#to look up without ending up on a list as long as the heart/lungs/anything crucially vital Weren't fucked up Instantly there very well

[bravevolunteer]

what if we kissed on the wiki page for disembowelment

[secretlysheikah]

Mistakes

Welcome to chapter 8 of Hide and Seek. I hope you’re ready! 

Note: Hide and Seek is the second arc to Tower Troubles. If you haven’t read those I suggest you start there! I’ll drop a link here:

Looming Shadows series

I wanted to take this time to thank you all for taking the time to read this insanely long fic. I never thought so many people would want to read my stuff and it makes me smile every time I see a comment and a like. You guys are amazing and I love you all!  Remember to take breaks if you are just starting to read this story. It is a dark one and I want to make sure you all know so you can take care. Be safe! 

Start here:

Wind was the first to react when the trio rounded the corner to the spring. Legend hated to admit it but he had froze entirely at the scene that was laid out before him. Hyrule with his back arched in the grips of agony while that dark son of a bitch smiled and held a writhing string of golden white light between his black fingertips. His mind had immediately slammed to a halt even as his heart juddered and raced with an all encompassing horror. Nothing else existed outside that moment, not his companions, not the spring, not even the air that whistled between his teeth. His vision was a tunnel and all he knew was that at the other end of it was Hyrule, Dark and the debilitating feeling of fear and failure that permeated his mind.  

No, it was Wind who had acted, not himself. Before he could even think about taking a step the boy had already shouted in alarm and was on the move. He watched as the boomerang was sent hurtling through the air with deadly precision and sliced through the form of the monster that had taken advantage of his stupidity. Hyrule’s body falling into the water below was the only thing that had jarred him into motion once again. He felt the thrum of his magic race through his legs calling his boots to jump to life at his call as he dashed forwards. He sped past Wind in a blink and nearly overshot where Hyrule had landed. His sudden stop made the joints in his legs cry out in pain as bones were jammed back into their sockets but he paid it little mind. He was already shoulder deep in the water grasping desperately for the still form of Hyrule that laid just under the sloshing waves. 

He pulled the unconscious hero from the cold grips of the water and watched as his head lolled bonelessly. His lips held a touch of blue and watery blood leaked from his nose and at the corner of his mouth. Hyrule’s eyes were barely open showing a small sliver of faint green irises from between his lashes. Legend resisted the urge to shake him and instead hefted him forwards to lean against his arm as his other hand clapped against Hyrule’s worryingly still back. He couldn’t tell if he was breathing, couldn’t tell how much water he might have breathed in. 

Suddenly Wind was beside him fluttering around like a fairy as he peered at Hyrule’s eyes then moved to place a finger under his nose. His face paled and he immediately shifted to Hyrule’s other side and began helping Legend with hitting Hyrule’s back. Wind didn’t have to say anything, Legend knew that if Wind was concerned that it meant it was bad. 

“Come on ‘Rule, Come on,” Wind muttered as he pounded against the other’s back. After a couple more slaps against Hyrule’s back he paused before smacking himself on the forehead. 

“Get him to shore, move now,” He commanded and suddenly he was pulling at Hyrule’s arm, struggling to get him towards the small beach. Legend blinked at him, not understanding what the other was saying. Still Wind struggled to pull Hyrule to land but he couldn’t move. Time appeared by his side like a specter and quickly grabbed Hyrule’s other arm and together they pulled him away and back to shore in quick succession. They dropped him to the sand, body half in the water and Legend watched as Wind dived to his side and started chest compressions. Legend watched, completely numb, unable to move or even process what to do next. This was his fault, and he could do nothing to help, couldn’t even get his body to twitch a finger, utterly useless. 

After a couple minutes of chest compressions and rescue breathing Hyrule choked and coughed, sending pinkish water pouring out of mouth and nose. With the help of Time and Wind they turned him on his side and waited for him to cough up all the water. Legend didn’t know when he had moved, but suddenly he was falling in front of Hyrule, hand shaking and tears falling to the sand below him as he rubbed circles on his brother’s shoulder and coaxed him to take deep breaths. Wind for his part had fallen back onto the sand, arm thrown over his face seemingly drained and weak from the ordeal. 

“Thank you,” Legend choked from his place next to Hyrule, his watery eyes made the sailor’s form waver and ripple before he stubbornly blinked the tears away.

“I was stupid, I should have done that sooner,” Wind muttered mostly to himself before pressing the heels of his hands against his eyes. Time made an indiscernible noise as he patted Wind’s elbow.

“You aren’t stupid, you did great sailor,” He said before turning his attention to the shaking Hyrule who was now starting to look more lively. His eyes were wide and his breaths were coming in sharp gasps.   

“Hyrule, can you hear me?” Time asked as he knelt by Hyrule’s head and brushed the waterlogged hair away from his face. Hyrule didn’t say anything, didn’t even acknowledge Time’s question, only clawed at the sand until he was on his hands and knees before he grabbed at Legend’s tunic. 

“It’s gone, Legend, I can’t feel it,” He croaked in a desperate sob before he practically collapsed into Legend’s arms. He grabbed at Hyrule, holding him close and rubbed more circles on his back. Hyrule was trembling and clawed desperately at the back of his tunic and Legend felt dread beginning to pool in his stomach. He licked his lips, terrified to ask the question he knew he had to ask.

“‘Rule, what’s… Gone?” He asked, as images of the white and gold string trapped between Dark’s fingers flashed in his mind and the words struggled to leave his tight throat. Hyrule gave a gasping sob and pulled away from him, hands still gripping Legend's tunic in a white knuckled grip. His eyes looked pale, not the deep forest green like he was used to seeing. He watched as Hyrule’s face contorted before he dropped his head and pulled his hands away, letting them fall limply into his lap. 

“My magic, I can’t feel it. Or rather it’s… Numbed, almost distant in a way,” He whispered, like speaking it would only make his words true. Legend felt his jaw clench so tight he thought his teeth might crack. Rage, sudden and hot blazed in his lungs and suddenly he was standing, his fury making him pace.     

“Legend?” Time asked cautiously from where he sat next to the traveler, one hand resting heavily on Hyrule’s shoulder even as the other was held out beseechingly towards him. Legend shook his head holding up his own hand, demanding silence. He had to calm down, he didn’t want Hyrule to think he was angry at him and for that he had to calm down. 

Dark had done some horrible things but this, this was too much. If he had wanted to kill Dark before, now he wanted to absolutely destroy him. He threw his head back and let out a long and measured breath before returning to Hyrule. He knelt down carefully in front of the traveler, and offered his most gentle and level voice. 

“Hyrule, can you try something for me?” He asked and waited for Hyrule to make eye contact. It took a moment but he raised his head and nodded ever so slightly. Legend took that as a good sign and took up Hyrule’s chilled hands and pressed them in between his own. He sucked in a deep breath and gave him an encouraging smile. 

“Try to use some magic for me? Let’s see what we’re working with, yeah?” He asked and watched as Hyrule went pale. He was shaking his head before the question was done but Legend squeezed his hands tighter. 

“Come on, you can do it, just try,” He said fervently, practically begging. When Hyrule only continued to shake his head Legend had to carefully school his face into a mask of friendly calm. When Hyrule still hadn’t moved to try, Legend forced some steel into his voice and pressed harder. 

“Come on Roolie, please I know you can,” He said and this time Hyrule sucked in a breath, squeezed his eyes shut and grit his teeth. There was a moment where nothing happened, Hyrule grimaced and struggled and Legend could feel the strain as Hyrule dug deep for his magic. 

There was a slight tremor in his hands and just the barest tingle of magic before a small, guttering pale blue flame burst to light just above his fingertips. The flame lasted only a few seconds before Hyrule listed to the side hands going limp in Legend’s own. Time was there in an instant grabbing hold of him and pulling the boy close to his chest. Legend let their hands fall away, his mouth numb and eyes hot. He gave a look to Time over top of Hyrule’s head and he could tell the older man knew it wasn’t good. He swallowed and patted Hyrule’s knee. 

“See, I told you you could do it,” He said, forcing false cheer into his voice but he could tell by the wretched look in Hyrule’s eyes that he knew better. 

“Legend, my magic, it’s…” Hyrule started and was stopped by Time. 

“It’s still there ‘Rule, that’s all that matters,” He said comfortingly, his hand coming up to run through Hyrule’s slowly drying curls. 

“Time’s right, that shadowy bastard can’t keep a great magic user down, we just gotta work at it, that’s all.” He said as he stood and plastered a determined smile across his face. He didn’t want to tell Time, but he could tell that just that little magic that Hyrule could use wasn’t without monumental effort on Hyrule’s part. It was like something was missing, a crucial link broken and stolen away. Sure Hyrule could use magic, but it wasn’t going to be the same. It would be like losing your dominant sword arm, sure after enough time maybe you could get back to the way you were, but you would never be the same. Dark had effectively cut off a large amount of Hyrule’s magic, and sure he could strengthen and grow it again, but it wouldn’t be the same.

They all sat in silence for a few minutes, everyone working to catch their breath from the ordeal they had just overcome. Time shifted and slowly pulled Hyrule to his feet before he gestured for Wind to come and help support him. The sailor obeyed without question and with a little convincing they all moved to go back to the tiny treehouse. Legend hung back, away from the others as they made their way back, lost in his own thoughts and blind to the world. He startled as he felt a light tap in his shoulder and he looked up to find Wind and Hyrule a bit further ahead and Time at his side. 

“Legend, are you okay?” He asked and Legend nearly let out a disbelieving snort. That must have been answer enough because Time frowned and wrapped an arm around his shoulders.

“He’s still alive, that’s all that matters. We can help him with his magic, not all is lost,” He said and Legend knew it was meant to be comforting but it only raked a trench through his heart. 

“Time, do you know how magic works?” He asked softly and Legend could feel how Time stiffened. 

“Honestly, not really,” Time admitted and Legend nodded slowly. 

“Think of it as woven threads in a shirt. They are intricately woven within our souls. There are some who can command those threads, growing them and strengthening them so they not only just reside in the soul but spread like vines through our whole bodies. Magic becomes an extension of us and therefore acts like a connection between us, and the world around us making it possible to create or destroy as we wish. It is like a force of nature.” Legend said in a monotone. He didn’t look at Time to see if he understood, only kept his eyes on Hyrule’s back. Time was silent, waiting for him to continue. Legend coughed, gathering his thoughts before he started again. 

“Imagine a tree that has been struck by lightning.” He said carefully before choosing his next words. 

“The trunk gets split and torn asunder, alive but only just. It could grow again, Hell it could even thrive given the time and the care it needed, but it will have a scar, it will have pieces missing. It will never truly be the same again. That is what happened to Hyrule, that is what the bastard did, that is what my stupidity allowed to happen.” Legend whispered, voice low and boiling. Time let his arm fall away as he processed his words and Legend waited to be damned. 

 “You made a mistake,” Time said slowly and Legend nearly crumbled under the words. Angry tears flooded his eyes and his breaths grew shallow. Time’s hand came to rest on his shoulder once again and Legend swore it burned his skin.

“That being said, it doesn’t mean all is lost. You made a mistake, yes, but no one is perfect and to come down on you for it would make me a hypocrite in the worst possible way. Legend please, do not let this destroy you. We must continue forwards, tread this new path and adapt. We are heroes, not Gods. We’re all alive, we are mostly together, we will get through this and Hyrule will thrive again,” He said determinedly and this time Legend couldn’t stop the snort that left him. 

“I should have never left him there alone, I should have never allowed this to happen. How can I even look at him Time? How can I even begin to fix this extreme level of fuck up?” He said breathlessly. Time stopped him as they were about to round the corner to the opening just out front of Twilight’s house, allowing the other two to disappear from sight. He gripped Legend’s shoulders and leveled a hard look at him. 

“There is no point in dwelling on the ‘should haves’ there is only now. Now we come together, now we fight and become stronger. Legend, my friend, my brother, I forgive you and never truly blamed you, and I know Hyrule never blamed you in the first place. We are family, we are strong together and we will win.” He said firmly and Legend almost wished Time would have damned him. He didn’t deserve this, his ‘mistake’ as Time put it was just too large to be forgiven so easily. 

He didn’t realize he had been crying until Time pulled him into a crushing hug and he felt his tears make the armor Time wore slick under his cheek. Time placed a hand on the back of his head and held him while he cried all the while making calming noises and rubbing his back. They didn’t stay that way for long before they were being called for by Wind. 

“Uh guys, there’s a portal here,” Legend felt himself stiffen, mind reeling. A portal? Already? But why? Time let out a sigh and kissed the top of Legend’s head before he patted Legend’s back and pulled away. 

“It looks like it’s time we move forward, yes?” He said with a kind smile and Legend let out a rumbling cough and wiped his eyes. Time was right, it was time to move forward, he could dwell on this later. He gave the old man a determined nod of his head and squared his shoulders.

“Atta boy, now go and meet up with the other two, I’ll go and see if I can’t collect the others. Hopefully Wars is back from town.” Time said as he moved to walk away. 

“But what about Twi?” Legend asked before he got too far. 

“We will burn that bridge when we get to it, let me worry about that. You just go and be with your brothers, I’m sure they would like to see you.” He said with a kind smile before he turned back around and strode off to go and get the others. Legend took a deep breath, wiped his eyes again and followed after him to join Wind and Hyrule by the portal.         

******

The door shut quickly behind the three heroes as they dashed out of the small tree house leaving Four alone with his thoughts. His mind was eerily calm as he stared at the closed door, the only noise to fill the air was the fire’s gentle crackling and soft wheezing breaths of Twilight as he slept in peaceful oblivion. He flexed his fingers absentmindedly as he stared at the door, and let his eyes trace the whorls in the wood grain. 

‘They’ll be okay, surely they will find the answers we need,’ the soft voice of Green drifted through his thoughts but he still felt stuck in place. He wasn’t fully convinced however there wasn’t much to be done about it. He was instructed to stay, protect Twilight, and that was what he was going to do. 

‘Then at least make it look like you’re doing something,’ Blue huffed lightly in annoyance before his voice drifted away to meld with the snaps of the flames. Four gave a slight nod and blinked rapidly, dispelling the malaise that had consumed him. Resting his hand on the Four sword at his hip he meandered around the small living quarters. 

‘You know what I can’t stop thinking about?’ Vio asked from somewhere in the back of his mind and Four found himself tilting his head in curiosity. He had gotten better at not talking out loud to himself, and he found that even now when he was practically alone he still practiced the habit. 

‘Did Twilight actually read all these books?’ Vio asked and Four let his eyes drift to a small bookshelf that hid in the shadows next to the loft ladder. He focused his sight and could see a hint of Vio standing in front of the small shelves. He was leaned over, closely studying the spines of the books. Four let out a little huff of amused breath and watched as the faint outline of Red sidled over to Vio and shoved him playfully. 

‘Of course he did, don’t be a jerk,’ Red chided lightly and ducked out of the way of Vio as he lunged for him. Four rolled his eyes and let his mind relax and watched as their scuffle faded from his sight leaving only the image of the bookshelf behind. He would never get over the oddity that was the ability to see himself, the other colors? Standing in multiple places at once. Though he had gotten good at ignoring their antics, sometimes it was hard to ignore. They could be very distracting if they wanted to be and that had led to many awkward situations until he had learned how to tune them out. 

He shook his head ruefully at the thought, no one told him this would be a side effect from his adventure. Granted He doubted that anyone could have known that seeing your fractured being  as faded image overlays was even a possibility.

‘Come on, you love us,’ Green said with a fond chuckle and Four could practically feel a subtle bubbling of humor in his chest.

‘To be fair, we are him, so I would hope that he loves us,’  Blue snorted and Four was about to nod his agreement when he heard a soft groan from Twilight. The other voices of the colors melted away and he walked quickly over to the couch and rested a hand on Twilight’s forehead before taking Twilight’s hand in his own and squeezed. He was still so warm and that worried him. He wished he would have paid attention the night before, been more firm in his protests for Twilight to rest but there was nothing to be done about it now. He studied Twilight’s flushed face closely watching the way his eyes flickered under his eyelids and tried to figure out if he was about to wake. He wished the others would come back with news or at the very least more water to soothe the heat that was radiating off his forehead. 

Twilight settled down quickly again and Four felt himself relax though he still didn’t move away. Instead he gently ran his fingers through Twilight’s sweaty hair and prayed the others wouldn’t be too much longer. As if Hylia herself heard his prayers the sound of the door handle rattling sounded through the house. Four straightened with a relieved sigh and withdrew his hands before turning to face the newly opened door.

