Skyfall Chapter 25
25 I ended up passing out in my room. I don't know how long I slept, but I felt refreshed and calm after my nap. My eyes opened to warm light that flickered in through the frosted windows. The white world outside was immersed in golden hues as the sun began to fall behind the mountains. I cringed at the blaze, remembering Kato was upset with me. I slipped my jacket back on and rolled out of bed. Hopefully, Kato would be in the dining hall getting dinner. I quickly walked out the door and down the many stairs, ignoring everything else. I looked down the stairs as I quickly trot down them, keeping my eyes out for Kato. To my relief, I saw Kato entering the dining hall just as I stepped off the last steps. I dashed towards him. "Kato!" I called out. He turned to face me, and his expression shifted from concerned to relieved. "Decipher!" He sighed. "Hey. I'm sorry about what happened earlier." "It's fine." My eyes fell to the floor. "I deserved it." "No, stop that." Kato said, shaking his head. "I was thinking about what you said, about Misha being a succubus..." His voice became hushed as we wandered into the dining hall. "Come on. We'll talk about it in a second." Desperate to continue the conversation, I eyed an empty table. I wasn't feeling particularly hungry, but Kato motioned me towards the food anyways. "You should eat." He said. "Keep your strength up. Two more nights." I nodded, not daring to protest. I just wanted Kato to be happy. We served ourselves some food and wandered back towards the table. I sat down across from Kato as he stared down at his steaming plate of meat. He didn't look up at me, and I watched the shadows fall over his face as he avoided my eyes. My ears fell as I watched him. He was exhausted, but it was more than that. He failed to mask the pain he felt, and his expression made me feel so guilty. "You're probably right." Kato mumbled after a few bites of food. "There's that theory that male succubi exist..." "Incubi, yes." I said quietly. "What did Hale want from you?" Kato changed the subject, his eyes still focused on his meal. I shrugged and decided to go along with the abrupt subject change. "I honestly am not sure. He mentioned something about a sacrifice during the eclipse. Something about sacrificing me." I paused, glancing around the room. "He said he wanted me to be alert during the eclipse." Kato looked at me with a puzzled face, but his eyes wandered just past me. "What?" "I don't know." My mind flashed back to Hale's vampire visitor who had seen me in the basement...Vladimir had said that Hale was in danger on the night of the eclipse, and that he had no interest in helping him. Hale was in danger of something... "What is it?" Kato asked as his eyes focused on mine.How should I explain the situation to him? I sighed and picked at my own food. "I was just remembering something that happened in the basement." Kato's brows knit together in frustration, and the pain on his face returned. I opened my mouth but remained silent for a few moments as I wondered how to ease his pain. "No it was just..." I stuttered. "It wasn't related to that. Hale brought someone down to see me, a vampire named Vladimir. They spoke briefly about the eclipse." Kato tossed his knife down. "It doesn't matter if it relates to that." Kato spat. "Everything that happened to you down there was horrible." I chewed on a piece of food. I didn't know how to respond without making him angry, or more hurt, and I also didn't want to think about the basement. Kato held his forehead in his hands for a moment. "I've heard of Vladimir, but I'm not sure about the details." He said, still holding a hand over his forehead. "My only guess is that Hale wants to sacrifice you to somehow gain power." "Or spite the Goddess." I pointed out. "He mentioned something about that, as well." "Something doesn't seem right about this." Kato said, exhaling deeply as his troubled thoughts masked his face. "I know. Hale seems smarter than that." "Decipher." Kato's voice was so quiet I hardly heard him. I tilted my ears forward and leaned in closer. "I hate him so much." He whispered, finally meeting my eyes. I still had a hard time understanding why my pain tormented him so much, especially when I seemed to be okay. It seemed that I was more at peace with the situation than he was. "Why?" I dared to ask. I suppose I knew the answer...but he had demanded to know why I couldn't get over Misha, and I wanted to know the same thing. It was true that I was curious about what was going on with Misha, but I felt less emotionally invested in the situation than Kato seemed to be. "I don't understand why you can't get over what he did..." I continued hesitantly, "Especially since he's not doing anything to you." I paused with a surge of panic. "Is he?" "No." Kato's harsh voice silenced my thoughts. "It's worse than that. He's