Author's Note: I forgot to add this section of chapter six in, so here is the true final update for my story. Thank you all for your support to keep me going at what I love to do. This is what happened between the time when Gordon's in his hospital bed sleeping and Blik and Waffle falling asleep at his bedside.
Both brothers seated comfortably next to their sleeping Scottish comrade, Mr. Blik and Waffle silently gazed out the half open window of the hospital room. A light breeze drifted in, rustling the fresh flowers on Gordon's nightstand, but behind that cool wind was a foul stench: the strong smell of dust and death that lingered in the air like a pesky fly that wouldn't go away. This left the cat brother's spirits low and saddened. They never imagined that something as horrific as two giant buildings falling into dust could have ever happened to them. It didn't matter; they still considered themselves the unluckiest cats on the planet.
As the hours passed with agonizingly slow progression, a bustle could be heard outside. The once quiet and deathly streets of Manhattan had suddenly erupted into talking and walking. Curious to what the fuss was about, Waffle volunteered to leave the room and take a step outside. He made his way down into the lobby and out the sliding automatic doors into the cold, dusty night. A parade of civilians had formed in the street, each and every one holding a brightly lit candle that filled the area with warmth. Even from where Waffle was standing, he could sense and feel the change, being a cat. Walking back to Gordon's room, he reached up to scratch his head, only to find that it was extremely painful. Slowly reaching up, he touched the aching spot again, and lowered his hand, shocked to see blood. No wonder the nurse at the counter in the lobby was giving him a strange look.
After returning to Gordon's room, telling Blik where he was going, and having the painful spot on his head bandaged, he walked outside and joined the crowd as they marched in near-silence toward what was left of the North and South towers. As they came nearer, the bustling of cranes and machinery could be heard as shards of large metal and glass were shifted and broken. It seemed like a wasted effort to look for survivors to Waffle at first, but then he remembered his brother. If Gordon could have survived, then of course others could have. Yet, he could have been wrong. Suddenly, everyone froze, causing Waffle to accidentally bump into a small girl. She was adorning a dark red top, bunched cargo shorts, black tennis shoes, and a heart bracelet. Freckles dotted her small, dirty face, but nothing stood out more than her sunset-red hair and her navy blue eyes, glistening like a relentless star. Both of them falling to the pavement, they turned on their backs to face one another, saying, "Sorry," and helping each other to their feet.
"I didn't mean too… sorry," said Waffle, apologizing once more, and the girl, seeing his kindness, giggled and accepted his apology. She began to introduce herself.
"My name is Elise. Who are you? I think I saw you earlier… before the… tower fell," the small child began to trail off, and a tear came to her eye. Waffle was quick to show his sympathy, slipping a paw into her hand. She squeezed it tight and sat on the ground, her face turning red. Waffle gave her a sad gaze.
"Did you lose someone?" Waffle queried, cocking his head to one side to peer into the girl's face. All of a sudden, she burst into full fledged tears, sinking her face into Waffle's fury chest. She also began to choke on her sobs, wrapping her arms tighter. Waffle only stood there, looking down at a girl whom she had never met before; she was sad, and seemed to have no one else to turn to for comfort. Waffle repeated the girl's gesture. She seemed shocked, gazing wide eyed at Waffle's face. He gave her a reassuring grin and said softly, "I almost lost someone, too. I bet whoever you lost is still around. Want to go find them?" Elise nodded, biting her lip, and after a few more minutes of crying, stood up and smiled sheepishly. She began to blush.
Waffle turned to face the crowd, who had stopped, to notice most of them were sitting Indian style on the dusty pavement, holding their candles, eyes closed. Elise, who had been carrying a big bag over her shoulder, unzipped it and pulled out two vanilla scented candles. As she handed one gently to Waffle, who humbly accepted it, explained that she had been saving it for her brother after buying them from a small store on the edge of Manhattan a few hours ago. But, since she had no idea where her big brother was, decided to give it to Waffle. The two sat down, side by side, and Elise pulled a match from her pocket. Just as she had lit hers and turned to light Waffle's, a swift wind blew the match dry, the flame vaporizing into thin air.
"Sorry," she said quickly, fumbling through her bag to find another match. Waffle stopped her and told her it was okay. The entire circle of people was completely silent, and nothing could be heard, not even the machinery. Even the wind seemed to notice the stillness, and quickly faded. As Waffle sat, staring blankly at his candle, Elise spoke in a soft tone. "You know," she whispered, "People may not know it, but somehow, we're all connected by something my brother calls 'fate', and this 'fate' is what binds us." Waffle looked up, utterly bewildered at what Elise was saying. He never know someone as small as she was could know something so beautiful and complex. "In times of tragedy and sadness," she continued, "Fate will bring us together, like two strangers of different races and a single goal… or two candles… and single flame." As she finished, she leaned toward Waffle, holding up her candle and lighting up her blue eyes with even more brightness and innocence. Grabbing Waffle's hand, she joined his candle with hers, and Waffle's candle ignited. The flames burned brighter than ever before, and Waffle looked into Elise's eyes. She stared back and smiled. Waffle smiled, too, and a glistening tear came to his eye. For the first time in that day, Waffle was at peace, and he was truly happy to be alive.
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It was nearly three in the morning before Waffle returned to the hospital, checking in and returning to the hospital room. He was extremely happy to know that a few hours ago Elise had finally found her big brother after they had gone around with a picture looking for him. Seeing that his brother's were already sleeping, Waffle closed the door to the room as quietly as he could, still clutching his candle, which had not ceased to stop burning. Slowly blowing it out, he wrapped it in plastic and placed it in Blik's suitcase, glad to see that it fit among the papers and folders. Taking a seat next to Blik, Waffle yawned, and with a last look at his brothers, laid his head in Blik's lap, closed his eyes, and thought pleasant thoughts. The day of terror was finally over, and Waffle had found happiness through the burning eyes of a girl that he had never met.