Chapter 10: In Need of a Hero
She was bleeding heavily. The blood seemed to be growing and thickening. He pushed aside all his feelings and tried to think clearly.
She was part elf, and under the protection of the birthright. He could take her to the hospital and hope that the doctors there could figure out her unique position, or he could go to the elves, where they would use the power of Nature to heal her for good.
He knew that he would die if he left Lazytown, having given up the birthright himself. But as Stephanie bled, he could think of nothing else: she was truly his life, and she had to live.
---
She could feel herself being lifted and carried into the airship. She was awake and alert, but the loss of blood was excessive, and it had made her weak.
She knew what he was doing, and she didn't like it.
"Stop," she cried, as loud as she could muster. "Sportacus, please. Don't do this."
But he ignored her. He laid her on the airship floor and jumped into the driver's seat.
"Stop!" she cried.
Unable to stand anymore, she crawled over to his side and tried to pull him from the seat, but he resisted.
She looked back at the trail of blood she had left and passed out.
---
The farther he got from Lazytown, the weaker he felt. Occasionally, he would look over at Stephanie's body and push forward even harder, focusing as best he could. She was his motivation. She was his purpose.
He felt guilt at ignoring her for so long, and he knew he could ignore her no longer. Not in her time of need. He failed Robbie. He wouldn't fail her.
They arrived at Álfheim. He landed the airship and carried her body out through the door, to the curious elves there.
And just as he was in their reach, he collapsed, dropping Stephanie, and passing out.