Chapter 18: Tears of a Fallen
Wish found herself crying. She was confused. Why did she cry? What was the reason? Frustrated, she wiped at them.
"Why?" She asked herself. "Why? Why? Why?"
Chiro forced his dulling blue eyes to open. He looked in the direction of the violet monkey. He remained silent as he watched the annoyed female.
Wish froze up without warning. These weren't her own tears, but… "Jen." Why would Jen be crying?
"Wish?" Chiro's voice called weakly.
The violet monkey turned to him. She was allowing the tears to fall, no longer wiping at them. She could see the questioning look in those dulling blue eyes. "These tears belong to Jen. I don't know why she cries. I wish I knew."
Wish went to the window near Chiro's bed. She looked out upon the stars in the sky. 'Why Jen?' Wish asked. 'Why do you cry?'
No response came to her. Then it hit her like a ton of bricks. Wish's tears mingled with Jen's. "No… It can't be true!" Wish raced to the door and placed a hand on the doorknob. She stopped, remembering her promise to Jen.
"Chiro has become very ill. I need you to stay here so I'll be able to know of Chiro's status. I'm sorry I can't take you with Wish." Jen said sadly.
"I...I understand Jen."
And her promise to Athelas.
"Athelas?" the violet furred monkey asked after a short pause. "You should go get some rest. I'll stay here with him."
The blonde sighed. She knew her friend was right. "All right, but keep a close eye on him, Wish." She stood and left the room.
Wish looked back at Chiro. His eyes were frightened and confused. She sighed and looked back at the door. She let her hand fall to her side and closed her eyes. She leaned forward and rested her forehead against the door.
She remained still like that a while, conscious of Chiro's eyes upon her. With a sigh she opened her eyes and turned to him. She returned to his bedside. "Chiro…" She began and paused. "Jen. She… she…" Wish couldn't finish. She dropped to her knees and crossed her arms on the bed. She buried her head in her arms and her shoulders shook with silent sobs.
Chiro weakly reached out and placed a hand on the monkey's shoulder comfortingly. "Wish?"
Wish lifted her head. The fur on her cheeks was dark from her tears. "Jen's dying, Chiro. I can feel it. She's dying and I might not see her again!"
An alarm blared. Wish looked to the window, tensed. Chiro mimicked her, his hand still resting on her shoulder. "Caninadons are attacking. Listen Chiro; I need you to stay strong. No matter what happens okay?"
Chiro managed a nod and withdrew his hand. Wish moved away from the frail boy and to the door. She opened the door and peeked into the hall. The hall was deserted. She activated her glowing sea blue claws.
She closed her eyes for a moment, steadying herself. Forcing all fear from her. The nervousness at the pit of her stomach faded away. She opened her eyes again.
Because it was the last door in the hall, she would only need to watch one end of the hallway. Making thing easier. That was a good thing. She needed it to be as easy to guard as possible. She was going to have to fight a lot of caninadons after all.
A group of people approached. Wish prepared herself for a fight. As the group got closer the violet furred monkey relaxed. It was Athelas and the other patients in the building.
Athelas was carrying the cage Ivy, the meerkat, was in. those who were able helped those who needed assistance. They all filed into the last four rooms in the hall.
Athelas stopped before the violet monkey. "Wish I need you to stand just beyond the rooms where the patients are being held. Ivy and I will stay with Chiro. You're our only defense. Do your best."
As if it were necessary to put her two cents in Ivy gripped the bars of the cage. "Take off this damn collar and let me out! I'll kick ass! Just you watch!"
They just ignored her comment. "All right Athelas. Take good care of Chiro." The violet monkey took a step and stopped. She looked over her shoulder at the blonde. "Jen is dying. She has given her life for Chiro. So don't let him die. I will give my life to the same cause as Jen."
Athelas's eyes saddened. Her only child was going to forever leave this world. She nodded to the violet monkey and went to Chiro's room, leaving Wish to fend for herself.
Wish walked forward, past the four rooms the patients were in. she stood at her commanded position as still as a statue, her heart pounding so hard she thought it would burst from her chest. Tears poured down her cheeks, but she took no notice. She wasn't going to be bothered by her tears. She was an avenger now. She was intending on avenging Jen's death.
Down the hall many figures approached. Wish raised her claws and got into a fighting stance. She growled and her fur became ruffled at the sight of her opponents. They were going to die, every last one of them.
She wanted to charge into their ranks. To tear them limb from limb. But she hung back. She wasn't going to leave the patients defenseless. She wasn't going to make them defend themselves. No matter how pissed she was. She was an avenger, but not one who would abandon those who need help.
Me: Another chapter done.
Icefire: Yeah, and you've got a few more to go.