\[Denali’s POV\]
I stand in the doorway of Rosco’s room, unable to move. My eyes stay locked on the man who lays in bed motionless, with bandages covering his body and an IV attached to his skin that replenishes the blood that he has lost.
Laying there like that, he looks so fragile, and it damn near kills me.
No. I think inwardly, collecting myself. You can’t break down, not here, not now.
Sucking in a few calming breaths, I begin to move, making my way into the room and then taking a seat beside my man. Once I’m comfortable, I reach out and grab his hand.
For a moment, I don’t speak, as I just stare into his face, taking in his much too pale complexion and the dark circles beginning to form under his eyes.
“Hey,” I whisper, bringing his hand to my lips and kissing it. “Don’t worry about things here.” I continue. “I’ve got them under control, so please just worry about getting better.”
Growing quiet, I wait as if Rosco would respond to my words, though I know that he won’t.
How was it possible that someone who was so full of life the day before could be in such a condition now? The nue’s illness was no joke.
As this thought hits, a commotion begins to erupt right outside the room, and I don’t need to go see what is happening to understand. There was only one thing that would have the doctors and nurses so up in arms. We were about to lose our first warrior.
Feeling my stomach turn and my heart drop, I look to Rosco once more, and after giving his hand a quick squeeze, I begin to move. As the current standing leader of Emerald Moon, it was only right that I went and tried to do what I could, even if it was helping whoever was about to be lost find solace in what was happening.
When I emerge from Rosco’s room, I find Maria with sweat-soaked skin and a pale complexion. Her hands are trembling, and her body sways.
“Hey!” I gasp, rushing forward and grabbing her before she can hit the ground. “What’s wrong? What happened?”
“It…” she whispers, her unseeing eyes growing wide. “The patient…. He…”
Frowning, I look in the direction of all the noise and find nurses and doctors alike rushing in and out of one particular room.
“Stay here.” I command, beginning to move. “Take a rest, you look like you’re about to fall out.”
“But…”
“That’s an order.”
Not waiting to see if she would take me seriously, I continue to move until I am able to see a single person, or at least what looks to have been a person on a bed. Their limbs seem to be almost melting, and their skin bubbles with boils and pus.
“What?” I hiss, swallowing down the bile that is beginning to rise. “What is this?”
With wide eyes, I watch on as the person’s body seems to almost decompose right in front of me until there’s nothing left.
“Luna!” Olga squeaks, reaching out and grabbing me as I sway from the shock. “Why are you here? You shouldn’t have to witness such things.”
“This,” I rasp, suddenly picturing the same thing happening to Rosco. “This isn’t what Elise described.”
“It isn’t.” Olga agrees, giving me a grave look. “I can only assume that each nue carries a different illness, and this is what the one we faced gave.”
“Then that means…” I continue, not wanting to say the words that are stuck in my throat. “There’s a chance…”
“I’m afraid so.” She whispers, completely understanding. “All we can do is wait and see what comes next.”
\[Elise’s POV\]
I stand in place, watching as everyone moves about, trying to help those who have been unlucky enough to fall ill from the nue’s attack. It was all too damn familiar, and it was bringing back unpleasant memories with each passing second.
Shaking off the fear that is beginning to build, I look down at the infant in my arms and know that I need to be strong for her and for her mother. As someone who lost those I cared for to the same thing, I understood to some degree what Denali was feeling. I could only hope that the big lug was strong enough to get through this.
Turning, I begin to move just as Marty and William appear with sleep mussed hair and twin looks of worry on their faces.
“Elise?” William calls, making his way toward me. “Are you okay? Why are you here?”
“I heard a commotion,” I explain. “And then I found Denali, and she was...”
I don’t need to finish my words for William to understand what it is that I’m getting at. How could he not understand the reason Denali would be here without Rosco? Dammit. This was getting worse and worse.
“And Serenity?” William asks, changing the subject. “Is she alright?”
“Yeah.” I respond. “I’m caring for her so that Denali can be with her husband. There isn’t any place for a child amongst this mess.”
“You’re right.” William agrees. “You should head back.”
“Yeah,” I murmur, still shaken from what was happening. “I should.”
Growing quiet, I look in the direction of the chaos again and then toward where my room is located. As I do so, Marty and William watch me carefully, and after a moment too long of silence, Marty lets out a long sigh.
“Oi,” he announces, shoving William toward me. “Why don’t you keep her company? I’ll see what I can do here.”
Nodding, William doesn’t respond before he is wrapping an arm around my waist and giving me a gentle tug.
“Come on.” He murmurs when I look at him. “You look like you may pass out at any minute.”
“I’m fine.” I insist, though my head starts to spin and my ears ring. “I can handle this.”
“Sure you can.” William chuckles, starting to lead me away. “You’re strong and independent and can handle any situation, but I’m weak, and the strong scent of blood here is making me sick. Do me a favor and keep me company until I feel better.”
Opening my mouth, I prepare to argue, but stop as I understand that he is trying to make me feel better. The fool. Why did he continue to care for someone like me?
“Alright,” I sigh, knowing that he isn’t going to take no for an answer. “But you,” I continue, turning my gaze to Marty. “You better let me know if anything happens.”
“Ten four.” Marty grins and then salutes. “I’ll report back to my mistress with everything.”
“Ugh.” I grimace, hating the way that sounded. “Don’t be creepy.”
Laughing, Marty reaches out and ruffles my hair before bouncing forward and disappearing in the sea of bodies.
“Come on.” William says when he is out of sight. “Why don’t we go get some fresh air?”
“Alright.” I say, letting myself be led toward the packhouse’s exit. “I think that would be good.”