Gifts
For the next few days things remained calm, but 4989 found himself not minding so much anymore. He did have a new little project, after all. At first he searched for the right material, something that would also be comfortable to wear, until he found it during his last visit to the spleen when he'd needed a new uniform. It was smooth twine, actually the same type they made white shoe laces from, though he now had another purpose for it.
So today he'd found himself a nice little spot in the shadow of a tree from where he had a good view across a busy crossroads, where blood from the liver entered the inferior vena cava, since he still had his duties to fulfil, and got to crafting. The noise all the other circulating cells made didn't bother him in the least, given that he was used to it, letting the chatting and sounds of countless footsteps fade into the background.
For some time 4989 was able to continue his wok undisturbed, making good progress, until he spotted his fellow neutrophil U-2626 walk up to him, just as he was about to exited the liver. "Hey, 4989," his friend greeted him, joining him beneath the tree, a fresh tea in one of his hands.
"Hey, how was patrol?" the fluffy haired neutrophil asked, without stopping his work.
"Uneventful." He leaned closer to get a better look. "What are you making?"
"Oh, nothing special," 4989 replied somewhat evasively. "Just a little something to pass the time."
"So you picked up braiding?" his friend clarified, prying, or at least that was what 4989 assumed, given that it was difficult to tell with those long bangs covering 2626's eyes completely.
"It's a gift if you must know."
"For whom?" 2626 asked curiously.
4989 hesitated for a moment, stopping his work, but then again why not tell him. He didn't mind a bit of friendly teasing, which he was certain would follow. "Remember that erythrocyte, who came to thank me that one time?"
"Yeah, sure."
"Well, I met her again the other day and turns out she still has a scar," he explained, tapping his own wrist where she carried the bite-mark. "Understandably having a constant reminder or her near-death experience isn't too pleasant, especially after having seen someone she knew die from that parasite, but so far she hasn't found a way to cover it up properly."
2626 inclined his head, in sense his way of raising a questioning brow. "Don't you think a bracelet is a bit insensitive then?"
That was indeed what 4989 was making; he was braiding the strings to make them into bracelets, two to be exact. He'd been uncertain about the size at first, but had taken a few measurements with a confused AE 3803's help. AC 4293 was only a little taller, so he doubted that there were any significant differences between their wrists. Additionally, with AE having the same scar, it had been easy to determine how broad the bracelets needed to be.
"Well, what else is she going to wear? Vambraces? A jumper?" He had naturally thought about whether it was insensitive, but a bracelet remained the best solution, and so he'd opted to at least make them different enough to not be reminiscent of the parasite. Plus it matched her hairstyle. Of course there was still the chance that she didn't like them, but it was worth a shot.
"You could pick up knitting while you're at it; it does get nippy in the extremities sometimes," his friend teased, referring to the jumper-idea. "But point taken. So, you're trying to make friends?" 2626 clearly remembered him saying how he wished to actively raise the number of unafraid erythrocytes some time ago.
"Of course; I don't want to make erythrocytes jump every time I address them." The fluffy haired neutrophil confirmed, with a confident smile. "But you have to start somewhere and she seemed like the right person." Honestly the list of viable candidates had been a very short one.
"What about 3803's friends?" Admittedly, the only other on said list.
4989 smile faltered. "Honestly, she doesn't have too many, aside from maybe her senpai AA 5100." At least she seemed to be the erythrocyte that could be seen most often around 1146's girlfriend.
"But you're trying…what's her name?"
"AC 4293."
"You try with her first?" Confusingly there was now a grin on 2626's lips.
"Having helped save her life just puts me in a good position," 4989 noted; otherwise she probably wouldn't even be willing to talk with him. "But hey, if you want to try with AA 5100, go head."
His friend merely shrugged, but his grin remained. "And this has nothing to do with the development between 1146 and 3803?"
Even more confused 4989 frowned. "Why would it have anything to do with them?"
"Nevermind, just curious. Well, got to continue my round. See ya." 2626 waved goodbye and re-entered the blood vessel.
"Yeah, see ya." It was only then that the fluffy haired neutrophil finally realized what his friend had implied. "Wait!" he quickly shouted after him, jumping to his feet, but 2626 was already out of earshot. "No, it's not like that!" But his friend was gone.
