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He’d beenfor hione to procure more Water, just because Nicola had asked, and that he should have returned by the end of the first day That wasn’t all he’d told her, of course Even re the rest, Nicola shuddered
Your ive up so precious to him His mind has to be a mess I have asked our leader for the details, but they are not his to share
So badly she had wanted to go back to those fewBut that’s why he’d flashed without telling her where he was going So that she couldn’t He was doing this for her Suffering for her
I have to find him Yet, she couldn’t leave her sister toto She just couldn’t leave her sister alone
And what if Koldo had been asked to give up Nicola?
Her stomach twisted into a thousand little knots, and she had to s back a rief
"This is it for me, Co Co"
Laila’s voice pierced the silence of the rooray eyes watched her, no hint of pain evident
Inside her, hope and confusion collided with the shock, creating a heady mixture that left her dizzy "You’re awake"
"Just for a moment" Chapped lips curved in a soft so, my love It’s time"
No Absolutely not! "I told you before I can’t I won’t" Nicola vehemently shook her head "You can beat this"
A weak chuckle reverberated between the oneas well as the sensitive one I don’t want you looking back on this and bla you could I refused to listen And I don’t want you afraid I’er"
"I’et better Koldo went to get you special Water It helped you before, and--"
"No,between the natural and the spiritual for a while, and I got soh He really is wonderful, you know I asked for a chance to say goodbye, and He granted it"
"Not goodbye I want you to stay," she whispered brokenly
"I know you do, but the fear It was ugly and I let it ruinto a better place, and one day we’ll be together again For now, you have a life to live The things you’re going to teach people Look at what you’ve done for Koldo already"
"Laila--"
"I love you, Co Co" So softly spoken
"Don’t do this Please"
"It’s already done"
There would be no changing her sister’s path, she realized The tears escaped, flowing down Nicola’s cheeks, one after the other, burning her skin She reached out, took her sister’s fragile hand and linked their fingers
"I love you, too, La La"
Laila sain--and breathed her last
NICOLA WALKED THE STREETS of her childhood neighborhood in a nuuards had flown her here and now followed discreetly behind her She couldn’t stop picturing the way her sister’s head had lolled to the side, the spark fading frolassy, dull Machines had beeped like crazy, and nurses had rushed inside But that tiirl They’d known they couldn’t
They’d turned off the machines, patted Nicola on the shoulder and left her alone
Silence had surrounded her Such heavy, oppressive silence She had only been able to sit there, tears continuing to slide down her cheeks
Hoas she supposed to go on fro by the tirown up in The house where they’d laughed and talked and played The house where they’d read storybooks to Robby
Located in historic midtown, the house had yellow stucco and exposed red brick There were bushes and flowers and bright green grass, plus a ce to the steps of a wraparound porch
The hospital faded fro out fro for Nicola to return froed frolass, relieved to be together again