The Game Before the Fall

Chapter 48: Counter (Part 1)

"Why's Aria studying at a library for?" He realised the answer before we could tell him, "Right she's still a student. Her exams are coming up, aren't they? Kind of forgot about that with everything happening."

"Oh and one more thing. Mr Grey called asking you to come by at your earliest convenience. He asked to bring the girls as well. Honestly, he sounded tired... he was worrying about something."

I could guess what it was, "We should head over. I'll call Aria and Erin."

**

The location we ended up, was not the one I wanted it to be. Close to the heart of the city in a large building designed to meet the needs of the people. The Grand Heart Hospital. I travelled with Endi, pushing her in a wheel chair, and reached the entrance the same time Aria and Erin did. We all had a clear idea of why Mr Grey asked to meet us here and it wasn't long till we found ourselves in a private room overlooking a view of the city, the sun setting on the horizon beyond.

Xavier Grey greeted us at the door, "Thank you for coming. I wanted to reward you for what you did for my daughter... and she wanted to speak with you all once more."

"Is it that bad?" Aria asked tenderly.

"The incident caused more strain in Maggie's body than we initially thought." His eyes began to tear, and he dabbed them with a handkerchief. "We knew this day would come and I'm glad she could make such fine friends. Please go in first. We can speak later. Do any of you want a coffee or drink?"

We all politely declined and watched the father step down the corridor, his shoulders sagged and weak. It was an emotion of defeat. One that we had all felt before. I wheeled Endi inside and the others followed.

The room was divided in two by a curtain. On one side several chairs sat around a small table. In two of them Finn and Fiona sat with their expressions saddened, their hands clasped tight. They looked up at us as we entered and gestured for us to keep going. Behind the curtain, Maggie was confined in a bed, her body leaned up and looking out the large window, watching the sunset across the city.

"I'm glad I'm here," she spoke weakly. We had only seen her a day ago, yet the difference was enormous. It was clear her body had taken a turn for the worse. We entered her view and she smiled, "I'm happy I got to meet you all."

Erin moved closer to her and took her hand, "Maggie, we're the same."

Aria came a step later, "How are you feeling?"

"Weak. My heart's beginning to fail. They said I have a few days... maybe a week." She looked to Endi in her wheelchair, "You don't look good either."

"I'm doing better than you," Endi smiled tiredly. "You can't croak before I do."

Maggie laughed, only to wince, "I wish we had more time together. They said I shouldn't connect to Areithia anymore. I can't even play with you all anymore. Do you mind if we chat a little? I never thanked you for what you did."

"Sure," the girls sat around her.

"I'll give you some time," I smiled and retreated to the other side of the curtain. Finn and Fiona stared at me as I came in, gesturing for me to take a seat. We could hear the girls chatting, enjoying their time together.

Finn looked at me, a smile that twisted to sadness, "Ardent, do you think I've become stronger?"

I smiled, "Definitely." He had been following Zen's exercise routine and putting in the hard yards. Of course he had become stronger. Not only had he grown taller, but his build was solid with muscle.