doing it to the only thing I love, and I have no choice but to sit back and watch." I sat in stunned silence. Kato had just admitted his feelings. This was the moment Kato confessed his love for me, and it felt so painful. While his golden eyes burned into mine, I sat silent. I wasn't sure how to react. I hadn't thought about the moment Kato would say it, but I suppose I would have imagined it to feel better than this. I guess love was something I never wanted to experience again, and all I felt was guilt. "I'm so sorry." I whispered after a few moments, trying to keep calm. "Don't apologize." He snapped. I knew his anger wasn't directed at me, but I had never seen Kato so angry before, and it worried me. His rage was only building as he watched me interact with Misha. Kato was the one to warn me about rage, perhaps I should warn him. I thought to myself. But Kato was smart, he wouldn't let rage control him...right? "Do we have a plan?" I asked in a poor attempt to change the subject. Kato's expression softened, and he sighed. He glanced at me with an apologetic expression. "I'm not entirely sure. We can't just walk out the doors, unfortunately." He sighed. "I have a device implanted in my tattoo that will allow them to track me. I can destroy it, but as soon as I do, Reck will become aware of the situation. It'll send a mental update to him on my intentions." "But then you can just transform into your phoenix self, right?" I whispered. "How well can you fly in the cold?" "It will be hard, but we don't have to make it far. Once we're in Skyfall, we have protection." Kato said as he looked around the room. "Legends tell of a population of dark elves living deep within the western mountain...past the Edge." "Where you tried to take me before." I mused, remembering the stone deep within the cracks of the mountain, and the hidden trail that snaked past it. Kato's head jerked towards the door as Misha wandered into the dining hall. He glanced back at me. "Fuck." He said through grit teeth, clenching his knife. "Don't. He's mine to deal with." I said, glaring in Misha's direction. "I'll kill him." Kato's grip on the knife remained tight, but his shoulders seemed to release some tension. "What changed your mind?" He asked as Misha walked past us on his way to get food. "I don't want the option of going back to him." I whispered. "I'm afraid that I'm going to remain his slave forever, and I want the pain he causes everyone to stop." A chill ran up my spine as I quietly said the words. I looked back at Misha, who gave me a small wave in response. I looked back at Kato, who had let go of the knife. I noticed a few drops of blood on his hands...had he been gripping the blade? I sighed. "Fine." He said. "But if you don't, I will." "Deal." Misha walked over to our table, but I shot him a look that warned him to stay away from us. He seemed to listen, and didn't argue. His face looked sad and subdued as he walked away, which made it so much harder to imagine ripping him to shreds. Kato and I finished our meals in silence. I knew Kato needed a way to release his rage, and I hoped he would be able to stay calm throughout dinner. I was going to have to confront Misha. I swallowed hard as I watched him eating. Would he try and talk to me after dinner? I was tempted to try and escape before he could. "Fallen!" Hale's voice echoed. Kato's head jerked upwards as the tension built again. I could tell he was offended by the term. "Do you still have it?" I whispered as quietly as I could. "The vial?" Kato's blazing eyes burned into me as a definite YES etched into my mind. Talk to me in your head from now on. We shouldn't risk speaking out loud. I opened my mouth to speak, but then nodded and sent him a quiet okay. Kato stood up and approached Hale at the entrance. "Yes, sir?" He spat without a hint of respect. "A guard didn't return from his rounds. Go check the perimeter." Hale pointed towards the doors. I helplessly watched Kato nod and storm out towards the snow, hoping he would stay warm. Hale turned and began to walk out. He didn't seem to be as cheerful as he was earlier. I wondered if he was actually worried about something, or if he was just sending Kato out because he sensed his rage. I turned my head back towards Misha, only to see that he was walking towards me. I let out an annoyed groan as he approached me. "Hey." He said as innocently as he could fake. "How are you?" "I'm doing great." I lied as I glared at him. He rubbed his head. I couldn't see his arm beneath his white coat, and I wondered if he had healed already, and who he had used to do so. "Walk with me." He said. The command was more of a plea, but my body stood and followed him anyways. I tried to stay calm...I was going to kill him very soon, but I couldn't let him know that. He led me towards his room again, the place that had started all of this. My heart