A head of curly brown hair peeked around the door and Four felt himself smile. Hyrule was back, and he made his way over to greet him and paused as he watched his fellow slink into the house. He felt a hum of suspicion drift through his mind, Hyrule was acting weird, like he wasn’t supposed to be there. He heard the colors in the back of his mind muttering about it and he felt his spine starting to straighten. 

“Hey there ‘Rule, where’s the others?” Four asked, drawing slightly too pale green eyes towards himself. Was Hyrule’s eyes always that light? Maybe it was the lighting, but it was another thing to add to his apprehension. Hyrule blinked at him a couple times and a smile twitched at the corners of his mouth. 

“Ah Four, yes, the others are still at the spring, they might be there for a bit. I wanted to come by and see how things are here,” He said with a light laugh and began walking around and examining everything as if seeing it for the first time. 

“Oh, have there been any developments?” Four asked as he tried to keep his voice level, and observed the other closely. He couldn’t put a finger on it but there was something wrong with Hyrule but he didn’t have enough information to make a judgment call. Hyrule hummed for a moment, as he picked up a piece of bread off of the small kitchen table and examined it. 

“Not much sadly, I think Legend was seeing things earlier.” He said casually and replaced the bread on the table. 

“So, you didn’t see Wild?” Four asked casually as he very slowly as to not make it obvious moved to keep himself in between Hyrule and Twilight. He apparently didn’t do a good job of it because Hyrule raised an eyebrow at him in question. Four let out a cough and continued on ignoring the look. 

“Legend was rather adamant that you both saw him, I was just curious,” He said stiffly before he coughed awkwardly again and tried to loosen his stance. He didn’t know why but Hyrule just didn’t seem right to him, something was making him feel on edge and he just couldn’t pin down why. There was a chance that he was overreacting but judging by the muttering in the back of his mind it made him think otherwise. The colors were agitated and Four knew better than to ignore their cautious words.

“Did you bring any water back?” Four asked conversationally, it was clear that he hadn’t but he still secretly hoped that maybe he had just left it outside. Hyrule shrugged, clearly choosing to ignore Four’s tense stance.   

“Must have slipped my mind, I’m sure the others will bring some when they catch up,” He said smoothly as he clasped his hands behind his back, the picture of calm. 

‘That’s not right,’ Vio whispered in the back of his mind and the other’s agreed. The clear confirmation only hardened his reserve. 

“Are you sure nothing happened at the spring? It’s not like you to forget something like that when we need it,” Four asked and winced at the warnings that came flooding through his mind. 

‘He is acting weird for sure, don’t push too hard,’ Blue muttered cautiously and Four could feel the subtle jitter of anxious energy work it’s way through his blood stream, ready to act at a moment's notice. 

Hyrule just shrugged and examined a small figurine of a goat on a shelf before he addressed him again. 

“It got a little hectic with everyone shouting and searching the water. Like I said the Vet must have been seeing things. Anyways I wanted to see how things are here. How is Twilight?” He asked pointedly and Four felt himself starting to wind up like a spring that was close to snapping. 

“He’s okay, just needs some water and rest is all,” Four said with a slight chill to his tone. Even though Hyrule’s tone had sounded genuine it still didn’t sit right in mind, it sounded false. Hyrule hummed and moved towards the couch and Four practically had to force himself to keep his hand away from his sword. A small part of him, dim as it was, was still warring against his instincts. Hyrule came to stand in front of him, letting a gentle smile grace his face. The smile didn’t reach his eyes. 

‘No, no no, this isn’t right,” Red practically screeched and he could feel Green begging for him to grab his sword to keep Hyrule away from Twilight at all costs. 

“Four, he is clearly not well. Let me have a closer look won’t you?” He practically purred and that small part of him that argued in Hyrule’s favor vanished in a blink. He was on full alert now and before he could so much as even twitch Hyrule pushed past him and loomed over Twilight’s feverish form. Twilight twitched and grasped at his blankets like even he could feel the wrongness that was Hyrule. 

“I don’t think that will be necessary. Back away ‘Rule,” Four growled as he drew his blade and brought it to rest just under Hyrule’s chin. Hyrule for his part leaned back slowly away from the sword and slowly raised his hands. 

“Why Four, maybe you’re the one that is unwell here,” Hyrule breathed, making Four bristle in newfound anger. His breaths quickened and he pushed the sword closer towards Hyrule’s throat forcing him away from the couch made sick bed. 

“I doubt that. You aren’t Hyrule are you,” Four accused and Hyrule lowered his head to look down at the sword. Carefully he placed a finger on the tip of the blade and stepped away so he was standing in front of it. Four felt a snarl pull at his mouth as he moved to stand in front of Twilight. 

“You don’t think I’m Hyrule? What makes you think that Smithy?” Hyrule asked dangerously, daring to take a step closer. 

“The way you talk, the way you skulked in here like a criminal, the way you asked about Twi like him being sick was something new. It’s all just wrong.” Four said firmly and watched as Hyrule nodded along. 

“Not to mention that the real Hyrule would have brought the others back with him. He is not foolish enough to come back alone, he’s too cautious for that, especially with all that has happened in the past week or so,” Four practically spat and now Hyrule was smiling. He almost seemed delighted that he had been found out.    

“How astute of you. I have to admit Legend could use some lessons in not running off, I was disappointed,” Hyrule said sadly before tilting his head to the side and began making little tutting noises.

“It looks like I will have to keep my eye on you, you’re so very perceptive,” Hyrule continued and Four felt a cold chill run down his spine. He was about to make a snappy remark when the door opened behind him as the sound of someone striding in the house split the heavy air around them. The footsteps stuttered to a stop and the sound of a bag hitting the ground not seconds later punctuated the thick atmosphere of the room. 

“Four? What the Hell is going on?” Wars asked loudly and Four was distinctly aware of how this must look. 

“Apparently Legend isn’t the only one who needs to learn,” Hyrule muttered under his breath  and Four growled as he pressed the sword closer. 

“Wars, this isn’t what it looks like,” Four said quickly but was cut off by Hyrule. He must have also noticed the opportunity to confuse the situation because he leapt on it gleefully. Suddenly the sly smile that had been on his face not moments before morphed into one of confused worry and he threw his hands up into the air. 

“Wars! Don’t listen to him, I don’t think this is Four!” He cried and Four let out a curse and bared his teeth.

“You little bastard,” He snarled, meeting eyes with Hyrule, Four could see a glint of malicious glee. It almost dared him to act, to cut him down. 

‘Careful, that's what he wants. Don’t play into his hand, we’ll be dead before he hits the ground,’ Vio warned and Four knew he was right. He was stuck and the only hope was to convince Wars that he was in the right. He heard Wars draw his own blade but he didn’t dare turn around. 

“Wars, please, listen to me. This isn’t ‘Rule.” He said calmly even as his heart raced and sweat beaded at his brow. Wars didn’t respond, instead he could hear him move towards them and in the next second he could see the Captain standing just to the side of them. His sword held defensively in front of him as he looked between the two. Four decided to take that as a good sign all things considered. 

“Explain,” Wars said sternly, clearly directing his question at Four. He gave a tight nod and in the most level voice gave a quick rundown of the situation. How he had returned with Wind, finding Time alone with Twilight before Legend came bursting into the room exclaiming how he and Hyrule had seen Wild at the spring. How he had been instructed to stay with Twilight and how not too long after Hyrule had returned and how he was acting strangely. When it came to this point in the story Hyrule made an audible noise of protest but Wars quieted him with a look before gesturing for Four to continue. Four licked his lips and pressed on. 

“I knew something wasn’t right almost immediately, but now I am positive this isn’t him. Hyrule wouldn’t just come back by himself, not with everything that’s been happening. Please Wars, you of all people should see this isn’t right,” Four finished quickly and risked throwing a desperate glance over to the Captain. His face was flat, showing nothing of his thoughts and Four got a sinking feeling in his gut. Wars turned his attention to Hyrule next and eyed him up and down. 

“You’re turn,” He said tersely as he sent him a tight nod. Hyrule bobbed his head quickly and shifted his weight. Four watched him like a hawk ready to dive into action at a moment's notice.

“Well I went to the spring with Legend and when we were getting more water he just kinda freaked out. He was screaming about seeing Wild and then he just left!” He exclaimed, flailing his arms around in emphasis. 

“I looked around the spring but couldn’t see anything, and then suddenly Legend came back with Time and Wind in tow. He must have told them quite a tale because there was lots of yelling and confusion.” Four didn’t miss the way Hyrule shifted again, moving ever so slightly closer to Wars. He moved to match the movement but a quick gesture from Wars stopped him.

“Both of you stop moving or I’ll cut you down where you stand,” He said darkly, causing both Four and Hyrule to look at him with wide eyes.

“You would cut me down Wars?” Hyrule whispered, causing the Captain to wince ever so slightly. 

“Not if I get to you first,” Four whispered under his breath, heedless of the sharp look he received from Wars. 

‘Shut up, you’re going to get us killed!’ Vio hissed at him and Four worked to swallow down his growing frustration. There was a shifting of fabric from the couch and the world seemed to hold its breath. All eyes fell to Twilight as he groaned from his place on the couch and sat up slowly, putting his hand to his forehead before turning to look at them. There was a moment where everyone stood stock still as they watched Twilight’s eyes flick from person to person in clear befuddlement.

‘Well, this is just peachy,’ Blue said in a humorless laugh as Twilight very slowly withdrew from the blankets and placed his feet on the worn floorboards. Four could see the cogs turning in his brain, and he wondered what must be going through his head. 

“Am I still dreaming?” Twilight croaked after a tense minute of staring and Four nearly let out a laugh. 

“I can see where you may get that idea,” Wars said slowly and Four nodded his agreement. 

“I can confirm you are not dreaming,” Four said slowly as he shifted his attention back to the situation at hand. 

“If I’m not dreaming then who the Hell is that?” Twilight asked as he gestured shakily to Hyrule who squawked in indignation. 

“Twi? Not you too!” He said as he threw a desperate look over to Wars who was now looking at him with renewed suspicion. 

“Come on Wars, you can’t actually believe this?” He said desperately to which Wars narrowed his eyes and continued to look him up and down. 

“I don’t know what to believe but that is two against one here, you can imagine my predicament.” Wars said slowly as he shot another look towards the pale looking Twilight and the hopeful looking Four. 

“Okay, but consider, Four has been alone with Twilight, it’s possible this thing could have done something to him! Please, Wars, end this now!” Hyrule argued and now it was Four’s turn to squawk in indignation. 

“I have done nothing of the sort! Wars listen to me please!” He could see the battle that was happening in the Captain’s head and he could tell he didn’t know what to believe. He was breathing hard, a clear conflict on just what to do. 

“I-I’m sorry, I don’t,” Wars stammered helplessly, his sword dipping in uncertainty as cracks appeared in his mask of calm authority. 

“Wars, it’s me please, look at his eyes. You can see it in his eyes, he wants to kill me, please I’m… I’m scared, Wars,” Hyrule whispered softly causing Four to blink in surprise. The voice was so painfully Hyrule like that it even caused him to pause. Four opened his mouth to refuse, to appeal to the Captain once more but stopped when War’s sword finally pointed right at him. He could tell in Warrior’s pained expression that choice hurt him but it was clear that his mind was made up. 

“Wars, no, please,” Was the only thing he could choke out before the blade of War’s sword leveled out and pressed against his throat. Four felt his own sword dip slightly at the betrayal, his own brother didn’t even believe him. He could see Twilight leap unsteadily to his feet, hand raised in a desperate anger. 

“Stop this! What are you blind?” Twilight shouted as he made his way over to Four’s side. He wished Twilight would just stay put, he didn’t want him to get hurt and he wasn’t sure what would tip Wars over the edge.

“Twi don’t come any closer! You’re ill and clearly not thinking straight. I don’t want you to get too close.” Wars said, cold blue eyes never leaving Four. 

“You’re being played for the fool!” Twilight protested but his arguments seemed to fall on deaf ears. 

“Wars is right, you’re ill, don’t get too close, we don’t even know what that monster has done to you,” Hyrule said calmly, hands still raised in supplication. 

“Shut up! You aren’t Hyrule!” Twilight growled but he stopped moving nonetheless fists balled at his sides and face red with a heady flush of fever and rage. 

“Who are you?” Wars growled at Four and somehow that just made the betrayal hit even harder. 

“Wars, it’s me, your brother,” He whispered through his tight throat as he fought back angry tears. 

“Don’t lie to me,” Wars hissed and Four felt distinctly lost for words. He didn’t know what to do, what to say to even try to convince him. 

“Wars you absolute moron, that is Four!” Twilight raged though it did little to help. 

“Shut up,” Wars spat and shuffled just a hair closer. The press of the blade was just on the verge of piercing his skin and Four swallowed harshly. He opened his mouth, closed it again, his voice lost in the tumult of raging voices that were the colors. He felt stuck in a hopeless situation, at a complete loss as to what to do. 

“Lower your sword,” Wars bit out and with nothing else for it Four complied. The tip of his sword thunked heavily into the soft wood at his feet. He hoped that would be enough to show that he wasn’t a threat. 

“Who are you?” Warriors demanded again and this time it was Hyrule who answered. 

“It has to be Dark, he must have somehow taken the real Four. Oh Goddess, where is he?” Hyrule whispered and Four could have exploded with rage. 

“You liar,” He snarled and was graced with the sword finally piercing his throat. There was a small gleam to Warrior’s eyes, not rage like they had once held but a flame of determination and hope.

“That is enough out of you, bring him back, bring all of them back!” Wars yelled, causing Four to flinch and shoot a desperate look at Twilight who had subtly moved closer to the group. 

“Wars please see reason, this is Four,” Twilight pleaded softly trying his best to defuse the quickly spiraling situation. Four could see it was doing nothing to sway the man, he was too caught up in his newfound conviction and desperate hope to see the truth. He blinked away tears, in a way he could sympathize with the Captain, he was hurting and hopeful and that made the whole situation cloudy and dangerous. He could feel smug satisfaction rolling off of Hyrule as he watched, delighted at the turn of events even as he hid it behind a mask of mock concern and fear.

“Wars,” Four choked out but was stopped by the hard look that pinned him in place. He couldn’t tear his eyes from Wars, could only hope that his pleading look would somehow cross the massive divide between them, that it wasn’t too late. He swallowed, tried to speak again but the words refused to come. Even the colors had gone silent and still. He could see Hyrule leaning forwards out of the corner of his eye but he dared not look away. He could feel violence heavy in the air and was struck with a maddening urge to laugh. The whole thing was madness and judging by the way everyone was steadily moving closer he could tell it wouldn’t be long until someone’s head would roll. And given the blood that trickled down his throat there was a good chance it would be his. 

Just as the electric atmosphere reached its peak, the sound of swiftly running footsteps came racing up behind him and Four was thrown to the side, and away from the blade. He crashed to the ground and rolled gracelessly to a halt. Twilight was at his side in a moment, fever hot hands fumbling at his throat as he assessed the damage. Time stood in his place, his big Goron sword swinging as he stepped forward towards Hyrule. 

“Stay away from my boys!” He roared as his sword slashed across Hyrule’s chest, opening a large gash through his tunic causing him to fall backwards into the bookshelf. Books tumbled to the floor in a heap as Hyrule slumped against it, head down and listless. 

“Time! What are you doing!?” Wars cried, sword now pointed to the new threat but it was clear he had no idea where to even begin to handle this new turn of events. Time didn’t respond, only stood with sword raised, visibly shaking and eye hard. Four watched the goings on with wide eyes and clutched at Twilight desperately still shocked by his sudden rescue. Before Wars could demand another answer Hyrule shuddered and stood slowly, head still bowed as a hissing laugh filled the air around them. 

“Well this has been fun, but it looks like I must depart. It was so nice to see you all, but I shouldn’t keep my guests waiting,” Hyrule said as he stood straight and fixed his rumpled tunic, ignoring the too dark blood that wetted the front of his shirt. 

“W...What, no, I…” Wars stammered, sword falling from his slackening fingers as Dark leaned his head back and let out a raucous laugh and disappeared in a blaze of black fire and twinkling pink lights. Four looked from Time to Warriors and then finally to the scorch mark on the ground in front of the bookshelf. He felt Twilight grabbing at his face and he turned his attention back to him. 

