Tragic Repercussions
Almost home thinks Cody. I'm almost there-
Hey Puke, where do you think your going? None of your business. Cody stammers.
Well well it looks like you need some more manners puke ass.
And then they threw me into the trash can.
Cody finished retelling his bully story to Joe and Izzy as they were waiting for the others to come to the computer room.
You should really tell the principal, Cody. Joe stated.
I tried that already Joe. Shane is the principal's stepson. Besides his buddies will say they were with them. Cody added glumly.
There's got to be something you can do Cody. Have you tried talking to them? asks Izzy.
Yes, and then they throw me into a wall or something something worse.
The others arrive, full of excitement. However, Cody appears very glum compared to his teammates. The team goes into the digital world. But Cody's mind isn't on repairing the digital world. The others notice his sullen and quiet nature, so unlike the Cody they know so well. As Cody continues to plant the young trees Davis collects the other digidestined.
Does anybody notice how differently Cody is acting? asks Davis.
Yolei agrees. I think that something is bothering him.
Don't worry guys. I'm sure that Cody knows that we are here for him if he wants to talk. answers Kari.
Late that night, Cody tiptoes into the living room. He uses a kitchen chair to reach up into the top shelf of the closet. He still has to stand on his tip toes. Feeling around, Cody takes the box that contains his father's things. He then very carefully puts the chair back into the kitchen, then goes quietly to the room with the box under his arm. In the security of his room Cody takes a deep breath. His mother had put all dad's things into the box the day of the funeral. I hope its still in here he thought. He reaches into the box, and makes contact with the soothing cool metal. Cody smiles grimly. This will show those bullies. He places it inside his backpack, and then slides the box underneath his bed.
Cody walks up and down the halls of the school once again. Where is he? he thinks to himself. I'm ready to make him leave me alone, and he chooses today to not come to school.
A hand clamps down on Cody's shoulder. Making him jump. He turns around prepared to show that bully that nobody was going to pick on Cody anymore. But it wasn't Shane. It was Izzy, who looked rather shocked at dismayed at Cody's expression.
Are you all right cody?
I'm O.K. sorry Izzy. I thought you were someone else.
Obviously. Well are you ready to head back to the digital world?
I guess so. Cody answered.
Cody does not leave his backpack like the others in the computer room. He doesn't want it to be out of his sight. Shane could be lurking around in the digital world. Unlikely, but Cody wasn't going to take any chances. Not anymore. He was through being a weakling. After continuing to plant the endless rows of trees Cody slips behind a boulder. I hope its still in there he thinks to himself. With a sigh of relief he pulls out the gun.
Cody what are you doing with that! Shrieks Yolei.
A startled Cody drops it on the ground. BANG. The shot echoes through the air.
KARI NO!!!!!!! T.K. reaches Kari's limp form almost as quickly as Gatomon. He stares down in horror at the ketchup like stain spreading across her shirt, soaking the earth below crimson. But it wasn't ketchup. It was blood. Kari's blood. So much blood. Davis stands over T.K. fear and anger etched onto his face.
Yolei! go e-mail Joe and Izzy. We need to get Kari back to the real world fast!
Yolei runs faster then she has ever run before. The image of her best friend lying in a pool of blood running in her mind like a never ending movie. The desperation in Yolei's voice sets Izzy on edge immediately. He knows that if Yolei is this upset something really bad had to have happened to someone.
Guys! Joe has an ambulance on the way! they are ready for us! Let's go! yells Yolei.
The boys pick up Kari on their makeshift stretcher, Davis' bomber jacket.
Where's Cody? Yolei asks. I don't know. And I don't care. This is all his fault Davis states.
Yolei turns to their silent digimon partners.
Try to find Cody you guys.
NO. The others can go. I am going to stay with Kari. She needs me. Gatomon squeaks.
Her large blue eyes are filled with crystalline tears.
O.K. Gatomon, lets go.
Cody's trail had taken the digimon the somber digimon through the woods. They find him by a stream, sobbing.
I killed her. He wailed. I can never go back and face them.
Cody. You need to face up to what happened. We all know that it was an accident.
Your right. I have to face up to what I've done. am going back to the real world. I need to be there. Cody states quietly.
In the waiting room of the hospital nobody says anything. Davis breaks the grim silence.
I m going to call Tai and her parents.
Cody, who had crept into the waiting room meekly approached them. how is she?
