His Fate. Chapter Three.
Disclaimer: I do not own CTCD.
"No. Muriel no. Please. No please. Come back."
Katz felt himself awaken as the bundle in his lap shiver in its sleep.
"Muriel, I'll save you."
Katz blinked down at the dog, wondering what could it possibly be dreaming about.
"Please don't take her from me."
It wasn't until he heard the soft whimper, and felt the tell-tale wetness of tears running down its eyes, that he understood.
"I'll do anything."
Katz had finally had enough when the dog curled itself into a tighter ball. Raising the dog eye level, he spoke softly but firm.
"Courage. Wake up, this instance."
Courage opened his eyes with a jolt, uncurling himself. He looked around hi surroundings, attempting to figure out where he was. When his eyes fell upon Katz, everything that had happened in the past couple of hours, came back instantly.
"Where's Muriel?" He asked with faux calmness, Katz observed the fuchsia colored dog with skeptical eyes, not believing the dog's act for a minute.
" had not come back yet." He spoke slowly, so he could gauge the dogs's reaction.
Courage instantly deflated, unable to hide his disappointment, worry, and terrified expression on his face. Tears began welling up in his eyes once more.
"W-What if, what if she doesn't..."
"Courage."
The small dog looked up at the tone and took in a sharp intake of breath, shocked by how much emotion he could see in the cat's eyes.
"Courage, don't shed any more tears. Muriel wouldn't want you to be sad right now."
Courage took a minute to take in the sincerity of his words and just how expressive the cat was being towards him. It almost felt like, if he looked away, he would miss another emotion he had never seen the cat have.
Courage wiped the wetness from his face, smiled gently, and nodded at Katz. The red feline allowed a twitch of his cheek to be seen, and pulled Courage into his chest. Who allowed himself a moment of peace and relish in the cat's warmth. If only for a second. It was all he was going to be able to enjoy after the next couple of days.
[Cowardly Break]
"Dr. Vindaloo! She's going into cardiac arrest, we're losing her!"
"Bring the defibrillator, stat! I will not have this woman dying like this!"
[In the Surgery Room]
Muriel laid on the surgery table, unconscious from anesthesia, head shaved, part of her skull removed, and brain laid bare.
Dr. Vindaloo, wrapped in sterile clothing, poised himself over the elderly woman. With steady hands, the doctor ever so slowly cut the dura meter open with a scalpel, allowing the tumor to be seen. His assistant, also dressed in sterile clothing, dabbed the doctor's forehead from any excess sweat. She handed him another tool to begin the slow process of extracting the tumor itself. Piece by piece, the tumor was removed. It wasn't until half way through, that Muriel's blood pressure shot up, causing her to spasm, and Dr. Vindaloo to cut a piece of the tumor, and her brain.
"Oh no..." Dr. Vindaloo didn't even finish his sentence before he rushed to get he blood soaked up, skull attached, and get her stitched up once more. But even with her stitched up, Muriel would not stabilize, causing her heart to stop.
[Found Courage Break]
Dr. Vindaloo grabbed the defibrillator paddles from the nurse, already gel smeared on the surfaces, as she placed the electrocardiogram leads on Muriel.
"Clear!" With them charged, he pressed them above the woman's heart and left lung, watching as her body jumped from the electroshock surfing through, anticipating from her heart to begin beating again.
When it didn't, he charged the defibrillator again, and requested the process twice more before be heard the slow beeping of the ECG, and saw color flow back into Muriel's skin. Both the doctor and nurse gave a sigh of relief, and watched as her heart beat increased.
As the nurse began to put the machine away, Dr. Vindaloo grabbed the bandages and gauze, wrapping Muriel's head. Once that was done, and they knew her vitals were stable, they were able to run the required tests to determine the results of the surgery. It wasn't till the last test, EEG, did Dr. Vindaloo realize the extent of his mistake.
He leaned against the wall in the surgery room, slowly processing the information. He knew the woman never walked an easy road, but he never anticipated this. He began to slowly slide down, until he was crouching. How could he fail Muriel, Courage, the hospital, the town? He dropped the clipboard and wracked his fingers in his hair. How could he let them all down like this? Tears began to run down his face, as he tried to keep from shouting out.
