in the wrong place at the worst possible time. Her only mistake, not running when she had the chance. For being loyal. For being foolishly brave. This is how the fates rewarded her. She might not realize it but she might have unwittingly saved some lives by suffering alongside her classmates as she has. Her attempt to keep the shadows at bay through her own remedial magical skill. Her dedication to standing near Orion. It perhaps gave him the fortitude and the ego to cast a spell above his skill level. It set these woods ablaze, yes. She might die, yes. Those shadows were going to kill them anyways. Perhaps she had only changed -how- they would die. No, she gave Orion the reckless will, at least in part to devastate this wood and kill the darkness and the spiders. Now she had to trust. Trust that the rest of the house would be as dedicated as she was. That they would be her strength or that they would be strong for her.

Sarafina Death Saving Throw: 18 (Success)

Despite the ring of fire that was getting closer by the second and the unbearable heat licked at the air all around her. It was fearsome how close the flames had gotten. The burning branches like an awning over her threatened to collapse at any moment but it had not broken away yet. The black smoke that threatened to choke away what little air she could find had not reached the ground yet but blanketed the poor girl beneath a sea of obscurity.

James would see the genesis of this wildfire, it will be something that he could never unsee. The fire would spread quickly as all magical fires would. He needed to keep a straight head on. He needed to stay calm in the face of a disaster. in the face of a tragedy. None of them deserved this but this was the fate that was handed to them. Well that and an unconscious little girl. Solomon would burst through the flames, Cynthia in well... hand. He would thrust the girl in front of the scared hufflepuff. Solomon's demeanor had changed, he was gruff and had few words to say but his instructions were still clear -- get the girl to safety.

James would try to drag her away.

James Strength Roll: 10 (Success, barely)

With mediocre effort James would pull Cynthia away from the perilous flames. The cool air would be respite for his sweat-drenched brow. James had already lost one friend today, his new spider friend had likely perished in those flames after it tried to save him. Would he lose one more

Cynthia was limp in his arms, her face and clothes covered in soot. She was only barely breathing, the flames had inundated her without warning. James would not be able to help but feel the scalding hot flesh as he dragged her off. A trail of displaced leaves igniting in their wake. [James took 25 damage]

Cynthia Death Saving Throw: 3 (Failed)

She was not doing well. Smoke had filled her lungs. Her lips were turning blue, her skin grey. That was the thing about carbon monoxide, you can breathe but your blood cannot carry enough oxygen. Her body would knew that she lacked air and it would try desperately to catch its breath but the child was slowly failing.

Cynthia would be abandoned at the base of a tree. Hopefully James would return. For now he was running away, into danger to find his fallen friends.

James Search Check Roll: 2 (Failed)

James would not be able to see anything. The smoke would fill his lungs like it did Cynthia's. [25 damage] He would take a choking breath. He had to find them. He had to find them somewhere. He would search and think he found something, his arms would grip an unknown thing. Something he hoped was a person and he would try to drag it away. It was not moving and it was hard.

No it was not some firm child body, this is a respectable thread about the near death experiences of a few pre teens. He would discover when he emerged from the smoke that he was holding a log.

In the chaos Roma was faced with disaster and death. The fire threatened her life as well. She would let out a wheeze, if she did not get out of here soon she would be an additional burden on her classmates. She would evacuate the immediate area. The fire would reach out for her, attempt to grip her. She would feel its searing grasp but it would never gain hold of her. However her lungs were slowly becoming overwhelmed from the smoke. [25 damage]

Serena remained in Reid's arms, safe for the most part from the fire. Her long dark tresses had caught fire, the strong, pungent scent filled the air around Reid. Yes, she was on fire. Thinking quickly he would pat the fire out, Serena would have lost a few inches unfortunately and ruined a few inches more. Her vanity the least of her concerns sadly still as she was actively dying still.

Serena Death Saving Throw: 4 (Failed)

She was not doing well, as Reid tried to carry her off her wounds would reopen and she would start bleeding out. Reid would feel something hot and wet, fresher than the blood that already coated him. Still he would endeavor on, his friend was in danger and she had no way of defending herself. He would try to carry her up the hill.

