Chapter 9

Isolation

Guys, first off:

I AM SORRY. Don't beat me with sticks and stuff. I'm really sorry it took so long to post this new chapter. It's a bit longer than normal chapters so I hope that helps? Ish?

Anyway, I was asked for a POV of Cerise, Dexter, Cupid, Ashlynn, and Hunter. I know Cupid's was a little short but the next chapter will be focused a bit more on her.

Enjoy!

Cerise stared and stared at the hospital wall. She was absolutely sure she had no tears left. She probably didn't. So Raven was gone. Dead. Kicked the bucket. Made an angel. She wasn't alive anymore. The words were right there, when the doctor confirmed it.

Why did she find it so hard to believe?

—

Dexter was surprised when he heard a knock at his hotel room door. For a split, euphoric second, he actually thought it was Raven come to forgive him. And then reality punched him hard in the gut, slapped his face and told him to get a grip because he was being pathetic.

Actually, then why did his gut hurt, his face hurt too, and hear Briar's voice telling him to get a grip?

Right.

Because Briar just walked right in and did just that.

"Dexter! Now please tell me why you're moping about in some dumb hotel your dad opened instead of staying by Raven's side, huh?" his cousin shouted. For once, Dexter was relieved he was an inch taller than the very tall girl, because at least it made her seem less intimidating.

"Because Raven is gone," Dexter answered, confused.

"Gone my ASS! Dexterous William Charming, you seriously want to shut your damn wife out of your life because she's passed away? You better go to Cerise and apologize NOW!"

"Apologize? Me? Why?"

"Because you damn near killed her, and Cerise needs someone other than Reece and us to lean on!" Briar shouted. A hotel attendant appeared at the door to quieten her down, but she only waved him off and yelled louder. "You're just sitting in some random five-star hotel, too scared to go back to your own damn house because Raven's smell is there?! You're frickin' scared of frickin' REALITY! What kind of damn coward are you?!"

Dexter felt awkward and ashamed. He had to admit that, like always, Briar was right. He sighed and headed for the door. "Okay," he answered at last, wondering if Cerise was going to murder him.

—

Cerise rubbed her arms and shivered. The air conditioner was really, really cold. What were they trying to do, freeze their patients to death? Reece had come in the afternoon, the only time he was able to take a break from his strip club job.

The doctors had said they would try one last operation on Raven, to help her lung. Cerise had thanked them over and over, but they had insisted it was basically nothing. She was hella grateful but really, really scared. This could be Raven's chance, or her final death.

Footsteps came in. Cerise's eyes flickered up and widened.

"DEXTER?! What the fuck?! I swear…"

"Not now, Cerise," Reece said quietly. Cerise miraculously shut up, but eyed Dexter like he was some disgusting trashy fool. Which he kind of was.

Awkward silence ensued as Dexter sat down five chairs away from Cerise. He fiddled with his shirt like it was the most interesting thing in the world. Cerise willed her entire body not to punch Dexter in the face. But only for Reece's sake.

The next ten minutes, Cerise stared at random things. She felt impatient and worried. And scared.

"I'm sorry," Dexter said after a long, uncomfortable silence.

"Mm?" Cerise answered, drawing her attention away from the wall.

"I'm sorry," Dexter repeated. "Because it was my fault that Raven died. It was all my fault that she decided to get drunk, that she was suicidal."

About time you noticed! Cerise wanted to say, but she figured it wouldn't be nice, so she kept quiet.

"And I did love her. I know it's hard to prove, but I did. She's so much better then Cupid. Cupid was great and all, but she wasn't Raven. And Raven's who I love. More than anyone in this world."

To Dexter's surprise, Cerise's face softened.

"I'm glad I'm not the only one who feels that way," she whispered.

Little did they know, Cupid was eavesdropping on the other side of the door, heart racing.

—

Ashlynn tried not to cry. She blinked back tears. She was being pathetic. Or at least, that was what she was calling herself.

Hunter put the last of his luggage into the trunk of the Jeep. Maurice had very generously paid the damage. He was a pretty good person, actually.

Hunter saw Ashlynn's deflated expression. He pulled her to his chest and squeezed her tight before planting a kiss on her lips. He was to leave to Tasmania for an animal emergency. Apparantly, these horrible poachers had failed their attempt of poaching and unleashed their anger by going on a deadly shooting spree. Platypuses, kangaroos, dingos, and Tasmanian devils were in horrible pain. Hunter's email said about one thousand animals. And the worst thing was, the Tasmanian devils were the only ones alive in the wild - and he had to save them.

"Sorry, Ash. Sorry, sorry, sorry," he repeated over and over.

"It's okay, Hunter. You've always been a terrific vet. Go for gold," Ashlynn answered quietly. Why? Why, out of all times when she needed Hunter the most, he had to leave? They stood there in an embrace for a little longer, before they unwillingly parted and the Jeep faded off into the distance.

One and a half hours later, Hunter was in Tasmania. The gum-tree forest was littered with stray bark, weeds, and animal blood. The smell of hot metal lingered in the air. He could hear various animal noises like mournful growls, whimpers, or moans. He felt so sad. His large medical kit was clutched in his hands.

"Hey, I'm at the entrance of the sanctuary. Over," he said into his walkie-talkie.

"Yep, I'll be there in a second. Over."

Hunter waited for about half a minute before a girl about his age walked over to him. She was a little chubby, with tanned legs from working in the hot Australian sun. Her blonde hair was streaked with black and brown, and her blue eyes were speckled in gold and ebony. She was wearing a green headband to match her EcoVet t-shirt that matched Hunter's.

"Hey there. You must be Hunter," she said, holding out a hand to shake. Hunter shook it firmly. "That's me. What's your name?"

