Author's Note:
Hi, sorry it took so long, but it was a busy month. Spending some of it being sick and finishing "Well Known Secret" didn't exactly speed things up either.
This chapter, "Bone Marrow", also got longer than anticipated, so I eventually decided to split it in two parts; otherwise you'd be reading a 10.000 word chapter now. It also means that the next chapter will be out sooner, since it's almost done.
Additionally I'd quickly like to thank Lightwolf for all the reviews you wrote; I'm always happy about feedback, and it's great to have someone provide it so consistently, I really appreciate them ^^. Sorry I'm not nearly as consistent with my updates.
Same goes for all others leaving reviews. It's always great to see readers taking a real interest in one's work, so thank you all.
Bone Marrow
Part 1
The water at the wash station seemed even colder today than usual, if that was even possible. 4989 membrane started to feel numb, as he sat there under the shower head, but he still had his hair and cap to rinse out. He was currently alone, 2626 having taken 2048 to get some medical attention for his injured arm, though they weren't too concerned, given that the wound was mostly superficial.
And so the fluffy haired neutrophil's thoughts wandered to something else that had been on his mind, and he wondered whether he should seek out AC again as soon as he was done here. Still troubled, he found himself just wanting to talk with her, perhaps ask her why and how she'd come up with her bewildering request in the first place. Just thinking about doing what she'd asked him to sent shivers down his spine.
By the time he'd almost finished, 1146 came in, uninjured and without a drop of cytoplasm on him. Instead his uniform had green and brown spots all over it, thanks to the tree that had cushioned his fall, which needed to be removed all the same.
He looked around. "Where are the others?"
"Gone to have 2048's arm taken care of," 4989 told him as he wrung out his cap, the drops of water still reddish.
"Is he going to be alright?" 1146 had only gotten a glimpse at the wound, as he'd been occupied with the hostage, and making sure she got some medical attention.
"Yeah; it didn't seem too severe, just the membrane." He indicated the inured area on his own lower arm. "Painful, but it's thankfully nothing life-threatening. How's the platelet?"
"Awake and well. She was a bit confused though; apparently she got knocked out quickly, before she even realised there was a germ, but otherwise she's unharmed."
The fluffy haired neutrophil smiled relieved. "Glad to hear. 2048 and I just saw her this morning," he sighed, unable to ignore a sense of guilt. "Makes me wonder, if we perhaps could have found this bacterium earlier."
"For all we know it got in after you left the area. According to the platelet there had been numerous minor wounds around the teeth today," his friend assured him to ease 4989's mind as he took his jacket off, the back bright green, and sat down on a stool. "The important thing is the bacterium was dealt with, and no one died."
"True."
4989 finished up and towelled his hair down, making it look even messier than it usually did, but at least he didn't feel quite as cold anymore. A nice, warm tea seemed a good idea; the last he'd left with AC…
His hands slowed to a near standstill. That hadn't been too long ago; maybe she was still there or was at the heart.
"Are you alright?" 1146's voice suddenly snapped him out of his thoughts. "You seem…preoccupied."
The fluffy haired neutrophil opened his mouth, yet hesitated. Still, now that he thought about it, who could better understand his dilemma? Slowly he walked over to 1146, who was cleaning his jacket. "It's just something that came up when I talked with AC today; haven't been able to get it off my mind," he confessed, taking the towel off his head, clutching it in his hand instead.
His friend frowned concerned. "Did something happen between you two?"
"No, no, not between us. Not really." It hadn't been an argument after all. "Probably best if I told you the whole thing."
1146 didn't interrupt once as the other neutrophil explained what had happened at the pulmonary vein, what had occurred between AC and her friend, her decision not to compromise her friendship with 4989, as well as her request at the end.
There was a moment of silence after the fluffy haired neutrophil had finished. 1146 looked pensive. "Take care of…," he mumbled to himself.
"How can she ask me something like that?" 4989 all but exclaimed troubled; he never ever wanted to be in that position. But if she ever became harmful to the body, what choice would he have?
