Hello again. Thanks to everyone who submitted a review for Chapter 19: Visigoth (cream puffs for being first); Irma Rokz; Irma 1; Pita Girl; Prince Vince; AzhureTigress; and KiiroKrazy. Also thanks to Nats and LordofDarkness for your PM's; lovely to hear from you both. I appreciate all you fabulous Whale Pitters and all your fabulous comments.
Donut Club time: Visigoth for his very deep insights into this story and for his creativity with an ant colony; Pita girl because she's not feeling well and she told me what she liked specifically; Azhure for listing what she liked and because she gives me hugs.
Okay kids, that's it for business. On with the show.
Chapter 20
Hay Lin rushed down the hall away from the Elemental Chamber of Water. She didn't care that the sound of her sobs carried throughout the fortress; she had never been hurt so much in her life. Her best friend had just compared the encounter with the Mage to a rape...and that word had sliced into Hay Lin's very soul. For a moment, time had stood still for Hay Lin; her lungs had stopped breathing, her heart had stopped beating, her mind had stopped thinking. She felt as if she were drowning in the darkest abyss, all hope of salvation ripped from her being. When her lungs had finally asserted automatic control to keep her from suffocating, Hay Lin felt as if she had inhaled acrid air...air tinged with the pungent flavor of despair. Unable to cope with that level of grief and hopelessness, Hay Lin had fled, sobbing pitifully. But her tears were not spent on herself; but on Irma. Hay Lin knew Irma's mind was suffering and trying to cope with everything that had happened; but to have her compare the last attack with a rape...it was just too much.
Hay Lin stopped running and stood in the middle of the hallway. She was doing it again...running away when she should be trying to help. She recalled a time not so long ago when she had also been afraid to go to Irma; only then it had to do with the level of physical pain as opposed to that of mental anguish. Yet Hay Lin recognized the similarities between the two situations; her friend was suffering and Hay Lin was in a position to offer succor, if she could overcome her fears. Irma was suffering a different kind of pain this time; and once again Hay Lin was in a unique position. Yes, she was frightened of what she had heard and seen from her sister; yes, she was terrified of what must be happening in Irma's mind; yes, she was scared of incurring the Water Guardian's wrath again; but her sister needed her, no matter what the latter said. Irma was suffering unimaginable anguish, and Hay Lin knew she had to go to her...no matter what.
The young Air Guardian stiffened her spine and took a deep, calming breath. She was no coward, and she was not about to abandon her best friend; especially when said friend needed her most. She nodded with determination and was about to reverse her direction, when she spied her grandmother hurrying toward her, carrying a small bag. Hay Lin waited patiently for the dear old woman, catching her in a hug when she arrived.
"Hey Grandma!"
"Oh my little Hay Lin; I heard you sobbing and hurried to find you. What is wrong?"
Hay Lin sighed. "Oh Grandma...it's Irma." Hay Lin went on to relate all that had happened after the old woman had left the room. The Air Guardian was close to tears again when she finally finished.
Yan Lin hugged her granddaughter sympathetically. "I am so sorry you had to endure that, my Little One. I will talk to her; perhaps I can help her understand."
Hay Lin shook her head. "Thanks Grandma, but if you don't mind, I'd like to talk to her first."
Yan Lin couldn't help but register her surprise. "Hay Lin, are you certain that is a good idea?"
"Irma needs me Grandma, in spite of what she may say. I can't turn my back on her just because she said some really hurtful things." Hay Lin's voice grew softer. "Now that I've had some time to think, I believe I know why she said those things; at least some of them anyway. I feel really guilty about my role in all of this, and even more guilty for running out on her just now. "
Yan Lin's heart ached for her young granddaughter, forced to grow up so fast. But she also glowed with pride at the level of maturity and compassion the young woman was showing. Yan Lin placed her hand on her granddaughter's cheek. "You have nothing for which feel ashamed, Little One. You had no way of knowing the Mage was an imposter. Had you known, I think it very likely you would not have restrained Irma. I believe Irma knows this as well, or will soon come to realize it."