The neutrophil huffed annoyed and sat back down. It really wasn't anything like between those two lovebirds. Frankly 4989 didn't even know AC 4293; for all he knew she could still turn out to be an arrogant, mean-spirited or spiteful person, but that was the thing. He didn't know. Whether he liked her or not would depend on how their future interactions would play out, on what he would learn about her, if she gave him the chance. He didn't her know and that needed to change, simple as that.
Regardless, right now she was an erythrocyte, who had gone through something horrible and was still coping with it. He just wanted to do something for her and hopefully this little gift would help with that.
AC 4293 was travelling alone down a road along the mouth, somewhere close the root of a tooth, looking for the right address to deliver her basket of nutrients to. It had to still be several blocks ahead, though it wasn't easy to say with all of the buildings looking pretty much identical. But that was the thing about blood vessels; they were pretty much the same everywhere. Not exactly what she would call visually stunning. Maybe on her way back to the lungs she could go past the vocal cords, watch the cells there for a bit. She only had to be careful not to linger for too long.
"AC 4293?" a male voice suddenly addressed her; it was familiar, but she couldn't immediately think of a face.
Curious she stopped and turned around, her eyes widening almost immediately. AC hadn't expected him. "Oh, neutrophil!" she greeted the leucocyte she knew as U-4989 surprised, tensing up a little. "What are you doing here?"
"I was actually looking for you," he admitted with the same friendly smile she'd seen last time.
Oh; was that bad? Was something wrong? Leucocytes generally didn't talk to you unless something was amiss. "Looking for me?" She was forcing herself not to take an instinctive step back, instead grasping her braid that was lying across her shoulder today tightly with one hand.
Apparently he noticed her anxiety, since his smile faltered and he looked somewhat abashed. "Don't worry, it's nothing bad. I'd just like you to have this." He pulled something from one of his pockets and held it out to her. "You said you were looking for something to cover your wrist with."
AC hesitated somewhat confused. She couldn't see what it was, but it had to be small, given that it fitted in his closed fist. Very slowly she offered her own hand and felt him place something light in her palm. The erythrocyte took a moment to examine his gift. "Is that…?" Bracelets.
"I…I made them myself. Hope I got the size right," the fluffy haired neutrophil told her, apparently quite nervous now, rubbing the back of his head. "You can adjust them a little," he added hastily, pointing at the loop each had at one end.
Made them himself? Both astonished and still puzzled she looked at him. "Th-thank you?" Was all she could stutter.
His lips curved up into a sheepish smile. "Just in case I made two; you know if you need a spare or want to wear one on each arm." He tugged a little at the peak of his cap, perhaps waiting for her to say something, but AC currently felt a bit speechless and didn't know what to say. "Anyway, I didn't mean to keep you from anything." He waved. "Bye." And almost fled back into the bloodstream.
For what felt like at least a whole minute AC 4293 simply stared after him, until eventually she looked at the bracelets in her hand again.
He'd apparently made them from white string and very neatly braided them. It honestly was well made; he must have spent some time working on these. AC finally smiled, her fingers touching her lips. That was so sweet. He'd asked about her well-being and actually put in the effort to try and make her feel better. A neutrophil, who until just the other day hadn't even known her number.
AC put on the first bracelet. With a bit of fiddling it fitted perfectly around her wrist and completely covered the little bite-mark. The smooth twine felt nice against her membrane and was so very light she could hardly feel it.
Suddenly she felt a pang of conscience, stabbing her right in chest. Being the idiot that she was, she hadn't even properly thanked him, just stuttered. Honestly, what was the matter with her, she could do better. He'd been nothing but nice to her; it didn't just deserve, but demanded some acknowledgment.
She had to seek him out and she had to stop acting like a scared little erythroblast around him; her fears couldn't keep getting the better of her, it was ridiculous, regardless of what CT 2980 and AD 5022 believed. This neutrophil certainly wasn't dangerous.
…well, as soon as she wasn't occupied with her duties for a moment, then she could try to find him.
Right now she had to find that blasted building; the beige one with the balconies. She looked down the street where everything fit that very description, until she glanced at the house number 820. The one of her card that had come with the basket read 2970. AC sighed. Better get going.
...
Well this hadn't gone too badly.
With his every mitochondria still pulsing like crazy, 4989 continued his patrol, a relieved smile on his lips, feeling rather satisfied. Honestly, he hadn't been sure how she would react, but he took taken aback and a bit puzzled over freaked out any day. Hopefully she would wear the bracelets, though at this point he was simply glad she'd accepted them in the first place.