Suddenly 1146 stood beside him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "She knows what we must do, and is very well aware that any cell can get compromised, even though she can't get infected by viruses and others of their ilk," but then he smiled encouragingly. "In a way it's actually touching."
Now 4989 was confused. "How?"
"Because it means she trusts you with her life, above anyone else. She trusts your judgment, no matter what happens to her. And I think with your answer you've already rewarded her faith in you," 1146 continued. "Her friends think we kill as soon as even suspect a threat, and you proved them wrong, when you showed that you'd prefer to save her. I think that's why she thanked you."
He hadn't considered. He'd been so confounded by her request, but 1146 was probably right. She hadn't asked this after another pathogen attack, instead she'd made her request right after a confrontation with her friend. Trust. "But still, one day I might…not be able to save her. One day I might have to keep my word. That's what scares me, and I'm not sure if I can do it," he noted distressed, not able to quite shake that thought.
"Hm."
"I mean could you? With AE…?" Quickly 4989 stopped himself, when he realised what he was asking his friend; hadn't Memory T Cell indicated something very similar as well once? "Sorry, I didn't mean to…"
But his friend shook his head. "No, it's alright," he assured the fluffy haired neutrophil. "I have mused on this very question before. Frankly, I'm not sure what I would do, and there are too many variables to consider. So I've decided not to trouble myself too much with these thoughts."
4989 gaped; that sounded so unlike his friend.
Apparently recognizing his confusion 1146 continued. "Erythrocytes can't get infected by viruses, thanks to them lacking a nucleus and bacteria usually only see them as prey, a method of transport at best. But they are never taken over, there is always a chance for us to interfere, to save them. And that's what I intent to do."
Okay, that did sound a lot more like him. That unshakable determination; 4989 had always admired that. "I hope you're right," the other neutrophil replied.
"And remember, it is the macrophages' job to take care of them at the end of their lives, not ours. So all things considered, I encourage you to think of her request as a show of trust first and foremost." He gave 4989 a somewhat quizzical look. "Does she know?"
"Know what?"
"That you like her," 1146 simply stated. "You're usually more positive. That you are this troubled and worried."
"Like…?" And his eyes widened, when he realised what his friend was implying. "No, it's not like that," the fluffy haired neutrophil hastily claimed, wildly waving his hands in denial, only to see 1146 frown.
"You shouldn't be so quick to deny, U-4989," another voice suddenly chimed in.
Both neutrophils looked to the entrance, seeing a cell dressed in green enter the wash station. "Dendritic Cell? What are you doing here?" 4989 asked, astonished to see him, if not exactly pleased.
"I actually came looking for you," the other immune cell merrily replied, a warm smile on his lips, as he joined the two. "You see, I've met your friend AC 4293 earlier today, and she was quite upset."
That she hadn't mention. Then again there had been a lot on her mind, and their conversation had been cut short by the alarm. "You talked to her too?"
Dendritic Cell nodded. "We had a little conversation," he vaguely stated. "In any case, she could really use someone to support her, and I can think of no better person than you," and he pulled something from out of his jacket.
"What is this?" Frowning 4989 regarded the small envelope the green-clad cell was now holding in his hand.
"Something that might help dispel your doubts," Dendritic Cell merely replied, and handed it to 4989. Hesitantly the fluffy haired neutrophil took it, immediately feeling the edges of what he assumed were photos inside. Meanwhile the photographer himself bowed his head and took his leave. "Good day, until the next activation," he told them and left again, as suddenly as he had shown up. Odd, even for him.
"Goodbye. Photos?" 1146 asked, turning to his friend.
"I think so." He turned the envelope around, but there wasn't anything written on it that hinted at the content.
"Don't you want to open it?"
4989 gave the other neutrophil a wry smile. "These are Dendritic Cell's photos; so no, I'm not so keen."
His friend chuckled. "Well, he did say they would dispel your doubts, so perhaps a peek wouldn't hurt." He put his still damp jacket back on, and fixed up his uniform. "Anyway, I promised AE I'd meet her, so I'll see you later."
"Yeah, see ya," the fluffy haired neutrophil responded and waved 1146 goodbye.