Unfortunately, he would never be able to accept everything happens for a reason. Everything.
Muriel was transferred to a room of her own, hooked up to several different machines to help monitor her, and given Naropin to help ease any head pain.
Dr. Vindaloo made his way back to his office, pausing in the doorway when he noticed Katz, sitting in the chair, and Courage on his lap. He became sullen, knowing it was going to be become difficult for the small dog. He slowly approached the two, putting a hand on the red cat's shoulder. He watched as Katz eyes snapped open, and flitted towards him.
"The operation was completed. She's out of surgery."
If Katz thought how he worded those sentences was strange, he didn't show it. He just tapped he small dog awake, stood up and followed the doctor out the office. As hey walked into the hallway, towards the elevator, Dr. Vindaloo contemplated whether to tell the two behind him. They had a right to know, but he would not break his promise to the elderly woman.
"You mustn't tell them Doctor!"
"But Ms. Bagge! They need to-"
"I will speak to them. I have to be the one that tells them."
As they rose the elevator to the eighth floor, Dr. Vindaloo steeled himself, Courage nerves shook with anxiety, while Katz attempted not to notice. With a ding, the elevator came to a stop, they stepped off, and headed towards Muriel room. Whey they arrived at room forty-six thirty-two, the doctor knocked and opened the door.
"Ms. Bagge, you have visitors, yon."
He stepped aside, and allowed Katz and Courage to walk further inside. Propped against pillows, Muriel laid in a hospital bed, head wrapped, but an ever present smile on her face. Courage never thought he could feel so happy, relieved, and unsure he could believe his eyes. Katz walked to the side of the bed, put the dog down and sat in the chair next to the bed. Courage stared at the woman for what seemed like hours before be walked towards her. Muriel looked down at her lovely dog, and smiled even wider, who looked at her, eyes welling up.
"Muriel?"
"Hello Courage." The woman held out be arms open, just as he jumped into her arms. They held onto each other, unable to let the other to. As the two embraced, Katz watched, analyzed the way the woman moved, and how the doctor acted as well. Things just didn't add up, something happened. But he would find out, in due time, he knew. So he sat back and waited, while the Muriel laid back and Courage curled up on her lap.
[A Few Hours Later]
The room was quiet, except for the steady beeping of the ECG, and the drip drip of an IV. Visiting hours were past due, but when you own half of the property, you're pretty much allowed to do as you please. So Katz, still sitting in the same chair, eyes closed, and Courage, laid curled on a lap, stayed with Muriel. Who stayed awake, petting and watching her good boy.
Muriel had been doing a lot of thinking, for weeks now. She had to make sure her precious Courage got taken care of. That he lived his life fully. Pausing in her ministrations, for a moment she let doubt come to her mind. With a shake of her head, she pushed it out of her mind, and continued patting her baby.
With a deep intake of air, she spoke, "Mr. Katz."
The red feline opened his slowly, keeping his facial expression neutral, as he responded, "Yes, my dear?"
"I have a request to ask of you."
"Hmm? And what could you possibly ask of me?"
"I need to ensure my Courage gets taken care of after I pass on." She stated, while looking down contently at the fuchsia dog. "I need you to take care of him, Mr. Katz."
"I'm going to assume the surgery didn't go as planned, my dear."
Though it wasn't a question, mor did a statement, Katz pressed his fingers together, drumming them rhythmically.
Muriel said nothing, just gave a grimace of a smile.
"Hmm, and you actually trust me with this task?"
"You know very well, I do not trust you sir."
He knew she didn't, he wouldn't even trust himself if he had a chance. But logically, he was the only choice she had. The only one with enough power to protect him. To keep him alive.
"But I know what kind of power and control you possess. I know you can keep out if the wrong hands, make sure nothing happens to him. And I know you make sure e continues to live, even without me." She continued, eyes watering, and voice cracking.
