Hey, guys, it's just me again. Sorry I haven't been updating lately, but what with the holiday season and all I've been terribly busy. Please excuse this absence as I'll try to update again soon. In the event that you don't hear from me in time: happy holidays, everyone!
Slowly Phineas began to wake. His mind only registered pain; it would take some time and maybe some caffeine to allow him to register more. There was pain all over him, a dull constant soreness that seemed to want to drive him back into sleep. Whenever he breathed he could feel a sharp sting in his ribs, and he thought that if he moved it would be the same. So he only lie there, hoping but unable to fall back into sleep. After a long time he began to remember what had happened. Isabella had saved him, hadn't she? Someone had. Or maybe he was still out in the woods. He couldn't tell. Maybe Moon had taken him back home. Yeah, that sounded about right.
He could hear quiet voices from somewhere close-by, and as his mind slowly began to clear he recognized one as Isabella's. He couldn't quite make out what she was saying, but she sounded upset about something. Aww, poor Isabella, he thought to himself. Slowly he realized that she was probably worried for him. He remembered that he'd found her in the woods - why? - ah, right, he'd wanted her to go out for Ferb. Had she found him? Was he okay? His mind still sluggish, but better, he opened his eyes a little. Harsh light blinded him and he turned away, his nose searching for something to burrow into so that he wouldn't be blinded again. Finding something soft, he buried his head into it and found an escape from the light. The warm smell of his sister greeted him, and from that he knew he would be alright. He relaxed a little.
Isabella's voice came a little closer to him, and slowly he began to make out her quiet words. "Phineas...? Phineas, wake up..."
As his mind fell more into focus, he slowly opened his eyes again, careful of the harsh light that had caught him off-guard the first time. He focused on Isabella, giving her a tiny fleeting smile. He was glad she was okay, at least. "I-Isa-?"
"Phineas, listen..." her voice echoed through his head, making his ears ring a little, and he flinched back from the sound. He felt a warm hand on his shoulder, and then her voice again, a little more quietly: "Phineas, listen to me..."
He looked back up at her, the echoes of her voice having died down. He could see she was concerned about something - was she concerned about him, perhaps? He supposed so. Still a little dazed, he slowly propped himself up on his elbows, careful of the soreness that had seeped into him. "Isabella...? What's going on...?"
"Phineas, it's your sister," Isabella squeaked, "She-"
At the mention of his sister, Phineas' mind instantly cleared. He frowned. "Marissa? What about her?"
"Well," Isabella's eyes shifted down to the floor for a moment before she looked back up at him. She was silent for a moment, hesitant, but then spoke. "She's been cursed."
Phineas faltered. "What?"
Isabella nodded slowly. "Bellidor did it. We found her out in the woods last night after she'd gone out after you. She's got this really bad fever, and she's so pale, and-"
Before she could continue, Moon cut in, startling them both. "If nothing is done she'll die. The only way to save her is for you to die instead," she gave Phineas a narrow glance from her place in the corner, perched on the back of an old rocking-chair.
"What...?" Moon's words hit Phineas like a brick wall, stunning him momentarily and echoing inside his head. "But-"
"That's how it is," Moon told him, her voice carefully blank. She refused to influence his decision, whatever that might be. She had her opinion, but she knew not to voice it; he would decide for himself.
Phineas' mind stalled. "But I - I can't let her die. This can't be real - there has to be another way, please-"
Moon only shook her head, silencing him. He could feel his insides slowly beginning to twist, a dark knot forming in his stomach as the idea finally sunk into his mind that he would have to sacrifice himself to save his sister. His head hung, he gave a tiny nod. His voice was quiet. "I have to save her."
"But, Phineas-" Isabella protested, but was held back by Moon's rough hand on her shoulder. Despite her strength her hold was surprisingly soft. Isabella turned back to her, her eyes questioning.
"It's his decision," Moon told her. Her eyes were still so blank, and Isabella was certain that she didn't feel a thing for any of them. All she cared about was that she had been freed. After that, it was no longer her problem.
But once again she was right. Phineas would make his choice.
Moon turned to him. "You're certain?"
"I have to," Phineas whispered, "She's my sister. I can't let her die."
Moon only nodded. "Fine."
"Phineas, you can't just-" Isabella exclaimed, her voice cut short by Phineas' quiet stare. After a moment she ran to him, throwing her arms around him and burying her head into his shoulder. No longer able to control it, she sobbed. "I - I'll miss you..."