As soon as his friend had left, his eyes turned back to the envelope. Of course he was curious, but remembering what pictures Dendritic Cell usually distributed made him shiver. But then again, he wouldn't risk activating him just for fun. There was a deliberateness to everything that green-clad cell did, maybe even mischievousness, but never malevolence.
4989 took a deep breath and opened the envelope.
It contained a handful of pictures, and it only took him a moment to realise, that they had all been taken on the same day, the last time the body had dealt with alcohol. That day he'd found AC asleep and tipsy, not quite able to find her way to the liver, and so he'd carried her there, stayed with her until she'd become sober again, something that had surprised a few cells.
The liver was a massive organ, a city within a city, home to the hepatocytes, whose tasks were as diverse as they were vital. In labs and workshops they synthesised proteins or broke down substances the body didn't need or were toxic, and stored what might be required at a later date, like some vitamins.
But today 4989 had gone to what could best be described as a mix between a bar and a spa, one of countless serving the erythrocytes passing through. Here the blood was cleaned of toxins, including alcohol.
Thus he had brought in the still sleeping AC, and given her into the care of to the hepatocytes working here, who had taken her into what he assumed was a bath. The sounds and scents certainly reminded him of the wash stations he frequented.
Meanwhile he was still standing in the lobby, talking to a third hepatocyte. "Thank you for bringing her here, Kōchūkyū-san," she told him with a gentle smile. "We'll take good care of her," she assured him.
Of that he had no doubt. Still. "Actually would you mind if I stuck around for a bit, make sure she's alright? You seem to be swamped with erythrocytes at the moment." Thousands had been affected, and even though every street here was lined with these establishments, they all seemed quite busy; he could hear the drunken singing of some red blood cells in the bar beyond one of the doors. His request unsurprisingly earned him a look of surprise, even confusion, and his cheeks grew warm. "She's a friend," he tried to explain a little awkwardly.
Thankfully her smile returned, the hepatocyte actually chuckled and nodded. "Of course, certainly." She gestured towards another doorway. "We keep the area in the back reserved for those who need to sleep it off or simply require a quiet place as they recover; you may take her there, and one of us will be around with the enzymes shortly."
Relieved and grateful he bowed head. "Thanks."
….
A little later another hepatocyte asked him to come into the bath where he found AC still asleep, but showered, now dressed in dry pants and a new black shirt. Other things were missing however, like gloves, jacket and beret, which the hepatocyte explained were currently drying and could be retrieved once AC was sober and ready to leave.
4989 carried her to the room he'd been shown earlier, finding that it contained several booths that could be veiled with a curtain, allowing for some privacy. The fluffy haired neutrophil very gently laid her down on the curved bench, before he closed the curtain and sat down beside her.
Not a minute later the hepatocyte he'd talked to earlier arrived with a small glass containing a watery substance, though it looked to be more viscous; the enzyme no doubt. She offered to bring him some tea, an offer he gratefully accepted.
As soon as she'd left again, he sat AC up, her head immediately falling back again his collarbone. Fearing she would fall or simply collapse, 4989 wrapped an arm around her, pulling her onto his lap to better support her, and gently shook her by the shoulder. "AC?"
"Hmm?" Her body swayed, but his hold kept her upright. "Where?" she managed to asked, her voice low, sounding so very tired.
"Liver; we're in a hepatocyte bar." She merely hummed at his exposition, her fingers idly brushing against the collar of his jacket, as she turned her head to look at him with barely opened eyes. It was strange to see her like this. "You're alright?"
He didn't get a verbal response, but she looked up to meet his eyes, a tranquil smile on her face.
"You're really drunk now, aren't you?" the neutrophil asked amused.
"Yep." AC chirped adorably, tapping the tip of his nose with one of her bare fingers and grinned amused, if tiredly.
"Figured." After having worn those alcohol soaked clothes for so long it wasn't exactly surprising. Carefully he picked up the small glass, holding it up so she could see. "Now; you've got to drink this."
She looked at it for a moment, as if trying to make sense of his words. "Okay." AC took the glass, her movements slow, and downed it without hesitation, only to immediately pull a face, shaking her head, as she put the glass back on the table.
