Shaena's slender body ached with weariness. The climb was excruciatingly
slow. Fortunately just five levels above hers, one could take an elevator
towards the top of the building where one could catch an air taxi. She sat
down on one of the padded benches that the elevator provided, shivers of
pain and fatigue echoing though her body. She took the precious bundle out
of her carry sack. He did not look good at all; his breathing was becoming
shallower and his deep blue eyes had a worrying glassy look to them.
Shaena laid the baby on the bench next to her, and then pulled out her canteen of water. Pouring a little in the cap, she dipped her finger in the water then gently traced the water along the baby's cracked lips. Shaena sighed in frustration; the lift was taking far to long for her liking. Several times on the trip, the elevator stopped and someone got on or off. The higher they went the more passengers there were, and the better classed. Shaena pointedly ignored the sidelong glances she was receiving. One particularly dressy lady made a comment about offensive odors and it was all Shaena could do not to shoot that lady a heated glare.
Finally, the elevator stopped at the top of the building. Shaena bundled the baby close against her body to protect it from the winds that whipped around the taller buildings. She looked around searching for an air taxi. She made several attempts but was pointedly ignored for the most part in difference to potentially higher paying customers. Shaena was about to give up in utter despair when she spied a very dubious and rather battered cab that the other taxis positively dwarfed.
Shaena walked up to the small decrepit air taxi. It had seen better days, so had its aged pilot who was waiting out side of the diminutive cab. "Please sir, I need to get to the temple." Shaena asked pleadingly. The elderly human took in her appearance and was about to refuse her when the baby decided to start crying. Shaena opened her carry sack and cooed at the upset baby. "Hush little one. All will be well, I promise you."
The pilot sighed deeply, and ran a hand through his thinning white hair. He could not abandon a mother and an ill child, regardless of credits. His wife would kill him if she ever found out. "C'mon" he told her in a gruff voice, then led her into his cab. He carefully strapped them in the passenger area, and then disappeared into the cockpit.
Shaena sighed in relief; they would get to the temple, but what then? She only hoped that they got there in time, the baby was getting worse. His cries were stuttered and hoarse coming out of his sore throat. Again, she slowly gave water to the baby, ignoring the spectacular scenery that passed outside her view port.
Shaena laid the baby on the bench next to her, and then pulled out her canteen of water. Pouring a little in the cap, she dipped her finger in the water then gently traced the water along the baby's cracked lips. Shaena sighed in frustration; the lift was taking far to long for her liking. Several times on the trip, the elevator stopped and someone got on or off. The higher they went the more passengers there were, and the better classed. Shaena pointedly ignored the sidelong glances she was receiving. One particularly dressy lady made a comment about offensive odors and it was all Shaena could do not to shoot that lady a heated glare.
Finally, the elevator stopped at the top of the building. Shaena bundled the baby close against her body to protect it from the winds that whipped around the taller buildings. She looked around searching for an air taxi. She made several attempts but was pointedly ignored for the most part in difference to potentially higher paying customers. Shaena was about to give up in utter despair when she spied a very dubious and rather battered cab that the other taxis positively dwarfed.
Shaena walked up to the small decrepit air taxi. It had seen better days, so had its aged pilot who was waiting out side of the diminutive cab. "Please sir, I need to get to the temple." Shaena asked pleadingly. The elderly human took in her appearance and was about to refuse her when the baby decided to start crying. Shaena opened her carry sack and cooed at the upset baby. "Hush little one. All will be well, I promise you."
The pilot sighed deeply, and ran a hand through his thinning white hair. He could not abandon a mother and an ill child, regardless of credits. His wife would kill him if she ever found out. "C'mon" he told her in a gruff voice, then led her into his cab. He carefully strapped them in the passenger area, and then disappeared into the cockpit.
Shaena sighed in relief; they would get to the temple, but what then? She only hoped that they got there in time, the baby was getting worse. His cries were stuttered and hoarse coming out of his sore throat. Again, she slowly gave water to the baby, ignoring the spectacular scenery that passed outside her view port.