“Are you okay?” Twilight asked as he searched his eyes with his own. His pupils were dilated and his hands shook with the adrenaline that must have been coursing through his veins. Four nodded slowly and brought his own hand to the cut on his throat as he eyed the healing cut on Twilight’s. He could have laughed, now they were a matching pair. 

“Fine, I’m fine,” He said and offered him a weak smile that he was sure wasn’t convincing in the slightest. Twilight said nothing, only pulling him close and practically crushing him in a desperate hug. 

“Four, by the Gods Four,” Wars said and Four felt himself flinch despite himself. Twilight hugged him tighter and Four felt the sudden urge to sob. He beat the feeling back and withdrew from Twilight before turning to face Warriors. He looked absolutely wretched, Time’s hand on his shoulder kept him from moving towards them. 

“There’s a portal outside. Four get Twilight outside and get ready to depart. Wars and I will collect our things. It’s time to go.” Time’s voice was hard and he kept his eyes fixed on the Captain as he talked. Four nodded quickly and got to his feet before helping Twilight do the same. He grabbed one of the rancher’s arms and draped it over his shoulders for whatever it was worth considering the height difference. 

“We will meet you outside,” Four said as he gently coaxed Twilight to follow him. As they passed by the pair they slowed and he placed a hand on Time’s arm. 

“Don’t… Don’t blame him, this whole thing, it was a mess,” He said but didn’t receive a response. He couldn’t bring himself to look at Warriors but he could feel his gaze heavy on his back as they left to join the others outside. He prayed that Warriors would find it in him to forgive himself, that Time wouldn’t be too hard on him. Dark’s words floated unbidden through his head, he had called him a monster, and War’s had been inclined to agree. Is that what he was? A monster? What had War’s seen when he had looked into his eyes? He decided that he didn’t want to know, it was probably better that way anyways. They left the pair of heroes to their work as they left the once cozy home behind.

[dontbesoweirdkira]

Dating Jason Todd would include

-YOU ARE LITTLE PRECIOUS BUNNY I SWEAR YOU BRING OUT THE SOFTEST PART OF THIS BROKEN MAN

-like this dude will literally let you get away with ANYTHING and no one better stop you

-“Hey Jay I just robbed a bank and took a lollipop from that kid next door.”

-“Aww you’re so cute, Doll. Let me put out this cigarette and I’ll help you count the money, okay?”

-“Jay, Dick said I can’t have anymore ice pops!!! I really want some, it’s not fair!!”

-“ He said what?! hOld On iM gEtTinG mY Gun nO OnE TelLs mY lItTle Babe sHe caNt haVe anY iCe popS.”

-wearing his thick leather jackets that smell like cigarettes and expensive scotch 

-Stealing his 1/16263819827 Red hoods and waddling around the house while he’s out on patrol

-“Hey I’m RedHood and I have DaDdY IssUes, prepare to diEee!!! *pew pew*”

-“is that how I sound to you?! Because I don’t *pew pew* I *brrraaatratratatataaa* get it correct Y/N”

-Your tough edgy boyfriend 

-If he has an off day, he’ll take you on a ride on his motorcycle to wherever you want to go. If it’d make you happy, he’d drive to Paris for you if he could.

-You guys usually end up drifting by the waterside, taking in the longing smell of the sea, feeling the subtle warmth of the setting sun and melting into the welcoming breeze

-There’s this really good Sandwich stand by the oceanfront and you guys always get a large one, and share it with a nice cold bottle of Coke. There’s also this really nice private beach that you two have no business being on, you guys would sometimes just sit on one of the lifeguards stands for a while and just enjoy each other 

-“Hey Jay Jay?”

-“What’s up, Love bug?

-“Your eyes have a hint of Aqua Green in them. It’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen. I just wanted you to know that, that’s all.”

-IN HOME CONCERTS EVERY SATURDAY AND OR FRIDAY. 

-every week you guys make a list of your favorite classics and you build a Spotify playlist and dance around the house screaming *cough* I-i mean singing on the top of yalls lungs.

-weird adventures around the city! Like you guys sometimes go to weird parts of the city to see some weird crap to laugh about later on. 

-“Why is he wearing a tutu and dirty socks-“

-“keep walking baby girl don’t question it.”

-monthly movie nights where you guys watch a movie that has crappy 1 star reviews while eating a bunch of unhealthy garbage all night.

-“but why did he do that?”

-“according to ‘moviecridictbooiiii12’, he’s an uncultured swine who has no Character development, 1/10 trash person totally.”

-If you guys are just sitting in a comfortable silence, just cuddling, he might open up a bit about his childhood or maybe talk a bit about how he’s feeling. But that’s a rare rare occasion he doesn’t like talking much about it.

-This sometimes can cause a bit of a rift because it almost feels as if there’s a lack of trust but you understand he’s been through a whole lot and if it were you, you’d probably be the same way

-he does not like pills in the house but if you have health issues and have to take them, he won't crucify you because of it, but he will monitor you and make sure there is no drug abuse. He wants to make sure history doesn’t repeat itself. He doesn't wanna lose you that way.

-He’s a depressed crackhead 

-“Hey Y/N, can you tell me what’s in the drawer in the kitchen. The one next to the sink”

 -“Hmm? There’s nothing in here Jason.”

-“Nothing you say? Just like my relationship with Bruce haha.”

-“Are you okay?”

-“No I am not and neither is my sleep schedule.”

-Oh yeah this Poor boy barely sleeps. Mainly because he’s out on patrol all night and when he finally gets home, he’s being called back out. Or sometimes he’s just so restless thinking about everything he needs to do. Other times he’s just scared to sleep.

-Yeah he’s pretty reluctant to go to sleep. He’s scared to have a bad dream and wake up in a vulnerable state. Or to accidentally wake you up from tossing and turning and wails of agony.

-You lost a lot of hours of sleep already do to comforting him at night so as much as he can function without a nights rest, he’ll do it to spare you

-You hate when he does this because you actually don’t mind comforting him, it makes you feel like he trusts and can rely on you.

-nightmares about the joker or the pit. Cryinggg this boy is really traumatized

-“Shhh, Jason it’ll be alright. I’m right here love.”

-Even though he avoids sleep at all costs, this doesn’t stop him from napping on the recliner or at the kitchen table from time to time.

-He’s a bit self destructive with drinking, smoking, betting himself up, not sleeping or eating properly. You really have to help him and work with him. Be patient and kind pLz.

-He doesn’t like exposing you to the stuff he does, he doesn’t like you seeing all the gore or what not so he doesn’t try to come home bloody much actually. He might stop at dicks house or some other friend’s house to clean up a bit before coming to you

-Todd doesn’t like you to see and be around all that. He wants to keep that life very very separate, he even tries to keep the news off and away from you. Although you already know and if it bothers you it not, it’s not much you can do to stop him.

-The only time you might see him bloody or hurt is when he can’t make it to a friends house and he needs you to patch him up and put him to bed quickly.

-argurmentssss

-Yeah you guys do little annoying antics back and forth but it’s not something super crucial. The only time where it heats up is like if something he’s doing really really bothers you, like his killings or if he does something super reckless. The arguments usually end up with

- “I’m sorry Doll, I’ll do better for you.”

- “Sorry JayBird, I wasn’t being fair” 

-The worst an argument had ever gotten was when he didn’t come home for weeks without telling you he was out on a mission and you were scared out of your mind and ended up cursing him out for scaring you. 

-You didn’t talk to him for about a week and he was a wreck

-“JASON DONT YOU DARE TRY TO KISS ME OR HUG ME I THOUGHT YOU WERE F*CKING DEAD OR WORSE! YOU COULD'VE TOLD ME SOMETHING LIKE I LITERALLY HATE YOU RIGHT NOW I COULDN'T SLEEP FOR WEEEKS JASON I WAS WORRIED SICK-“

-“Hey, it’s okay Y/n- I’m here no-“

-“NO IT'S NOT LITERAL I DON'T WANT TO TALK TO YOU ANYMORE, GET AWAY FROM ME.”

-He cannot stand when he breaks your heart or makes you upset like he beats himself up a whole lot. He will apologize to you and do anything to make it up.

-“Stupid Todd? How can you upset the one person that seems to be so patient and loving to you? Ugh you idiot.”

-yeah he literally kissed up to you for months he felt so bad even after you apologized for overreacting and told him he didn’t need to do anything 

-Yeah speaking of kissing up to you, he Buys you anything you want just ask. Looking at that super nice outfit in the mall? Check your room, it’s on your bed with a cute little note. Want an ice cream sundae? Yeah he got extra fudge/caramel for his princess. 

-He just loves you like so so much he doesn’t care what you look like, how big or how skinny, how light or how dark you are. He literally adores you and wants to protect you with all his heart. He’d buy the whole world for you.

-“Jason, literal listen to me. 600 dollars for a charm bracelet I liked in the mall is too much, go return it”

-he’s a bit overprotective with you. Not in a “HEKDJEHEHEHINEEDTOKNOWWHEREYOUAREATALLTIMESSENPAI.”  Kind of way but in a like “Check in every once in a while will ya babe? I wanna make sure you’re okay.”

-He doesn’t let you go outside after a certain time for ANYTHING unless it’s an emergency. It’s too dangerous in Gotham for you to be out scrolling going to a convenience store at 10pm at night. So if you need something from the store he’ll go get it for you or already have it in the house.

-Will 100 throw hands for you

-actually makes sure you can defend yourself and trains you a bit every month to make sure if trouble comes and he’s not there, you can protect yourself

-Intimacy

-Honhonhon. Although what many believe Jason has a high sex drive and wants it a lot or what not. I don’t think it’s 100% true

-I believe that like if his partner wasn’t the type of person who wanted it, or didn’t feel comfortable with it, he’d be okay with it. Like he doesn’t need it to survive although you look hecking good in that outfit today

-I feel like he’d be more kissy and rough touching than the full 100 yards with a more soft/standoffish sexually significant other. 

-Yeah if he gets from a stressful mission or just needs to feel you, he’s gonna wanna kiss and touch on you but if you’re not into all that then like he’d back off because he respects you enough 

-neck kisses and thigh kisses 

-“jaybirdy I wanted to wear that new skirt I got yesterday, now I got your bites all over my legs.”

-he's a totally Dom and that’s on that period boo

-dAdDy KiNk I’m sorry

-His voice somehow becomes super raspy when he’s aroused?!?!

-He will tease you to a point you moan out his name and then turn around and act innocent 

-“let’s watch Frozen! What’s with that face dear? You didn’t think I’d let you have it that easily now did you?”

-*wears anything short*

-”WOOOOO DAMMNNNN Y/NNNNNN LOOKING FOINE TODAY I SEE YOU! CAN I GET YOUR NUMBER?!?! YOU GOT A BOYFRIEND BECAUSE I KNOW HE'S DAMN LUCKYYY!”

-Highkey finds it so hot when you sit on his lap like damn it feels so nice to him like you know you’re his and that’s like arousing to him. Will play with the hem of your skirt if your wearing them and your thighs aren’t safe

(Anyways I ain’t trynna make this NSFW but I might do a little something for my 200 follower special)

-On a softer purer note, you guys are like the roasters of the fam, okay! Like no one is safe, especially Damian.

-“Tch- Todd and his little pet.”

-“Dami, didn’t know you’d be here, and apparently your hairline didn’t know either.”

-*Jason, Tim and Dick were dying*

-“Hey you little accident, why you standing like that, you look like you’re bout to enlist in the army.” 

-“shut up Todd, at least I have good posture unlike you.”

-“Hey leave Damian alone, Jason. Dami just has a pole in his ass that makes him stand in first position all the time. It’s a serious condition, y’all need to stop laughing.”

-“Hey Selina! Your Sugar Daddy is in the kitchen, try not to steal anything though because he might cut down your weekly allowance.”

-“Haha Y/N and yours is in the living room getting drunk, careful he might end up with me tonight.”

-“Hmm, a gold digger and a cougar? Wow you got your careers set don’t ya! Ooops you should check in the mirror tho! I think your Botox is drooping.”

-yAlL CAnT sTop ROaStinG PeOpLe anD it’S wOrse When yaLls DruNk

-You’re actually pretty close to The BatFam and like Bruce Adores you he thinks you’re a wonderful influence on Jason like you changed him a lot. Dick sees you as a baby sister and like he literally baby’s you so much it’s sad. Tim and you like to joke around a bit and talk you guys get along decently. Although Damian would NEVER admit it, he actually is kinda fond of you even though you guys insult each other. He might stab someone for like hurting you or something. But watch your back because he might stab you as well.

-going to Bruce’s Galas and charity events like by force. 

-“yYyyYYyyY/NnnNnNnNiEeeeEEee PLEaSE COmeEeeee sO iWOnT DrInk MySelF ouT oF tHeRe!!!”

-“Jason let go of my leg.”

-You don’t actually mind it too much, you’ve made some nice connections and plus it’s a little date night with Jason so Win Win!!

-He actually wears a nice Tux and styles his hair real nicely. Might even be wearing that nice watch Bruce gave him a long time ago on his birthday.

-*sniff sniff* is that Cologne? *sniiiiiiffffffff* *HIGHLY* Expensive cologne he’s wearing?! And *pat pat* HAIR GEL OH BOIIII

-He actually picks out a dress for you to wear. One he’s been dying to see you in. The super expensive one he found while shopping with Dick and Bruce one day.

-If some rich guy try’s flirting with you, it’s over for them. Jealous Todd Mode activated!

-“Doll Face, I found you. Love wandering off don’t you babe? When we get home, I’ll make sure you won’t want to wander off again,” He kisses into your ear hungrily “wHo’s tHiS, Y/N? Is he bothEriNg yOu?” He asks like he didn’t see him there

-“No but Jason you are.“

-“:o”

*later*

-“I DON'T UNDERSTAND WHAT I DID WRONG Y/N!! HE WAS FLIRTING WITH YOU AND I HAD TO INSERT MY DOMINANCE.”

-“JAY HE WAS A BUSINESSMAN LOOKING TO INDORSE ME AND MY WORK! YOU JUST EMBARRASSED ME AND MADE HIM FEEL UNCOMFORTABLE!! LITERALLY NOW HE THINKS I HAVE AN OVER POSSESSIVE BOYFRIEND.”

-“oh-“

“YEAH ‘oH’! serIouslY I CanT stAnd yoU.”

-Jason’s drinking and smoking. Let’s just say you’re not the biggest fan of it because of his health, you’re so worried about it. He’s already taking shots and stabs but like the drinking and smoking on top of that? You’re worried about him

-You always voice your concern and he’s never too phased and he’s always like 

-“Don’t worry L/N, I’ll be okay. If this kills me, don’t let Dick take my meat stash in the freezer. Tell him I’m coming back to life in like 3 months give or take and I’ll be hungry for steak.”

-Actual best boyfriend! Like if you’re insecure about anything he’ll make you feel so much better, in every way possible. He makes it so know how much he loves you it’s so sweet and super cute like I’m crying.

-makes weird faces at you randomly and it somehow gets you to laugh?!?! 

-cooks breakfast or dinner for you every once in a while but messes up a few times 

-“sorry y/n I accidentally burnt the cookies I was trying to make for you. I-I can go run and ask Alfred to make some? I know how long you’ve been waiting to have some.”

- Did I mention he’s best boi? Like ugggghhhh he’s so blind to all that superficial mess people get caught up in. You talk down about yourself and he’ll like attack you in love I swear he will. He doesn’t like the self deprecation you do. He completely detests it.

-“Say you’re ugly one more time I’ll slap you with this heart of mine. Don’t make me do it Y/N. I’ll give you so much love, the only thing you’ll be able to say is “Omg I love myself so much like damn I’m so sexy and so fine and my personality? Perfect! thanks  to my totally handsome boyfriend, I see myself so clearly now.”

-You guys Also like spend his birthday with just each other. But it’s really special to him and he always looks forward to the small marble cake you make, that has strawberries on top. He loves when you sit on his lap with your face in the crook of his neck, whispering into his skin ever so gently telling him to ‘make a wish old man’

-something about the birthdays you spend with him, brings him back to a happy place he once felt as a child. Or wanted to feel. He always wishing for the same thing…..to always see you happy

-“Jay I love you.”

-“I love you too Y/N. Remember that okay?”

(Request open)

[fal-carrington]

On my own [5/??]

