Two weeks later~
After that night.
One mess after another. I thought I had everything sorted until I found out the bar will be closed for a while; my friend was sick and, in a blink, I found myself still on this island at twenty-five.
The Yarbury brothers still heard no reply. Giving up, I went about my business, becoming alarmed at how the money I saved slowly shrank. Well, things will never go the way you wish.
Holding the flask filled with warm water, I place it temporarily aside to open the closed door ajar for my exit. Not long later, the weak call of my friend was heard. "Gooder." Immediately I replied, "Yeh?" picking up the flask after pushing open the door I hurried in the direction of the master bedroom. Opening the door, I wrinkled my nose and squinted my eyes, trying my hardest not to cry. The smell of death filled the room. It is not yet cloying but heavy enough that the scent can easily be picked up. Looking at the woman who seems to have lost her vitality laying in the enormous bed, I bit my lower lip, struggling with the need not to cry out.
The woman older by a year who had once been smiling, rude and full of life became what laid on the bed presently. The thin hand reached out towards me, followed by the voice that made me flinch. "Come here a minute," tentatively I stepped forward, concealing the desolated emotion that threatened to overwhelm me. Standing directly before her. I waited for her to continue. "I have something to discuss with you, well ask you again."
"Yeh?" I said softly unable to say more. My throat became tight from the unshed tears, vision, blurring. It hurts me so badly to see her like this. The woman who taught me to blend in, the one who taught me to think for myself and the one who showed me I can stand strong on my own.
~~
Kimberly Bright, laid in the bed looking up at the ceiling, the fan turned leisurely circulating wind to keep her failing body cool.
Outside, the one friend with a unique scent on her she had made had given her a comfort. She scented her sorrow, but she could do nothing to help her. If she said she will be better, she would be lying. Picking up the phone that laid beside her, Kimberly looked at the screen and frowned. The job will be needed since Gooder has finished school and only stuck around for her sake.
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After reading, Kimberly did not hesitate to reply. Even though she might be presumption, she knew the answer already.
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"Can you take over for me until I am better? I don't know, little Xy-Xy is still on well and I am trying but—"
Her words were cut off when Gooder cut in face filled with concern. "It's OK. The company knows me by now. I will take over. Where now?"
Kimberly sucked in a breath, hearing the rattling from it. Her lungs are beginning to collapse, her vision is blurred already.
"In the J-parish, there is a villa in that area, food needs to be prepared as well. As usual the company car will be used. "
"Sure, you know my cooking skills are good and the vehicle will be safe with me."
"Of course they are. You were feeding me the past few weeks. Sigh I can't wait until Xy — " cough, "-comes from the hospital."
It is her fault her daughter is suffering; she is dying and has no idea how to prevent it.
The moaning of this realm echoed that of the main. When she does breathe her last, she will have no idea how to protect the two people she cares about the most in the world. That is why she had to make the child she gave birth to suffer.
By attaching the juvenile cord to Gooder, she can be stable until she matures and has a maternal bond to keep her sane. The other reason is that they were more alike than herself.
"They just need to observe her some more and she will be released. You will need to rest. You look exhausted. Kimberly." A comfort to her ears, she was tired no, weary. Parting her lips, she replied, trying to seem stronger than she actually felt. "I know. I... She is my daughter. She is so small, so innocent. I just don't want anything to happen to her."
"Xy-Xy is a tough girl, I am sure she will be OK."
"Yeh, I hope so as well."
"You are Kimberly Bright. I know everything will be better. Alright, I will prepare and head to the Villa. I will see you when I am back. The phone will be on me at all times, so no matter what, I will answer." Kimberly watched as she walked out, flashing her a small smile that hurt her jaw. When the door closed, her entire form collapsed on the bed, followed by the echo of breaking bones.
Stretching out her hand, Kimberly reached in between spaces and took out the vial fumbled to open the Cork and drank the contents. Her body recovered by a little more than half, adding a bit to her life.
Sitting up, Kimberly walked around her room, reaching randomly in space and pulled out a few important things.
When all was over, she dressed and headed to the hospital. There she entered the ward where her daughter rested, walking steady and entire form looking healthy.
"Mom."
"Daughter, do you forgive mother?"
The girl who resembled a five-year-old child bowed her head and said nothing for a long while. Kimberly was not impatient; the little thing is thinking. "I know your situation. It is just, you are the one who birthed me. Why can't I—"
Kimberly reached out and brushed away the stray strands of hair that teased her forehead. Her hand was cold against the warmth of the small child. "I birthed you, but the bond had been with her from the beginning."
"Then—"
"Shh. You are young, you should not dwell on these things now. I just want to look at you." The little girl scrunched up her face and looked at the woman trying not to cry, but alas she was too young. Kimberly comforted her by rubbing her back and rumbling low in her chest.
While holding the small girl close, she had no regrets. She was born, grew up, travelled and will die; returning to the great lady darkness.
Kimberly Bright, the name her mother had given her a long time ago. She did not like it or hate it. The thing is, she has forgotten her true self, a realm stepper originally. She had travelled through so many inter-connecting realms and saw so many things.
In the end, after some time; a thousand realm years? Maybe more, she had become hollow. The child she had birth is all she has left.
Her time is up, and her fated mates have not been found.
At least she had a friend and became a mother.