I want to start by apologizing for the delay. Writing this story is very difficult, for a lot of the events that have occurred have honestly happened in real life. I struggle deeply with depression and bipolar disorder, and lord help me whatever else is lurking deep within my mind. As such, writing this makes me have to remember those events, usually sending me into a depressed stupor.

But I promise this story will be done. Sorry if this one is a little more sadder than most. Guess it reflects how my mind works. Anyways, thank you all for the support, and I know we will see this done.

Chapter 23

Luna's Damnation

The evening winds of early Autumn poured its way through Royal Woods like a welcoming fog, enveloping a city ready to slumber for the night. The busybodies of the afternoon were at last at rest, and the world entered a lovely calm.

All, except the Loud family. Their day was filled with peril. A father bawling his eyes out, along with all of his children crying and grabbing at an injured sibling, praying that she'll be all right. A wife keeping it together on the phone, desperate to get any help available; a whole school-body frightened over what could possibly have been a terrible fate.

Luna Loud, rocking sister of the Loud entourage, was hit by her own family's vanzilla. She hit the front hard, before bouncing on the road below, tumbling just a little, landing in a rather frightening position. All eyes grew wide overlooking her, praying to see movement, and when that never arrived, the fear settled.

"Everyone," the patriarch of the family spoke, far more sternly then ever heard, "Stay calm. Get your sister."

With the help of a passerby, they were able to help the ambulance and medical professionals reach her quickly, and she was rushed to the hospital, her family following close behind. Whatever plans they had, school or work, were cancelled.

All eyes were on Luna's recovery.

For hours everyone remained in the lobby, not a word spoken between them. Whether sitting or standing by the window, their eyes were downtrodden, fingers playing amongst themselves dancing a tune with no end. Occasionally, they would glance at two particular siblings staring at the door to the hall, the only barrier between them and their injured sister.

One was Luan, who couldn't tell a joke that morning, and come afternoon it was clear her witty tongue was long dormant. She placed a hand in her pocket, with her other arm wrapped around the second sibling beside her.

That particular one was Lincoln Loud, the son of the family, and currently the one barely holding it together. Every second a lone tear fell, and though he tried to be tough, there was no fighting his worry.

Luan tried her best to be supportive, hugging him close. "It's okay, Linky. She's... gonna be fine..."

Lincoln closed his eyes, accepting the side-hug. "Are you sure? I don't know, Luan. I mean, how can she be?"

"We gotta... we gotta believe in her."

He looked up at her. That face full of fear broke her heart. "I know, but does she believe herself?"

That stung harder then the bees that loved attacking her arms in the summer. How harsh it was to hear, and even harsher to agree. All Luan could do was do her best for him.

For Luna.

Lynn tapped her foot. "What's taking so long? She's been in there all day. Jeez, and where's Sam? She said 'five minutes' two hours ago!"

Strangely, it was Lucy who looked over at her, shooting a stare that was neither deadly or nice. "Be calm."

"Sheesh, how can I?"

"By trying."

Their mini-argument was broken up by the sound of heavy footsteps approaching the hallway door. A heavyset doctor appeared, grimacing at the sight of ten children staring back. He heard there was another one somewhere out there. Eleven would've given him a heart attack.

"Um... is this all of ya, sans one? Please tell me yes."

Luan rarely got truly mad, but for this case, she was ready to rip him apart. "I'm the funny one of the group, and right now, no jokes! Is Luna okay or not?"

Bad reception, it seems. The doctor lifted his hands in front of him, pushing the ponytail-clad daughter away. "Goodness, calm it! Look, the rooms aren't big enough for all of ya, okay? Your parents are already in there, and I'm glad that... whoever Leni is among you was able to keep things under control?"

Leni waved cheerfully. "I did my best!"

"Yes, yes, quite. Anywho, I can only bring a few of you in at a time. We'll do this in droves, sound good? Who's first?"

His cheerful attitude juxtaposed harshly with the somber atmosphere amongst the siblings. Even still, The first group was beyond obvious. Lincoln and Luan practically ran a marathon into the hall, leaving the others to determine who to go next.

Lana sneezed. "What the heck? Lols, I told you! No glitter when we go into spooky hospitals!"

But her twin didn't answer. She simply looked to the carpeted floor below. Luna was covered in glitter. The Glitter Queen was responsible.

"I'm... responsible...," she whispered. Lana could only raise a brow.

In the room, Lincoln and Luan immediately met up with their parents, who were looking just as they did when they last saw them: broken and scared. Rita was standing above the bed, hand covering her mouth, makeup smearing her pretty face. Her husband, knowing well he was the one behind the wheel, couldn't stop looking like a ghost, staring at his hands like the plague.

But truly, the spotlight was on Luna, lying in that hospital bed. She was now in a gown, and though it was customary to wear in places like this, its appearance made both of her siblings sink deeper into a hole they'd never escape from.

Whether it was her trademark purple shirt or that sadly-plain gray tee, they both at least hid how her body started to look. Now, however, the gown has revealed the extent of her deterioration. Only a few days have passed, and it was clear her weight was suffering. She was skinnier than even Lisa, with every breath looking too noticeable for humans to show.

And the bruises and cuts on the arms... Lincoln looked away in pain. His tough persona was faltering, with no further strength coming to back him up. "Luna... why?"

Luan tried her best still, even if she knew her power was weakening. She looked to her mom for guidance, knowing well she too was falling apart. "Mommy?" She asked like a little kid, "Is... Is she okay? Is Luna all right?"

Rita tried so hard, but her voice was cracking out of confusion and dread. "I... I... I don't... I don't..."