Pairing: KamilahxMc

Disclaimer: Characters are not mine

A/N: sorry for taking so long :(

Part 1 // Part 2 // Part 3 // Part 4

Prompt: Love can happen on unexpected occasions, people fall in love when they least expect, bringing feelings that they thought they had buried long ago within themselves. Falling in love with mortals was off Kamilah's to-do list until a certain stubborn mortal emerges and changes the CEO's heart. When Kamilah finally admits being in love, an unexpected event happens, but can love survive death?

It was a normal morning like any other, Lily woke up earlier than she really wanted to wake up. With all the windows and shutters closed, she rolled over onto the bed and checked the alarm clock that said it was already 9:30 in the morning.

She grunted and buried her head under the pillow, cursing herself for waking up at that time. But in that moment of silence, she can hear the front door open and close silently. Lily sat up in the bed. In slow steps, she went to the door of her room and turned the knob and opened the door softly.

There was someone in the kitchen. Lily sneaked around the room, she still could not see the sight of that person in the kitchen, hidden behind the refrigerator door while stealing whatever was behind. Lily grabbed a frying pan.

"TAKE THAT THIEF!" She shouted brandishing the frying pan and stepped forward into whoever that stranger was. She preferred it to be a thief. Maybe a thief was less scary than the image in front of her.

"HEY HEY!!" And suddenly she was right there in front of her. Hayley. Her best friend who was legally dead a year and half ago. Almost. She looked good. Physically. Nothing had changed except that her blond hair was bigger. And she was wearing the same jacket, or maybe a copy of it, the same Nirvana shirt from the day of the accident. She did not look at all like a ghost, she looked real enough to a dead person.

She saw her so close, nor did she look like she had been away all this time. The same face, the same perfume, the same clothes. Lily dropped the frying pan at the same moment, knocking it to the floor without the slightest reaction.

"It's just me. Geez... Stay calm Lily.” Hayley rolled her eyes in that familiar way she used to do when Lily told her a bad joke and bent down to pick up the frying pan. Lily took a few steps back, bumping into the counter.

"I'm dreaming... I'm dreaming. Damn, I drank too much yesterday, it must be the hangover... Or the hallucination for the medicines I took to sleep.” She touched her own forehead. "Go back to the grave, spirit." She made the sign of the cross with her fingers.

"Very funny." Hayley sighed and went back to the refrigerator. "The eggs are gone? Had not we bought more last weekend?”

"She's still talking to me me..." Lily commented to herself. "It's not that I'm not happy to see you, Hayley spirit, it's just that it was a surprise to me, you can not get on that spiritual plane and scare me like that. You have to find the light of god"

"Shut up, Lily."

"I will not shut up, you have to accept the facts."

“Yeah. We are out of eggs.”

"The facts is you're dead! And it's in our apartment” Lily cried in shock.

"What the hell?!" Hayley turned back to her. "I'm not dead dumbass"

"Yes, you are and I can prove...!" Lily stepped towards her and touched with two fingers to Hayley's neck and at her surprise she felt a strong pulse, her body warm, she was radiating heat. "Are not you cold...?! Are not you dead ?! " Lily pulled away and touched Hayley's cheeks.

"Right, right, Sherlock. I think it's over the jokes for today, hm?” Hayley pulled her hands out.

"Damn! Sometimes I forget that I'm a vampire.” Lily smacked her forehead. “I think I was in a really big shock to hear your heartbeats.” Hayley laughed.

"Vampire, Uh? This is new.” She laughed to herself. Lily noticed the circumstances and pulled her back into a bear hug. "Lil—“

"Are you alive!!! It's a miracle! I'm so happy to have my best friend back! How did you survive ?! We saw your body, we made a funeral! We stayed so long apart, oh god I do not believe you're finally here! What happened? Adrian and Kamilah are going to be so shocked—"

"Wait, wait! Slow down" Hayley walked away with difficulty still touching her own chest to breathe better. "Funeral? Body? What are you talking about?! Is that some kind of joke? "

"It's not a joke!"

"What the hell? I'm not dead! And who is Kamilah and this Adrian guy?” Hayley looked at her in confusion.

"What?" Lily stopped to breathe. Analyzing for the first time the girl in front of her. "Hayley, they're our friends! It is not possible that you do not know who Kamilah is"

"I do not know these people."

"How did you get here?"

"I live here remember? We agreed I would go out on that date with that guy I met on Facebook. So I had some drinks and I spent the night with him and today when I woke up I was coming in a taxi to home."

Lily stopped breathing hard.

"Oh, boy. You don’t remember anything do you?”

Raines Corp 00h30pm

"What on earth could be so important that I had to reschedule an extremely important meeting, Lily?" A very angry Kamilah entered the meeting room of Raines Corp.

Adrian sat in one of the leather chairs beside Jax, both as curious as Kamilah herself. Lily did not answer, the girl stood with her arms folded, biting her bottom lip and staring at the window.

"... Lily?" The queen vampire stopped in her tracks with both hands on her waist, looking steadily at the young vampire.

"You said that it was crucial that all of us were together for this meeting. What happened? "Adrian asked quietly.

Lily did not answer. That made Kamilah even more impatient, the CEO certainly had thousands of duties far more important than the crisis of a vampire baby.

"I hope it's worth my time," Kamilah said quietly, trying not to lose her temper.

"... It's about... About Hayley" It was all that came out of Lily's mouth. At that moment she got the absolute attention of the three leaders. Adrian, unlike Kamilah, was more transparent, and she could not help, but see the pain in his face. The CEO sat upright in his chair and took a deep breath, even though he did not need the oxygen in his lungs, that name was like a blow to his chest. Kamilah, on the other hand, watched Adrian from the corner of her eyes, she knew that at any moment Lily's gaze was going toward her, so she stood motionless, standing like a perfect living statue, calculating her reaction as best she could think, surprisingly it was Jax who broke the silence first.

"What happened?" He asked first.

“Something that only in my dreams would be possible.” Then Lily began to speak quickly, letting go word for word about what had happened that morning. "... But it was not a thief who entered my apartment! It was not!” She paced back and forth like a crazy girl with the three eyeing on her. "... When I had a better vision, I could see and it was her!"

"Who?" Adrian asked not following the line of thought.

"HAYLEY! She is alive! She survived the fire and the car accident, somehow she survived!” She turned to the three of them with a desperate look on her face.

The following reaction was well expected, at least with the three extremely rational people — sometimes they were. Jax frowned, as if he had not believed a word. Kamilah did not move. She was a step away from turning and walking away, but Adrian had the reaction that Lily already imagined.

"Lily... Are you sure you're taking your needed amount of blood? You're not dehydrated or... Maybe the night before you drank something?” He asked quietly.

"I went out to drink with some friends, but—" Lily shrugged, but was interrupted by Kamilah.

"Oh, that's too much! I can not believe you pulled me out of my job to talk nonsense like that, Lily!” She turned her back ready to leave the office when Lily stopped.

"WAIT, WAIT! I can prove it!” Lily yelled, that made Kamilah stop with her back to her. "Hayley is alive, and is right now watching Netflix in our apartment without the faintest idea that I'm having this conversation with you guys, I can prove it!"

"Prove it." Kamilah turned enough to cast her a deadly look over her shoulder, enough to scare anyone.

Lily pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and dialed Hayley's number, showing them the moment she put it on the speakerphone. Kamilah crossed her arms impatiently. That joke would end any minute, she knew it. Not entirely convinced, she waited for the dial.

When she finally heard that voice. Her voice.

"Hey, lil. What's up?” Hayley's voice sounded on the phone, making the three of them freeze at the same moment. Kamilah stopped breathing, as if she had forgotten to do that. She noticed that Adrian was standing, motionless.

"Hey, girl. Nothing much, I just wanted to know what you're doing?” Lily asked.

"I ordered a hamburger. It's so weird, I feel like I have not eaten it in over a year.” She laughed on the other end of the line. "Wait... Why you asking—“

"Nothing, nothing. I love you. Byeee."

"Lily, wait—" Hayley could barely finish her speech before Lily hung up the phone.

The silence in the room was deadly. Lily looked at the three of them, waiting for some kind of reaction. Kamilah looked as though she had been punched in the ribs. Adrian was in seconds by her side.

"Is this true? It's her?!"

"Yes."

"How can be?! We saw her body, there was no way she could have survived that accident! "

"I do not know, Adrian. I'm also looking for answers. But it's her. She has the same eyes, the same face and personality.” She stared at Adrian sympathetically, she knew how much he was suffering, out of the corner of her eye she peered at Kamilah, who stared at the rug with a lost look. Lily wanted to be able to console her, but how could she doing that and not expose Kamilah feelings?

"This... It's unbelievable." That's all Jax said. "Why now? Why after one year? "

This... That's good is not it? "Adrian turned around with a smile on his face the first in months. "If it's her... If she's really alive ... She's back!" He smiled, turned to Kamilah looking for comfort from his best friend. "Kamilah ?! What do you think? It's great is not it? "

"Adrian..."

"Do not try to act rationally.” He shook his head. "She is back!"

"... Before everything. There's something you need to know, "Lily said, catching the attention of the three of them. "Hayley lost her memory in the crash. That's why she took so long to come back. She does not remember anything. No one... Just her old life. She does not remember you guys.”

The smile on Adrian's face fell away at the same moment, Kamilah looked at Lily for the first time.

"How... She does not remember?" Adrian sat back in his chair, touching his face.

"I'm sorry, Adrian." Lily touched his shoulder. "I think she hit her head too hard. I have this theory that she must have been founded by someone or saved by someone at that time...“

"What's the last thing she remembers?" Jax asked.

"Being in a cab going home. Months before she got the job at Raines Corp. "

"I can not believe I finally got her back... and she does not even remember who I am." Adrian said inconsolably.

"Adrian—” Lily tried.

"Adrian, you have to be patient." Kamilah touched his shoulder, taking a surprised look from Lily. The girl wondered how she was the only one who remained calm while Adrian was having a nervous breakdown in front of her.

"I know," he said. "But that does not make it hurt less."

After a long painful moment, Adrian and Jax were talking in the conference room, Adrian was still inconsolable, but after calming down he was able to talk again and Jax was the only one who was surprisingly making him understand the situation. Lily headed for Raines Corp's rooftop with slow steps, meeting the CEO with her eyes to the beautiful view ahead of her with a glass of whiskey in her hands.

"Hey, um... Kamilah." Lily tried to approach amicably.

"Save your words of pity for Adrian," Kamilah said without turning.

"Uh... It was not exactly what I was thinking of saying."

"Sorry." Kamilah sighed after a long time.

"It's all right. I will not hold a grudge against you.” Lily laughed trying to make a joke, but saw that there was no response from Kamilah.

She approached to stand next to the CEO and can see for the first time the pain in the beautiful brown eyes of Kamilah.

"Is she really alive?" Kamilah asked after a long time.

"Yes."

"Did you get to see her birthmark?" Kamilah asked. Only the two of them knew that. Hayley's birthmark on her back.

"Yes."

Kamilah took a deep breath, drawing the air as if it hurt her.

"I'm sorry," Lily said.

"Well, at least she's not dead," Kamilah tried to say. "And she's free from this dangerous world. She has no idea vampires exist... that I exist."

"Kamilah-"

"I never got a chance to tell her. Never. And even with her back, the most painful part is knowing that I can not tell her. She does not feel the same way."

"You can make her feel again!"

"Oh, stop. Adrian will do that."

"So?"

"Oh, please. So, she will soon be enchanted by the armor-gentleman he is and fall into his arms. It's only a matter of time. She will choose him"

"The first time she did not choose him. She chose you and now you got a second chance "

"Yes, but—"

"You know, of all the things she used to say, she was right in one. You're so caught up in your inner pain that you can not see what's around you. Stop being a complain, your old bat. You do not want to feel again, you do not think you can, but only you can do it."

"The moment she sees him, it's over, Lily. Adrian will do his best to bring her back into his life, and by the time he does, she will fall in love with him."

"Are not you going to try?"

"Adrian deserves to be happy."

"You deserve it, too."

"He deserves more. I will guard my feelings for myself, I should never have had them in the first place, we were not meant to be from the beginning. That was a mistake.” Kamilah drank the rest of her whiskey and left clicking her heels against the hardwood floor leaving a confused Lily behind.

[thedarkenedkeeper]

Glitched: Part 6 - Stitched Together

Author’s Note: Alright, a few things about this before you go head first into it.

Firstly, this is long, and I mean long. It came out as 14 pages long on Word, and I apologize for that! Once again, I underestimated how long the chapter would be!

Secondly, I had originally planned for this part to have two parts to it, but given just how long this came out, I once again had to severe a part into two parts. SO Part 7 will be centered on what happened at the very end of this. After that, Part 8 will DEFINITELY return to the present and involve the events of “Kill Jacksepticeye”.

And thirdly, which is the most important. I know I always leave a reminder stating how the fanfic is angsty horror, but this time I truly need to stress this. WARNING: This chapter is incredibly graphic. There is a lot of blood, some abnormal “body horror”, and detailed descriptions of surgical operations being performed. There’s a horrible sense of dread, intensity, and helplessness throughout the entire duration of the chapter. Sharp surgical instruments are mentioned, and there are scenes of involving horrific hallucinations and psychological horror. So if you are REALLY squeamish or have a hard time reading about surgical procedures, I would strongly advise you to scroll past this. However, if you’re completely fine with what’s been listed, then I hope you enjoy!

Also, fun fact! This entire fanfic series has been my first ever attempt at writing horror, and I’m truly pleased with how it’s been coming out so far, especially what with this chapter. I can’t wait to hear what you all have to say about this :) 

Another fun fact! There’s foreshadowing in this chapter….keep that in mind for the chapters to come ;)

And here, listen to this playlist while you're at it

Red…that’s all he saw…

All he could see was a thick hazy layer of crimson…

      All he could smell was the nauseating scent of copper…

            All he could hear was his heart pounding brutally in his head…

                  All he could feel were bolts of pain charging throughout his body…

                        All he could taste was his own blood…

He lay there on the cool flooring, his body shaking violently as he struggled to breathe; raising a trembling lanky hand to his torn throat, making a poor attempt at trying to stop the bleeding. The wound was deep, so much so it had gone through his trachea; blood gushing, spurting, and washing down into his lungs. He was choking, drowning in his own life force, and his vision was blurring; spots of black and red spattering the corners. He could barely hear properly now. All he could hear was his heart beating frantically against his ribcage, feeling like it’d burst forth out of his chest at any moment. Blood was flooding his mouth, gurgling and cascading down the corners of his lips as he tried to call out for help; ribbons of scarlet running out onto the ground, pooling under his head.

He was dying. He may have been feebly making an effort at trying to think clearly at the moment, but he knew his life was slipping away at a fast rate. And if he didn’t get help within the next couple of minutes, he would die here, drowning in a pool of his own blood.

Blinking slowly with his hearing fading in and out, he managed to make out faint voices coming from different directions, echoing in his head, each increasing in loudness and approaching him. He shifted his eyes slightly to just barely see a few figures standing around him, all of which looked very similar to himself; green hair and all, the only differences being the distinct outfits they each donned. He couldn’t make out any of the words they were saying, but judging from the gasps of horror and how they seemed to jump back in alarm, he knew they were all stunned by the sight of him. None of them were moving to help him – not because they didn’t want to but because they didn’t know how. Unexpectedly, the startling bang of someone bursting through a set of doors sounded throughout the room, a snappy German voice accompanying it.

“Alright, vhat is going on? Vhat is all the commotion about? Vhat is - ?! Jesus Christ!”

He didn’t see who had entered the room, let alone who was speaking, but given how the man was speaking, he had a sense the German had just now noticed his horrible condition. Through the red haze, he squinted slightly and struggled to see what looked like a doctor, who was now dropping to his knees and hovering over him.

“Jack? Jack, can you hear me buddy? Vhat happened?!” The doctor asked, panic evident in his voice.

The green-haired man tried to give a reply, but only a torrent of blood spluttered out of his mouth; staining his shirt and spewing out onto his hands. The good doctor’s eyes grew wide as saucers, snapping his fingers impatiently at the other figures standing behind him.

“Someone get zee stretcher NOW!” He snapped, not taking his eyes off of the man bleeding out onto the floor.

