Chapter 183 - Funeral
Early next morning there was a funeral held for four who we had lost yesterday. The entire village was dressed in black and I stood quietly beside Channing in the little drizzle that the dark colds showered on us.
The families of the dead cried their hearts out over the coffins, which were yet to be buried.
My ears were still ringing from the cries that we had heard in the hospital yesterday. In yesterday's entire night, many people had come to believe that their kids were poisoned and there were many tests that the families demanded to be done. The hospital was in chaos and the families all had puffy eyes as they stood among the other general crowd right now.
Dandeline pushed from in between the crowd to join my side and the first thing I did was ask her, "Did you find anything yesterday?"
Dandeline shook her head, "The chief went off somewhere in the middle, rest there was nothing suspicious." I nodded as we went back to the standing in the silence that was only filled with cries.
When it was our turn, I went first to keep the flower over the coffins. My heart clenched knowing in one of them rested Elaine and it was just now fair for her to go this way. The good ones are always picked up first and remembering that saying only brought me more pain than any relief. Elaine had a pleasant smile to share and a big heart with a warm aura. I would see her no less than an angel who was once in my life. As I rose, I saw the four photos of the dead and my eyes shut in an offering of peace.
I did not stay long because it was only making my heart heavy for the loss.
Dandeline accompanied me to the hospital where the rooms had now been left empty and only the hospital staff roamed around. We made our way to the ICU, and I saw Sam inside with a ventilator attached to him. His heartbeat giving low elevations than a wake man.
I went inside and there was a receptionist inside who asked me to fill in my entry for the ICU as this wasn't isolated and rather combines with five patients here.
After doing the needful, I and Dandeline made our way to Sam and pulled in the curtains. "How is he?" I whispered to Dandeline, and she went ahead to move her hand slowly over his body. She let it hover around his head as if sensing something there, "What is wrong?"
"I think he had a haemorrhage," Dandeline whispered back, "It looks like he must have slipped into a coma before we got to him."
I took in a sharp breath. If only I could heal in my human form as well, I would be able to save Sam right in this instance. "Let's go," I spoke to Dandeline, and she did not question me any further. Last night, if my blood had not fallen short or if my healing had worked well, Sam would not be lying in the ICU right now. On our way out, we met with the doctor and I was quick to ask, "Doctor, how is Sam doing?"
The doctor looked a little confused and peeked inside the ICU, "The patient number 1304?"
"No patient 1305," I corrected him.
The doctor looked inside again from the circular glass window on the door. His eyes falling on Sam and then back on me, "He suffered a cranial shock. I am surprised that there is no injury that we find on him, but internally, he was bleeding and we had to operate yesterday. Only time will tell how he recovers." There was a slight warning in his voice that Sam might not make it, and it only made me clench my fist.
"Thank you, doctor," I said, and he nodded, knowing very well that a smile was not needed here.
I stormed out of the hospital as I made my way to the residential area. The ground had turned wet, and the light drizzle had stopped, but the dark clouds still hovered around the skies, making the atmosphere gloomy.
We made our way inside the condo, and unlike yesterday, I could not hold myself back today as I smashed the flower vase on the floor.
Dandeline did not say a word to rather she stood by the corner.
I exhaled sharply as I went to sit on the couch and buried my face in my palms. If only I could use my abilities in my human form, I would have saved Sam today. It was tough to get him out of the hospital as he had just been through surgery and to sneak out an ICU patient was all the more hassle. If something happened to him, I would just not be able to forgive myself.
"Dandeline," I called out to her, "Bring me your dagger."
Dandeline, just like the loyal maid that she was, brought me the dagger she had been using yesterday. I removed it from its scabbard and saw the blade was clean. As expected of Dandeline. I placed the blade on my palm and Dandeline was quick to react, "Princess, what are you doing!"
I clicked my tongue, "Shut up Dandeline. How many times do I have to tell you to not call me that?"
"But... Madam, please don't hurt yourself, " Dandeline almost brought her hand ahead to stop me from cutting my palm.
"I am doing it so I could practise my abilities," I replied as the blade dug into my skin and blood gushed out, but I let it dig more. When Dandeline was about to react, I spoke before she could, "I have to be able to heal in my human form as well, or Sam will continue to stay in danger. It is a long time and I have to get my abilities back on track."
"But madam, it was only yesterday that you lost so much blood," Dandeline spoke in concern.
I rolled my eyes, "I am not bleeding myself to death now.. Shut up and give me some quiet."