While he still didn't know really anything about her, he'd come to the decision that she was quite cute, if not the same way AE was. Her eyes were a little sharper, giving her slightly more mature features, and were bronze coloured instead of amber. Though he had never seen them side by side, the neutrophil guessed that she was a little taller as well, about the same height as AA 5100, who he did sometimes see around 1146's girlfriend.
She also seemed to have a habit of pulling at the messy strands framing her face or holding her braid when she was uncomfortable or nervous. He would watch out for that next time they talked, maybe it could help him avoid making her uneasy. That was if he could actually think of something to talk about, instead of rambling like an idiot. Better luck next time, whenever that would be.
A few days passed and another patrol had started out rather relaxed as they so often did. But today things didn't stay quiet. Somewhere along his way, while 4898 stretched his arms, wondering idly if he should get some tea, his receptor suddenly went off. He whirled around excited, scanning the street he'd been walking along, as well as the apartment buildings flanking it, but everything seemed to be in order. Well a few erythrocytes looked at him concerned, backing off a little, but that was it.
Then noises reached him from further down the road, sounds of blades clashing and solid objects breaking and the neutrophil started running. Finally some action! It didn't take long until he saw the first cells fleeing his directions, clearly trying to get away from something.
When 4989 reached a little plaza, booths offering glucose-goods around the central lawn, he noticed something. Did the noises come from two different directions? Great, where should he go now?
His dilemma however quickly solved itself within mere seconds. One fellow neutrophil came crashing through an alley to his right, while another came flying from between two booths to his left. Both ended up lying side by side only a little further up ahead, both equally surprised to see each other. And 4989 recognized them too, when he heard their voices.
"U-2626?"
"2048?"
"Hey, guys! What's going on here?" the fluffy haired neutrophil asked, joining them as they sat up. It was in that moment that the germs they had been fighting appeared.
2626 pointed at the alley, from where two bacteria of violet colour and outfitted with black claws emerged, their grins exposing razor-sharp teeth. "Pneumococcus, with capsule."
Meanwhile 2048 pointed at three female looking germs, which had taken position on top a booth selling spun sugar, as its owner ran away in fear, almost stumbling over his own feet. They were reminiscent of the Staphylococcus aureus, though their bodies were beige coloured, coated with some sort of mucus and seemed frailer in overall appearance. "Staphylococcus epidermidis." The other two stared at him disbelievingly. "They just got a lucky hit when I killed two of their friends, okay," 2048 quickly defended himself.
4989 chuckled, drawing his knife. "Ah, another beautiful day at work."
Staphylococcus epidermidis
A bacterium that is part of the normal human skin and mucosal flora. While usually not pathogenic, there is a risk of infection for patients with compromised immune system and it can cause hospital-acquired infections, even leading to sepsis. It is especially known to cover catheters or other surgical implants (such as prostheses) with a biofilm, a mucosa-like, thin layer of microorganisms sticking together. Following surgery at the heart it can also cause endocarditis, the inflammation of the inner heart-layer.
The Pneumococci wouldn't run; with their capsules they were unfortunately pretty safe, but the same couldn't be said for the Staphs. If they deemed the situation to dangerous or all three of them were too occupied with the violet germs, they could escape and cause who knows what damage to the body. No, they needed to go first, so they could all focus on the real threat here.
"Now die!" Without another moment wasted 4989 ran towards the booth and pulled himself up. Two of the bacteria managed to leap off, getting some distance between themselves and the neutrophil, but he had grabbed the other by the ankle and dragging her back, making her fall flat on her back.
"Ahhh!" the Staphylococcus screamed in agony as 4989 cut across her torso, though he was already fixating his attention on the reaming two, glaring at them out of the corner of his eye. Cytoplasm splashed across his uniform, colouring the front of it red, but as he rose up again from his crouching position, 4989 noticed that it wasn't the only thing covering him. "Ugh; that's sticky," 4989 said disgustedly, looking at strings of a mucosa-like substance stretching between his weapon, hands and the bacterium's body.
"Yeah, I know," 2048 replied, while he closed in on the other Staphs below, showing the same pale, viscous strings stretching between his owns fingers, as well as his arms and torso.
