Elementals [Four Elements Personified]

Chapter 31~ Cheyda

Lupe was dying. That much was clear, but I was intent on not letting that happen. As obnoxious as she was, Lupe was still one of my dearest friends. The looming image of her possible permanent absence sent untouchable chills through me. Losing her was not an option.

I sat on the toilet while she rested in hot suds behind the drawn shower curtain. Several moments of quietness ticked by. The rushing blood of silence roared in my ears. I fought the urge to "mother her" as Lupe had griped and called it, by asking every few seconds if she was okay. For once, it was useful to not have the Emotional Shield up. I could tell by the rhythmic thumps of pain and growing sleepiness emanating from her that she was still alive. 

Perhaps twenty minutes passed when she finished. It was the longest time I had ever been with her with such a lack of talking. It was disheartening. She beckoned me to leave with a soapy hand flinging small bubbles in several waving motions."Begone, peasant." She mumbled. I exited with the small whooshing click of the door behind me.

I left a somber scene behind me, only to be greeted by a dire one. Jacobi and Aiden were deeply drawn in a serious exchange of hushed whispers. Dread poured from Jacobi in hot, syncopated beats along with the strum of anxiety belting underneath. It hurt to breathe for a moment. As usual, I felt only the slightest twinge of anything from Aiden, as with any of the other elemental adults. I had to breathe deeply before approaching any further. I decided to put up the Shield, even if only part way. If it hurt Lupe in any way, shape or form, I would drop it in a heartbeat.

"We need to Rebirth." Jacobi's brow was deeply creased.

"Right now?"

Aiden rose from his spot on the couch."No, but very soon."

I was incredulous. "What about taking her to a hospital?"

Jacobi's shaggy blonde hair swung around as he shook his head. "Think about it. If doctors do some operating, they might discover something they're not supposed to. She could be taken in as a government lab rat."

"And Rebirthing can now just magically fix this?" I could feel my voice rising.

Aiden set a light hand upon my shoulder. "Listen, Cheyda, I know it's hard to accept. Especially since we haven't been forthright with you kids, lately. But it would be the best option at this point. Rebirthing by its nature is a cleansing and resetting process."

I looked back and forth between them. A solidly bronze teenager and near middle aged man. They shared identical looks of concern.

I forced air in slowly through my nose. "Let's call Zen."

Jacobi's bright green lingered on my own. "We're doing this now?"

"Doing what now?" Lupe trudged downthe hallway toward us with a glint of curiosity in her eye. Her dark, wet hair clung to the back of her shirt, dripping without bias onto the floor. 

Jacobi shared a shrug with Aiden before meeting Lupe's gaze, which burned with curious intent. "Rebirthing." He stated nonchalantly. 

In an unexpectedly fluid motion, Lupe sidled up and smashed all three ofus into her awkward hug. "It's about time you pansies. Invite that one guy over here and let's get this party started!"

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I know it's short. But I wrote this while inspired on sleep deprived delirium. I do know how to proceed with connecting things to the final arc now though. So if I don't add more by this weekend, feel free to bother me about it. I need a good kick in the butt.