"Doesn't taste so good?" he asked amused.
She stuck her tongue out like a little child, eyes closed. "Tangy."
4989 couldn't help but chuckle at her expression. "I'll get you something later; some buns, daifuku…" Some tea would probably also be nice to wash out the taste, maybe he could share his, once the hepatocyte returned.
"'d love that," AC mumbled, sounding more sleepy again, but still managed to smile softly at him. She reached up with one of her hands, and suddenly her fingers were brushing against his jawline. Her bare fingers. 4989 felt heat rising to his face. Both erythrocytes and neutrophils never took their gloves off while on duty, you never touched someone without them. This was more than a tap, this was rather intimate for cells…or it would have been, if AC wasn't drunk. And he was sure she wouldn't be doing this if she were sober. Still, the fluffy haired neutrophil didn't pull away, on the one hand having frozen up, but on the other finding himself actually kind of liking the contact, and not wanting to break it. "You're so amiable."
Her words unfroze him. "What?"
"Everyone thinks neutrophils are so scary and creepy, but you are such a sweet guy. You care so much for your friends and just wanna keep everyone safe." Her hand was now framing his face, but due to her state the touch was very light, and he was expecting her hand to slip off any moment. "And always up to something, always smiling, always tryin' to make others smile. You're so empathetic, so emotional."
4989 was certain he could feel his cheeks turning pink as she spoke. "I thought we agreed you were the softie," he teased her, trying to cover up his bashfulness.
She slowly stuck her tongue out, a finger poking his cheek. "No, you are." But then her expression softened again, lips curving into dreamy smile. "But I love that. Don't change, 'kay?"
His mitochondria leaped in his chest, a warm feeling spreading through his entire body. "Promise."
Her hands reached further up, and curious as to what she was up to 4989 didn't move. Her fingers continued to trace his face until they reached the hairline. AC grasped one of his curls, but merely seemed to feel, which confused him a little.
The soft smile on her lips widened. "Your hair really is as fluffy as it looks," she murmured happily.
Taken aback by the sudden change of topic, and what he assumed was a compliment, he felt a little flustered. "Ohm…thanks?"
Thankfully AC seemed satisfied with his reply, at least her smile remained, even as her eyes closed again and her hand slipped down, back into her lap. Mere seconds later she had drifted back into sleep, her head once more resting against his shoulder. But this time she looked very content. She looked happy.
Smiling to himself 4989 put the photos away into one of the many pockets on his uniform. That had been a rather strange day. AC had woken up some time later, still a little tired, but completely sober, not remembering anything from the moment she'd fallen asleep in his arms, as he'd carried her to the liver. He hadn't told her anything about their exchange while she'd been drunk, fearing to abash her, or make things awkward between them.
Still, he kinda liked thinking back to that day, to holding her, remembering what she'd said, how she'd snuggled up to him in her sleep.
Trust. 1146 was probably right; whether she was drunk or not, she really did trust him, and was comfortable around him. Even when she had awoken sober, she'd not been startled about finding him holding her, just a little disorientated at first, before thanking him for getting her to the liver.
4989 chest felt light and warm at these memories.
Was his friend right about that too? So far he'd seen AC as another friend, but after what 1146 had said, after looking at these pictures…maybe? Dispel you doubts. Frankly he still wasn't sure, and right now there was a lot on his mind. Besides, currently she was even more rattled due to what had happened between her and her friends. Last thing she needed was him being weird, well, more weird than usual. Even Dendritic Cell had asked him to be there for her. 4989 smiled again; that he could certainly do. He could sort those feelings out later.
Two days had passed since her argument with AD 5022, enough time for AC to collect herself again. Mostly. Of course they had argued before. They had grown up together, they were friends, things like that happened, but this was the first time it truly felt like there was now a rift between them, one she had no idea how to fix it. And despite how angry and hurt she'd been by AD's words, she still wanted to.
Storming off had probably not been the wisest thing she could have done, but there was nothing she could do about it now. Not until heads had cooled, hers included.