"Could use a bit of help here too, guys," 2626 reminded them, also back on his feet and in combat stance before the approaching Pneumococci, entering the plaza now.
"Keep them occupied; we'll quickly finish this first."
"I'll try not to get killed," came the dry retort.
2048 chuckled, before he suddenly charged at the Staphylococci, eyes wide, baring his teeth. "Die germs!"
The bacteria, having realised that they no longer outnumbered their initial opponent tried to run as predicted, but 2048 was quicker, cutting down the first effortlessly. 4989 swiftly threw a handful of blades at the second, as he jumped from the booth's roof. "You're not getting away!" They hit their target from lower back to the base of the neck, the germ flinching in pain, slowing to a near stop just as his feet touched the ground. Easy prey. Then he grabbed her arms, probably dislocating it as he spun her around and slashed through her throat with one clean cut. Done.
Satisfied, starting to really feel the rush of battle, 4989 turned to 2048 and both looked to their friend who was fending off the two Pneumococci, blocking their claws and tentacle-like flagella. He was really in trouble, his arms already covered with what were hopefully only shallow cuts, and both neutrophils rushed off to aid 2626. "So, what now? We might not be able to get through the capsule," the fluffy haired neutrophil noted, furious at seeing a friend injured.
"True, but maybe if we attack together at once, they might not be able to cover all angles," 2048 pointed out.
"Worth a shot." In any case, they couldn't allow those germs to run amok.
"Let's go!" 2048 threw some of his own throwing knives, which did little besides embedding themselves in one Pneumococcus' capsule. But it drew its attention away from 2626.
The attacked germ jumped at 2048, lashing out with its tentacles, forcing the neutrophil to stop dead and block the attacks, one claw brushing his cap, slicing through the fabric. 4989 used the opportunity to flank it, trying to get a hit at the neck, only to be stopped by the honeycombed-patterned sheet of the capsule taut between two of its tentacles, which the Pneumococcus used like a literal shield.
That triumphant grin it gave him only served to enrage him more. Snarling 4989 drew a second knife and threw it from below, managing to get it under the shield. With some satisfaction he saw his blade pierce through the pale membrane of the abdomen, between the violet pieces of exoskeleton, embedding itself to the hilt.
The bacteria hissed in pain, just distracted enough for 2048 to advance again. 4989 quickly continued his attack as well, both forcing the germ into the defensive, to hide behind its dual shields and together they pushed the invader against the nearby building, cornering it. The moment its back hit the beige wall of the apartment complex, the germ lashed out furiously, desperate to keep the two neutrophils at a distance.
Much to 4989's displeasure it worked. Sure his blade had merely been able to scratch the capsule, but now every time he took a step closer the tentacles would almost get him, aiming for his head and chest. It was infuriating.
2626 on his own was having even less success, still fighting close by, trying to push his opponent towards his friends. Getting both germs into one spot again would be a start, especially if there was no way out for them other than through the leucocytes.
But that was all they could do. Contain, perhaps tire them out.
Frankly the fluffy haired neutrophil didn't like that idea very much; it would be an arduous task and he would prefer a quicker solution. After all, they could get exhausted as well and he had no intention of getting injured or even killed by such common bacteria, nor would he allow his friends to suffer such a fate.
Suddenly 4989 noticed another white shape to his left, another neutrophil by the looks of it. From the corner of his eye he saw him dash right into the battle, straight at the Pneumococcus 2626 was fighting. A powerful kick pushed the germ against a wall next to the other. 4989 grinned; now they were both cornered, capsule or no capsule. "Sorry I left you waiting!" the newcomer apologized.
"1146? Didn't know you were around," 2626 noted as the four of them surrounded the now nervous invaders.
"I was, but when I saw what we were up against I got us a bit of help," he told them.
"Hey, everyone!" The other three neutrophil glanced over their shoulders to see a familiar, brown-haired lymphocyte.
"Hi, B-Cell," 4989 greeted him relieved to see their fellow leucocyte.
The blue-clad cell nodded and looked at the confused Pneumococci. "Capsule?"
"Yes; the bastards are blocking all our attacks," 2048 explained.
B-Cell charged his weapon, the lines along the Y-shaped lighting up green. "Not a problem, ready when you are." Like on cue the neutrophils parted, exposing the two germs. 4989 grin broadened; game over.