Hay Lin blinked. "Wait, you've known the whole time? And you didn't tell us!"
Yan Lin shook her head. "Not the whole time, no. Let me explain. When I first arrived in Candracar, Irma mistook me for Nerissa. She thought I was going to hurt her, and she started to run away. But she did not run far, and she collapsed in the middle of the room. I think she believed it was useless to try and escape Nerissa; I also think Irma believes she will always be haunted by her. That is why I did not think to give more heed to Irma's fears when the Mage attacked her; for I had already seen a manifestation of the damage to Irma's mind."
Hay Lin's eyes narrowed. "Okay, so she mistakes you for Nerissa and runs away; she mistakes me for Nerissa and tries to kill me? Boy, how do you rate?"
Yan Lin laughed. "Irma is confused and frightened, Little One; she probably feels backed into a corner. Even the smallest animal will turn and defend itself when cornered. Irma oscillates between despair and anger quite frequently of late. I do not believe she understands everything that is happening, and that frightens her as well." Yan Lin's voice grew somber. "She has changed, Little One; Irma is a strong person, but I fear she may have suffered too much trauma. You must prepare yourself for the possibility that the Irma Lair we knew is truly lost to us."
Hay Lin clenched her fists. "I'm not ready to accept that yet; I'm not ready to give up on her. If she wants a fight, then butter my butt and call me a biscuit if I don't give her one! She's worth fighting for..."
"And you will help her understand that, Hay Lin; I know you will." Yan Lin said gently, her heart swelling with pride in her granddaughter.
"I have to Grandma; otherwise my best friend really did die back there in that cave-in. I can't live with that." Hay Lin whispered.
Yan Lin nodded in understanding. "Here, take this with you." The old woman handed the small bag she was carrying to Hay Lin.
Though confused, Hay Lin took the bag. "What is it?" she asked, opening the bag. She saw various bandages and creams, ointments and cloths. Hay Lin looked up at her grandmother in shock.
Yan Lin patted her granddaughter's shoulder. "Let her tell you." And with that, Yan Lin turned and disappeared down the hall.
Hay Lin watched her grandmother go, suddenly feeling so small and vulnerable without her. Grandma made everything feel safer, and Hay Lin was suddenly dreading her impending face-off with Irma much more than she had been five minutes ago. She looked into the bag one more time, then closed it up. Steeling herself, she moved with purpose back towards the Elemental Chamber of Water. She took a deep breath as she neared the double doors. With a determined nod, Hay Lin threw the doors open and strode resolutely into the Chamber.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Irma watched Hay Lin rush out of the Chamber, her sobs echoing around the vast room. The hatred on the Water Guardian's face morphed into sorrow as soon as the doors closed behind her fleeing best friend. Irma closed her eyes to block the tears threatening to break their barriers. She paddled sullenly to the other side of the pool and leaned her arms against the side.
It's better this way Hay-Hay, Irma thought with a sigh. You would never understand...
You're right, she wouldn't. How could she? She would only freak out if you told her the truth; and you don't want that do you?
No; I just want her to be happy.
After what you just said, you can claim you want her to be happy?
It was the only way I could be sure she would leave...and never come back.
After all this time, this is how you treat your sister? That is cold.
It was necessary. I've already tried to kill her once; what if I succeed next time?
So you're pushing your friends away to keep them safe from the monster you've become. How very noble and tragic of you...
Irma sighed heavily; she so didn't need this right now. She just wanted to find some quiet time; after all, she had just pushed away the best friend anyone could possibly ask for. She supposed she should be glad; she had succeeded in protecting Hay Lin the only way she knew how. Then why does it hurt so much?
Someday it won't hurt so much. You did the right thing; how would you feel if you killed Hay Lin in a fit of uncontrollable rage?
You know how I would feel.
Yes, and that's why you did the right thing. Deep down you know this to be true.