Reid's Strength Check: 3 (Failed)

For the first time, his strength would fail him. He would not get far. Perhaps it was the blood that made her too slippery. Perhaps it was his nerves, he jittered too much and lost his grip. Perhaps it was fatigue. Fear. Weakness. Serena was dropped onto the ground, she would not make a sound of course. She did not know she was dying. She did not know that her friend had dropped her.

He was not going to try to pick her up. Perhaps she was too heavy. Perhaps he thought she was done for. A lost cause. Reid would turn heel and run away. He would not run to the castle to get help. Up the hill to safety. No, he was running into the burning forest. Back into the perilous inferno.

But Marissa was waiting there. Did Reid even realize? Probably not in his trepidation and worry as the young girl grabbed hold of the Huffle prefect and tried to drag her away. The little girl was a fraction of the size of the likely rugby player fellow Huffle that relinquished his duty over Serena onto her but she was going to try.

Marissa's Strength Check: 13 (Success)

She was just strong enough and that was all that mattered. She would drag the unconscious Prefect up hill away from a danger the poor girl could not escape on her own. It would be hard, it would hurt. With some strain on her back, her shoulder and her legs she would ascend the grassy knoll. They were far enough... hopefully. As Marissa looked back, if she did, she would see how much blood Serena had lost. It was substantial. She would also see the fire, it was spreading rapidly.

It was like a great beacon. Enough to summon even those that hardly paid attention. [Att: Seige]

The air was black with smoke, fiery embers like fireflies danced in the air. Why is it that the most lovely things are also the most dangerous?

Each strangling breath was harder than the next.

Being there, in the fire was dangerous. Reid would feel his strength diminish. He was being burned alive. It was a searing pain that could be felt everywhere. His shirt would of course quickly dry, the blood soaked regions now hard and board-like. He could smell the burnt blood as he endeavored onward. [25 health lost]

"Hey!"

Reid called out. There would be nobody to call back. Nobody awake in any case. He would look around and see only fire and darkness. The trees would seem to leap out at him. One in fact would as it came crashing down in front of him.

Reid's Evasion Check: 16 (Success)

He would hear the tree groan and recognize the dangerous warning before the tree came crashing down. He would dart out of the way, he would see the embers cloud his sight. They would bite and sting as a few landed on his flesh. [25 more damage]

Reid's Search Check for Another Student: 6 (Failed)

He could not see anything in the black smoke. He could barely even tell which was was back for him.

Ezekiel was also in the woods. They were hot and dangerous. The blistering heat would burn his eyes and his throat. It would be hard to breathe and his breaths would come out in wheezing gasps. If he breathed shallowly enough it would hurt less but his air hunger would become greater. [25 damage] A branch would crack overhead and come crashing down while the Prefect searched with the others for the fallen students.

Ezekiel's Evasion Roll: 2 (Failed)

The branch would wallop him on the back of the head with a sudden, stern *THWACK!* He would see stars for a moment in the midst of the darkness. [Ezekiel took 150 damage] This would not deter him of course, he would search blindly in the darkness, feeling for what he could find. He would feel something.

Ezekiel's Search Roll: 2

He would feel something and grab hold, it was a rock. Too small. He would search again and try to feel for something, the unrelenting heat threatening to consume him [25 damage taken]. He would not have much time, the forest was without mercy on this day.

Solomon was still there as well, blindly searching. He would let out a hacking cough as he kicked at the burning leaves and blindly reached out for the trees with his hands. The searing hot would would scald him and he would let out a pained hiss but he endeavored on. Nobody was supposed to die. That was the antithesis of the point. He would call out to the students, not that they could answer as he screamed their names with a hoarse voice. It was louder in his head. He always imagined himself a greater authority. A braver man. A clever man. He was what he had to be and nothing more.

Solomon Search Roll: 7 (Failed)

The smoke was too thick, he could not see a thing. He would yell their names again in the lonesome, dying wood. There would of course be no answer, they could not answer... His flesh would burn. His armor would sear his flesh. [100 damage taken]

=======

James was still searching...