"What? No, wait!" one Pneumococcus screeched, now panicking, the other trying to run, but too late. B-Cell pulled the trigger. Both bacteria were showered with the antibody-saturated solution, both hissing in pain as the little proteins latched onto them.
"My capsule!" It was gratifying to see holes appearing in the protective structure, as if B-Cell's solution was made of acid.
Antibody opsonisation and complement activation
Antibodies can fulfil several functions, two of which are:
The marking of pathogens, referred to as opsonisation; antibodies latch onto a target's surface, thus attracting phagocytes, such as neutrophils and macrophages, and allowing them to ingest and eliminate their targets.
Complement activation; antibodies can attract and activate specific proteins within the blood plasma. Some of them can also do opsonisation, while others go to a targeted cell, like a bacteria, link together and create a complex that perforates the membrane, leading to it breaking down (lysis), killing the cell.
Seizing the opportunity immediately 1146 leaped forth, blade flashing just as 4989 was about to do the same. "Die!" And slashed through the first throat, grabbing the other germ by its shoulder as it tried to flee, pulled it towards himself, just before ramming his blade into the back of its skull. Both Pneumococci collapsed, dead before they hit the ground.
"Show off," the fluffy haired neutrophil teased him, acting like he was pouting a little, kicking one of the corpses as if to make sure it wouldn't get back up again.
"You can get the next one," 1146 assured him, patting him on the shoulder.
The fluffy haired neutrophil expression brightened. "Promise?" Truthfully he didn't care that much, but where was the fun in that?
And indeed his friend chuckled. "Yeah."
"Hey, you got two as well; like you have anything to complain about," 2626 remarked, putting his knife away. "I had to defend myself the entire time and didn't get a single kill in the end."
"Oh yeah? One word: biofilm." 4989 spread his arms, showing off the disgustingly sticky strings. "Want a hug?"
The other neutrophil quickly took a step back. "I'm fine with just cytoplasm, thanks." He quickly declined with a grin, one of the few expressions easily discernable despite the bangs.
"You're welcome," B-Cell piped up slightly annoyed in the background.
...
Come on get a hold of yourself. He's bloodied, but he's still the same cell, who took the time to make bracelets for a random red blood cell, just because she was freaking out over some scar. He himself must have dozens! He's still the guy who got stuck between walls and the first trying to help you with the parasite. Calm down. It's just cytoplasm…a lot of cytoplasm.
At first AC 4293 hadn't been sure how to find him, but when she'd heard about a nearby germ attack she just had to check. Her reasoning had been that in all likelihood every neutrophil in the area would probably have responded to the incident, which just had to increase her chances of finding him. And indeed, there he was.
Other red blood cells were already watching from a safe distance and she saw their disgust and horror at the brutality in front of them. AC did her best to suppress those same sentiments; after all, what alternatives were there, when faced with such deadly invaders? This was something that needed to be done. Sadly AC noticed that her rationalisations didn't quite work even on herself, as she felt her haemoglobin still twisting inside of her, when she so much as glanced at the corpses. Thankfully the cuts were too thin for large organelles to spill out. That was a small blessing.
There were four bloodied neutrophils in total around a couple dead germs and a B-Cell, who was currently talking to two of them, but she immediately recognized the fluffy white hair of one close by, despite 4989 having his back turned to her.
Standing apart from the others he seemed to be dissolving one of the beige coloured germs with his hydrolyzing enzyme spray, and hadn't taken notice of her yet. AC took a deep breath, not feeling as confident as she had a couple minutes ago. Nonetheless, she stepped forth, slowly, hoping not to startle him.
"Uhm, U-4989?" Her voice still sounded too timid, even to her own ears.
The neutrophil turned around, a look of surprise on his face. It kinda felt like a role-reversal. "AC 4293?" He'd clearly not expected to see her and quickly put his spray away, brushing over his clothes with his hands, as if he was trying to clean up. If anything he spread the cytoplasm even more, as well as some mucosa-like substance.
"Yes, hi," AC greeted him, trying her best to smile with semi-success and not to look at the gore. "I brought you something. Just a little thank-you for the bracelets." With so little time, she'd simply gotten a fresh tea and a germ soup, as she didn't know if neutrophils could even eat anything besides germs; rather sad really, if that was the case. Suddenly she wondered if her gift was a little redundant, given that they had just killed several bacteria. Maybe they ate those first? Had this been a mistake?