At last the portly doctor returned, wiping some sweat from his brow. "Whew, let me tell ya! You have quite the family there, madam and sir! I mean, that little scientist apparently knows more about medical knowledge than me! Heh, but I told her that if she ever mispronounced stethoscope again..."

He stopped when he saw them all practically crying. He should've gone for a comedian route. Stupid love for the medical profession. Another wipe of the brow, and he was back on his feet. "Is everyone all right? Has she moved since I left?"

Lynn Sr. gulped, before putting those betraying hands before his eyes. "Guaaaah... merrrggaaahh!"

How frightening to see a father break down so harshly over a harmed child. Even still, not really an answer. Rita finally summoned the courage to speak. "Sorry, doctor. My husband sometimes loses his ability to speak when stressed."

"No, no, it's all good... I think. I was the same way when I got glitterbombed. They ever get that glitter person?" His question was genuine, but with Luna's face still covered and all of them ready to break, he threw that query out. "Anyways, movement?"

"No. Are you sure she's okay? I mean, how long is she gonna be out?"

Lincoln charged in immediately. "Is she hurt? Broken bones? Broken spine? Broken anything? Is she broke, doc?" His questions were vast and frantic. The floodgates were forever open at this point, never to be closed again. "Just tell me! Is my sister alive?"

Poor kid. Even the joking doctor couldn't make a smile with that performance. He sighed, and folded his arms, walking over to Luna's side. "She's not injured, at least not as bad as someone getting hit by a heavy locomotive should be. Seems her father was quick on that brake. That alone saved her life."

"Googaa mwaaah?" Lynn asked.

"Precisely," the doctor responded. "No broken bones or muscle tearing. However, she was still cut up here-and-there, with major bruising around the hip area. Gonna be some time before she's comfortable walking straight again."

That explanation did nothing to quell their fears. Luan shivered, looking at how weak and fragile her older sister looked. She was barely breathing, and her skin was paler than her own father right now.

It lead to a question leaping off her tongue. "But... why is she asleep like that? It's been a long time. Did... did her head get hurt?"

The doctor shook his head, any hope of a smile fading away. "Well, no..."

Rita shot up from her chair. "Then what, doc? Why is my baby not waking up? You said you didn't give her anything!"

Another sigh, before the man looked to the wall. "Well, it's just... a normal, healthy teen like her would be far more responsive given the situation. However, Luna here... well... I don't know how to say this..."

Lincoln's face left sadness behind, replacing it with rage. "I know! She's been depressed, and I couldn't help her, and... goddammit!"

"Lincoln!" Rita shouted, quickly rushing over, hugging her son. His tears and cries were far deadlier to the heart than anyone could've ever expected. She looked up to the doctor, scorn and concern mixing into quite the punch. "Explain yourself! Why is my baby out?"

Have to make this quick, he determined. "Well, I want to say she's gonna make a full recovery. However, as a doctor specializing in physical therapy and wellbeing, I can only thus help with the body itself. As for the mind..."

Behind them, tiny feet skittered towards the bed. Young Lisa, arms folded behind her back, was ready to flex her knowledge one more time. However, it wasn't science that was on the table right now. She simply lifted her glasses up on her nose, and nodded slowly.

"She's giving up. You don't have to hide that."

Everyone looked at her, then back at the doctor. The man wagged his fist in the air, hating to be upstaged by a five-year-old, but in the end, family comes first. "She's right. Poor Luna here... it's like she doesn't want to fight back."

The comedian was having none of this. "But she has to! Luna always fights back!"

"Well, she's not right now, honey," the doctor put a consoling hand upon Luan's shoulder. He looked at the girl in the bed; so ragged. It was painful to witness. "Your mother explained she's been having a bad week. Lack of food, sleep, injuries prior to the vehicular incident, and clear loss of weight from a mixture of starvation and, my goodness, forced induced vomiting..."

Luan shook her head. "Stop! Just stop it! I don't want to hear anymore!" She swatted the man's hand away and pointed a finger at his chest. "Just tell me then! Swear to me she's gonna be up on her feet and okay!"

Rita grimaced, her husband looking away. Lincoln held Lisa, both gulping. The doctor grew pale himself. "All I can say is... that's up to her at this point. It's as if her mind is forcing her body to go into shock. Right now, she's stable, but...," he looked at her, a frown growing prominently against his cheeks, "... I... I'm sorry. I can't make that promise."

Rita slipped down to the floor, horrified by what she heard. "You... Are you saying she... she...?"

"I don't know, okay? Look, we will work diligently all through the night, I can promise that! The best I can ask for all of you is to keep believing in her."

"And what will that do?" Lincoln suddenly yelled. "We'll pray, she'll wake up, and she'll go back to hating herself. I bet she wanted this to happen!"

"L-Lincoln!" Rita yelled, but her son refused to stop.

"She hates herself, doc! She wants to be dead! She wants to be dead and leave us and make me feel like...crap..."

He couldn't handle it anymore, and finally completely broke. Both Lisa and Luan held him close, all while the parents were devestated. The doctor tried his best not to make this awkward, but it was too hard when he had to scratch the back of his head. "I'm... I'm sorry. I'll leave you all for a little bit, but soon we will need to do what we can to help her. I promise, she will get up. Somehow, we will convince her to get better."

Lincoln was ready to spit. "Yeah, keep saying that, bub..."

The doctor left the room worse for wear. He took a deep breath; it's gonna get worse when the rest see her, and didn't Luna have a girlfriend? Well, once did based on what he heard. "Not my night. Not my night..."

Tears swelled throughout the room, all while Luna struggled to breathe through her slumber. Luan and Lincoln held one another, as did Rita and her husband.

All while Lisa watched from afar. Physically, she too could barely contain her sadness.

But inside, she had a plan. A plan that had to work.

A plan that will work.