No, deep down I know I need Hay Lin's help. But I can't ask her to put herself at that kind of risk. It's not worth it.
No, it isn't. It's good that you won't allow yourself to be that selfish.
Hay Lin deserves better; she deserves to go on with her life. She deserves to live past fifteen; she'll have a much better chance of doing that if I'm not around.
Hay Lin is such a gentle soul; it's good that you won't allow yourself to show her the darkness of your own.
Irma closed her eyes and squeezed her head between her hands. If she squeezed hard enough, maybe...
"Irma?"
Irma's eyes flew open and she dropped her hands. She turned rapidly and saw the best, and worst, thing possible. "Hay Lin?"
Hay Lin strode towards the giant pool and dropped the small bag she was carrying. She placed her hands on her slender hips and twisted her face into a defiant glare. "I know I'm the last person you want to see right now, but I can't stand by and watch you self-destruct. I won't do it, Irma Lair; I won't!"
Irma narrowed her eyes in confusion. What is she doing here? She can't be here!
Looks like you've got more soul-killing to do.
"Irma either come over here, or I'm coming over there. You can't live the rest of your life being afraid of everybody. Trust me Irma; it has to start somewhere."
Irma wanted so badly to trust Hay Lin; she wanted so badly to tell her everything. She started towards the Air Guardian, then stopped.
Bad idea; you know how this is gonna end up.
Maybe not. Maybe she would understand; maybe I should give her a chance.
A chance to rip your heart out? Come on, you know she's just here for revenge. She just wants you to bare your soul so she can rip it right out of you.
No, Hay Lin would never do that.
Look at her, hands on hips, face all defiant. Does that look like the Hay Lin you know?
Actually...yes, it does. How could I have been so stupid? How could I have ever thought she wouldn't understand? She's my best friend, my sister.
You've become a monster, a demon; you can't control the rage. If you go to her, you will hurt her; you know this.
Hay Lin can take care of herself.
But would she? Do you really believe she would hurt you to keep you from hurting her?
I certainly hope so. Irma began swimming with renewed energy towards Hay Lin.
She will only betray you again; just like she betrayed you last time. Have you already forgotten how it felt?
Irma stopped and a horrible memory leapt unbidden to her mind. A jolt of lightning shot through her brain, searing the fragile tissues. She flinched and cried out. Her body contorted into an impossible shape, twisting and curling around itself. She felt cold fingers pressing into her mind, grasping and clawing at her memories. She grabbed her head and pressed her own fingers into her skin, willing the invader to be gone. But the attack only continued; probing, seeking, defiling. Irma wanted it to stop; she tried to stop it, oh how she tried. But she was powerless, as those mysterious fingers had their way with her; stripping her mind of all her most private memories and thoughts.
Now do you remember? Do you remember how it felt to have her digging through your mind? To feel her probing your most personal dreams?
Irma closed her eyes and gritted her teeth. No, stop; I don't want to remember.
She violated you on a level that is impossible for anyone to understand.
Stop……
And Hay Lin helped her do it!
Irma screamed and squeezed her head harder. "NO! STOP! PLEASE STOP!"
Suddenly Irma felt herself lifted into the air, away from the water. She was floated sideways for a few seconds and gently deposited on the ground next to the pool. Irma curled into a fetal position still squeezing her head and begging the intruder to leave her be. She felt gentle hands place themselves on her shoulders, and she heard someone calling her name from far away.
Irma forced her eyes open and looked into the concerned face of Hay Lin. Irma gasped and started to push herself backwards with her feet. Hay Lin followed, still looking worried. Irma could see Hay Lin's mouth moving but she couldn't hear what she was saying. Suddenly Hay Lin's face turned impatient and the Air Guardian leaped on her friend, pinning Irma to the ground.
Irma grunted through clenched teeth as her injured back was pressed hard into the floor; then she began to panic. She tried to throw Hay Lin off but the Air Guardian had conjured a stiff wind strong enough to pin Irma's arms above her head. Completely helpless, Irma stopped struggling.
