Here's the next chapter.
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Somehow, Abe got me back to the bed.
"I was afraid this would happen."
"What's—" I grimaced; "—happening?"
"The enzymes are causing cells in your body to shut down."
"No, no, no. It can't. Not now."
"I don't know how to counter it." There was another convulsion.
"Water," I wheezed.
"What?"
"Water, please." He held a glass to my lips and I drank deeply from it. "Thank you," I sighed.
"There might be another seizure."
"No. They're over."
"How do you know?" I opened my eyes and focused on his face, sitting up as I did so.
"Everything's clear. It worked!" He reached out his hand and I put mine against it, palm to palm. "See?" His big black eyes searched mine.
"Do you?" I laughed.
"Yeah. Now, thanks to you." He didn't physically smile, didn't look like he could, but I could feel it projected from his hand. "May I ask a question?"
"Sure."
"What color are my eyes?" He appeared confused. "I just don't remember."
"They're green. Bright green."
"I like yours."
"My eyes?" I nodded. A movement near his neck caught my attention.
"You have gills?" I asked.
"Yes." I tentatively touched one.
"That's very cool."
"Thanks."
"Will you let me get up again?"
"Not yet."
"Why not?"
"The enzymes may knock you out again for a few hours."
"Crap."
"You sound like Hellboy."
"Huh. Does he say that a lot?" Abe just stared at me and I laughed. "I'll take that as a yes." My eyelids drooped. "I wish it didn't put me to sleep."
"The enzymes?" I nodded slowly. "It shouldn't be for too long and I'll stay here until you wake up."
"No. You rest too. Get Liz to stay and she can get you when I wake."
"Fine. But I'm staying until you're asleep." I nodded and left it at that.
--
Out in the hallway, Hellboy and Liz stood watching them. Liz leaned close to whisper.
"50 bucks says they get together." When Abe leaned down and kissed Laura's forehead, she held out her hand. Red didn't move. "What? It counts."
"Fine." He handed over the money. "But I say 50 bucks that they don't last long."
"And how long would that be?"
"A few months."
"That's a while for most couples."
"But it's not long."
"Done." It was that moment that Abe chose to exit the room.
"Oh! Liz! I was just coming to look for you," he said when he saw her.
"What do you need, Abe?"
"Will you stay with Laura and get me when she awakens?"
"Sure."
"Thanks." Liz went into the room and Abe went to the library, ironically where his tank was. Hellboy waited a moment and followed Abe.
--
I woke hours later. The room was dark, but for a dim lamp. Liz and Hellboy were whispering near the door. Then Liz left the room and Hellboy sat nearby. You know what? It's fun to surprise people.
"Why is it so dark?" He started and I couldn't help but smile that time.
"Aren't you blind?" Crap! Abe must not have told him what he was doing!
"Did Abe tell you?"
"Tell me what?"
"Okay, we have to stop with the questions!" I felt him nod. It's so cool how my other senses are still strong! "What did Abe tell you he was giving me?"
"Pain medicine and antibiotics."
"Nothing else?"
"Well, he and Myers had the idea to try and heal your eyes. Manning said no, so they didn't try it. Why?"
"No reason."
"If you're okay, I'm going to get Abe." I gave a thumbs-up and he left. What does it mean if Abe didn't even tell his best friend what he was doing? Would he get in worse trouble than I originally thought if Manning knew? Wow. Someone thinks I'm important.
--
Abe returned a few moments later. It was just him.
"Are you well?" he asked and I sat up.
"Never better."
"Good."
"I do have a question, though."
"Ask away."
"Does no one know what you've done for me?" He remained silent and didn't look at me. "Oh, Abe!"
"I wanted to help you, but they were going to stop me."
"Abe, I could have dealt with staying blind. What I can't deal with is you getting in trouble for me!"
"It would be worth it, though."
"What would?"
"Now you don't have to feel so different."
"But I still am!"
"Heightened senses are easily hidden. Blindness is not."
"Why would I hide anything here?"
"You need to hide it outside. You and Liz are able to go out. HB and I are not." I slid out of the bed and walked to the windows and door. "Where are you going?"
"Nowhere." I closed the blinds and shut the door.
"Let me turn on the lights." He walked towards me, but I stopped him.
"No. We have the lamp on. It's all we need to talk." He didn't move, so I stepped closer, thought about it, then sat on the edge of the bed. "Sit beside me, Abe. I don't bite…hard."
"A comforting thought," he said sarcastically before seating himself to my right. "What do you want to talk about?"
"I don't know." I leaned my head on his shoulder. He seemed surprised, but didn't move.
"Tell me about what happened."
"Can't you just read that from me?"
"I thought you wanted to talk."
"I do." I sighed. "Or maybe I just want to sit like this for a while."
"Are you going to avoid the subject again?" he asked quietly.
"No. I just don't know where to begin."
"Tell me about your parents."
"My mom was a small woman with surprising strength. She could…command a room with her presence. She loved to read."
"And your father?"
"He liked to read, too. He was a very tall man, but he had the gentlest soul I have ever met." My eyes began to prick with tears.
"How did the fire start?"
"Someone left the stove on and there was a rag or potholder on it. It caught fire and soon the whole place was ablaze." A tear rolled down my cheek, but my voice was steady. For that, I was thankful. "All I remember is a firefighter coming into my room and pulling me out. I tried to get away so I could help Mom and Dad, but he was too strong." My voice began to crack. "They were asleep…and they never woke up." I couldn't stop a sob. Abe put his arm around me and held me close while the tears I had learned to hold back were released.
"It's not your fault," he whispered. I shook my head.
"You don't understand."
"What?"
"I was the one who left the rag there. I was the one who left the stove on. It's my fault."
TBC
What does this revelation mean?
You'll just have to find out, won't you?
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