Henrik immediately tore off his coat, rolled it up, and forced it to the gaping wound in the paled YouTuber’s neck, adding pressure and trying to temporarily stop the flow of blood. He grabbed the man’s clammy hands and placed them over his coat as he stared at him intently.

“Keep pressure on zee vound, alright?” The German doctor jerked his head, looking over his shoulder. “Damn it! Vhere is the stretcher?!”

Almost as if on cue, the other egos came rushing towards him, wheeling a stretcher up to his side. Without having to give an order, the Irishman was carefully hauled off of the bloodstained ground and placed onto the stretcher before getting rushed through the exact same doors the doctor had entered from. His breathing was getting increasingly more raspy and shallow, and he was struggling to keep his eyes open, watching the blinding lights above him fly by at a blurring speed.

“Stay avake, Jack. Come on, don’t pass out on me, buddy!” He heard the doctor’s voice echo, pleading for him to stay conscious.

Bolting for the E.R., Dr. Schneeplestein and his associates pushed and pulled the stretcher towards a set of doors leading into the good doctor’s operating room; barging through the doors and wheeling Jack over to where the operating table stood waiting for him.

“Alright, buddy, come on. Come on.” Carefully yet urgently, the Irishman was lifted from the stretcher and put onto the table. Right at that moment, the man lurched and harshly coughed up a mouthful of blood; a gross wheezing breath following after it.

He heard the other green-haired men gasp, horrified at seeing him like this. As soon as blood fell from his lips, the doctor frowned and instantly whirled on his heel, raising his arms and motioning for everyone to leave.

“Get out! Everyone out! Everyone out now! Leave me to do my vork! Go!” He shouted, shoving his friends hurriedly towards the exit and out the doors before locking said doors. He could not afford to be bothered, not when he had to deal with his currently dying friend.

“NURSE! Get zee patient ready for surgery! Also, get me my coffee! I cannot vork vithout my caffeine intake!” The German shrieked.

Henrik didn’t waste time bolting for his surgical smock and mask, slipping them on in a hurry. He nearly tripped over his feet in the process at hearing the unpleasantly wet sounds coming from Jack practically drowning in his own bodily fluids. The doctor cursed repeatedly under his breath out of nervousness.

“Don’t vorry, my friend. You’re in good hands.” He said in the most reassuring voice he could muster as he rushed to the YouTuber’s side. He noticed how his supposed “nurse” – someone he claimed helped him numerous times even though they had never once been seen by anyone – hadn’t done as he had instructed, and he grimaced.

“Zhat stupid fucking bitch, never doing vhat is said. Goddamn it!” He groaned with irritation before giving Jack a reassuring smile. “I, Dr. Henrik von Schneeplestein, vill fix you right up. Von’t zhat be nice, Jack? It be quick fix, I assure you. Zee doctor doesn’t lie.” He exclaimed before adjusting his mask over his nose and mouth, sliding on his glasses, and snapping on a pair of vinyl gloves.

Jack opened his reddened mouth in an attempt to speak, but the doctor pressed a finger to his lips and shook his head.

“Oh no, no, don’t speak. Can’t afford to vaste any energy.”  Schneeplestein stated, moving the green-haired man’s hands away from the lab coat that was pressed against his throat.

Cautiously, the doctor pulled the coat away to inspect the deep pulsating gash, globules of blood continuing to flow out. The German cursed, his hand shaking momentarily at seeing just how fatal the wound was. If it had been just a cut – nothing too deep – this would’ve been an easy fix. He could’ve had him stitched up within a matter of minutes. But this…this was serious…this was incredibly lethal. Jack didn’t just have major arteries severed; his windpipe had been slit open as well, only allowing a majority of his blood to escape through it.

The doctor swallowed the lump in his throat, letting out a breathy sigh. The man had had his rare cases of dealing with emergencies here and there, nothing extreme. But this…this was like nothing he had ever dealt with. He had never dealt with something as serious as this, let alone anything involving his friend – the one he and all of the other egos relied on. Jack had been the one to create each and every one of them, he gave them life. They all resided in a void invisible to the naked eye, the only individual able to access it being Jack. The egos remained happy living in their own individual fantasies, and Jack was the one who controlled this world they resided in. None of them had the power to control this world or Jack’s own body, only the Irishman could do that. However, with his subconscious here in the void, bleeding out fatally, Schneeplestein knew how incredibly horrific this was. It was crucial that his subconscious stay alive, stay in sync and attached to his body, because if not…if his subconscious died along with his physical body…

The German’s heart stuttered at the thought, his blood running cold. He needed to act fast, even if he wasn’t fully prepared. He needed to stitch him back up and relink him back to his body. He needed to take drastic measures NOW.

Pushing the coat back down over the cut and placing Jack’s hands over it once more, he instructed, “Do not let go of zhis, do you understand? Keep pressure on zee vound at all costs.”

Not being able to give an answer, the Irishman simply kept his dead-white hands over the coat just as he had been told. Instantly, Henrik whipped out a pair of scissors and cut open the man’s shirt, tearing it open before rushing around aimlessly; hooking him up to his monitors so he could keep a close eye on his vitals. Almost immediately, there was something noticeably wrong. For some reason, there was nothing – no breathing rate, no heart rate, no blood pressure, nothing. The doctor frowned with puzzlement. That was odd, maybe he hadn’t hooked him up correctly? Perhaps the machines weren’t working properly? Schneeple faced Jack, immediately checking to see if each of the pads were in the correct position. With his back turned, the doctor didn’t notice how all of the screens momentarily glitched out, all now reading the YouTuber’s vitals. At hearing the sound of the systems working, the doctor whirled around to get a good look, and instantly he took note of everything wrong with the green-haired man. He noticed how his heart rate was irregular, one minute spiking incredibly high and the next steadying down. His blood pressure was off the charts and his breathing was becoming worse as each second flew by.

“Fucking Christ, Jack, vhat did you do to yourself?” The German questioned, eyes shifting from the monitors back to his patient, who was growing worse in condition at an alarming rate.

Out of the corner of his eye, he could’ve sworn he noticed a petite smirk tugging at the Irishman’s crimson-stained lips, almost like he was amused for some unknown reason. Just as quick as that smirk had appeared, it disappeared as the man lurched again; turning his head to the side as another mouthful of blood projected out, splattering to the floor beneath. Analyzing the situation and taking note of just how horrible Jack’s breathing was, the doctor knew exactly what had to be done. He was going to have to perform both a tube thoracostomy and a tracheostomy. However, he had never once gone through with either procedure on a patient. He knew how both worked and what was involved, but he had never actually done either, which instantly overwhelmed him with anxiety. If he didn’t do either one of the operations correctly, one slip up would immediately kill Jack. But if he didn’t try, Jack would end up dying anyway.

There’s no time for this! The doctor scolded himself. You need to operate NOW or he is going to die! You cannot let him die!

Not having any time to fully run through his plan, Henrik realized he was going to have to take immediate action without first preparing the primary steps of the operation. He had learned in “Doctor College” that when it came to emergencies like this, he always had to remember ABC: Airway, Breathing, and Circulation. But given the current situation and of just how gruesome of a condition Jack was in, that order would have to change. Jack could barely breathe, what with his windpipe cut and having his lungs flooding with blood. The doctor had to first get him to breathe before he could even remotely think about fixing the wound. However, given how much little time he had on his hands, Henrik had absolutely no time to take out a marker and indicate where the incision would be made. If he did that, it’d only slice off a valuable chunk of time he’d need to save Jack. He would have to eyeball it.

The good doctor turned to a nearby stainless steel table and grabbed for a syringe, immediately filling it with anesthetic. He kept eyeing the green-haired man lying on his operating table as he did this, constantly estimating just how much time he had left. Once the syringe was full, he set the vial of anesthetic down, and with one hand holding the syringe, he used his free hand to move Jack’s left arm out of the way, exposing his bare side to him. Dr. Schneeplestein stared at the skin, eyeballing where he’d inject the needle before proceeding with the operation. After a brief moment of figuring out the exact spot, he pressed the needle into the Irishman’s side, right between where his ribs were. He felt the man tense up a bit under him, a soft whimper slipping past the Irishman’s bloody lips. Schneeple took a quick glance at him.

“Trust me, my friend, zhis is for your own good.” He pulled the syringe away, throwing it over onto the steel table before reaching for a scalpel. “Now I von’t lie – zhis vill probably hurt.”

Adjusting the overhead light and zeroing in on where he had injected the anesthetic, Henrik carefully pressed the blade of the scalpel into his flesh, making an incision in the direction of one of Jack’s ribs. Unfortunately for the YouTuber, the anesthetic hadn’t fully kicked in yet, and immediately, his entire body went rigid at the sudden pain; a choked gasp erupting from his slashed throat. With his free hand, the doctor tried to steady him; resting his hand over his chest.

“I’m sorry, buddy. I know, bear vith me here, please.” He said sincerely, his eyes never leaving the incision he was making.

Deeming the cut large enough, Henrik set the scalpel aside, reached for one of his Kelly clamps, and taking a worrisome glance at his patient, used the clamp to bluntly dissect a tract into the tissue; slowly pulling open the two flabs of muscle. Almost instantly, Jack’s breathing hitched and became far more uneven than it had been before. He was already in so much pain, but now with a new opening in his body, he really was starting to feel faint, and Schneeple could sense it. He patted his chest gently.

“You’re doing fine, Jack. Relax, it’ll be alright, I promise you zhis.” He cooed before inserting a gloved finger into the opening, making sure the tract ended at the upper border of Jack’s rib. He scoffed. “Vhen have I ever lied to you?”

The Irishman bit down on his lip at feeling this, his head throbbing as his vision began to swim. The pain was beginning to take a hold of him. Recognizing the signs and knowing he had to continue forward, the doctor extracted his finger and hurried to fill up a syringe with more anesthetic. Once full, he launched the vial of anesthetic away and over his shoulder, not at all caring where it went or if it damaged anything. He was far more concerned for Jack at the moment. He proceeded to insert it into the exposed muscles, knowing fully well that if he didn’t supply his patient with more anesthetic, he would lose him to the agony he was currently enduring. Once again carelessly chucking the syringe away, the doctor used a larger clamp to pry open the muscle, enlarging the dissected tract through all layers of the chest wall. At that moment, a considerable amount of blood spewed and gushed out onto the table; some absorbing into Jack’s jeans and managing to flow out over the side of the table, streaming down to the tiled flooring.

“Shit, shit, shit!” The doctor panicked momentarily, fumbling with a set of forceps as he tried to stop the unforeseen bleeding. The last thing he needed was for his patient to lose even more of his life force. As quickly as he could, he expertly closed off the severed vessels before continuing on with the operation.

“Nurse! Hook up zee drainage system, STAT!”

Schneeple inserted his finger again, probing Jack’s insides for lung tissue and possible adhesions. Audible wet and squishy sounds grew more in volume as the doctor continued to feel around the Irishman’s muscles and veins; little blood leaking out onto his gloved hand. He frowned, getting frustrated in not immediately finding any.

“Come on, come on! Vhere are you? Zhere’s no time for zhis!” Finally, he felt something and pulled out his finger, now dripping with gore.

Realizing how his “nurse” hadn’t set up the system he required, with not a moment to lose, the doctor searched the room for the drainage machine he’d need to use, noticing immediately how he had misplaced it.

“Fuck!” He shifted around awkwardly, not knowing whether to stabilize the incision first or take a risk and tear up the room for the damned machine he needed to SAVE JACK’S ASS!

Growling in frustration, Henrik bolted, running around the operating room, shoving things out of the way and trying to recall where he had left that blasted machine.

“Are you fucking kidding me?! Zee one day somezhing incredibly urgent like zhis happens, and zee one zhing I need in order to do zhis is missing! Muzherfucka!” The foul-mouthed surgeon yelled, lashing out and swiping a whole month’s worth of important paperwork and instruments off of a nearby table.

Through his outburst, he made out the sound of constant bubbling and gurgling, followed by a harsh disgusting breath. He whipped his head up and directed his attention over to where his patient was lying in a pool of his own blood, immediately spotting the smile on the green-haired man’s face. Even though he was practically drowning, it almost seemed like the man was making an effort to laugh. The doctor grimaced, both put off and not understanding how the man could be finding any of this funny.

“Oh vell, good to see someone is enjoying himself, even zhough zhat someone is currently in the process of DYING!” He snapped, scrambling around for the equipment he needed. “Vhat is so funny? Is it the lightheadedness? I zhink you’ve lost too much blood zhere, Jack. But don’t vorry about zhat, ve’ll deal vith zhat in a moment. Very easy fix, I assure you.” He stated, even though deep down, he admittedly had his doubts.

Coincidentally, under the table he stood by was the machine he required and instantly, he didn’t hesitate. He hauled the machine off the ground and dashed back over to his bleeding patient. After fumbling with the equipment, he grabbed the tubing and returned his attention to the gaping hole in Jack’s side. Using the clamp to widen the opening a bit further, the doctor carefully began to feed the thoracic catheter through the hole, gently pushing it through the Irishman’s muscles and into his chest cavity; a gross nauseating squish emitting from it. Some blood gushed out of the hole, oozing out onto Dr. Schneeplestein’s gloved hands, but he didn’t care. As soon as he knew the tube had managed to slip all the way inside, he flipped on the switch for the machine, instantly watching the tube flood with crimson warm blood; rushing out of Jack’s lung and into the jug down at Henrik’s feet.

“Ha ha! Vunderbar!” The doctor let out an abrupt nervous laugh at this, not believing how his plan had worked…that was until he noticed how Jack was breathing both shallowly and rapidly.

The doctor’s brows furrowed and he opened his mouth to speak, but didn’t get a chance to get anything out. With no warning, the lights flickered for a fleeting moment, followed shortly by a sharp ringing erupting in his ears. Henrik yelped at the sudden pain, hands flying up to his ears to block out the noise. His eyes went from Jack to wildly searching around the room, wondering where the ringing was coming from. The lights flickered once more, except this time they blacked out. Everything powered down – the monitors, the drainage system, everything. Now was the time to panic.

With no lights or equipment, there was no possible way for the doctor to continue working on Jack. He couldn’t see a single thing in the room; it was pitch-black. All he could hear was the constant ear-piercing ringing, as well as Jack’s wet gurgling breaths and his own breathing, which was beginning to increase now.

“Oh come ON! Zhis can’t be happening! Zhere’s no time for zhis bullshit!” The doctor exclaimed with anger, not daring to move from where he was since he couldn’t see anything around him.

Through the ringing that was driving him crazy, very faintly he managed to make out a giggle. An eerie childish giggle that made the hairs on the back of the doctor’s neck stand up on end.

“Hello? Who’s zhere?” He called out into the darkness. “Zhis is no time for joke! I svear to God, if you’re responsible for all of zhis, I vill kill you!”

Another giggle sounded, coming from right beside the German; becoming distorted and scratchy this time. He jumped with alarm, shoving his hands in the direction of where the giggle came from, but didn’t come into contact with anything. His heart was thudding against his ribcage madly, fear seeping into his veins. He literally did not have any time for this. If the power didn’t come on soon, it would be too late. Suddenly, the lights and monitors returned to life, and he found himself standing over the operating table, looking down on his patient. However, something was very wrong.

The patient he was staring down at wasn’t Jack anymore – it was himself. There he lay with his wrists and ankles bound to the table; restrained from any movement. He was unconscious and his mask, glasses, and cap had been removed. The doctor stood there in both alarm and confusion, not understanding what was happening. What was going on? Why was he staring down at a copy of himself? Hadn’t he been operating on Jack a moment ago?

Henrik went to move, only to realize he couldn’t; his hands didn’t react to the order. Watching with wide eyes, he felt himself reach for an orbitoclast – an ice pick-like instrument used for lobotomies – resting on the table beside him. He grabbed it along with the small hammer settled beside it, moving himself into position; hovering right over the head of his duplicate. Instantly, the doctor’s heart rate spiked. He could hear his blood rushing through his ears loudly as he helplessly raised the pick over the duplicate’s right eye, aiming it right for the corner of his eye socket.

At that precise moment, to his surprise, the doctor watched the eyes of his copy shift under his eyelids before fluttering open, directly looking up at him with confusion first, before having the compromising, vulnerable situation he was currently in dawn over him. The poor man started writhing on the table, violently tugging and pulling at his restraints, trying desperately to break free and get away from the man who was about to lobotomize him. His eyes even began to water from fear of what was going to be done to him, shaking his head repeatedly, and pleading out for release. Henrik was horrified at the sight. His nerves were rattling from shock, a tremor of true full-blown disturbance burrowing its way through his body. He couldn’t do this – whether it was actually happening or not, he could NOT DO THIS!

