Chapter 13 – Reaching...
Clicking of shoes and boots on the tile floor disturbed the silence in the dimly lit monitoring room for the Whispered victims. Screens with EEG readouts were above the beds. None of the Whispereds had made any progress so far. Contacting one via the Whispered State was risky, but there were no other options to try.
Leaning back against the wall with his arms crossed and more melancholy than ever, Sousuke watched Tessa and Dr. Shou by Kaname's side. Dr. Shou was a young American, of Chinese descent. His tender demeanor endeared him to his patients. It made Sousuke wonder if he was also a Whispered.
Kaname lay there motionless on her back. Tilting her head, Tessa closed her eyes to key in on the state. The familiar swirling of images and sensations began. Feeling an acute awareness of her surroundings and the other Whispereds, she spoke out loud for the benefit of the onlookers and her voice became hollow, "Chidori-san. It's me Tessa. We are all concerned for you. We need you. We need you to come back to us. We need your help – you are one of several to have been attacked. Please, help us."
Tessa's head bobbed forward and her braid slipped out of the hand that had been twirling it, as what was happening in Kaname's mind trickled forth from her mouth. "Help me...Help me please. I can't get out..." Kaname was pleading, crying helplessly.
Sliding helplessly down the wall, Sousuke crouched frozen, head down, hands on the floor in front of him supporting himself. The Wall from his nightmare was right in front of him.
Tessa lilting her head back again, replied, "We here for you. How can we help you? What can we do?"
Kaname replied in panic, "Where are you? I can't see you. I can't move. Help me... please"
Tessa soothed, "We are here in the room with you, doing all we can. Try to open your eyes or move you hand for us please..."
The readings on the monitor above Kaname spiked wildly and Tessa screamed out for Kaname – the sound reverberating in the air. As Tessa collapsed, Dr. Shou caught her.
Sousuke couldn't hold still any longer. Filled with dread, he sprang over to Kaname like an arrow shot from a bow. He held her head in his hands and pressed his forehead on hers and pleaded, "Please, Kaname. Hang on for me, please." For the first time he could remember, he was almost in tears.
"Sousuk..." Tessa's head drooped as Dr. Shou scooped her up. Tessa's eyes slowly opened, "Uh...where am I? Dr. Shou?"
The doctor let Tessa down and she gingerly stepped away from his strong frame. He reiterated the situation, "It's alright, Captain. You contacted Kaname and she started to react badly – but things have calmed down now. Thank you for doing what you could. Go and rest." His dark eyes looked into hers as he put a sympathetic hand on her shoulder. Looking down, blushing and then back at him, she nodded before heading out.
"Sergeant, do you want to stay here with Kaname until you need to leave for the mission? She seemed to be asking for you. It may be good for her to know that you are here," Dr. Shou softly offered.
"Affirmative, Doctor," Sousuke whispered, choking back his emotions.
The shyness made Dr. Shou smile as he walked away, "Understood. We'll get her back, soldier."
After making sure the doctor had left the room, Sousuke gently climbed into the bed on his side, next to Kaname. Not wanting to hurt her, he pulled his booted feet back so they hung off the bed. He tucked his chin in by her shoulder and put his arm around her. Her breathing seemed like she was asleep.
"Kaname, if you can hear me... The doctor said I could stay with you for a few hours until I need to leave for the mission. I'll be on the assault team to take out the group that did this to you. So much is going through my head right now. It was just like my nightmare last night..." his hushed words dropped off as his throat tightened. He wanted to stay with her – to stay here until she woke up, IF she woke up. But he knew his duty. A small comfort came from the fact that she still wore the bracelet he gave her. Kissing her cheek, he nuzzled beside her, and began to watch the clock.
...
Departure minus 12 minutes...
Kurz was about to walk into the Whispereds' room to roust Sousuke...
Beep beep! Beep beep! A high-pitched watch alarm went off. Shaking his head as he waited, Kurz should have known his friend would be punctual.
Sousuke stealthily turned off the alarm. Running his fingers through Kaname's hair, pushing it out of her face, he murmured, "I have to go now. I'll be back as soon as I can." He kissed her tenderly, slid covertly off the bed, and resigned himself to his duty.
When he walked through the door, a slap on the back made him jump and shook him from his thoughts.
"Well, lover-boy – you really have it bad...I feel for you," Kurz lamented. His own former girlfriend was far away in a hospital and he sent all his money to support her. One night when he'd been slobbering drunk and Sousuke helped him get back to his bunk, he'd shared the story.
"I know..." Sousuke growled and glared at Kurz, but his spirit settled a bit as they walked to the hangar. He recalled that Kurz hangs on through this, day in day out, and so would he. Though, he still felt like blowing something up to let off tension. Would he be able to utilize the swirling dread, anxiety, and need for revenge in the Arbalest? Or was his focus too far off?
In the dimly lit room, Kaname's lips mouthed Sousuke's name...