With that in mind, AC had decided to continue on as usual. Frankly she could talk to her friends all she wanted, but she had the suspicion that without actually talking with a neutrophil, they wouldn't understand her. Maybe she could ask 4989 to help her, though the thought of dragging him further into that mess made her feel a little uncomfortable.
Still, she could ask him, after all easing the fears of erythrocytes towards the immune-cell was one of his proclaimed goals. Maybe she wouldn't address it soon, she didn't quite feel ready for another confrontation, but it was an option, and she certainly would feel more confident with his support.
AC sighed and turned her attention back to the map in her hand. She had actually been deciding on a route for her next delivery, when someone calling out for another erythrocyte with the initials 'AD' had distracted her.
Looking back at the paper now, the auburn haired erythrocyte twisted her mouth, eyes narrowing. It wasn't the newest version, many roads had been closed and new ones had been opened since she'd gotten it, and so her map was covered with notes, crossed out streets and others added with a different coloured marker. Even some of those were already crossed out again.
Still, AC managed to find a viable path through the mess that should hopefully get her to her destination, when suddenly a hand was placed on her right shoulder and a familiar, cheery voice addressed her. "Hi there."
Warmth spreading through her chest, AC looked over her shoulder, seeing 4989 standing right behind her, that bright grin on his face, winking when their eyes met. "Hi; should have figured you'd find me here," she greeted him happily, returning the smile.
Removing his hand, 4989 instead placed his head on her shoulder to glance at her map, before looking at her with big, curious eyes. "So, where to today?"
"The red bone marrow," the erythrocyte told him, as she folded her map together. "Want to come along?"
"May I?" he asked innocently, making her chuckle.
"Like I'd ever say 'no'." There was no way she ever would.
Suddenly his arms were around her, head lifted from her shoulder, and with his hands on the handle of her cart he started to push. "Onwards then."
"Oh, you're not driving!" she laughed, rushing forth as she grabbed the handle as well, making him lose his grip.
With two swift steps 4989 caught up again, looking at her quizzically. "What? One dive into a shrub and I've lost all driving privileges?" he questioned, referring to his so far only driving lesson in another bone marrow.
"And a tree, and a lake," she teased, as they started to walk side by side towards the heart. "But yeah, that's how it works."
"Tough terms," he noted disappointedly, before a pleading look appeared in his eyes. "But I'm still allowed on as a passenger?"
"Once we're about to enter the aorta," AC promised him with another chuckle, but then her smile faded a little. "I've started to wonder where you were," the erythrocyte confessed. "Haven't seen you since your receptor went off and you ran into the heart. Did you get injured?"
Thankfully he shook his head. "No, I didn't get a scratch myself, though 2048 got a nasty burn on his arm, when the bacterium used its acid, and a platelet was taken hostage. Don't worry, she's fine and lively," the fluffy haired neutrophil added when seeing her concerned expression.
"Glad to hear. How's 2048 recovering?" 4989's friends were all such wonderful people, she'd hate it if anything terrible were to happen to any of them, and of course she knew what they meant to him.
"Membrane's still mending, says it itches, but he should be back in the field soon. We try to visit him as often as we can, so he doesn't get too bored." Abashed 4989 rubbed the back of his head. "Sorry I didn't find you earlier."
Quickly AC shook her head, placing a hand on his arm. "Hey, as long as you're not hurt it's fine." She could have sworn she saw the faintest touch of pink on his cheeks when she said that.
The two cells continued to talk all the way to the bone marrow, 4989 telling her in more detail what had happened at the heart, and AC caught him up on what she'd been doing these past two days. Apparently she'd encountered a new band cell, lost and too embarrassed to call his senpai for directions. Amused she told 4989 about how flabbergasted the very young neutrophil had been, when she'd offered her help, and given him directions.
The fluffy haired neutrophil meanwhile was absolutely delighted. This was exactly the kind of thing he wanted to achieve. When they had first met and talked she'd been so timid around him, uncomfortable even, and now she even approached other leucocytes without fear. If only he could get through to more erythrocytes.