Struggling to restrain himself and gain control over his own body, Dr. Schneeplestein desperately tried to pull himself away from the table. Feeling like a puppet having his strings tugged at, the doctor watched as he took a moment to grab the man by the hair and violently bash the back of his head into the table, momentarily putting a stop the copy’s struggles. Henrik then bore witness to complete and utter horror as he suddenly brought the hammer down, impaling the orbitoclast through the corner of his copy’s eye. Blood spurted out and into his face, causing him to flinch and gasp in alarm; a hair-raising scream getting ripped from the duplicate of himself. He watched as a line of crimson weaved out of the wound as he hammered away at the pick, feeling, seeing, and hearing it sink further into his copy’s skull; a loud crack erupting very suddenly. Henrik’s breaths were coming out laboured and rather shaken now, heart pounding harshly as he felt bile rise in his throat. He felt like he was going to be sick.

And very suddenly, with a blink of his eyes, he found himself hovering over a bleeding-out Jack; the duplicate of himself nowhere in sight, nor were the lobotomy tools he’d just used. Panting wildly, the doctor’s eyes flew across the entire operating room; trying to decipher if this was real time and that none of what he just seen and endured had actually happened. The German took a moment to take in deep breaths, having been scarred by what he had just gone through. What the hell had that been about? What had caused that? Why had he suddenly blacked out and had some sort of vision of him giving a copy of himself a lobotomy – all while operating on Jack, no less?

He couldn’t come up with a reason as to why any of that had happened, let alone why it had felt so incredibly vivid, like it had in fact actually happened. He didn’t have time to dwell too much on the thought either, given how he instantly noticed how his patient was breathing shallowly.

Henrik watched the Irishman intently, dismay gleaming in his eyes and fear panging in his chest. “Jack? Jack, buddy? Are you…Are you still vith me?” He lightly tapped him with a bloodied hand. “Jack?” He scoffed, a light chuckle coming from him, although it was very obviously laced with concern. “C-Come on, zhis is no time to be joking around vith me. I’m trying to save your life, you know!”

There was no response. He scanned his body, taking notice of how he was shaking all over, he was sweating profusely, and how his lips and fingertips had quickly become blue – when had that happened?! For a brief moment, Henrik’s brows furrowed in confusion, not yet entirely piecing everything together. And what was that irritating beeping sound? Where the hell was that coming from? It was agitating him greatly.

“For fuck’s sake, vhat is zhat blasted noise?! I can’t vork vith such racket!” He turned to see what was causing the sound and in seconds flat, the poor doctor felt his stomach drop.

Oh no…..No, no, no, no, NO!

The heart monitor – it was going off like mad! Jack’s heart rate was skyrocketing, racing wildly, struggling to keep pumping blood throughout his body. Dr. Schneeplestein immediately whirled around to face his patient, FINALLY concluding what was so horrible about was happening. Too much blood was getting into his lungs – He couldn’t breathe! He was going into hypovolemic shock! The green-haired man’s eyes were shifting back and forth weakly, his eyelids fluttering for a moment before slipping shut; falling unconscious from both the pain he was in and the blood loss.

The doctor’s eyes shot open in horror, shaking his head rapidly. “No…No, no, no, NO! Zhis cannot be! Zhis isn’t happening! I can fix zhis! I can fix zhis!” He repeated to himself aloud, trying to return some hope to himself.

In a hurry, he crudely stitched up the gaping hole in the man’s side; securely keeping the blood-filled tube in place and pricking his finger more than once while doing so. As soon as he did this, he didn’t at all hesitate to fall into phase two. The Irishman needed air, and with his trachea cut, there was no way for him to breathe properly. Hastily the doctor moved his scrunched up, now completely blood-soaked coat away from Jack’s throat and threw it clear across the room. Luckily, much of the bleeding had stopped, but there was still some coming; leaking out and oozing through Henrik’s vinyl-covered fingers. He felt for the man’s pulse, both feeling and seeing it throbbing at a rapid pace.

“Shite!” The surgeon cursed, a crimson-covered hand reaching for his scalpel once more. He let out a shaky breath as he went to make an incision into the YouTuber’s neck, a little below where the wound was. His hands were trembling now, dread and a terrible nauseating wave of despair settling into his gut. He shook his head, trying to stay focused. “Alright…Alright, Schneeple, come on. You can do zhis, huh? Zhis isn’t a problem; you can fix zhis easy.” He kept attempting to convince himself as he reached for a clamp and stretched open the muscles of his patient’s throat; exposing his trachea to him.

Almost immediately, at seeing this and the amount of blood pouring out, Schneeplestein gagged and instantly flung backward, bringing a glove-clad hand to his mouth and nearly stumbling over the wires and cables of his equipment in the process.

“Vhat ze fuck?!” The doctor screamed abruptly, his breathing coming out laboured and rather shaken. He stared in horror at the body on the operating table, not caring or seeming to notice how he now had blood smeared over his mask. What he saw was not normal – nothing he’d learned in “Doctor College”, that’s for certain. No, nothing about what he’d seen was of human biology.

When he went to open up Jack’s throat, blood wasn’t the only thing to leak out – some sort of black slime-like substance gushed out along with it. And that wasn’t all. Weaving out all along the man’s trachea were what looked like veins, but they weren’t red or blue; they were a festering green, spots of black plaguing the entire windpipe. The entire thing looked severely infected, the muscle around it only looking just as bad; lines of black branching out and pulsating with darkness. He could’ve sworn he had seen something slither underneath the muscle as well. It was almost like there was something living beneath the skin and inside the veins, like a parasite was involved. But what kind of parasite could do this to a human being?

Feeling his heart thump with trepidation and beads of perspiration coming to his forehead, Henrik barely collected himself and approached the table, eyeing the abnormality of Jack’s throat before taking nervous glances back at the heart monitor. Realizing his time was dissipating expeditiously, the doctor couldn’t let this disturbing discovery get in the way of the task at hand. He only had so much time, and if he didn’t do something now, he’d probably lose another patient on this operating table.

His heart jumped at that thought. He had lost many patients before, and every time it had left a brand new scar in his chest; forever fueling him with guilt. But if Jack – his best friend – were to suddenly become no different than any of those other patients he had failed to revive…If he weren’t able to save the man who was responsible for himself and the other egos…

He felt his heart give another painful pang as tears threatened to come to his eyes. He shut his eyes for a quick moment, shaking his head.

“No…No! Stop it! Get your head in zee game! You can save him. You VILL save him!” A clenched fist came down onto the nearby table fiercely, a loud abrupt bang coming from the impact. It was very evident at this point that the doctor was becoming increasingly more frustrated.

Noticing how Jack’s chest was barely even moving anymore, Schneeple immediately set back to work. With bloodied hands, he rustled around for his haemostatic forceps; finding them blindly. Adjusting the overhead light so he could get a better view, ever so carefully he tried to close off any vessels; attempting to keep the blood flow to an all-time low. He then proceeded to place his set of tracheal dilators through the opening, expanding it by turning the screw; widening the incision further. As soon as the contraption pulled open the space, Henrik noticed his vision throb and start to swim for a moment; the light above him flickering unsteadily once again. He blinked, shaking his head and struggling to stay focused.

What’s going on? Why are you having such trouble concentrating? He questioned himself, transfixed on the pulsing blackened veins coiled around Jack’s trachea. Come on, focus. Focus, damn it!

But that was easier said than done. His head felt heavy all of a sudden, the edges of his vision going black. He blinked slowly, everything blurring for a quick moment before a wave of glitches abruptly scattered over Jack’s neck right before the doctor’s own eyes. The light flickered spastically as Henrik’s heart pounded in his ears, watching something pulse throughout the green-haired man’s throat. He found himself fascinated and reaching a gloved finger into the black and green trachea, the open wound squelching and sucking his finger in. His eyes widened, gleaming with disgust and horror as he slowly pulled his finger and thumb back, extracting a long thick string of blackened organic matter; some veins still linked to it and getting stretched out the more the string was pulled. Bile rose in his throat, a wave of nausea hitting him dead on. His fist-sized organ of innocence gave a painful jolt within his chest at the sight. This was beyond disturbing for him; this was beyond what he could handle. His vision glitched out again when he went to blink, the darkened string that he had pulled from the man’s throat completely gone.

Dr. Schneeplestein stumbled backward, reaching a hand back to steady himself on a nearby table only for that table to wheel away and cause him to collapse to the ground. He couldn’t take his eyes off of the body on his operating table, noticing a stream of black oozing out from the cut in Jack’s throat and running down his arm, which was outstretched and hanging limply over the edge of the table. The poor surgeon couldn’t even begin to understand what the hell was going on. He felt like he was living in a horror movie, scared beyond comprehension. This was too much; he was going to go insane! He shut his eyes for a brief moment, trying desperately to calm his heart and steady his breathing, but to no avail. For Christ’s sake, his hands were trembling! He couldn’t work like this; it would only lead into disaster!

The German doctor reached up for the ledge of a stable table, pulling himself up onto his wobbly weak-kneed legs. Stumbling forward, he dashed for a nearby counter and grabbed for his mug of stale coffee, which surely must’ve been lukewarm at this point. He then flew open every cupboard door, tossing anything and everything out until he finally found what he needed: a bottle of diethyl ether. Letting out a shaky on-the-verge-of-having-a-mental-breakdown breath of air, Schneeple hurried to unscrew the cap, throw it off to the side somewhere, yank his mask off, and take several big gulps of the fluid; not at all giving a damn how he was resorting to intoxicating himself in hopes to calm himself down enough. Pulling himself back from the bottle, the man poured a vast amount of the drug into his coffee; filling the mug to the brim before setting the bottle aside and taking a gulp of his drink. Staggering back over to the operating table and nearly slipping in the puddles of blood surrounding it, the doctor slammed down his mug of drugged coffee onto the nearby steel table; beginning to feel the effects of the drug kicking in.

“Alright…Okay…Pull yourself togezher, man!” The unsteady, increasingly disoriented surgeon shouted at himself, making a poor attempt to stand up straight. He lazily readjusted his mask on his face and looked back at his patient, using a bloodied hand to pat his shoulder gently. “Don’t vorry, buddy. Everyzhing is okay, everyzhing is alright. Death is overrated – who needs zhat?” He squinted slightly, his vision blurring for a brief moment. “Are you in pain, buddy? Can you feel anyzhing?” He was evidently intoxicated at this point, proven by how he barely recalled how Jack was currently unconscious. He leaned forward, moving a hand to get a better look at the inside of his throat. “Easy fix….Easy fix….” He muttered to himself over and over.

While being cautious to keep anymore blood from escaping, the good doctor leaned over to grasp a tracheal tube, which would allow Jack to breathe when inserted. Carefully, he wedged the tube through the opening of his trachea; granting the YouTuber a temporary airway until his neck could be fixed thoroughly. Much blood was covering Henrik’s hands now; lines of still warm wet crimson running down his arms. Some had managed to also spurt out on his chest during the procedure, but he hadn’t taken any notice in it; all of his attention had been transfixed on fixing Jack. Once the tube had been successfully inserted, he leaned back and let out a sigh of relief, running the back of his gore-drenched hand across his exposed forehead, leaving a long thick smear of blood and matter on his pale skin. His eyes went from the tube to the wide-open gash in the Irishman’s throat. Only one thing left to fix. He could do this, he could do this, he could –

Beeeeeeeeeeeeep…..

Dr. Schneeplestein immediately jerked his head in the direction of the heart monitor, alarmed and horrified to see that the line had suddenly dropped flat. There was no pulse and the man wasn’t breathing anymore! His stomach dropping at the sound, the doctor didn’t even stop to think first; he dropped his tools and raced for the defibrillator, just barely tripping over any cables. In seconds flat he was at the Irishman’s side, immediately setting up the defibrillator and putting gel onto the paddles. Cranking up the machine and charging the paddles, Schneeple quickly moved his mask and grabbed for his mug of ether-laced coffee; downing another two gulps of the liquid. Wasting no time, he picked up the paddles, rubbed them together fiercely before pressing down hard onto Jack’s chest; a violent electrical shock getting sent through his body. He listened for any sigh of a pulse, but there was none. He pulled back and recharged the paddles, rubbed them together once more, and tried again; another jolt of electricity striking the YouTuber’s heart. Still nothing.

“Come on, damn it! You vill not die on me, do you hear me?! Not today!” The unhinged surgeon burst out of fear. He recharged the paddles, rubbed them again, and sent another shock into the man. “Stay vith me, buddy, come on! I vill not let you die! You cannot die on me!” He waited a moment before giving him another violent shock. “If you go down, ve all go down vith you! Damn it, Jack! Come on! Vake up!” Another shock.

Repeatedly the doctor tried desperately to restart his friend’s heart, refusing to let him go that easily. And he wasn’t lying – if Jack’s subconscious died here and now, then Schneeple and the other egos were at a high risk of dying along with him. He needed to live in order for them to continue living, there was no other way! As the good German doctor continued with his poor efforts, he didn’t take notice of how the YouTuber’s fingertips were twitching slightly, almost in a spastic manner every few seconds. He also didn’t notice how the lower half of the man glitched out intensely for a slight second, like something was trying to remain stable…

Tears were coming to the doctor’s eyes with each attempt, and he was trying so hard at holding them back, knowing this was no time for crying. He was truly beginning to lose hope at a fast rate, an overwhelming sense of despair suffocating him and clouding his already intoxicated mind. Any and all confidence he had had at the start was completely one hundred percent gone – totally nonexistent. He was failing as a doctor, failing to save his friend Jack – the man responsible for him and the other egos. He could not live whatever would remain of his life with Jack’s blood on his hands – both literally and figuratively speaking. He would truly die on the inside, and it would only prove how much of a failure and a humiliation he was as a doctor to both his wife and kids, who had already left him a month ago. The poor man was already broken; he couldn’t afford to lose the one person who still viewed him with respect.

“Jack, please.” He pleaded through tear-blurred eyes. “I need you, buddy.” He blinked, a few tears running down his cheeks. “Ve all need you!”

Finally, with one more jolt of electricity through to the Irishman’s heart, there was a pulse; the line on the monitor spiking slightly. Jack’s chest slowly but surely began to rise and fall steadily, air getting to him through the tube Schneeplestein had surgically implanted into him. His heart beat was very low and just barely there, but it would give the doctor enough time. Flinging the defibrillator paddles away and taking another long gulp of his ether coffee, Henrik dove for the man’s throat, FINALLY setting to work on closing off his major arteries.

“Yes! Come on, buddy, don’t fail me just yet! Zhere’s still hope! All of zhis vill be over soon, I svear on my name!” He exclaimed, sealing the YouTuber’s arteries shut and closing his trachea. “You’re not dead yet, zhere’s still plenty of time to fix!”

He had gone and set up an IV for the Irishman, inserting the needle into his arm and getting new blood into his body before proceeding to suture up the slit in his neck. It was right at that moment when he felt his heart jolt harshly in his chest, followed by something warm and wet running from his nose. Getting a whiff of copper, he dragged his mask downward and ran the back of his sleeve along his nose, watching as a smear of red showed up. Before he even had time to question the bizarre occurrence, the doctor’s heart gave another pang of pain, and his vision started to swim once more, much worse than earlier. The lights were starting to flicker again, an icy cold gust of air now circulating the room and causing the poor surgeon to shudder violently. Faintly, voices echoed throughout the back of his mind, all distorted yet overlapping each other. He had a difficult time deciphering what they were whispering to him, but he managed to make out a few words.

“K-Kill….”

          “H-He’s d-dead alre-eady…”

“Gr-rant…”

       “Can’t sa-a-ave him…”

“YoU iDioT!”

              “M-Me…”

                                          “D-Dead…"

“G-Give…l-li-ife…”

                            “Access…”

“LeT ME iN!”

                       “D-Dead in-inside…”

            “FiNIsH IT!”

The doctor was feeling nauseated, his head spinning and like the world was tilting on its side. His breaths were increasing in speed, as was his heartbeat. His vision was fading in and out as he desperately tried to focus on fixing his patient. The instruments upon his steel table began to rattle with no explainable reason as to why, and a few of the lights were bursting; sparks flying through the air with each explosion. He could make out the heart monitor going off like mad, before slowing down considerably, daring to fall flat again. Henrik panted and growled, shutting his eyes and shaking his head.