James Search Roll II: 8 (Failed)

He could still see nothing. The heat would exhaust him. His legs would wobble, his hands would shake and his sight would swim. When he closed his eyes, his lids would remain closed for a second too long. No two -- three --

He was not going to be able to last much longer. [25 more heat damage]

A tree would sway, the roots intact the trunk broken. James would not have much warning but he would dash away and the tree would land alongside him.

James Evasion Roll: 12 (Success)

Reid was still searching...

Reid Search Roll II: 5 (Failed)

He could still not find either of them.

The embers would sting. [25 more damage]

Ezekiel was still searching...

Ezekiel Search Roll II: 18 (Success)

He would simply stumble onto them, yes the two of them. Orion was on the ground and close to death and by his side was Serafina. She never abandoned him. Loyal until the end. It was somewhat sick. He was not going to be able to save both. How did he choose Orion? Who knows -- perhaps it was random. Perhaps he simply liked Orion better as a friend. Perhaps girls really did have cooties and avoiding her was a pure prophylactic measure for his safety. The flames might cleanse such foul creatures.

Regardless of his reasons, Ezekiel would grip Orion. Orion was heavy, at least for such a young boy to try to carry.

Ezekiel's Strength Roll: 16 (Success)

Somehow the half-blood Slytherin was able to muster the strength to drag Orion out of the fire. Of course his act of benevolence would not come without a cost. The flames would dance before the duo, lashing out when they could. It was getting harder to breathe with each passing second and the unbearable heat was making it hard to see straight. It was likely Ezekiel stumbled into the clear air. The evening air frigid in contrast it would be like a slap to the face. He would have to drag the unconscious boy far, up a hill and away from the disaster.

They would both be covered in soot, hardly recognizable as they emerged ingloriously and ascended the hill.

Solomon would continue to search as well...

Solomon's Search Roll: 6 (Failed)

He was still unable to find anything. Only darkness and probably cancer. As well as pain [100 damage taken].

=======

James and Reid were looking for the same person. They could not... would not give up...

James Search Roll III: 12 (Success)

Reid Search Roll III: 5 (Failure)

James would find something, it was HER. Well, hopefully this time it was. His hands would blindly search, attempt to ensure that this time it was indeed true. It was. He would try to drag her off.

Strength Check: 16 (Success)

James was strong. Well, he was when he needed to be and this was that moment. He would drag her away, removing the last unfortunate Hufflepuff from the burning forest.

Solomon would Search a final time III: 19 (Success)

He would find the last one but she was already anther's precious cargo. Into the woods Solomon would call out, not knowing who was still there (Reid) to pull out once he exited the forest fire with tear-filled eyes from the stinging smoke. He would let out a series of hacking coughs, everyone was out. Everyone was alive. Well, alive for the moment. Solomon would look up the hill, it would seem massive but he/they would need to climb it.

What Happened?
- Orion remains unconscious.
- James and Reid were not able to find Orion.
- Sarafina remains unconscious.
- James and Reid were not able to find Sarafina.
- Cynthia remains unconscious.
- James drags Cynthia to safety.
- Reid attempts to carry Serena to safety but drops her.
- Marissa grabs Serena and drags her to safety.
- The fire is significant enough that the professors and Prefects interested in this thread can enter and clean up the mess.
- Ezekiel casts Periculum.
- James took 75 damage.
- Reid took 75 damage.
- Marissa would take 25 damage.
- Ezekiel would take 200 damage.
- Roma left the woods.
- Roma took 25 damage.
- On a second try both Reid and James failed to find anyone.
- On a second try Ezekiel was able to find Orion and drag him out.
- On a third try James would find Sarafina and drag her to safety. 


This would be a finishing everything up thread. We can reconvene in the infirmary. Feel free to crash the thread Profs and Prefects. My character drags off the first unconscious person that posts following my post to the infirmary. Just write an exit topic post for your character and we will resume our 'adventure' in the medical areas...

