Moonlight Nocturne

Nick and Miri join them a little later, and then... it's time to go to the hospital.

 

Elena fidgets all the way there, playing with her dagger, turning it over and over in her hands. She doesn't know anything about what happened, about whether something's going to kill or eat Mom, and it's... it's awful.

 

Nick gently taps her shoulder. "Hey, put that away before we go in, okay?"

 

"... oh. Right." She hesitates, then shoves it in her backpack. She feels kind of naked without it. After that zombie... "Do you think Mom's okay?"

 

"...she should be okay. I guess we'll see what the doctors say, right?"

 

Elena nods, hugging her backpack to her chest.

 

He hugs her tight. "C'mon."

They head in, with Nick quietly checking in. "....sounds like she's awake."

 

Elena tries to bolt down the hallway, as soon as she hears the room number. Mom--!

 

Her mother looks up, smiling slightly. "....hey, sweetie. I'm sorry I scared you-"

 

Elena surges in and hugs her tight, clinging. "Mom! What happened? Why are you here? Can we go home now? Are you okay?"

 

Her mom winces, hugging her closs. "Careful, careful. I'm a bit sore. I.. well. I'm not doing so well, right now. The doctors say there's a problem with my appendix, but they're running some tests to make sure. I'll be okay, but I need to stay here for awhile, sweetie.'

 

Elena freezes. "... sorry, Mom. Are... are you sure you'll be okay? How long do you have to stay?"

 

"Not sure. They say if everything's normal, it should be about a week," she smiles. "...the Wilkins offered to let you stay, but if you want to stay with the neighbors...?"

 

Elena tries to smile back, clinging to her mother's hand. "... I can stay with Nick and Natasha. They're... they're really nice. And they have a niece who's my age!"

"... is the shop going to be okay? I can come see you, right?"

 

She nods, slowly, squeezing Elena gently. "...okay. ah... yes. Mrs. Wilkins mentioned you and her niece were becoming good friends," she smiles. "....I'm glad you're talking to someone your age, Elena. The shop will be okay - Nick and a young man he knows who came by yesterday will take care of it."

She kisses Elena's cheek. "And I expect you to visit, little lady.'

 

Elena blushes, squirming a little. "... she's really cool. Like... really cool."

She would say that she's dating Miri, but she suspects that might impede her changes of sleeping at the Wilkins'. Jeez. It's not like she and Miri are doing anything besides kissing...

"... I will. I'll be good. I love you, Mom."

 

"I love you, too, Elena," she hugs her close. "And do your homework, okay?"

 

"... I will. I'll make Nick help with my book report." She clings, sniffling a little. "... I'll be good. Just... get better, okay?"

 

"I will." She smiles. "Just be good, I'll be better soon."

 

"... Okay." She stays there for a little while, leaning her head on her mom's chest. "I... I'll see you tomorrow, okay?"