Still, he was happy, not just because of her story, but because AC also seemed to be doing much better than last time he'd seen her. He wondered if there had been some new development between her and her childhood friends, but decided not to ask for now, not wanting to ruin her good mood. Besides, he was sure she would tell him on her own accord.
Eventually they reached their destination, one of the bones, which contained the blood cell creating red bone marrow. The architecture around them changed gradually, the road they had taken soon flanked by the distinct, maroon-coloured school buildings, but also lawns and play grounds. Children were everywhere, mostly erythroblasts, with girls wearing ankle-long dresses and boys in short, but all wearing berets with a pompom on top, representative of their nucleus.
There were also a few myelocytes around, but far fewer in number. Remembering his own childhood and training, 4989 figured that they were currently enjoying a break between lectures and combat training, watching a small group play tag with dummy-knives drawn, chasing each other across the lawn.
"Haven't been here in a long time," he mused aloud, feeling a little nostalgic now that he was back here.
"Bone marrow not usually part of your patrols?" AC asked curiously, looking over to the playing myelocytes now as well.
"It actually is, but this happens to be the bone marrow I grew up in, so it's nice to be back. Not that it has changed since I was last here." He turned to her, curiously tilting his head a little to the side. "How about you? Did you grow up here as well?"
But AC shook her head. "No, I was born in a different marrow, which actually is no longer producing," she explained.
Haematopoiesis
Blood cells are most produced in different regions/organs, depending on a person's age. Initially blood cells are created in the embryo's yolk sac, until liver, spleen and lymph nodes are developed enough to take over.
Eventually the red bone marrow however becomes the virtually sole producer of new blood cells. Initially there is red bone marrow in all bones of the body, in adults however blood cell production occurs in bones such as the pelvis, cranium, sternum, as well as the vertebrae and ribs. The red bone marrow in other bones gets replaced with yellow bone marrow with age.
"Funny to think we could have met long before working in the body." Who knew how things could have worked out, if had they first encountered each other as children.
"I don't know," she replied, regarding him with a thoughtful look. "I probably would have been afraid of you and the others, just like most erythroblasts."
His mitochondria sank at that. "Possibly," 4989 conceded somewhat crestfallen, knowing she was probably, and sadly, right. "Shame really, I mean here they are, playing side by side, yet there is no interacting." It was true that while despite there being dozens of children around, no one played with a cell of a different type, they didn't even seem to pay much attention to each other.
"I obviously can't speak for the myelocytes, but I can tell you we frankly just thought you guys were weird. We were probably a bit too afraid to even dare talk to you too. I mean we only ever interacted with adult white blood cells during training," the auburn haired erythrocyte explained. "A senior neutrophil would come over and 'teach' us how to run away from germs, by scaring us half to death, pretending to be one."
"Sounds fun," 4989 quipped, remembering his own teachers getting into character during his training, often while wearing a costume that had been patched far too many times already, making it look like a quilt with teeth.
AC however was quick to nudge him with her elbow. "Hey!"
"Kidding," he hastily claimed, still grinning though.
"Trust me; having a neutrophil hunt you down with a bloodthirsty look in his eyes, yelling about how he's gonna eat you, does make for an imprinting first impression." Unfortunately she had a point.
4989 sighed and looked around, eyes wandering back to the children playing together on the lawn. This time however he looked to the erythroblasts. "Kinda the opposite from what I'd like to achieve," he admitted as he watched them.
AC nodded. "Plus whenever we saw the myeolcytes, we saw them hunt each other with knives, mostly while proclaiming how they would be the best white blood cell ever and kill every germ."
"It's every boy's dream, you know," he said with a smile.
She chuckled at this. "Perhaps, but it did give the impression that killing was everything there was on your minds," AC noted, but then noticed that he was only half paying attention. "Something wrong?"
"Nah, I just realised again that I really have my work cut out for me," 4989 told her and suddenly stopped. "But maybe I've been thinking about this problem all wrong."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I always thought of how I could improve the image mature erythrocytes have of us, but I alone just can't do that, might even be too late. But erythroblasts," he gestured towards the group closest to them, his voice rising as he continued excitedly. "Their views aren't set in stone, they are still figuring everything out." Why hadn't he thought of that before?