Finally. Finally, James grabbed a hold of Sarafina, and managed to get out of the inferno. Well, not that he could really tell what was going on, but he had survived. And he had gotten someone else out as well. Barely alive, and barely conscious, James dragged Sarafina out of the forest and up the grassy hill, coughing and wheezing with the smoke that inhabited his lungs. Where was everyone else!?
James swiveled his head around, blinking stinging tears out of his eyes, and scanning for the others.
He managed to catch sight of Professor Lear in glowing hot armor, and with him, it looked like Reid.
Also coming up the grassy hill, was someone James did not expect to see: Marissa. Marissa was dragging along a bloody and beat up Serena, which was a real saddening sight for James. A burnt Orion could also be seen being dragged away by the Slytherin Ezekiel, whom James didn't really know that well, but would have to make sure he thanked later.
Cynthia was already safe, seeing as how James had already dragged her out. James had managed to help save two people, but he didn't feel like a hero at all... he had led the swarm of spiders towards Orion and the others, and that's why Orion had cast Incendio, and that's why half of their group was close to death, if not already dead.
James continued to trudge up the hill towards the castle, wanting to do his best to the very end.

It was late. In fact he wasn't even supposed to be out, even as a prefect he's stretching his boundaries with the excuse of “Patrolling”. He was spending his nights more and more like this...Close by the lake, taking naps, it was peaceful, a perfect place to relax in, during the middle of the night. Now you'd have thought he spent his time thinking, but no. He spent his time not thinking, thinking at this point was hazardous to him. He didn't want to think about what happened...sure time had passed but his wounds still seemed fresh as ever. He wanted to say it wasn't his fault, but it was. It was all him. She didn't leave him, he left her. He was the one who did things, not her...He wasn't mad, more like sad...he didn't wanna think he was responsible, but his instincts screamed in his ear that he was. He closed his eyes, although as he did a crimson light would cover his closed eyelids as if the world was burning all around him...but it quickly disappeared. Was it a flame? It seemed to spread around Siege's eyes before he finally opened them. Once his pupils reflected the starry sky above him, no redness was there, just the night sky, that seemed too peaceful to be even seen by him.

His eyes would close once more...it seemed like he was dreaming...Serena? Why was she there? They'd left off on a sour note, why was she here? His eyes beamed with hope in his dream, hoping for just the chance he'll get her back...A chance he so wanted to see...A chance that could fix everything...Little did he expect nor would he want that chance to be now.

Slowly his eyes started to flutter, smelling something unruly. How long was it since he's sent that light? Minutes? Hours? It was unclear to him, but what filled the air and the sky above him were embers and the crimson night sky. He quickly gasped in the air around him, causing him to caught a bit…It was a familiar feel...a familiar warmth, a familiar...everything. His body quickly jerked right and rolled up standing. He didn't know if he was still dreaming or asleep...both maybe? His instincts took over his body, smelling a combination of iron and the burnt trees and leaves of the forest. He kept running, only to see some girl pulling another girl emerge in view. She must've been a Hufflepuff...after all they were the only ones that should've been out here in the first place.

His eyes widened as he got nearer...was it Serena that was being dragged?...She looked severely injured. Her hair now shorter, blood trails following her. His mind went into overdrive, who did this? Why did this happen? Why'd she have to get hurt like this? His mind definitely working, but his bodily instincts took over once more as he just decided to act. He wasn't a stranger to blood, no. Growing up in Glasgow he'd seen plenty of blood before. People he fought, from himself, it wasn't a strange fight...he wanted to be scared for her, to feel...but nothing came, all that came was his actions.

"I'm here to help...I'll carry her, you try to get out of here too!" The Words would spill out of his mouth, a tone of sternness and concern found in his voice. Ignoring the blood of how slippery it may be, it didn't matter to him...as long as he got her out. As long as he feels like he did something...In the back of his mind he couldn't help but feel helpless...he has not felt like this in a while, perhaps not since he was adopted. But he knew he couldn't help her much, but take her back...He needed to carry her...he needed to save her...He needed all of his strength to save someone he loves...

