Hey, Butterflies! I'm back with Chapter 26! I really cannot believe that only the epilogue remains after this chapter. I've enjoyed writing this story, and it's been extremely cathartic for me. And I appreciate all of you for taking the time to read my story and follow these characters in their journeys. Here's Chapter 26: Remember Your Promise
Disclaimer: The Secret Saturdays belongs to Jay Stephens and Cartoon Network.
I wake up to Drew and Komodo sitting on my bed. Zut, my eye isn't covered. Drew seems to notice but says nothing about it. Instead she says that I need to get dressed because we have to go somewhere. I unwillingly roll out of bed and groggily make my way over to my closet. I grab the first long sleeve shirt and pants I find before I step into the bathroom and get dressed and ready for the day. Once I finish, I head to the living room to meet the others. We hurry out the door to the airship, but nobody tells me where we're going. Therefore, I slip into my room on the airship and go back to sleep.
Komodo wakes me up when we land. It's sunny, so we either went south or it's the afternoon. I look at my clock, which automatically adjusts to the local time. It's around 1:30 in the afternoon. I press a button to see where we are, and the word Atlanta appears on the screen. Why the heck are we in Atlanta again? Is Indigne alright? I hope so. She is expecting a baby after all. I run a brush through my hair to make it settle down a little before I join the others. Drew says Indigne called her saying that she went into labor and wanted us to be there. So that's why we're here: because Indigne went into labor. Part of me dies a little. Indigne gets to have her baby and raise her family, but Mom didn't. She lost her husband and the one thing she had to remind her of him along with her life. It's just not fair! Why did Mom die?! I fight to keep from crying. This is supposed to be a happy time for Indigne. So why do I feel so sad and angry?
When we arrive at the hospital, Indigne is already in a room and a hospital gown. She smiles when she sees us; we say hello, but I can tell that Zak and Fisk definitely feel uncomfortable. I try to ignore them. I don't want to deal with them right now. Indigne and Drew start talking, and Indigne reveals that she went into labor extremely early this morning,around 3 or 4 o'clock, and that she had gotten to the hospital not long before we arrived, to which Drew replies that Indigne is probably near the second stage of labor if not already in it. They keep talking, and I sort of stand there awkwardly. Doc and Doyle are discussing how they could upgrade everything in the room to make it better. Meanwhile, Zak, Fisk, and Zon seem like they don't really want to be here. Komodo stands next to me; I really wish that I still had my powers.
At some point, Drew steps with me out to the hallway. I know I'm busted now. She sits down on a bench and motions for me to sit next to her. I am definitely busted now.
"Lily, when were you planning on telling me about your eye?" Drew asks sternly.
"Never," I reply meekly. Drew sighs.
"Why?"
"Because it's embarrassing."
"That you changed your eye color?"
"No, Drew, that I let Dr. Beeman take my powers." Drew's brow furrows. Apparently she didn't know about the connection between my powers and my green eye. I explain what happened as best as I can, although I end of tearing up at one point, and Drew listens carefully. "It's my fault, Drew. If I hadn't been so stupid, none of this would have happened."
"Don't say that, Lily," Drew almost barks. "It's not your fault. You didn't know; none of us knew. I can't say why Arthur wanted your powers, but I can say that it is not your fault. Don't tell yourself that." I nod tearfully. If only she knew that it really is my fault.
The Saturdays and I spend a good portion of the afternoon exploring Atlanta, but at least one of us was always with Indigne. Indigne mentioned many times how grateful she was, and, although I tried to be nice, I still felt resentful that she was getting to have her baby but that Mom didn't. I know it's silly and not even Indigne's fault, but I can't seem to let go. My mom is dead, and I didn't even get to say goodbye. The last time I saw her, she had just revealed that she was pregnant. That night, she just vanished. I didn't get to say goodbye or that I loved her. I kept hoping for these past four months that she'd come back. But that won't happen; that can't happen. Zak gets his mother back, but what do I get? Dead parents and a dead unborn sibling, that's what! I didn't even get to attend the funeral for any of them! Why does this hurt so much? Why does it feel as if someone has ripped my heart out and crushed it? Why do I feel so painfully hollow?
About 10 o'clock, Drew calls Doc and tells him to get us back to the hospital. The seven of us race back to the hospital. When we get there, Drew explains that Indigne is now in the second stage of labor. Zak, Fisk, and Doyle all seem extremely uncomfortable, so Drew asks Doc to take them out to the hall; Zon and Komodo go as well. That leaves Drew and myself in the room with Indigne. The delivery lasts almost two hours. Indigne's baby is born at 11:57 pm. Almost a New Year's baby, almost. I can't believe that it's almost 2011. That feels so weird.
Several minutes after Indigne gave birth, a knock at the door catches all of our attention. I'm shocked to see the person at the door.
"Munya?" I ask in disbelief. He nods.
"Hello, Munya. What brings you here?" Indigne asks.
"I came to apologize." Indigne has a confused expression on her face. "For everything I've ever done and am going to do." Suddenly, Indigne's expression changes to understanding.
"So he is going to . . ." Munya nods. "Drew, Lily, I need to tell you something." We listen intently to Indigne's words. "Argost had a partner in all of his crimes. He and this partner even made arrangements to bring Argost back if Argost were to die while stealing Kur's essence from both Zaks." I gasp, horrified. I know exactly who this partner is, although I don't know his name.
"How do you know all this, Indigne?" Drew asks.
"I had Munya's help." I look at Munya, who nods his head slightly. "Listen to me, Lily. Dr. Beeman stole your powers because he believes he can use those powers to stop Argost should he come back, but Argost won't know that you lost your powers. You could be in danger, so I need for you to promise me that you won't go cryptid hunting until after all this is settled."
"I promise."
"Thank you. And, Lily, always remember your promise." I nod. "Drew, please keep this information secret from your family. This is something they don't need to know about until the time is right." Drew promises to keep it secret.
"Indigne, should we-?" Indigne nods. Munya looks at me."Iris, I have something else to tell you. Je suis ton oncle. Ici ta mère." My blood boils.
"How dare you! You lied to me! I THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD! You hurt me! I can remember my promise to you, but you can't seem to remember your promise to Dad and me!" I storm out of the room and let the door slam behind me. I walk out of the hospital and sit on a bench in the courtyard. The air is cold, and I left my coat inside, but I don't care. I'd rather freeze to death out here than be anywhere near them. I drift off to sleep while still sitting on the bench.