AC pondered his words for a moment, before she slowly began to nod. "It probably would help if erythroblasts knew how you guys are outside of battle, why you really fight as hard as you do," she admitted. "I mean, hardly anyone fears the macrophages and they are easily as passionate about killing germs as you guys are. Not to mention their work in the spleen."
"Are there visiting hours for erythroblast classes?" If neutrophils taught them on occasions, perhaps he could get in somehow as well.
She shrugged. "Not that I know of, but perhaps you could ask one of the macrophages."
"Worth a shot." He was actually getting excited. For so long he'd wondered what to do, and finally he had something like a tangible plan, something realisable. 4989 looked back to the children. "Oh."
"Huh?"
The fluffy haired neutrophil didn't answer AC, as he was already walking across the lawn towards the erythroblasts. One of the girls had fallen down, and was now holding her right knee, quietly sobbing. The others, about a half a dozen blasts, were gathered around her, but clearly didn't know what to do. One of them spotted 4989 and shrieked, more surprised than fearful, but still alerting the other children.
He could see they were nervous, and felt a little disappointed when they backed off a little, though he tried not to show it. At least it wasn't fear they displayed, it was more uncertainty, as if they weren't quite sure what to make of him. 4989 sat down next to the girl, who was still holding her knees, and perhaps due to her tear-filled eyes, hadn't noticed him yet.
"Hey, are you alright there?" he softly asked her, gaining her attention. The young child sobbed, but wiped away her tears with her small hands, brushing aside some of her light brown hair. She opened her mouth to say something, but gasped when she looked at him, realising that he was a neutrophil. Deciding to ignore her reaction, 4989 put on a smile and examined her wound. It wasn't anything serious, just a scrape, though it was leaking red cytoplasm and was likely quite painful. AC joined them, having left her cart behind on the road. "Do you have tissues with you?" 4989 questioned, wanting to clean the wound before applying a plaster to it.
"Sure." She briefly rummaged through her bag, and sat down on the lawn beside him. "Here."
Thanking her with a nod he took the tissue, turning back to the girl. "Don't worry; I'm not gonna hurt you," he assured her.
AC, having naturally noticed the child's uneasiness as well, gave the girl a reassuring smile. "It's alright, you can trust him," AC told her, and the girl slowly nodded.
"You know a white blood cell, big sis?" one of the boys suddenly piped up, as 4989 very carefully dabbed off the cytoplasm, cautious not to accidently inflict pain by brushing against the wound.
Meanwhile AC turned to the other kids. "Why, yes," she told them straightforward. "He's my friend."
He still loved it when she so openly, happily even, referred to him as her friend; it made his mitochondria skip a beat. Having finished cleaning the wound, 4989 pulled out a plaster from one of his pockets, as he carried a small packet of them around at all times, just in case. The scrape had already stopped leaking cytoplasm, but he didn't want it to reopen. "There you go," he told the girl as he applied the plaster, covering up half the knee.
"Thank you, Mr," the little erythroblast replied timidly.
"You're welcome."
"You're really a neutrophil?" the boy asked, looking more curious than afraid now.
Not a question he'd expected. "Yep; don't tell me you've never seen one before."
"Only once," the child admitted. "He taught us how to run from bacteria."
"He was really scary," the injured girl added, her cheeks turning red, as if she was ashamed.
4989 tilted his head, keeping on his smile. "Am I scary?"
The girl hesitated, taking a good look at him as it seemed, but then shook her head. That was a start.
Remembering what AC had told him just a few minutes ago, he continued. "I know it was probably terrifying, being hunted down by a shouting neutrophil, but all we want is to keep you guys save. One day you're gonna be out there in the blood vessels, and sooner or later you will come across a germ; being able to keep a clear head, even when you're scared, may one day save your lives. At least until we arrive on the scene and deal with it." He looked to the other kids. "But we don't want to hurt you; we here to protect you, all cells." He could only hope they would believe him.
"He saved me too, you know." Astonished 4989 stared at AC, who winked at him and turned to the children again. Did she want to tell them?
They seemed surprised as well, if likely for different reasons than him. "Really?"