"Please, don't hurt me again; don't let her hurt me again…"
"Irma relax; I'm not going to hurt you. No one is going to hurt you, do you hear me? Snap out of it!"
Hay Lin could see she wasn't getting through to Irma, so she decided to try a different tactic. She called off the wind and took Irma's hands in hers. Gently Hay Lin pulled Irma's hands towards her chest and placed them over her heart. Then she folded her own hands around Irma's and patted them gently. She was trying to show Irma that their hearts were one, and that she loved her. She smiled down at her best friend, now looking confused and, could it be…somewhat hopeful?
Irma's eyes began to soften little by little as she felt the steady beating of Hay Lin's heart. It was constant and steadfast, never changing; something Irma had not experienced in several weeks. It was comforting somehow, this unchanging rhythm; a constant motion that was, nevertheless, firm and stable.
Irma closed her eyes and blew out a slow breath. "Hay Lin," she whispered, relief clearly evident in her voice.
Hay Lin's smile grew wider and she squeezed Irma's hands. "Hey Irma," she answered quietly. She used one hand to push the hair out of Irma's eyes, then she rested her palm against Irma's cheek. Tears began forming behind Irma's closed lids, and soon they were rolling down her cheeks. Hay Lin used her thumb to wipe them away. Irma opened her eyes and looked into Hay Lin's. Hay Lin nodded and Irma immediately sat up and threw her arms around Hay Lin's neck. Both Guardians cried for several minutes as they held one another tightly. Presently, they separated and Hay Lin sat down in front of Irma. Irma shook her head as she stared at her best friend.
"You came back; why would you do that?"
"How could you ask that Irma? You're my best friend; I would never abandon you."
"But what I said to you, about you…"
"Shhh…it doesn't matter. I don't care about that, it's over."
"But you can't be here; don't you understand? I don't want to hurt you Hay Lin, but I can't control it."
"You'll learn to control it, but not by yourself. Irma, we love you; we want to help you. Please, let us in."
Irma shook her head. "No, it's better this way. It's safer for everyone if all of you just stay far away from me."
"Is that why you said those things to me? To make me so upset I wouldn't want to be around you anymore?"
Irma closed her eyes and hung her head. What could she say? Hay Lin had already guessed her strategy; what more could she do? "I just didn't want you to get hurt. I thought it was the only way to get you to leave and never come back. I'm sorry I hurt you Hay Lin; it was the only way I could think of to protect you."
Hay Lin could see Irma was serious; all she had to do was look in her eyes and see how much it had hurt her to say those things. "You can't get rid of me Irma; I'll never abandon you. You're my sister, and I need you."
"I don't deserve it; I tried to kill you and Mrs. Lin. How can you just let that go?"
Hay Lin put a finger on Irma's lips. "Just like I have; now you need to let it go too."
Irma stood up and walked a few paces away from Hay Lin. With her back turned, she tried to get a handle on her emotions. Here was her best friend trying to help her and she didn't know how to let her. She still felt so raw from all the emotions of a few moments ago. She had never been good at asking for help, and now she felt she couldn't; perhaps Hay Lin was ready to let it go, but Irma's guilt was still too strong to allow her to do the same.
You don't deserve to be forgiven, you know. Hay Lin says she's let it go, but we both know that's impossible.
Hay Lin wouldn't lie to me; she has a pure heart. If she says she's let it go, then she's let it go.
People lie all the time, especially to the ones they love. It's easier than telling them the truth.
Hay Lin's not like that.
Sure she isn't; next you're gonna tell me that she would never do anything to hurt you. But you can't say that anymore can you?
She……she didn't know.
Are you sure about that? Only I would've thought that the word of her sister would be worth more than a stranger's. She didn't do anything to try to protect you; she didn't even do anything to talk your so-called friends out of what they did. No, she was right there, holding you down, keeping your head steady so that hag could do what she did.