Serena had no awareness of what was happening in the Grounds. Her blood was leaving trails across the grass, apparently. Her wounds still bleeding out. Her body was being dragged by a small but determined girl until someone else took over. There was no way for the Hufflepuff Prefect to know this though. There was no way for her to know anything.

Her body had fallen lifeless at this point in time. She was at the mercy of everyone else. The faint heart beat of hers was fading quickly. She relied solely on her saviours. Without them, she would be nothing... Without them, she would never wake up.

In the unconscious slumber of her body, however, her mind seemed to be very conscious...

ARGHHHHHHHH!!!! 

Serena's silent screams surged through her mind. She felt trapped in the darkness. She had no idea where she was or why she was here. What did she do wrong? How did things get this bad? What happened to leave her all alone? The pitch black darkness made her doubt that her eyes were even open. She had no idea if she had lost the ability to see or hear - or if the void had taken it all away from her. There was just nothing inside this black hole.

Help. Someone... please... hear me... Anyone... Save me... 

She had no idea who she was silently begging to anymore. She had no clue if anyone could even hear her. Serena just wanted to cry. But even her tears failed to listen to her. Her body seemed to be falling - or floating. 

Everything felt cold suddenly. Her body started to shiver, shaking violently. Serena held herself tightly, as though trying to comfort herself. She just wanted a hug. Well right now, she wanted anything. Even the pain of getting hit was better than this dreaded silence.

Trapped in a world where she was alone. Forever alone. Cold, dark, alone. The darkness was her only companion. Her memories and thoughts haunted over her. There was a fire earlier. A fire in the Three Broomsticks. Yes, that's right. She was in Hogsmeade, with... Siege. Why was Siege here? Wait, why was she there? She was meant to be in Hogsmeade? Where did this darkness come from? 

The dark had followed the light. No... It had eradicated the light. The fire that had set alight the whole room. Her friends were there. But they weren't... They had all disappeared. Reid, Reyna, Ben, Bloom, Delilah... Professor Lear and Cazarez too... People she knew so well had all just disappeared.

Save my friends... someone, anyone... please...

Siege had gone too. But... why was he even there? This was Siege. This was a boy she had not spoken to for months. Not since that- ah yes, that day she slapped him and yelled at him. Her anger had gotten the better of her. Because of his actions, Delilah and Reid both got hurt. All because Siege kissed her. Why was he being so nice after all of that? And what was with that ridiculously big teddy bear or the flowers or the nickname?! Everything was so weird. Something was seriously wrong what had happened and yet...

Yet a part of her really wanted to go back. Even that experience, as weird as it was, was better than this. It was better than this black abyss where she was alone with her thoughts, her memories, her unfulfilled wishes. She had no idea what was real and what was not anymore...

Did the fire actually happen? Where did they all go? Did they- did her friends- no- no- Siege would save them... right? He was the last one there. He would save them... He... had to...

Her hope came crumbling down like a house on fire. Everything was gone. She had lost... Everyone and everything she cared about was gone. This place she was stuck in was empty. No matter how much she tried to run around or reach something with her arms, she couldn't feel anything.  

She had no idea how long had passed. It felt like years. It felt like eternity. The pain in her heart seemed to last forever.

The shadow had won. Its darkness started to seep into her very soul. 

This is my fault... I- I failed... I couldn't- I couldn't save them... I deserve this. I deserve worse than this! I should have died. They should live. Take me instead... please. Take me instead, please! Jus- Just let them live. Let them be okay... This isn't their fault. It's mine. I failed. I failed, okay?! You win. I lost... 

Just stop this. Let them go!!! KILL ME INSTEAD. TAKE MY LIFE INSTEAD. LET THEM GO. PLEASE. I BEG YOU. I... beg you, please. Save them... Please... 

This isn't fair... They don't deserve this... None of them do... They are good, kind people. Please don't do this... Please, let them be okay...

The numbness took control over her mind.

I'm- I'm sorry... I let you all down... I failed.

The light of her soul leaked out... There was nothing left inside. This black hole was all she knew.