"Yeah. You see that?" Lifting her right hand, AC pulled at the white bracelet he'd once given her, revealing the pale bite-mark the Plasmodium had left. She really was going to tell them, she didn't even mind the look of her scar anymore. When had that happened? "There was this nasty parasite that had gotten into the body, but it was also very sneaky. It disguise itself bracelet, and thinking it was a harmless piece of jewellery I was given one as a gift."
"How did you get rid of it?" another girl asked, leaning closer to examine the scar.
And so AC told them about the Plasmodium falciparum invasion. 4989 noticed that she made sure not to be too descriptive, which was probably for the best. The image of erythrocytes drained of their haemoglobin was not something for children.
Nonetheless the erythroblasts were soon hanging on AC's every word, and the neutrophil wondered if this was the first time they heard a story from the outside. They had lessons on how the body worked, on what their duties would be, but he doubted they learned of any events that were happening throughout the body. Well, in the case of the hypovolemic shock that was probably for the best. How had things been here during that catastrophe?
In any case, right now the children were invested, and 4989 couldn't help but be a little jealous, seeing how easily AC seemed to connect with them. They trusted her, called her 'big sister', even though they had just met her. How could he get there? But he was of course glad the erythroblasts became visibly more at ease, especially after AC told of his involvement in the whole thing. He really hadn't done all that much, but she managed to sell it, and he could almost feel the earlier tension disappearing as she told the story.
"You really saved, big sis?" the erythroblast he'd patched up asked brightly.
"Ohm yeah, kinda. I mean I helped," 4989 admitted flustered, and was actually rewarded with the first smile he'd seen on the girl's face.
Meanwhile his friend seemed rather amused by his awkwardness and continued on, placing a hand on his arm. "And then there was the time some weeks later he saved me again from a bunch of E. coli bacteria, which wanted to make me their meal."
4989 was certain that his cheeks had turned pink at this point, but at least the way the children acted now reminded him of the platelets. Could it really be that easy?
"But," another boy with black hair chimed in, yet quickly lowered his voice to whisper into AC's ear, if not quietly enough. "Don't immune cells kill other cells too?"
Gently she took the boy's hands, and her gaze was meeting his directly, as if to make sure he listened. "It is their job to kill any organism that threatens this world and those of us living inside it. One of those threats happens to be virus infected cells, who were indeed once normal cells of this body. But the virus changes them, and at that point no one can help them anymore."
Feeling he should join in, reassure the erythroblasts that what AC told them was accurate, 4989 spoke up. "That's when we come in. Those infected cells hurt everyone they encounter, infect others, little by little damaging this world, potentially even destroying it completely; so us leucocytes make sure they don't. Make sure everyone else is safe."
AC nodded. "I know he seems a little weird…"
"I thought we agreed that I'm adorably eccentric?" 4989 chimed in puppy-eyed.
"Yes, yes you are," the auburn hair confirmed with a teasing smile, tapping his nose, as she liked to do, and he couldn't help but think back to the liver, a warm feeling flickering in his chest at that memory. Now that he thought about it, a lot of what she'd said here kind of mirrored what she'd told him drunk. He smiled; it was nice, touching even, to have confirmed that she'd meant everything, inebriated or not. Meanwhile AC was already addressing the children again. "The point is he and most of the other immune cells are very nice once you get to know them, they're here to protect you. They will never harm you or any healthy cell. It's just that they can get really intense sometimes, when fighting all those monsters." And the boy nodded understanding.
"It's kinda hard to fight calmly," 4989 murmured abashedly.
The erythrocyte opened her mouth, but stopped, suddenly remembering something. "My delivery!" AC jumped back to her feet, rushing to her cart. "I'll be back in a minute!"
Oh, right! That's why they had come here in the first place. "Okay!" As soon as she'd taken her cart and ran off, 4989 realised something; he was alone with the erythroblast. He looked to them, uncertain what to do and a little nervous. He didn't want to undo what trust had been built. Then his eyes spotted the ball, currently lying forgotten on the lawn just out of arm's reach. "So, what were you guys playing?"