It's not……that isn't……
You can still feel her can't you? Digging around in your head…
Irma flinched and shook her head violently as if shaking away an irksome insect. She clenched her fists and felt that familiar feeling of anger begin to tickle the edges of her sanity.
Look at her; turn your head and look at your best friend.
Irma glanced over her shoulder. Hay Lin was standing up and watching her friend from a distance. When she met Irma's eyes, Hay Lin raised both her eyebrows. Irma turned her head away.
You see how she keeps her distance? Her best friend is in obvious distress, but does she come to comfort you? She is afraid of you, and rightly so.
Irma closed her eyes and began to tremble.
Your rage shall be your salvation. You will never find peace until you destroy those who did this to you. Nerissa must pay for her crimes against you. Your friends know this, and they wonder when that rage will get around to collecting the price from them. They left you with Nerissa because they didn't want you back; they let her capture you because they secretly hate you; they betrayed you. How can you let that go unanswered? Give in to your rage and exact righteous vengeance. Become your hate and administer justice. Do it; do it now!
"NO!" Irma shouted. With a cry of unadulterated rage, she slammed her fist into the wall. She smashed right through the wall up to her elbow. The pain jarred her entire body and her mind fell silent at last. Breathing heavily, Irma extracted her arm and looked at her hand. It certainly looked ugly enough to be broken, but Irma was no doctor. The pain was intense, but Irma didn't care. She figured she deserved it for even entertaining the thought of extracting vengeance against her friends.
She was still examining her hand when Hay Lin rushed over. Wordlessly, the Air Guardian took her friend's hand and stared critically at the damage. She looked up at Irma; the latter turned her eyes away. Hay Lin grabbed Irma's cheek and turned her eyes to meet her own. "It's okay; everything will be alright. Please, let me help you."
Irma closed her eyes and nodded slightly. She let Hay Lin lead her back to the side of the pool and sat down obediently. Hay Lin opened the small bag she had been carrying and started looking for something to help a broken hand.
"Just leave it Hay Lin; it'll fix itself soon enough," Irma said quietly, unable to meet her friend's eyes.
"I know; I'm just looking for something to protect it from further damage. Plus I'm sure I saw some painkillers in here somewhere…"
"Don't bother…" Irma muttered.
Hay Lin stopped rummaging in the bag and glanced back at Irma. "What did you say?"
Oh damn…you weren't supposed to hear that. "Nothing…" Irma mumbled.
"It wasn't nothing; you said "don't bother" didn't you? Why would you say that?"
"Just forget it Hay Lin; you wouldn't understand."
"I'm trying to understand, but you're not being very helpful."
"I never asked for your help!"
"That's because you suck at asking for help!"
Irma stood up angrily. "Why did you come back in here anyway? To insult me and ridicule me? Well I don't need it and I don't need you! Just leave me alone!" With that, Irma spun on her heel and stalked away from Hay Lin.
Hay Lin watched her walk away for a few seconds then turned her back and clenched her fists. Why was she making this so difficult? Hay Lin didn't know what to do; she knew what she wanted to do, but somehow she didn't think that would be very helpful. I'm not giving up that easily Irma Lair.
Hay Lin turned and strode towards Irma; she just needed to apologize and start over. Yes, that would make things much better; then they could just talk together and go from there.
Irma heard her coming and turned to meet her. "You got something to say to me?" she growled.
"Matter of fact, I do," Hay Lin answered. She pulled her right fist back and let it fly. It landed flush against Irma's jaw with a satisfying crack. The Water Guardian, taken completely off guard, was knocked off her feet. She landed on her right hip with a grunt. She raised her left hand to her lip and pulled her fingers away bloody. She looked up at Hay Lin in utter shock.
Hay Lin's face displayed an oh-my-gosh-what-have-I-done expression and she quickly dropped to Irma's side. Irma rolled off her hip to sit on her backside and regarded Hay Lin with fear. But Hay Lin only raised her hands placatingly.