The black hole called her heart.

TOPIC LEFT - SERENA IS TAKEN TO THE HOSPITAL WING BY SIEGE [?!?]

Cynthia was pulled from the hot, unyielding flames of a spell gone wrong.  She had no idea of what was going on, of course.  She was currently unconscious, having been overtaken by smoke and flames.  Someone would surely rescue her and take her to the Hospital Wing where she would get the care she so desperately needed.  Having been dragged away from the engulfing blaze of the forest, Cynthia was struggling to breathe properly from the smoke inhalation she was suffering from.

Surely when this was all over and she was finally in the Hospital Wing with all of the other injured members of the campout, parents would be immediately notified of the situation and come rushing to the school to be with their children.  Of course, parent notifications were on hold until everything was sorted out and treatment was beginning.

Hopefully, the forest which was now engulfed in blazing flames would be extinguished and everything would be alright again.  Not to mention the health and safety of everyone involved.  Hopefully because of what has unfortunately and unexpectedly took place, no lives would be lost and nobody would be too severely punished.

Wheezing horribly, Roma makes her way out of the woods, and checks the back of her robes to make sure there wasn't any fire on them. Her throat burning, she makes her way up to the castle, letting the cooler night air wash over her and somewhat cool her sweating forehead. The castle doors coming into her sight, she limps towards them, hoping that she can get to the hospital wing before she can't breathe anymore. There are a lot of stairs in the school, which she was honestly dreading, because she had never had cause to go to the hospital wing before, and thusly she did not know where it was. This meant that she would most likely end up getting lost, and have to ask a fellow student to help her to the wing so that she could rest and hopefully heal herself. A sob racks her body as she calls out in a soft, cracked voice "Can anybody help me? Please?" However, nobody found her because her voice was that quiet.

Fearing for her life, she eventually makes her way to the hospital wing on her own after remembering where some teachers had taken an injured student some time ago.

Topic left: Roma eventually finds her way to the hospital wing, coughing.

Ezekiel drags Orion out of the flames, his own body bloodied and burned from going back into the burning forest. He got out one person, but that wasn't good enough. He started back to the forest, then looked back to Orion. Ezekiel couldn't risk going back, and Orion needed to get to the Hospital wing as soon as possible. He moved his way back to Orion, taking hold of him, and moving him to the best of his abilities. Ezekiel tried to pick Orion up, struggled, then failed, dropping him the few inches he managed to pick him up by.

Ezekiel looked back at the rising flames, taking a hold of Orion again, struggling again but managing to get Orion up into his arms. He slowly trudged back towards the castle, careful not to drop Orion has he walked. Ezekiel saw others emerge from the fire, he was really hoping more prefects or Professors would arrive soon. He worried about all of the others who were still trapped in the flames. Ezekiel drew his attention back to Orion and the castle. They were getting closer with every passing moment. Soon... He thought to himself, finally stepping into the castle, and heading towards the hospital wing.

Ezekiel leaves the topic

Marissa successfully half dragged, half carried Serena away from the fire. She laid Serena down on a rock as she went into a coughing fit. She had to get out of there, but she could not just leave others here who needed help. She continued to cough violently, the smoke encapsulating her lungs, she felt helpless and scared, unable to get her friend further away and closer to safety.

She could barley see the forest due to the billowing smoke, unsure of where the fire was spreading, worried that it could start heading toward her. She frantically looked around, hoping to see someone, anyone that could help her. Suddenly she saw Seige, he ran up to her and then reassured her that he could take Serena to safety, Marissa sighed in relief as he took her and ran away from the fire. Now all that was left was for Marissa to escape as well.

She coughed violently again. She stumbled up on to her feet, using the rock as support, the smoke stung her eyes, they watered up, obscuring her vision even more. Never in her life had she felt such fear, never has she ever felt so scared, never had she felt so helpless. She watched as the flames flickered in morbid beauty, she frantically looked around for an opening so she escape. Suddenly she found a small patch of untouched green and ran towards it, and continued running towards the castle.