T.K. releases all his anger onto Cody. How the hell do you think she is you little S.O.B.? You killed her you bastard. I hate you. It should be you in there instead of Kari. Do you hear me? It should be you! T.K. lunges at Cody, but is stopped by Yolei.
Stop this T.K. You have got to calm down. Cody didn't mean for this to happen.
T.K. slumps onto the ground. The last remnants of composure gone, T.K. sobs. Yolei embraces him. Rocking with him on the floor,Yolei meets Cody's gaze.
I think if you come back after he's calmed down it would be better for T.K. And Davis. They are very upset.
Cody creeps quietly back out of the room. He walks down the hallway. Finding an empty chair besides a window, he curls into it and closes his eyes. The smell of hospital always brought back painful memories. Antiseptic masking over the smell of death. Momma was crying. The hospital smell. Death. He died. My father died. It had to have been my fault. And now I've hurt Kari too. Tears roll down his face as he sits alone.
Why Yolei, why? Why Kari? sobbed T.K. As Yolei comforts T.K. she fights her own tears back. She needed to be strong for the others. For T.K. For Davis. But especially for Cody. I can't even imagine the pain that Cody is going through right now. I'll never forget the fear on his face. But he'll have to wait. The others need me right now.
The pounding of his feet on the sidewalk seem to match the rhythm going through Taichi Kamiya's head. Be O.K. Be O.K. Be O.K. His mind still reeling from the phone call Davis had made to him after soccer practice. Tai ran the entire way to the Odabia Community Hospital. His parents had gone to a business convention, and weren't going to be home until late. His only thoughts were on getting to his baby sister.
Tai flew at the hospital's front desk, glazed with perspiration, fatigue and worry. My sister Hikari Kamiya! Where is she? The receptionist looked up calmly from her crossword puzzle. Kamiya.... oh yes the school shooting victim. The doctors are with her in surgery right now. Where are your parents? she demanded.
They'll be here soon. answered Tai.
In the meantime would you care to have a seat? It wasn't a request.
Their still working on her her. explains Tai meekly.
Gatomon pounces into Tai's lap.
Kari is a fighter Tai. We can't give up!
Tai looks over the row of sterile hospital garish waiting chairs at Joe and Izzy.
I already called Mimi. She is on her way said Joe.
T.K. has already called Matt. He will be here soon.
Have you called Sora yet?
We tried, but their was no answer.
Well I'm going to try again. I, uh I mean we need her to be here.
Joe and Izzy exchange glances as Tai makes his way to the pay phone.
.
Its Tai. Sora I need you to come down to the hospital. There's been an accident. Kari is hurt very badly, and I, uh I need you. Tai bursts into tears.
Oh Tai, I'll be right there.
Would you do me a favor first?
Of course Tai.
Swing by my apartment. You still have a spare key to the door right? On the kitchen is a piece of paper. It has the phone number where my folks are. Can you pick it up on your way?
Of course Tai. I'll be right there.
A doctor scans the waiting room
That's me. How is my sister? asks Tai frantically. Your sister is in critical condition. answers the doctor. It is going to be very rocky these next few hours. The police will be here shortly, to question any possible witnesses. After that I think that you children should go home. Things that happen in this wing are things that children shouldn't see.
Gatomon frantically springs into Tai's arms.
Get me in there Tai! I have to be with her.
Excuse me sir, but can I put this stuffed animal in Kari's room. When she wakes up she'll want to see it.
The two doctors look back and forth from Gatomon being held by Tai to each other.
I suppose it'll be all right. But you set it down and then leave!
Tai tiptoes into Kari's hospital room. The girl lying on the bed looks nothing like his vibrant little sister. She is paler than eggshells. The shadows underneath her eyes are ink splotches on her unhealthy milk like complexion. Gatomon jumps from Tai's arms onto the the foot of the bed. Taking one last look at his motionless sister and the watchful cat crouched next to her, Tai's tears begin to escape his brown orbs again. Chocking quietly with sobs, Tai leaves the room.
Here T.K. You need to eat something. Davis says joining the blonde haired boy in his silent vigil.
T.K. gratefully took the candy bar from Davis. They stared out the window in mutual fear and silence. Davis and I finally have something in common. T.K. thinks. We are both scared of losing her. The two boys hold each other tightly as they wait for news, as every tick of the clock bring them closer to life or death for one of their own.