*Knock, Knock, Knock*
…*Earrrrraaaiichhhhh*
"My King, where are you going? I don't think Elwin wants to…"
"You stay in the Bus, you hear me? Stay on the Bus.
Guards, keep them back."
"What's he going to do in there?"
"Just stay on the bus. Your King would never act on his anger."
"You don't think he would hurt Elwin in any way? He already said Kids could get hurt at this new school. So if he hurts the schools leader any more then she already is; then the others will loose faith to continue without her; for it was her idea was it not?"
"Just...please stay calm, Everyone. I am sure everything will be fine."
*Eaaaaarrrrrraaaiiiichhhhhhh*
"Knock, Knock. Elwin.....is anybody home?
Are you sleeping? Elwin?"
Elwin? Where are...
There you are."
"King Laphate, what are you doing here?"
"You don't look so good in the face.
I….I....I heard the news you were sick, and rushed over as soon as I could."
"But Kain didn't tell me he told anyone."
"You know how Kids are these days. Say one thing, do another. But then when you ask them why, they say they had your best interest of safety in mind. Didn't want to make you more nervous than you already are.
Plus, I could see you are a little….short staffed. And with Kain helping Darius, he called me to check in on you."
"How nice.
*Awwckkk...awwckkkkkhhh..*
"Uhhh….is there anything you need? More wet towels for your head? A fresh meal prepared. or….."
*Awwwckkkkhhh….awwckkkhh*
"Just water with ice will do."
"Just a water?"
"Maybe with one of those water packets, if you have any? I'm still drinking water, but it might distract my brain thinking I am drinking Fruit Punch, when I know I am not."
"Red packet it is. I'll get that for you right away, Elwin. You just sit back and stay comfortable."
"Oh…
*Awwwckkk…..awwckkkkhhh.
King Laphate.
King Laphate."
"Yes? Is there more you would like?"
"Just to say thank you.
Really."
"Oh, it's just a water. Nothing to be thanking me for. I would get it for anyone. See someone in need, help them. Don't take advantage of their situation, but sympathize with it, is what I say."
"No. Thank you for everything.. Thank you for trusting me with your son."
"He's not my....You're welcome.
I'll get you that water now so that you don't accidentally choke on air."
"Maybe Ruby did bring everyone together...…in her own way.
Thanks for giving me the suit, Dad.
*Cooff….oooooff*
And thanks for letting me remember the good side of him, Ruby. I will never forget. Just wish I could hold you for one last time, Dad. The real you."
*Stiishhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...…..Earrwwaaakkkk….earrrwiiickkk...eearrrrwickkk…..eaaarrrwrrricckkkink*
"Now, where's those Packets at? This drawer? …Nope. This Drawer?…Nope. What about...…Ahaaa...….Found them.
Fruit punch she said. Well, we got cherry....grape…..sour.....apple....lemon…..rasbe...hey….what's this?"
'Don't touch. This is not homemade strawberry syrup. -Love, Dad.'
Strawberry syrup eh? What if I…..
*Pop*
…Whoooo...…..That definitely smells like an untested experiment. I don't know what Tai worked on, but this smell alone could wake the dead.
Hmmmm….What if I dropped a flew splashes of this in her drink, mixed with...."
"LAPHATE!!!!!"
"COMING, ELWIN.
*Drip…..drip….drip…
*Shtttiiiisshhhhhhh...stisshh….stisshhh…..stissshhh*
'One packet good for a half cup.'
A HALF…CUP!!!!!!!!!!
Oh no. She…..spoon…spoon. Gotta stir. Gotta stir. Where are the spoons? Gotta hide the flavor."
"LAPHATE!!!!!! CAN YOU TELL KAIN THAT I'M OKAY; WHEN YOU SEE HIM NEXT?"
"WILL DO, ELWIN.
….COMING WITH YOUR DRINK, NOW.
...…..Hope you like it, Elwin. Stirred, not shaken."
"Thank you, Laphate.
Wait...is that a hair in my…."
"Uhh…let's just get that out of there."
"This wouldn't happen to be one of my dads untested hair growers, would it?"
"Why would I…."
"Cause I don't need hair. I got lots of it. Besides, guys and girls are different; so if this is; then it would have the opposite effects on me, and maybe even worse since I am much younger then he."
"I promise you. This is One hundred percent Cherry Fruit Punch, through and through. I would never pull something like that on you."