Chapter 26 - The Choice
Two days had passed. Mando didn't sleep, he couldn't. It wasn't because of his duties or watching over the girl. It was because his body felt so rejuvenated, he just had too much energy. Too much strength. Fayra still hadn't moved.
Three days passed, still nothing, however Mando was finally able to sleep. By the fourth, Fayra began to dehydrate. Mando resorted to dropping small amounts of water into her mouth, and rubbing it across her lips every hour.
He occupied himself with his usual ship duties, but on the fifth day, he realized he might have to make a difficult choice. However, every time he looked at her all he could think about was how she saved his life. Twice actually, the Mudhorn and then the blaster wound. But she wasn't waking and showed no signs of doing so as she did before. The choice was heavy, but ultimately simple. Could he let her suffer or be merciful and end her life.
On the sixth day Fayra still showed no sign of movement or of waking. Mando knelt down next to her. He felt the choice was made for him. He wouldn't let her suffer and die slowly. Over the last week he came to a conclusion that she was something special, to the extreme, something very unique. And it wasn't because she could move wind and tree limbs around. But the real power, the power to heal, was something on another level. He didn't know if Elementals could do such a thing, he'd never heard of it before. What he did know is that was what the Client suspected she could do. That's what he wanted her to show him. And that's why he wanted her, that's why he wanted her blood.
He looked at her. Not having food for almost a week made her look so small and frail. It was sad, she had come so far since he found her in that cage. Mando placed his hands at each side of his helmet and lifted it away, setting it down beside him. He drew his blaster.
"I want to let you know, I'm doing this to help you," he began. " I don't make this choice lightly, I'll carry it for the rest of my life." He knelt beside her. "Thank you for what you did." he said it slowly, making small pauses. When he finished he took a deep breath and placed the blaster to her temple. His only comfort was in knowing she'd never be frightened or feel any more pain.