The Sicknes

Part Twelve

Dib laid in bed that night, gazing up at the ceiling. There were so many things on his mind. One being that Zim's ex-leaders would sink so low to not only call him a defect and a fraud but infect him with a deadly virus that's slowly making Zim weaker. There was also a matter of finding a cure, but the only one he would get close enough to a cure was human medicine, which he had no idea if it would be enough to help him. He turned over, glancing at his bedside clock; which read 8:30 p.m. and moaned in annoyance. 'Zim was getting weaker and I'm just laying around?' Dib thought as he got up, being unable to sleep. Dib slowly went downstairs, being careful not to wake Gaz up. He descended down into the living room, making his past the couch; stopping as he gazed at the sleeping Irken and S.I.R. unit.

"I'll be back, Zim." Dib murmured, still a bit worried.

Soon, he turned and ran out the door. Despite the time of night, Dib continued to run down the road, hoping the pharmacy would still be open. Dib continued to run until he saw a building that slightly stuck out from the larger ones around it. It was constructed out of salmon colored bricks that stood two stories tall with a teal colored roof, a large lit up sign hung over the small portico at the entrance that read "Get Well Soon Pharmacy". Dib continued on, heading toward the double doors, thankful that it was still open at this time.

As he looked around, Dib could see there wasn't that many people at the pharmacy since it was this late. There were maybe five or six people still working at this time, which Dib was glad that he had come in when he had. The twelve-year-old went inside quickly, making his way over to one of the sign-up windows where a lady around the age of thirty with thick shoulder length blond hair, wearing glasses was busy typing away at her computer. The nameplate on her desk read 'Tanya Johnson'. As Dib got to the there, the woman turned attention toward him and opened the sliding glass window.

"Can I help you sir?" She asked with a smile, her voice having a light German accent.

"Yeah, I need some medicine." Dib replied. "It's really important."

"Do you have a subscription?" She asked him.

"Well, it's not for me, it's for a friend of mine." Dib replied, surprised by the words that left his mouth. 'Why did I just call Zim my friend?' Dib wondered in awe.

He knew he couldn't call Zim his enemy. Zim wasn't a threat to Earth anymore, but he barely knew Zim enough to consider him a friend. His thoughts were interrupted as the woman said something.

"Huh?" Dib asked, a bit confused.

"I said, what is the name of the medicine you need?" She asked again.

"Well, I need a cure for the Typhus Virus." Dib replied. There was a moment of silence at the mention of that. "Well, I'm not sure if we have the medicine for that type of illness." She replied after a moment. Dib felt his heart sink.

"Can you at least check and see?" Dib asked, being too close to give up now. "Please, he's really sick and needs the medicine."

The woman looked at him for a moment, noting how sad he must feel on a having a sick friend. Soon, she spoke.

"Well, I suppose I could go and see what I can do." She said finally. "Just wait here for a minute."

And soon, she got up from her seat and went into the back room. Dib sat down in one of the chairs in the waiting area. After about ten minutes, which seemed like an eternity for Dib, the woman came back and called him over.

"We had one pack left," She told Dib, handing him a small opaque bottle filled with a bright blue liquid. "Be careful not to drop it or crack it," She told him.

"I will," He replied. "Thanks."

After paying seven fifty for the medicine, Dib placed the bottle into the safety of his pocket before leaving.

"I hope your friend gets better." The woman called after him.

"Thanks." Dib replied. "Me too." Dib murmured as he left the building.

After a few moments, Dib began to run home, hoping that his plan will work and that he can get the medicine to Zim in time. It wasn't long that Dib could see him house coming into view. The twelve-year-old soon made it to the door. The second he opened the door, he knew something was wrong. Zim was nowhere to be seen and Gaz stood near the couch with her arms crossed and a look that made Dib a bit nervous.

"Gaz!" He said in shock.

"Where were you?" She asked, a bit annoyed.

"Gaz, where's Zim?" Dib asked, ignoring Gaz's question.

"He's upstairs." She replied.

"But why is he-?"

"The little robot wanted me to take him to bed and 'Tuck him in'." Gaz replied, using quotations around the 'Tuck him in'.

"Oh." Dib replied.

"Now tell me where you went." Gaz growled, losing her patience.

"I was at the pharmacy." Dib replied, looking a bit worried.

"What the heck were you doing at the pharmacy around nine O'clock at night?" Gaz demanded.

"Why does it matter?" Dib asked, beginning to leave.

"Because I have the right to know!" Gaz nearly shouted, causing Dib to stop.

"I was getting stuff for Zim, okay?" Dib snapped, turning around; his back now facing the stairs. "So he would get better."

"You know, ever since Zim had gotten sick and told his mission was fake, you've been acting really weird. More weird than usual." Gaz stated.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Dib asked becoming more aggravated.

"Ever since Zim became sick, you've been going around and making such a big deal out of it!" Gaz asked, becoming angrier than she already was.

"He needs help, Gaz!" Dib argued, becoming equally enraged. "He's getting weaker because of that stupid virus the Tallests had infected him with! We can't just sit there and let him die!"

"See? There you go again!" Gaz shouted, raising her voice. "All you talk about is 'Oh, Zim is sick, he needs us,' well it's annoying!"

"Because he does need us, Gaz!" Dib shouted, raising his own voice.

"You know what you're problem is?" Gaz growled. "You've gone soft! You just go on, and on, and ON! WHY DO YOU SUDDENLY CARE SO MUCH?"

"HEY! I DON'T CARE ABOUT ZIM!" Dib screamed, completely enraged by Gaz's words. "WE'RE NOT FRIENDS! WE NEVER WERE FRIENDS! YOU THINK I'D EVER EVEN ONCE WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH HIM?" He asked, not once lowering his voice. "HE'S NOTHING BUT A HORRIBLE, FREAKISH ALIEN! THAT'S ALL HE IS AND ALL HE'LL EVER BE!" Dib ranted on. "WHY WOULD I EVER WANT TO BE FRIENDS WITH THAT STUPID, DEFECTIVE LITTLE FREAK?"

When Gaz only stared in shock, not answering, Dib took in a few deep breaths as he tried to calm down. It was then that he realized his sister's look of shock wasn't at him, but she was actually looking behind him. That was when Dib froze as he sensed a presence behind him. He turned around to see Zim standing near the stairs; his antennas lying flat against his head and his jaw slack as he stared in sadness and awe, his bright ruby eyes lining with tears. Dib's eyes grew wide in realization.

"Zim..." Dib began, deep regret washing over him. "Zim... I-I didn't mean-"

He was cut off as Zim pushed past him and Gaz, choking back a sob as he ran for the door.

"Zim! Wait!" Dib shouted as Zim ran out the front door.

Dib stared after him in regret before turning back to Gaz, a look of anger forming within his amber eyes.

"Happy now?" He growled angrily before running for the door, leaving Gaz standing near the stairs staring after him.

One outside, Dib took off down the street, calling out to the young Irken, getting no answer but the sounds of his own echo in the air.

I feel so horrible! DX I really hope you don't hate me for this T_T And I hope you still like my story :( I hope to get more up soon, so there'll still be more to come :) Please R&R. Thanks :D