Katz continued to watch Muriel, knowing there wasn't anything he could possibly say to comfort her. As terrible as this situation was, he anticipated this. Thought of every possibility, every outcome that could come to play.
Muriel regained her composure and spoke, "I know ya may not like me all too much, Mr. Katz. But quite frankly I don't care." She raised her head, and looked at him with ferocity in her eyes. "Ya may kick my corpse after I'm dead, dance on my grave, even spit on my tombstone. Do as ya please, just as long as ya keep my Courage safe."
And this was happening, this was how the story was playing out. Katz had to admit though, with an inward smirk, the woman had moxie.
"So Mr. Katz, what do ya say?" Muriel asked with a tilt of her head.
The car didn't answer immediately,
just keeping eye contact. He understood exactly what she was asking of him, what he would be getting himself into. And he knew, he was prepared for it.
Katz rose from the chair, and walked up to her. He spoke evenly, "My dear, I do believe that is a request I can follow through with." He raised his paw, open towards her.
Muriel's eyes widened just slightly, before she broke into a smile, and took his paw into her hand and shook it gently but vigorously.
Unbeknownst to either of the two, a little dog laid awake, having hear a conversation he was unprepared for.
[The Next Day]
It was a beautiful sunny day. The birds were chirping, the desert was burning, and a certain Courage was brooding at the foot of Muriel's bed.
After the two finished talking, Muriel laid back and went to sleep, while Katz curled up in the chair, tail flicking to and fro. Courage, on the other hand, stayed wide awake. He creeped off his owner's lap, to make sure she wouldn't awaken, and sat close, but not too close.
He let her eyes wander over to said feline. Why would he all of sudden be so nice to him, show so much compassion, and be willing to all of sudden take him under his wing? What could he possibly get out of all of this?
He just was unable to comprehend why Muriel, his caretaker, his owner, his mother, would let such a low life criminal like Katz take control over what happened to him. As her death wish. Muriel was dying.
He thought her going into surgery was suppose to make her feel better, help her get better. Not worse, not on the verge of ting in a week's time, if that. Courage looked back at Muriel, sadness in his eyes.
"-age..."
How could he live without her?
"-rage..."
How could they possibly think he would be able to even breathe without her?
"-ourage..."
He couldn't! It just wouldn't happen! He-
"Courage! Courage!"
Said fuchsia dog woke with a start. He must have spaced off, during his sulking. He then noticed he was being stared at by a woman stitched up, and a red cat. Courage titled his head, as if he was asking 'what?'
"Dear boy, are you all right?" Katz said as he crossed his arms.
"Arwoo?" Courage responded, with his eyebrows scrunched up.
"Courage, you've been distracted and distant. Ya haven't even given me my good morning hug," Muriel sat up as much as she could, a confused expression on her face. "Dear, is there something the matter?"
Courage sat up quickly, shaking his head back and forth feverently, "No, N-no, N-no!"
Muriel and Katz gave each other a sideways glance of disbelief before looking back at the dog. Courage rose his left paw, and using his right to cross over his heart. After moments of staring at each other, Muriel let it go with a, "If you say so." While Katz narrowed his eyes at him suspiciously.
"Well Courage, there's something I need to speak to you about, so come here will ya darlin'? Muriel asked gently, with a smile. Courage hesitantly crawled towards her, and onto her lap. When he looked towards Katz, he was getting up and leaving the room. 'Oh no...'
"Now Courage, I need ya to hear me out. This may be a bit a hard for ya to understand. But ya know I wouldn't lie or do anything to hurt ya?" She made him look at her in the eyes. He slowly bobbed his head up and down.
"All right, good. I know everything hat has been happening over the past couple days haven't been makin' real sense. And the reason why is because, Courage dear, I had a tumor in my brain." She didn't pause, even after hearing him suck in a breathe of air. "And Dr. Vindaloo was able to cut it out. But a complication occurred during the surgery. And well, Courage, I don't have long to live."
"No..." Courage didn't want to believe it, this wasn't how things were suppose to work out. He slowly backed out of Muriel's grasp, shaking his head. He continued backing up till he hit the bed frame.