"Oh Irma, I'm so sorry. I don't know what got into me. I was just so frustrated and you were being so bullish, and……Oh can you ever forgive me?"
Irma barely heard anything Hay Lin said. "You hit me," she said, the shock still trying to register.
"I know, and I'm so sorry."
"You……hit me."
Hay Lin made a sound of despair and buried her face in her hands. Then she heard the last thing she expected to hear……Irma started to laugh. Hay Lin looked up and blinked. Irma was laughing? Hay Lin shook her head and looked again. Irma was still laughing; harder in fact than before. Hay Lin blinked some more.
"S-so……you're not……you're not mad?"
"Mad?" Irma said, wiping the tears out of her eyes. "Are you kidding? That was GREAT!"
Now Hay Lin was really confused. She'd just bloodied her best friend, the unofficial Enforcer of their little group, and she was laughing?
"You should have seen your face Hay Lin," Irma gasped out. "That was priceless."
Hay Lin smiled sheepishly and stood up. She extended her hand and Irma let her pull her off the floor. "If it makes you feel any better, that wasn't what I intended to do when I came over here."
"Oh yeah; now my jaw feels much better," Irma answered, her eyes twinkling. Hay Lin had missed that twinkle.
"Are you gonna let me fix you up now?" Hay Lin asked.
Irma held up her broken right hand. "Who are you now, Florence Nightingale? You never told me you could mend broken bones."
Hay Lin was quiet for a moment. Some of the old Irma was starting to emerge; Hay Lin was so relieved she was afraid to ruin it with her next statement. But it needed to be said.
"I'm not talking about your hand," Hay Lin said quietly.
Irma raised her eyes from her injured hand to her best friend's dark brown pools. Irma cocked her head in silent question.
Hay Lin took a deep breath. "I mean your back," she said.
Irma's eyes narrowed and the twinkle vanished to be replaced by suspicion.
Hay Lin decided not to let that suspicion go any further. "Back when we were talking about how you tried to kill me and grandma; after I told you to let it go…you turned your back to me. I noticed your lower back then. I didn't get a great look at it, but it certainly looks uncomfortable at the very least. I have some stuff that can help it feel a little better……if you'll let me."
Irma never took her eyes off of Hay Lin, and to Hay Lin's credit, she didn't flinch under that piercing gaze. Irma knew Hay Lin wanted to help, and she felt guilty for being hesitant to allow Hay Lin access to her back like that. She would be completely at Hay Lin's mercy in that position; the Air Guardian could cause some severe damage with the barest of effort. She wanted so badly to trust Hay Lin, but the memories of the Mage's attack were still so fresh.
Hay Lin noticed Irma's hesitation. She looked Irma straight in the eye and never wavered as she said, "I won't hurt you; I just want to help."
Irma raised her chin slightly and regarded Hay Lin. She seemed sincere, and she had said Irma needed to start trusting someone, sometime. Irma took a deep breath, tried to grin and nodded.
Hay Lin smiled and nodded back. Irma followed her back to the small bag and waited while Hay Lin removed some of its contents. Presently Hay Lin turned back to her friend and nodded. Irma took a deep breath and lay down on her stomach. She couldn't help tensing up, waiting for Hay Lin to take advantage of the situation and crush her spine. But all she felt was Hay Lin's hand on the back of her shoulder.
"Relax……I'm not going to hurt you."
Irma tried to relax, but she wasn't doing a very good job of it.
"Try breathing for starters," Hay Lin suggested. "I think that might make a difference right off the bat."
With an effort, Irma let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. She concentrated on working her lungs properly and steadily. She felt Hay Lin gently pat her shoulder in approval.
"Okay, I'm gonna lift up your shirt now. Is that alright with you?"
Irma nodded; no sense turning back now.