A little confused at first he looked down, but when he saw her 'presents', his expression brightened. "Great, thanks." Grateful he took the cup and container, stacking them carefully, much to AC 4293's delight. At least she hadn't picked wrong then. A short, but awkward pause followed, before he spoke again. "So, ahem the bracelets. Do they fit? You…like them?" Something like hope flickered in his grey eyes.
Shyly she nodded, lifting her arm to show off her now covered wrist. "Yes; it was very thoughtful. Thank you."
"I was worried, because, you know." He chuckled nervously. "Bracelets." How could anyone so bloodied, look so absolutely innocent at the same time, with such big, bright eyes and sheepish smile?
It actually stunned her for a moment. "Oh," AC whispered, before finally understanding what he meant, her eyes widening. She'd never associated them with the parasite. "Oh, no it's fine; they blend in nicely with my gloves," she quickly reassured him.
He gave a sigh of relief. "Glad to hear." The neutrophil inclined his head a little. "Still afraid of me, huh?"
AC hugged herself tentatively, a part of her indeed still very uncomfortable. "Never really interacted with a white blood cell before. Well aside from the occasional barked order about getting out of the way or something like that," she told him.
Seemingly a little embarrassed his cheeks turned a pale pink, something that she'd never seen before or expected to ever see; it was weirdly adorable. "We're not exactly known for our communication skills," he admitted with a shy laugh.
She looked at the other neutrophils and back to him. "That aggressiveness; is that only when you're around antigens?" The erythrocyte tugged a little at some of her dark, auburn strands. "I'm just asking because you seem nothing like a stereotypical leucocyte." Quickly she bit her lower lip, but it was too late. Had it been rude to say that?
Thankfully he didn't seem offended and merely shrugged. "It varies. I mean just like with every cell population you have a wide range of personalities, but at least with us neutrophils, we all first and foremost want to protect. That's what we were born and trained to do." He gestured to one of the dead germs. "But that means we were also made to kill anything that would harm this body, so when we find a threat, eliminating it with extreme prejudice becomes priority. It's a rush really; it's intense, exciting and it doesn't really stop until you've killed your target. But of course we always know what we're doing."
"So you too get…bloodthirsty?" Somehow that was a little disheartening.
The neutrophil nodded. "Comes with the territory. Plus hesitation can have dire consequences for the body. If only one germ escapes, it could mean the end of our world." He gave her a somewhat self-conscious smile. "But yeah, I go a bit crazy like the others too."
"Oh." This really shouldn't surprise her, but it made her feel uneasy nonetheless. Still, it was foolish; it wasn't like he would suddenly snap.
Suddenly he slapped himself on the forehead, his cap sliding back. "And that wasn't the most reassuring thing I could have said. Sorry." Worriedly, he studied her reaction. "But I would never hurt a healthy cell. I'd sooner jump into stomach acid." He sounded so earnest and his bloodied appearance aside, he looked nothing like a killer; not with that warm smile, those big, friendly eyes and his short, fluffy hair. He just seemed to be a very genial person and her haemoglobin twisted again, but for a different reason.
"No, I'm sorry," AC 4293 told him guiltily, feeling her cheeks flushed. "You've been so nice to me and I'm acting like this." She felt ashamed to be so judgmental.
"Don't worry, I get it," he told her, but his smile was weaker than usual, almost brittle.
She furrowed her brow. "It doesn't bother you?" Because it seemed like it did.
U-4989 shrugged, but AC was certain that he almost looked…sad. "Well, a little, but none-immune cells always act like that around us. Most anyway." Was he talking about the platelets? They never seemed afraid of the leucocytes from what she'd seen, in fact they often seemed unfazed by their violent occupation.
"Still, I want to try and do better," the young erythrocyte assured him. "So again, sorry and thank you for the bracelets; I really like them."
At this the smile became genuine once more; it really suited him much better. "Glad I could help."
And this time AC managed to smile sincerely in return. "Yeah, so…bye." Lifting a hand she waved and headed back to the bloodstream to where she'd left her cart. Duty called.
Before she turned around he too waved, looking much happier than he had last time they'd parted ways. "Bye." No, this had absolutely not been a mistake and the knot in her chest was gone again.
Author's Note:
In case I don't manage to update again this year: happy holidays!