The girl only smiled. "Just call me Lollypop."

Hunter smiled too. This person was sure nice. She led him into a fenced area were there were many Tasmanian devils. "Alright, so over there is the clinic," Lollypop explained, pointing to a modern white building between two tall gum trees. I'm looking after Muffin, Daisy, and Fred." She pointed to three Tasmanian devils who then scuttled up to her.

Lollypop laughed as the biggest one stared up at her. She leaned down to pat it on the head. She took some raw meat out of a containar in her pocket and gave some to the three mammals. It was then when Hunter suddenly noticed something.

"Hey, Lollypop, are you autistic?"

Lollypop smiled. "Yeah. But that doesn't stop me from helping these fellows. I love animals, I do. I guess you could call me a Dr Doolittle."

Hunter silently agreed. "So what's my job?"

Lollypop stood up and dusted off her cargo shorts. "Do you reckon you could operate on five of these devils? They are all pregnant females and their babies need them. They have about six little ones in their pouches, so that makes thirty devils. If you do operate, I bet the devil population will rise soon enough."

Hunter watched for a while as Lollypop interacted with the Tasmanian devils like they were cute cats. She really was a pretty good person. The world needed more people like her. And he could be one of them.

And so he left for the operation room, as Lollypop quietly hummed a Hunchback of Notre Dame song to herself.

—

Cupid balled her hands into fists. Dexter didn't like her anymore. She had tried to be clingy and sweet and symapathetic. Obviously, that hadn't worked.

How dare he? How dare Dexter betray her? Hadn't she been supportive and kind and loving? What made Raven so much better than she? Raven was gone! Couldn't anyone deal with it? Wasn't Cupid more important? Raven had decided to kill herself because she was silly and drunk and sad. It wasn't Dexter's fault and certainly not her's!

She paced her room. Oh, how she loathed that Raven. Attention-grabber! Suppose she wanted to make some stupid publicity stunt. That was why she decided to do such a big thing.

She ran a hand through her fringe. She frowned. If she were to win Dexter back, firstly she had to change her personality.

Cupid fished through a drawer and pulled out two clothes shop vouchers.

And secondly, she would have to change her looks.

—

Hunter wiped his brow and cleaned the scapel with some cloth. The last Tasmanian devil was done. Her womb had been heavily damaged, as were her eyes and nose. He had to gently saw off one paw that was infected badly. He was worried that perhaps this devil would not be able to return to the wild, but hopefully her babies could.

He packed the tools back in their case. Lollypop put the case back in the shelf and carried the devil into one of their special incubation rooms so her babies would be warm while she recovered. Hunter was exhausted and happy he was able to retire to his room after a long day. Lollypop was such a talented and considerate girl that she kept two especially sick wallabies in her room.

Hunter lay down on his small cabin bed and checked his phone. His heart dropped. Six missing calls. Five were from Ashlynn and one was from Briar. He felt worried. Luckily, Ash and Bri had left voice mails. He first listened to Ashlynn's.

Hunter, I'm so sorry, but I really really need you right now. Please Facetime me. I feel scared and alone. I don't have anyone to lean on. I feel so worried for you, I heard there was a bushfire in Tasmania.

He felt guilty. He listened to the next:

Hunter? Please please answer. I'm very sorry. I feel so pathetic and silly, but I do miss you already. The bed feels so cold and empty. I went to sleep at Briar's place. I'm so paranoid. I feel stupid.

The next three were no different. Hunter's heart hammered. He felt horrible for going away and leaving his poor wife. The one from Briar was as follows:

Hunter? Oh Goodness. Ashlynn's been crying herself to sleep. She's still very traumatised, I think. It's not your fault, okay? Just try come back sooner. She does seem to be most anxious. I'm very worried. She told me something about a bushfire. What was that about? Are you alright? Try calling me or Ashlynn back.

Hunter immediately dialled Briar.

"Hey, Briar?"

"Ergnmh," Briar snuffled, making some unintelligible sound. "Go back to sleep, Hopper, it's only Hunter." Pause. "Hey Hunter, you 'right?"

"As rain," Hunter answered. "Is Ashlynn? I heard all the voice mails…I'm a douche, I was operating on some Tazzie devils…"

"Oh, shut up, ye of little self-esteem," Briar responded. "Ashlynn's fine! Though I had to play a video of you two together over and over and over…Hunter, I get you. Two things you love: Ash and your job. And I know it's hard to be with her yet be a vet at the same time. And that isn't your fault. But do you know what day you'll be back? Don't rush, now."

"Um…next week?" Hunter estimated. "Because I still have to operate on a few devils that are coming in tomorrow, and then there's that bushfire…"

Pause. "That's understandable."

"Briar, I really appreciate it…"

"I'd appreciate it if you let me sleep!" Briar laughed. Hunter chuckled. "Goodnight, Hunter. You're a great dude, okay? Unlike some…" Hunter could almost hear Briar roll her eyes and glance towards Hopper. "Bye, man. Don't burn."

The call ended adruptly. Hunter laughed to himself. "I won't."

Heya guys! Hope this chapter was alright. I had to slot another problem in, so my very smart friend princess mh suggested that Hunter was vet and had to be called to an animal emergency. Cheers, girl!

Now, Ashlynn may be overreacting, but remember she had lost Harmony through some pretty serious stuff. So she's in fear of losing Hunter. That, and the fact that he's her main support, as most husbands are.

Just to clear things up, Hunter isn't in love with Lollypop. And he won't be. He just admires her talent, skill, and kindness. Now, Lollypop is based on one of my absolutely lovely friends. Mystery-Friend, if you know who you are, please don't tell anyone. Just PM me.

Cheers!

Reade :)