Chapter One - All My Fault
"It's all my fault" Elena exasperated through tear filled eyes.
Squeezing her heroes hand in a vice like grip she couldn't bear to shift her gaze from the interlocking fingers intertwined like vines together.
It had been months since anyone saw the Delgado's more specifically Ash and Carla. Victor was imprisoned in the dungeon below the Palace with Strict orders from the Chancellor to not approach him at any instance. So when the news broke that the Mother, Daughter duo had both been spotted foraging through the forest at the Cordoba bridge border, Elena and Mateo wasted no time tracking their trail back to a secluded cottage nestled deep within the Cordoba forest.
"You should have waited for me and the other Guards!" Gabe scolded Elena from the other side of the recovery room located at the end of the hallway in the Palace. "I just can—"
"I know…"Elena looked up through glossy, misty eyes as their best friend lay unconscious on the bed in between them. "I'm sorry, Gabe, how many times do I need to say it!" snapping back at him she could see the disappointment written all over his face.
"You know…" Gabe's voice softened as it began to crack "I know I don't show it or anything, but Mateo is my best friend. He is always there when I need him….He is like my little brother…It's not Fair! It should have been me!" turning away with tears rolling down his cheeks, Gabe couldn't bear the thought of anything happening to Mateo as he laid lifeless on the bed.
A sudden knock at the door couldn't have come quick enough. "Good Evening Your Highness, Captain Nunez, just coming into check Mr De Alva's vitals and stats" the Nurse said swiftly as she wheeled in a wooden machine, setting it up next to Mateo the Nurse proceeded, "Your Majesty, I am afraid you will need to release Mr De Alva's hand while I perform this check" she said smiling as she looked down at the tight grip Elena had on the young wizard. "—only for a minute, Miss".
Reluctantly letting go of the limp, motionless hand she pulled away as the Nurse placed a white cotton tie on his arm and pumped the handle. "Just checking his blood pressure, Your Highness"
Elena watched nervously as the Nurse wrote down numbers and filled in charts. "The Doctor will be in soon to complete some blood work and other routine procedures—no need to worry, Your Majesty, Mr De Alva is in the best hands in all of Avalor."
Rushing back to his bed side, Elena pulled down his light green pyjama sleeve to keep his arm warm while sliding her delicate fingers back through his, not wanting to let go a second longer.
Standing against the wall wiping away tears, Gabe stood in silence as he scanned his best friend lying in front of him ever so still. Taking a deep breath in he took a couple of steps forward, Elena's eyes darted up. Pulling the blankets up over Mateo's chest, Gabe leant in and wrapped his arms around Mateo's neck whispering "It's going to be ok, buddy. You can get through this…" Taking a look back at Elena sitting in the wooden chair, Gabe's face flushed with red, stinging, tearful eyes promptly stood up and left the room. As he walked away, Elena could hear Gabe sobbing outside as he hurried off to get some fresh air. Eyes matching Gabe's, Elena was heartbroken to see Mateo like this.