“No….No! I’ve had enough!” He grabbed his mug of coffee and downed the rest before bolting up and throwing it across the room into the main doors out of a sudden burst of rage. “Fuck it! Zhis is it! I’m ending zhis NOW!”

Though the words getting hissed into his ear were taunting him repeatedly and everything occurring around him was driving him into madness, the doctor didn’t let any of it stop him this time. Not even when he looked to Jack’s open neck to see black sludge leak out. Grabbing his needle and thread and readjusting the head light for the last time, Dr. Schneeplestein pricked the man’s shredded flesh; hooking the needle through the layer of muscle and pulling at it from the other side. In and out the needle went, getting repeatedly stabbed into the sickeningly pale blood-smeared skin; crudely stitching the gaping wound shut. Blood stained the doctor’s fingers and he pricked himself more than once, but he remained focused, even though his vision was seriously beginning to fade out. With each stitch, there was a violent glitch from the patient’s lower half; his fingers twitching and curling inward. And with the doctor’s attention on Jack, he didn’t notice let alone hear the heart monitor glitch out behind him; lines of static weaving out across the screen.

“Come on….Come on…Zhere ve go.”

With the wound now finished, he took a step back, chucking the gore-soaked needle off onto the table; letting out a shaky, tired breath of exhaustion. He stood there and kept his eyes fixed on Jack, hoping like hell he’d give a response, or better – wake up.

Unexplainably, everything came to a halt. The lights all shut off only then to return back on. His equipment and instruments were no longer shaking. His vision adjusted back to normal and the voices he had been hearing faded almost immediately. Henrik slowly approached the table, tearing his surgical mask away from his face as he stared down at his friend, waiting impatiently for a sign.

“Jack?…Jack, buddy?…Can you hear me?”

No response. He gently shook his shoulder.

“Jack?”

Unknowingly to the doctor, from behind him, the heart monitor suddenly glitched out violently, only then to reveal the heart rate going at a normal, steady pace. With a start, Jack’s eyes flew open and he lurched forward, gasping for air. Blink and anyone would miss it, but for a fleeting second, the eyes of the Irishman flashed a sickening neon green. And unfortunately, the doctor had in fact blinked.

“Jack! Oh zhank Christ, you’re alive!” Henrik shouted with relief, putting a hand over his own chest to steady his poor heart.

The green-haired man on the bloodied table blinked, turning his head slightly to notice the doctor before turning his attention downward; taking in the sight of his condition. The hose securely stitched into the side of his ribs, the blood all over his pants and the table, the feeling of the breathing tube in his neck…

Slowly, the YouTuber shrugged his shoulders, leaned back on his arms, and carefully sat up, Schneeple assisting him.

“Careful, you’re still in very bad shape.” The doctor cautioned. “Don’t vant any of your stitches coming undone.”

Sitting hunched over on the crimson-drenched table now, the Irishman gently moved his neck from side to side, testing out his limits of movement; feeling a painful stinging stretch in his neck muscles at moving too much. Letting out a raspy sigh, the man slowly lifted his hands, sticky with his own blood. He looked down at them, rotating his wrists and getting a good look at both the front and back of them. He clenched his fingers, almost seeming like he was testing them out…

Almost like he was adjusting to his body for the very first time…

Henrik reached for his blood-spattered glasses and pulled them off, letting out a shaky breath as he set them off to the side. He kept his eyes on Jack, scanning his body for any signs of something wrong.

“Do you feel alright? Pain is to be expected and is completely normal, and you cannot leave until full recovery.” He advised.

He didn’t receive a response; Jack was still looking over his hands and then down at his bare, crimson-speckled chest. He seemed to be taking in everything, at least that’s what Schneeple thought. Given everything that had happened, he’d understand why his friend was acting so strange.

“So…how do you feel?”

The Irishman flexed his fingers once more, gently rolling his shoulders back as he did so. A deep rumbly groan came from his throat, almost sounding like he was pleased. After a long pause, a small smirk tugged at the corner of the man’s lips as he shifted his eyes to the doctor who had stitched him together – who had resurrected him.

The doctor who had granted him access.

“Like I could take on the world.”

Part 5 - Say Goodbye

Part 7 - Patience

@fear-is-nameless @golden-eyed-guardians @n-o-ra-xi @steffid101

@jse-fandom-protection-squad

@butterlover328

@nuclear-squiggles

@septic-obsessed

[garcell06]

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New Post has been published on https://www.myweightlossfun.com/fitness-articles/5-healthy-aging-tips-to-stay-fit-and-happy/

5 Healthy Aging Tips To Stay Fit And Happy

Healthy aging is about promoting and maintaining the functional capacity that allows well-being in old age.The famous poet, Jonathan Swift, once said, “Everybody wants to live forever, but nobody wants to grow old.” While amusing, the quote applies to most people. We want the best of life forever and to retain the vigor and exuberance of youth without the aches and wrinkles of old age. There are maxims like ‘Age is mind over matter. If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter’ or ‘Age is just a number.’ While all this is well and good, there is one truth that no one can deny and that’s the fact that aging is inevitable and no matter how strong your mindset is, your body is going to start showing the signs of aging when the time comes. In this article, we’ll look at several habits that you should adopt so that you stay fit and healthy as you age. Age is inevitable. The decline is optional. With just some extra care and new habits, you’ll age gracefully and be limber and fit well into your senior years.

Healthy Aging Tips

* Your Diet MUST Change

After the age of forty, many adults notice that they develop chronic aches and pains. They may develop digestive issues and have problems like acid reflux, constipation, etc. Almost always this is a result of their diet. Here’s the kicker – you may be eating the same foods but now your body is adversely affected by them. When you’re young, your body is more resilient. Even if you guzzle down five sodas a day, you’ll be just fine. Your body can handle it. As you get older, your body gets more responsive. The same sodas may cause your body to develop inflammation or the acidic nature of the drinks will cause indigestion. That’s why you see so many adults popping antacid tablets to battle their acid reflux. The foods they’re eating is not agreeing with them. It’s not a new health issue that has popped up. It’s just a more responsive body reacting to the poor diet choices now. Your eating habits are starting to catch up with you. You must be aware and start making changes. You’ll also need less food as you get older because your body’s metabolic rate is dropping. Even with regular exercise, your system is not firing away furiously on all cylinders like it used to. You need to reduce your portion sizes and eat accordingly. Choose foods that your body agrees with. The key word is awareness. Have a food journal and monitor how your body feels after eating a particular food. If it feels great, keep the food. If you notice that you have lethargy, bloating, digestive issues, etc. the food that’s causing it needs to be removed from your diet. Unfortunately, as you age, the list of foods that your body can handle will start to shrink. Alcohol will have a much more drastic impact on you. Greasy foods may make you queasy and so on. Listen to how your body feels and tailor your diet according to how it reacts. The cure to most growing health issues is a proper diet. Be mindful when eating. Consume more fiber and you may wish to supplement your diet with vitamins and other products that keep you healthy.

* Stay Hydrated

This is extremely important. The body needs more lubrication as it ages and water is essential to keep your internal system healthy. It’ll flush out toxins and keep your joints lubricated. Spinal disc problems and joint pains usually occur when the body is in a constant state of dehydration. Your spinal discs are hydrophilic in nature and require water to stay healthy. Without water, they’ll shrink and decay. This is why you’ll see many seniors getting shorter as they age. While their spinal structure is intact, the thickness of their spinal discs is shrinking and causing them to lose inches in height. It is crucial that you drink enough water daily to stay healthy.

* Focus on Fitness

While the principles of muscle building and physical conditioning do not change despite your age, your focus needs to change. In your twenties and thirties, you may have challenged yourself to squat the most weight or bench press your maximum. There’s nothing wrong with that BUT as you get older, structural integrity in your body becomes more important than the size of your muscles. You’ll need to focus more on stretching exercises to stay limber. Take up yoga or stretching classes so that your body is not rigid and prone to injury. Pilates classes will be great for toning and strengthening your core. Many people in their forties and above spend tons of time in a  kyphotic position  which is basically them being hunched over. This happens when they spent hours bent over a computer or from driving. Their hunched position places stress on the viscera and not only restricts blood circulation but also causes shallow breathing. Stretch it all out and breathe deeply. Yoga will align your body and fix any muscular imbalances that rear their ugly heads as your body ages. Besides flexibility training, do engage in resistance training twice a week to prevent muscle atrophy. Always try to get stronger but maintain good form without jerky movements. It’s much easier to get injured when you’re older. Put your vanity aside and make your training functional and challenging. Aim for muscle stimulation and not muscle annihilation. Do two or three sessions of cardio a week. It could be anything as simple as walking or tough like interval training. It all depends on your level of fitness. What you want though is to increase your heart rate so that your lungs and heart get a workout. The cardio will also activate your lymphatic system and help to detox your body and boost your immunity.

* Get Sufficient Rest

Burning the candle at both ends will take its toll on you if you keep doing it as you get older. There is a limit to what the body can handle and with age, that limit drops. You may notice that you need more sleep to feel better and your bedtime starts getting earlier. Gone are the days when partying at the club was something you looked forward to every weekend. Now you’re happy to go to bed at 9 pm and sleep a good eight hours. Rest assured that this is normal and beneficial to your body. It needs more rest now. Give it what it needs and you’ll be healthier and more refreshed. The hectic pace of the world is never going to end and only going to increase. Trying to keep up with it is madness and you’ll just end up worn out and in an early grave. Take things slower and rest well.

* Accept Your Limitations

This is a big one but it’s an important one. You do not need to push yourself beyond your limits just to keep up with those younger than you. You have NOTHING to prove. When the young guys at the gym are lifting massive weights, you don’t need to try and outdo them to feel good about yourself. The same applies to your career. The younger employees who are go-getters may be putting in tons of hours to climb the ladder. If you try to keep up, you’ll get stressed out and lose your peace. Do what you can. Do the best you can… and know that it is more than enough. All your battles that you need to fight are in your own mind. Do not regret growing older because it’s a privilege denied to many. Aim to live a peaceful and stress-free life. What’s eating you is just as important as what you eat. Learn to let go of what you can’t change and don’t bother changing what’s unnecessary. Getting worked up on social media over other people’s political views and debating them is only going to aggravate you… and it’s all pointless. You can’t help getting older but you don’t have to get old. Follow the tips in this article and you’ll stay healthy, fit and happy for a long time to come.

Healthy Aging with Nutrition

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[entirebodyexercise]

How Cold Is Too Cold To Run?

When it boils down to it, wearing the proper clothing is one of the most crucial factor.

As polar vortexes brushed up with the nation and also much of the Midwest located itself covered in snow, most individuals stayed indoors, figuring this should be too chilly to run outside. However, research suggests that as lengthy as it's warmer compared to -18 degrees, it's not also cool to function out-- as long as you take the ideal safety measures.

"Individuals, of program, have actually strolled to the Poles," stated John Castellani, a workout physiologist at the Army Research Institute of Environmental Medicine. Castellani was co-chair of a study conducted by the American College of Sports Medication that found, "Generally, cold-weather is not an obstacle to doing exercise."

The main point Castellani and his co-authors researched was the danger of frostbite, which has the greatest threat here -17 or -18 degrees. Yet, he stated, they additionally looked at various other common fears regarding running or functioning out in the severe cold.

While there are specific populaces who go to threat, the vast bulk of research study recommends that individuals will not harm their muscles or their lungs in the chilly-- 2 usual misconceptions.

The team did discover a boost incidence of asthma and heart tension in populations that are inclined to those issues. Those with circulation problems could likewise have a high risk for frostbite also at warmer temperatures. Largely, nonetheless, individuals have the ability to run in cold as well as listed below freezing temperatures without injuring themselves.

Of course, the warning-- as well as it's a big one-- is that you need to be appropriately prepared.

Making certain you clothe for the weather is "among the greatest points," said Castellani. You ought to wear layers, particularly layers that remain completely dry. When clothes obtain damp they could ice up and end up being dangerous for a professional athlete.

Castellani claims a base layer of silk or synthetics need to be covered by a shielding layer of fleece, synthetics or wool, as well as after that covered with an external wind-breaking layer if necessary. Mittens are commonly much better compared to gloves as well as it is necessary to maintain your feet completely dry too. Several runners likewise utilize facemasks, hats or balaclavas in the severe cold.

And, Castellani says, he frequently tells individuals to warm-up gently inside (but not even to be perspiring and wet) and afterwards layer up in dry garments as well as go out. This could be particularly helpful if you're thinking of doing anything hard or racing in the cold.

In enhancement to clothing well, it is necessary to know the conditions. The most typical means individuals obtain harmed are simply by dropping on ice or getting halfway out as well as not being able to make it back. That's when a runner could locate himself turning right into a dangerously icy icicle.

When Marisa Lindsay relocated from California to Minneapolis, she needed to examine out just what type of clothes to put on as well as exactly how to layer appropriately. She likewise needed to find out how you can operate on the snow. That was when Yaktrax, which strap onto footwears to enable you to gain grip, came in convenient-- however they just helped a couple of miles till they also got obstructed with snow.

"I still do not have it found out," said Lindsay. During a 5K race in -7 degrees, she also discovered her eyelashes beginning to freeze together. "I recognize some people wear ski safety glasses, however I haven't stooped to that yet."

All those difficulties mean that, while it could be done, lots of athletes as well as coaches pick to merely not exercise in the severe cold, particularly if they have to enter difficult training.

"There's a point when I say it gets as well chilly," stated Chicago-based train Matt Johnson of Jogger's Academy.

Johnson urges his athletes to customize or alter exercises based upon the climate. Commonly, unless you're in the middle of the storm of the century or you live in Minnesota, there aren't numerous weeks straight of dangerous problems. It can be simple to relocate exercises around then or to do a few of them on the treadmill. If you do determine to run in the snow as well as ice, recognize that it will be considerably harder.

Running five miles in a couple of inches of snow takes a lot longer than running five miles on dry roadways. In those instances, you could wish to merely aim for time, not range. And, if you're preparing something much longer or harder, doing loopholes could ensure that you never get too much from your home in situation you start to freeze or something goes incorrect.

"There's no embarassment in taking it inside your home or doing another thing," claimed Johnson.

The most vital point if you're embeded a polar vortex or a snow storm, besides having the best clothing, is to "be versatile," he stated. Modification your strategies if you require to transform your strategies. It's better compared to coming to be a cautionary frozen story.