"Oh Courage, I'm so sorry. I never knew- I never meant-" She couldn't even attempt to finish her sentence, as tears began to fill her eyes, covering her face with her hands.
Courage had to forget about everything for a moment, in order to get his body to move again. He walked straight up to Muriel, onto her lap, and put his small arms around her as best as she could. In return, she wrapped her's around him as well, crying all the while. And they held each other for the better part of the day. It wasn't until mid afternoon that they finally let go and got comfortable. With Courage on her lap, Muriel sipped a cup of lemon tea. Special service of a one Mr. Katz. Who had slipped back into a room sometime during the day.
After finishing her tea, Muriel set the cup aside. Courage was curled in his ball, finally calm, on her lap. Muriel took a moment to take everything in, one last time. She took in the light streaming through the blinds, with the now setting sun. Brightening the daisies sitting on the table, and the dust filtering through the air. She noticed how the walls were speckled with gray, blue, and red dots.
She made her way around the room, before they landed finally on a red, purple stripped cat, tail swishing back and forth in content. He was reading a fairly large book, the title being covered by his paw. As if sensing her watching him, Katz looked up and met her eyes. He lifted a single delicate eyebrow, silently questioning the old woman.
Muriel just smiled, and looked down at Courage. Katz's curious face, turned to one of understanding, as he closed his book and set it on the table next to him.
Muriel gently woke Courage up, watching him sit up, rub his eyes with his cute little paws. She waited for a few seconds longer, relishing in her baby, before he began.
"Courage..." Waiting for him to look up at her, albeit dazed, "there is... one more thing we need to talk about."
The small dog vaguely noticed how a certain feline hadn't left yet. "Now, after I'm ... There won't be anyone there to look after ya. So Mr. Katz and I have come to an agreement that you will be in his care."
The look of utter shock almost made Muriel change her mind, almost being keyword. She had to make sure Courage would be safe. Before he could begin his charade of reasons why it was a bad idea, Muriel lifted him up in her arms.
"Courage, listen to me. I need you to promise me something."
"Arwoo?"
"Promise me that you will live. That you will allow Mr. Katz here to take care of you."
"But- But- But-"
"Courage please!" She interrupted, "Do it for me!"
He gave a long sigh, and used his eyes. There was no way him and that villainous business fiend were going to survive being around each other every day and night. And did they really expect him to trust the feline after everything? He looked up to see that stupid cat and his beloved Muriel looking at him expectantly. Yes, of course they did. He let out another breath of air, he really didn't have a choice.
Courage looked up at Muriel, and smiled. Though it had a grimace to it, it was a smile no less. And Muriel accepted it with a happy grin, tears running down her face. She hugged him so tightly he became purple, and had to squeeze out of her arms.
After he was able to breathe again, he walked to the edge of the bed, more towards Katz, and held out his paw. If they were going to be together twenty-four seven, he wanted them to have an understanding, a truce of sorts.
Katz actually looked from Courage's paw to his face, as if trying to gauge his motives. Ironic. He searched Courage's eyes, through and through. The trepidation, the underlying fear, the sadness, and overall sincerity. The dog was serious about this. Good.
Instead of taking Courage's paw, Katz got up, made his way to the bed, and sat down. Lifting his paw, he placed it on the the dog's head and rubbed, right behind the ear. Just how Courage liked it too, judging by how his leg started bouncing and his short tail started wagging.
"See, you two are already getting along." Muriel said jovially, while leaning back.
"I suppose we are." Katz murmured as he gave one more scratch, before patting him gently, and getting up to sit back in his chair.
Courage had to blink his eyes a couple times to wake up from his daze, and to figure out where he was. He would never say it aloud, but the cat was pretty good at that. Giving Katz one more glance, Courage crawled back to Muriel, onto her lap, as quietly as possible. He didn't want to wake her.
Katz looked at the two on the bed, Muriel asleep, snoring softly, and Courage on the verge. He picked up his book, not wanting to disturb what might be their last night together.
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