{+}+{+}+{+}+{+}+{+}+{+} CH 12
Violet stayed there in the room, moving from patient to patient, placing a comforting hand on their shoulders as she passed by.
In a short time, though it felt agonizingly slow, her rounds shortened.
She had done what she could, but it seemed precious little given the circumstances.
The die had been cast, the decisions made, and it was completely out of her hands. Maybe if she'd had more time…
But they were already too far advanced. Even if she'd known how to reverse it, she wasn't sure she'd have had enough time to do so. In the end, they were genetically programmed, so to speak, to fail.
As she passed, taloned hands gently caught hers, and there was sadness there, but also understanding.
Doctor James had come, as had Margaret. Kiersten had wanted to be there, but Doctor James had put his foot down and told her that she would be of more help to stay home with their son.
After the first of her clan members had died, Delilah had been urged to leave, but she'd stuck her ground. She made her rounds with Violet, offering water and comfort, and Violet couldn't help but be grateful for the help, even as she felt sympathy for the... woman? Female? Hybrid?
Violet was unsure what the correct terminology was applicable for Delilah.
Outside of the occasional quiet words, the room was quiet. Peaceful.
Two of the longest hours of her life later, the last of the cloned clan members faded away.
Violet patted Burbank's hand gently before lifting the sheet to cover his still form. He was as strong a warrior as Hudson was, that had been for certain. He had held on until the last of his clan had passed, then he let go himself.
Delilah began to sob then, and Margaret helped the brokenhearted female out of the room.
Dr. James left to let the Mutates know that the vigil was over.
Violet knew that the clan had made some kind of arrangements for a funeral of sorts, but for now there was nothing left for her to do.
Violet slowly stood from her kneeling position, weariness making her sway on her feet.
Strong furred arms caught her, keeping her from falling.
Violet looked up into Claw's face. She hadn't even seen him come in, but was thankful that he was there.
She had dealt with her own demons that night, remembering sitting beside her own mother's bedside as she had faded from the world, and how she had done it all night, over and over again, she'd never know.
There was a sadness in his eyes, and in the end, it was the look in those eyes and the strength in those arms that had caught her that finally broke her. She grabbed a double handful of his tunic and sobbed into his chest.
Soothingly, he rubbed a hand gently up and down her back as she cried.
When all of the sorrow, the fear and guilt over not being able to help the clones had passed, she came back to herself enough to realize that she was still clinging to Claw.
Claw, who didn't like her. Who couldn't be in the same room with her, and she had no idea why.
I'm sorry, she signed. I will be fine now. You can go.
He jerked as if he'd been struck, eyes widening in surprise. You can sign, he said.
She frowned at him. She was too tired for this. Yes, she said. I learned a few years ago.
He looked around, then took one of her arms and practically dragged her from the room.
Without the strength to fight, and not possessing the will at the moment, she allowed herself to be taken down the hall to another room.
This one looked more lived in. Instead of a bare floor, this one had a large rug taking up a good portion of the floor. A pair of recliners and a large L-shaped sectional sofa were arranged in the center of the room, a coffee table in the center of it all.
Framed pictures decorated the walls. Some were artwork, some children's drawings, and a good portion of them seemed to be family photographs. A large one with Elisa, Talon, Maggie, and an older couple caught her eye.
Ahh, she thought. This must be one of the private living areas for the Labyrinth Clan members.
Talon directed her to the sofa and sat her along the long straight side. Once she sat, he perched on the coffee table so that he would be able to see her hands.
He frowned a little and signed, Why are you here?
Violet frowned back. I was brought here to do a job. One I failed at horribly, but I needed to be here to help where I could.
A job?
Violet heaved a sigh. I was trying to find a way to stop the deterioration of the clones, but… She shrugged. I don't know how much you've heard about me, so I don't know if I am going to be telling you things you already know.
Assume I know nothing, Claw signed impatiently. Why are you in New York?
Violet stared at him. Why do you want to know?
Okay, maybe she wasn't over her anger just yet. Or maybe he was a convenient target for her emotions. Either way…
"What do you care?" She spoke aloud as she signed now. They had all told her he was mute… So he could hear her yell, and it was making her feel better. Well, not better, but it was reminding her that she was alive despite the death she'd dealt with that night. The signing was just to let him know that she'd understood him and his hurtful comments anyway. "I was under the impression that you wanted nothing to do with me."
Claw hung his head for a moment, before he signed, I didn't want you here.
"Trust me, that came through loud and clear. Now," she said, getting to her feet, "If you'll excuse me."
No!
Violet stopped at the emphasis he'd put in that one sign.
"Why?" she asked. "Give me one good reason. Just one, and I will sit back down."
Claw hesitated, and Violet gave up.
She took two strides, and just as she was about to pass him, his hand grabbed hers.
You have a temper, he said slowly. Your mother does too. I had almost forgotten.
Violet froze. "You knew my mother?"
It was his turn to go still. Knew?
"She died," Violet said slowly. "Almost two years ago."
Claw brought his hands up and covered his face so that she had to wait until he lowered them to continue.
"How did you know my mother?" Violet asked.
And your brother?
She was starting to get uncomfortable. "He left," she signed slowly, debating if this was wise.
Left? When? Where?
"When I was around eleven years old. Just before mom found out she was sick. Look," she signed, "I don't know what you want, but…"
Violet, I am so sorry.
"For what?" she asked.
For disappearing as I did.
"What? What are you talking about?" she asked him, a feeling of foreboding coming over her.
Tell me, he signed slowly, his eyes never leaving hers, did you becoming a scientist have anything to do with that science kit I got you for Christmas?
She blinked at him as what he was saying finally sank in.
"No," she said, shaking her head and backing up one step, then two. She was so thrown that she forgot to sign. "No. This can't be right. You can't be my father. Because if you're my father, and you're alive, that means you left us. Abandoned us all. You've been alive this whole time, and didn't contact us."
Claw made an impatient gesture in his throat, and she shouted, "So you can't talk, so what? You could have written a freaking letter! You could have traveled at night and come home! You could have done something so that we knew you were alive, damn it!"
She tripped on the rug and her already weakened legs gave out. She collapsed on her knees and began to cry. "You could have been there to help me. Tony couldn't handle being the man of the house and left, and I still don't know where he is or if he's even alive. He left, Mom moved the two of us and got a job, then she started getting sick, and I had no one to help me…"
Once more, strong arms came around her. This time, instead of a stranger's arms, they were the strong ones that had helped her to her feet when she was little. The ones who had helped her stay upright when she was learning to ride a bike. The ones she used to run to for comfort when life got too rough or confusing for a girl who kept being skipped grades and had no friends because everyone was so much older than she was.
"Dad," she cried. "Where were you when I needed you?"
Because he held her, he couldn't answer her, but hoped that she felt his answer in the embrace of a parent who had missed so much.
I am so sorry. I'm here, he wanted to tell her. I'm here now, and I will never leave you again.