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[sherristockman]

Eat Your Prunes Dr. Mercola By Dr. Mercola If your impression of prunes is that they're something old people eat for help with regularity (although there is that), you could use a bit more information about the benefits of this delicious food. For some people, prunes have somehow gleaned a reputation as dry, mealy and terrible-tasting, but that couldn't be further from the truth. Sure, they may look a little odd, being a wrinkly, purple-to-black lump, but they're tasty to the point of crave worthy. In case you're not familiar with prunes, they're simply dried plums, just like raisins are dried grapes. More specifically, prunes are sun-dried plums that skipped the fermentation process.1 To make the moist little morsels more intriguing to 25- through 54-year-old females, the California Prune Board asked the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to begin referring to prunes as "dried plums." It must be working, as prune consumption shifted. Europe is on the receiving end of 40 percent of the California prune market, and it's jumped 37 percent in just the last year, Fresh Plaza, a global produce news site, notes: "It is moving away from the traditional home baking and breakfast occasions into the acceptance of prunes as a healthy snack and a versatile ingredient for home cooking. Chefs from all around the world are starting to recognize the significant benefits of including prunes in a whole range of recipes."2 Prunes, much like peaches, are referred to as "freestone," meaning the large pit in the center can stay intact through the drying process, then be easily removed before packaging. Medicine throughout centuries made use of prunes for fever, high blood pressure, jaundice, diabetes, digestion and constipation, still one of its most popular remedies. Eat Your Prunes — They're Good for You Just like raisins, prunes offer chewy sweetness and amazing versatility as well as plenty of surprising nutrients. Fiber, potassium, iron and retinol from vitamin A are some of its most prominent nutrients (in fact, the drying process increases the fiber content)3 as are the vitamin K and beta-carotenes. While I don't recommend you eat an entire cup (174 grams) of pitted prunes in one sitting due to their fructose content (about 5 grams in five prunes4), if you did, you'd get 12 grams, or 49 percent,5 of the recommended dietary allowance (RDI) of fiber, which is what U.S. health organizations say you need for one day (I believe about 50 grams of fiber per 1,000 calories consumed is ideal, however). colon cancer. In fact, two studies — the Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Screening Trial and another by the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) — noted that "dietary fiber intake is inversely related to the incidence of colon adenomas and cancer."6 Even more recent studies have come to the same conclusion, such as one conducted in 2015 by researchers at Texas A&M. Nancy Turner, AgriLife research professor in the nutrition and food science department, showed that dried plum consumption provides beneficial effects by helping your colon retain advantageous gut microbiota.7 The 36 percent RDI in potassium,8 a mineral crucial for good health, you get from eating 1 cup of prunes helps balance the chemical and electrical processes in your body, lowers your risk of stroke and heart disease along with your blood pressure, and optimizes several other important body functions. In the same cup of prunes, you also get 129 percent of the DRI in vitamin K, which may help prevent inflammation and osteoporosis and improve your insulin sensitivity.9 Other prominent nutrients in prunes include more than 20 percent DRI of several B vitamins10 along with notable amounts of vitamin A, calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, manganese, selenium and boron. Prunes Should Be Eaten in Moderation Prunes are a rich source of simple sugars, including fructose. Despite this, research has shown dried plums do not lead to a rapid rise in blood sugar concentration when consumed,11 possibly due to their high fiber and sorbitol content. However, the fructose still constitutes good reason to limit your intake, as is true in regard to consuming most other fruits. Fruits such as plums and prunes can be good for you, but in limited amounts. One medium prune contains 1.2 grams of fructose. If you're insulin- or leptin-resistant (are overweight, diabetic, hypertensive or have high cholesterol), then it would be especially advisable for you to limit your fruit intake. As a general rule, I recommend limiting your fructose intake to a maximum of 15 grams of fructose per day from all sources, including whole fruit. If you are not insulin/leptin resistant (are of normal weight without diabetes, hypertension or high cholesterol) I suggest limiting your fructose intake to 25 grams per day (or less) from all sources. What Have Prunes Done for You Lately? Prunes, as you've already read, contain a lot of extremely health-beneficial nutrients. It's how they relate to your body in terms of disease prevention, however, that makes them so valuable. The end conclusion of one study, for instance, reported in the Journal of Medicinal Plants Research, lists several of those benefits: "Prunes have been found pharmacologically active as antioxidant, anticancer, anxiolytic, mild laxative and antihyperlipedimic. Their efficacy in treatment and prevention of … osteoporosis has been documented in clinical studies. It exerts positive effects on cardiovascular parameters possibly through antioxidant activities, high fiber and potassium contents. In conclusion, prunes have wide range of nutritional and medicinal uses and daily consumption can be beneficial in the treatment or prevention of different ailments."12 Flavonoid polyphenolic antioxidants in plums, such as lutein and cryptoxanthin, help scavenge free radicals from your body. Free radicals come from toxins that enter your body through your skin and the air you breathe, such as pollution and toxic fumes from household cleaners, food dyes and other unhealthy food ingredients. Free radicals are also produced normally during metabolism. Medical News Today reports: "Antioxidants, called polyphenols, may prevent cell mutation and reduce cancer cell formation. Prunes were found to have the highest range of polyphenols when compared with other dried fruits, such as raisins, figs, and dates."13 Bahram H. Arjmandi, Ph.D, a registered dietician and researcher at Florida State University, was one of the first to investigate "estrogen receptors in the gut to aid in calcium transport and to demonstrate the efficacy of dried plum in protecting bone in both animal models of osteoporosis and postmenopausal women."14 NDTV's Smart Cooky quotes Arjmandi: "Over my career, I have tested numerous fruits, including figs, dates, strawberries and raisins, and none of them come anywhere close to having the effect on bone density that dried plums or prunes have. All fruits and vegetables have a positive effect on nutrition, but in terms of bone health, this particular food is exceptional."15 Other Good Things You Get From Eating Prunes The incredible compounds in prunes provide several benefits that may seem unrelated, which just goes to show you how all-encompassing such nutrients can be. Here are several more super advantages you gain: 1. Prunes are considered heart healthy, mostly due to the potassium content, which optimizes heart function and nerve responses throughout your body. Daily potassium intake helps lower your blood pressure, as well as your risk of heart disease, heart attack and stroke. 2. Prunes help fight osteoporosis, in part due to the boron content, which Alive, a health and wellness site, explains: "Helps regulate mineral metabolism and optimizes estrogen levels, which in turn increases calcium absorption. Additionally, boron helps convert vitamin D to its active form, which helps the osteoblasts [bone-building cells] utilize calcium for bone formation."16 3. Eating prunes benefits your hair and skin due to the array of vitamins and minerals they provide, which even help slow signs of aging, such as wrinkles. High amounts of iron helps prevent a deficiency that can show up in dry, discolored hair, and even hair loss. 4. Prune consumption benefits your vision due to high vitamin A, which produces retinol. Being deficient in this vitamin is a leading cause of macular degeneration, dry eyes, cataracts and night blindness. 5. The nutrients in prunes go a long way. Nutritionist Anshul Jaibharat offers both a caution and an encouragement: "Prunes are high in natural sugar, so too many may not be good for people watching their weight. After all, excess of anything is stored as fat in your body. Prunes have such high nutritional values ensuring that you can eat just one piece and still gain measurable nutrients."17 Is Prune Juice Beneficial for Constipation? You've no doubt heard about the effects of prune juice being a good laxative. In fact, studies have shown it to be even more effective than psyllium husk at treating constipation.18 Prune juice, too, is lauded for decreasing the "transit time" of foods in your digestive tract. For people with constipation, eating the whole prune may be enough to get things moving, and I recommend trying this first. If the constipation persists, you could try drinking a small amount of prune juice in the morning to help stimulate the desired action. Additionally, another dose half an hour to an hour after a meal might prove helpful, as well.19 I do not, however, recommend drinking prune juice regularly or in large quantities because of the sugar content. If chronic constipation is a problem for you, there are many other natural strategies to treat it. Constipation aside, here are a few more ways to incorporate whole prunes into your diet: Use kitchen shears to cut prunes in smaller pieces to toss into salad greens or mixed with quinoa, coconut and chopped walnuts. They're a great snack for traveling, whether you're in the car or on a walking trail, and even in your lunchbox. An ounce (28 grams) can be added to smoothies for a bit of natural sweetness, as well as extra antioxidants and fiber. Pitted prunes and a little water in your food processor produces a tasty topping for everything from banana bread made from coconut flour to homemade vanilla bean ice cream sweetened with stevia. (As is nearly always the case, the healthiest recipes are those you make yourself.) Try adding a handful of prunes to savory dishes such as chicken with rosemary and basil.

[eruditemommy]

Zika Virus – Everything You Need To Know About It

Zika Situation in Early 2017

After ranking as the top health concern of 2016, the Zika virus has returned worldwide in early months of 2017, including the USA. According to the International SOS’s Zika News, three newest cases of Zika infections have been found in Singapore since 21st April, which leads to a total of 21 cases in this country in this year. In the USA, there has been a total of 10 cases in Texas and 30 cases in Florida since 1st January 2017.

This mosquito-borne illness was first detected in the Zika Forest in the central Africa in 1947. Nowadays it’s unable to be cured or prevented with a vaccine, which makes it extremely dangerous to people, especially pregnant women. To date, its global risk assessment and vigilance remains high.

How Does Zika Spread?

Through Mosquito Bites

Two mosquito species called Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus are the primary pathogens of Zika. These mosquitoes are active mostly during the day, but they can also bite people at night. They are the same pathogen of dengue and chikungunya viruses.

The females need to feed on blood to lay eggs. As they suck the blood of infected patients, they become infected themselves and have the likelihood of transmitting the virus to other people through bites. Although Aedes Aegypti and Aedes Albopictus usually inhabit in tropical or subtropical areas, they’re also found in the USA.

Here is the map estimating the potential range of them in the USA.

Via: www.cdc.gov

Through Sex

A man or a woman, who carries the Zika virus, can transmit the virus to his or her sexual partner, even if this infected person does not develop symptoms at the time. Scientists also found that the Zika virus stays in semen longer than in other body fluids, including vaginal discharge, urine and blood. Therefore, the infected men are more potentially dangerous than infected women.

In addition, keep in mind that whether the sex is vaginal, anal, oral or even the sharing of sex toys, there is no exception of safety.

From a Pregnant Woman to Her Fetus

There is a full range of evidence that a pregnant woman can pass Zika virus to her fetus during pregnancy and childbirth. This is what scientists call the mother-to-child transmission. Fortunately, there are no reports that a newborn can get Zika virus through breastfeeding.

Through Blood Transfusion

This transmission path is very likely but not surely confirmed. To date, there are no reports of getting Zika virus through blood transfusion transmission in the USA. However, in April 2016, two first cases in Brazil are detected. During the French Polynesian outbreak, the virus was found in few blood donors.

Chain of events explains how Zika spreads (Via: www.cdc.gov)

Why Is Zika Too Dangerous to Pregnant Women?

How Does It Affect the Mom’s Fetus?

Many studies have proven that a pregnant woman, who is already infected with Zika virus, even one without symptoms, can pass the virus to her developing fetus during pregnancy or around the time of birth. Especially, this transmission can happen in all stages of pregnancy.

The problem will be worst in the first trimester of pregnancy when pregnant signs have not shown up clearly yet. That’s because many crucial developments of fetus take place during this period, including the starting developing structures (head, spine, arms and legs) and organs (heart, intestines and lungs) of the baby’s body.

As the virus crosses the placental barrier, it comes with dangerous side effects and appears to be associated with major grave outcomes, such as uteroplacental vascular insufficiency, fetal growth restriction, neurological system trauma and even fetal death.

How Does It Affect the Infant?

Babies whose moms are infected with Zika during pregnancy have great likelihood of developing birth defects. Among them, the most common and serious defect is microcephaly which is a severe neurological condition in which babies are born with a small head leading to a small brain.

Other serious birth defects include impaired growth, hearing loss, eye problems, Guillain-Barré syndrome and even stillbirth.

How Do You Know a Pregnant Woman Infected with Zika?

There is no evidence that pregnant women are more susceptible to getting Zika or suffering from more severe illness. So, everyone who is infected with Zika has the same symptoms. Many have mild symptoms, while others might not show anything. In fact, only 20 percent of patients end up exhibiting symptoms.

Via: www.cdc.gov

In general, common symptoms of Zika are low-grade fever, red rash, red eyes, headache, joint pain and muscle pain. These symptoms can last from two to seven days, and they often don’t show up right away. For this reason, many patients don’t realize that they have been infected and don’t get sick enough to go to the hospital. Luckily, Zika rarely kills people.

If you want to see how a 19-week pregnant woman protects herself and her baby from Zika, you can take a look this video below.

What Should You Do If You’re Suspicious about Being Infected with Zika?

To date, there is no vaccine or specific medicine against Zika. Currently, the Themis Bioscience is testing one called MV-ZIKA-101 in 48 healthy volunteers to check the safety, immune response and optimal dose. However, it’s just a clinical trial like many before, and the ultimate version of the vaccine is predicted to take years under development.

Testing for Zika

To diagnose Zika, a doctor will first ask about any symptom as well as recent travels and sexual activities, in short, any path of transmission that Zika virus can pass from one person to others. After that, a blood, semen or urine test will be carried to confirm the Zika infection. It’s important to make sure you receive your Zika test results even if you are feeling better.

Treating the Symptoms

At present, there are no treatments for Zika. You can only treat its symptoms. Here is what you should know if you’re diagnosed with Zika:

Get plenty of rest to help the body naturally combat the infection

Drink adequate fluids (water, milk, smoothies) to avoid dehydration.

Take medicines (acetaminophen, paracetamol) to relieve fever and pain.

If you’re taking a medicine for another medical condition, consult your doctor before taking any extra medication.

Don’t take aspirin or other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

How Do You Prevent Zika?

Since people have not found a vaccine to prevent Zika, keeping yourself and your family from mosquitoes is the only way to avoid Zika. Here are some tips for you to do that:

Use Insect Repellents

Choosing the right products of insect repellents is very important. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), EPA-registered insect repellents that have active ingredients, such as DEET, IR 3535, lemon eucalyptus, 2-undecanone, para-menthane-diol and picaridin, are safe and effective to use.

A study published in the Parasties and Vectors journal found no signs of negative side effect of DEET. Pregnant and nursing women can use it without any risk. On the other hand, repellents that contain citronella oil, peppermint oil, geranium oil or cedar oil are not recommended by the CDC.

No matter which insect repellents you use, you should always follow the instruction manual. You have to take a close look at the cautions that the company lists in the manual. You can also find brief instructions on the label. For examples:

Apply insect repellents after sunscreen.

Don’t use repellents on babies less than 2 months old.

Don’t use lemon eucalyptus and para-menthane-diol on babies less than 3 years old.

Don’t apply repellent under clothes because it might not evaporate and gather on the fabric as a result. But you can apply it over clothes.

Don’t apply repellent on cuts or wounds.

Removing Standing Water

Removing standing water is the key to make sure mosquitoes don’t have places to breed and lay eggs. Aedes mostly feed during the day and tend to fly into houses for shade, especially on sunny days when the temperature rises to about 50-60oF. Briefly, they live very close to us.

The greater the population of them in your living area, the greater the chance they spread disease. Just one tablespoon of water can become an ideal ground for mosquitoes to breed and produce up to 300 eggs. So, make sure you remove any item throughout and around the house that can collect water, such as flower pots, buckets, bottles or old tires.

If you have a pool, you don’t need to drain it. Just add a small amount of chlorine into the water to deter mosquitoes.

Stay in Places with Air-Conditioning or Window Screens

Instead of opening windows and doors, it’s sometimes necessary to close them and stay in places featured with electric fans, air conditioners or window screens. This way, you can keep mosquitoes from entering your house. Make sure there are no holes or gaps in the screens.

Sleep with a Mosquito Net

A mosquito net is designed to protect you from mosquito’s bites while sleeping. Also, make sure you install it in a proper way so that it provides the full coverage all the way around your bed. For an extra layer of protection, you can treat your net with permethrin.

Cover Your Skin with Clothes

It’s a shortcoming if you forget to protect your own body by covering as much of your skin as possible. Simply wear long pants, long-sleeves shirts, socks and closed-toe shoes. Also, don’t forget to cover your face and head with a face mask and a hat when you’re in most mosquito-infested areas. If needed, treat your clothes with permethrin for additional protection.

Use Protection When You Have Sex

If you’re a man, wear a condom every time you have sex. If you’re a woman, either wear a dental dam or remind your partner to wear a condom even if he seems healthy. Keep in mind that 80 percent of infected patients does not show symptoms of Zika. Also, remember that Zika virus can be transmitted through any sexual activity, including vaginal, anal, oral sex and even the sharing of sex toys.

Travel Smartly

Don’t travel to areas or countries with the high risk of Zika virus transmission if you don’t need to do that. If you already booked the ticket, and then the virus suddenly outbreak in where you plan to arrive, you might consider postponing the trip. In the USA, major airlines, including American, United, and Delta Airlines, allow qualified passengers to re-book their trips without cancellation fees. In case you must travel to an affected area, follow the prevention recommendations strictly.

For the world map of areas with risk of Zika, check here.

What Should You Do If You’re Caring for a Person with Zika?

Follow the following steps if you want to keep safe when contact with a Zika-infected person:

Wash hands with soap and water immediately after providing care.

Don’t touch any body’s fluid of the patient or surface with these fluids on it.

Wash your hands and clothes (with detergent) immediately if they get any body’s fluid of the patient.

Disinfectant the patient’s environment (bed, chair, etc.) every day using household cleaners.

Conclusion

To update all the information and newest news about Zika, you can check the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website which is one of the best online resources for various diseases, including Zika. No matter what you do, you should always be aware of preventing you and your family from Zika. If you have any symptom related to Zika, you have to isolate yourself from other family’s members and see your doctor as soon as possible.

Do you want to help scientists find a treatment for the Zika virus? Check this video:

Posting on Social Networks

Zika has come back in the global range. It’s extremely dangerous for pregnant women since it might cause microcephaly and many serious birth defects, including impaired growth, hearing loss, eye problems, Guillain-Barré syndrome and even stillbirth. Everyone should be aware of how to prevent this disease.

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