A Strange State of Affairs Ch. 23

"She needs surgery."

The doctor stood outside of Norah's room with Fye and Mowells.

She continued, "Her arteries are caked with plaque. If we don't fix this now, there's a very high chance that she'll have a relapse."

Elevine listened at the door to the doctor's grim words.

"We're going to suggest a coronary bypass surgery for her," the doctor said to Fye. The artist nodded, his face sullen.

El looked over at Norah, barely breathing on her bed. And the image of her parents' death came back to her...

"You are…the daughter, yes? Elevine Flourite?"

"I'm afraid there was an accident. I'm afraid…your parents…they're gone."

"I'm alone?"

A girl, swathed in black and lying on her bed.

A bottle of pills rolled about on the floor, emptied.

Fye's face, turning away.

I take it back, I take it all back! I want to live! I just want my life back!

Numbness travelled up her paws and turned into a rolling tide that ripped up her back and into her brain. Elevine howled in agony, writhing on the floor. She felt a burn sear again up her spine, tearing her apart.  She felt herself ripping into pieces, coming out of her skin and becoming something…something else…

She hopped on Norah's bed and stared into her face.

The woman opened her eyes.

"Mom," Elevine thought, "Her eyes are just like Mom's."

The girl's tears dripped onto Norah's face. "Who are you?" Norah whispered weakly.

But the girl had already disappeared.