Hay Lin gently lifted the blue material, exposing Irma's back. She fought not to audibly react to what she saw. It all looked so familiar, for she had seen similar injuries just a few weeks before. Angry burns where flaming torch had touched bare skin; bloody grooves where cruel lash had bitten deeply; ugly bruises where heavy fist had smashed tender skin. There was not a single inch of unmarred skin on Irma's back and Hay Lin wondered how her friend was even able to move, much less laugh; the pain had to be extraordinary.
Hay Lin took a cloth and dipped it into the pool. She gently began to clean the blood from Irma's wounds. Irma flinched but she held still. Hay Lin worked in silence, and Irma said nothing aside from the occasional hiss of discomfort. Gradually, Hay Lin felt Irma begin to relax completely; Hay Lin squeezed her shoulder affectionately.
After the blood was cleansed, Hay Lin began applying a soothing cream to Irma's burns. Irma clenched her teeth and her fists, but said nothing. Hay Lin knew it was uncomfortable having somebody mess with such raw injuries, so she worked as quickly as she could. Not quickly enough apparently.
"Hay Lin," Irma said, through tightly clenched teeth, "can we stop for a bit, please?"
Hay Lin immediately ceased her ministrations and scooted around so she could see Irma's face. Irma's eyes were closed and her jaw was taut. Though the blood had been cleaned from her lip some time ago, Hay Lin could still see the bruising along Irma's jaw. Irma sensed Hay Lin's eyes and opened her own. She quickly banished the pain from those beautiful turquoise pools and looked up at her friend.
"You don't have to do this, you know; my back will heal on its own."
Hay Lin grinned sadly. "I know, but I want to do it."
Irma shrugged awkwardly. "Whatever makes you happy."
"Who's hurting you Irma?" Hay Lin asked.
Irma shook her head. "Leave it alone Hay Lin…it's not your problem."
"I'm making it my problem. Is it Luba?"
"Luba? No, of course not. Why would you think that?"
"She's the one who left those scratches on your neck isn't she?"
Irma sighed. "Noticed those did you? Yes she is, but I kind of deserved it; I started it, she finished it."
Hay Lin shook her head. "No Irma, you didn't deserve it. She should never have hurt you like that. She's in a position of authority and she abused it."
"Easy Hay Lin; if you think these scratches are abuse, you should see that fuzzball's obstacle course."
Hay Lin opened her mouth to reply, but Irma held up her hand. "No, no more; it won't happen again. Luba and I have an understanding…"
"And that is…?"
"She thinks I'm a flippant unworthy child who doesn't know her head from her butt; I think she's an overbearing flea transport suffering from Guardian envy."
Hay Lin giggled; that was the Irma she remembered. "You're hopeless you know that?"
"So I've been told. You ready to resume playing doctor?"
"Not that I would put it that way, but if you're ready, I'm ready."
"Then have at it Flo; I'll try to be a good patient."
Hay Lin turned serious. "Irma, I'm hurting you; are you sure you want me to continue?"
Irma propped herself up on an elbow. "Hay-Hay, listen to me. This is the best I've felt in a really long time; I've actually felt like laughing and cracking jokes. I feel more like me than I've felt in weeks. You're not hurting me, Hay-Hay; you wouldn't."
Hay Lin smiled hugely and threw her arms around Irma's neck. She hugged her friend tightly until she heard Irma gasp and hiss. She immediately released the Water Guardian and mouthed a silent "sorry."
Irma just shook her head and grinned. Hay Lin slid back around to continue her ministrations. Irma dropped her arm back to the floor and lay flat once again. She tried not to wince at what Hay Lin was doing.
"Thank you……for trusting me," Hay Lin said quietly, as she began applying bandages to Irma's back.
Irma closed her eyes and smiled. "Thank you for coming back."
Hay Lin smiled. She was keenly aware of the fact that Irma had not answered the question about how her back had been re-injured, but at least she wasn't trying to strangle or drown anyone. It was a start……it was a start.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Alright, I decided to devote this entire chapter to Hay Lin and Irma. Hope you liked it. Let me know what you think. Thanks!