raced as the memory stained my thoughts. "I'm so sorry." He said softly. "I'm trying..." "Trying isn't good enough." I said through grit teeth. "Do you even want to still be alive?" "You saved me once again. I don't know why." "Are you sure you don't know?" I questioned as we approached his door. He turned to face me. "I don't think you love me." He said. "As much as I wish you did." The word made my stomach turn. How was that the first thing his mind went to? He stepped aside and gestured for me to enter his room. I shoved past him and entered the dark room with cold firelight. "I know what you are." I said softly, softer than I wanted to. "I know what you can do to emotions. I know your game. Don't deny it; I won't tolerate it." Misha's face was blank as he tried to hold back his fear. Was that shame I saw on his face? "I know...I know I've lied." Misha said, holding his hands up. "I've lied a lot, but I was in denial! Hale was right, no one would believe me if I told them." "Oh, so it's Hale's fault again? What are you really searching for?" I snarled. My patience was thin, and I wasn't going to let him blame Hale for what he had done. "You're no human." "I don't want to be a monster! I never wanted this." His words stabbed into me. I stared at his sad, hurt expression, and took a step backwards. No. I squeezed my eyes shut. Don't even think about it. He still had a choice. Look at what he's done. "I need your help." Misha cried, stepping towards me. I inhaled sharply as his hand touched my wrist, feeling the familiar panic wash over me. "What happened to you?" Misha asked, pulling up my sleeve to look at the dried blood on my arm. "Are you alright?" "Hale happened to me." I said flatly. I had forgotten about the incision, but I was grateful for the subject change. I noticed the incision had become damp with fresh blood again. I reached inside my jacket pocket and felt my dagger to make sure it was still there. "Hale?" Misha asked, examining the wound closer. "Shit. What did you do to him? Come on, I'll fix you up." I glanced down to see a lot more blood had leaked out than I had thought, and my increased heartbeat was forcing more liquid through the raw tissue. The incision seemed to be deeper than it was before as Misha examined it. "It...It's fine." I shook my head, trying to ignore the memories that clouded my mind. The moment was surreal, and my mind was taken back to the first time Misha had tended to my wounds. I felt like vomiting, and I couldn't breathe very well. I couldn't kill Misha right now. I did pity him, but that wasn't what kept me from killing him. If I killed him now, I'd have to hide it for an entire day...Hale would find out for sure. I stared at Misha as he grabbed a cloth from his desk and dabbed at the wound. "There's a serum I can give you that'll seal the wound up." Misha said. "Come on." I stood still. I wasn't sure I wanted any serum, and I certainly didn't want to go to the medical center. Although, the alternative was staying here in Misha's room. I glanced at the wound again, had Hale done something worse than slicing my arm open? It certainly felt worse. "Here, keep pressure on it. It's starting to bleed a lot." I nodded weakly and pressed the cloth into my wound. It stung now. "Follow me." He said. My body reacted as if it were a command. My ears twitched. I had no intent to disobey him, so why was my body reacting like this? I quickly found out why. Misha was leading me down the hallway in the opposite direction of the medical wing...towards the basement.No. No. No. My mind whimpered. I might have actually whimpered as well. No. I escaped. Fuck. I can't go back there. My mind was in a full blown panic, and blood was spurting out of the wound. Misha turned to me. "Calm down!" He said, "I know, bad things happened to you down here. But this is where my lab is! Just relax, okay?" I tried, but failed. I gripped onto my burning arm, and felt my pulse as my body lost its blood. We wandered down the dark steps, and my body became numb. I couldn't control it anymore. I was Misha's bitch right now, and I couldn't seem to calm myself enough to fight it. I lost track of my steps as we entered the dark fortress of the basement. Misha led me into his lab, which was covered in vials and beakers of tubes of liquid suspended in holders. I looked away and tried not to think about what they contained. Misha dug around in the pale, fluorescent lights. The bright white blurred my vision, and I began to feel ill. I guess I still hadn't recovered from my day out in the cold, or maybe it was the triggered emotions that rendered my body weak. I stumbled as I heard the familiar sound of glass clink against metal. Misha turned as I bumped into some things on the table. "Here...come sit down." He said, taking my hand and leading me into another room. My mind was too hazy to care about his touch. "It'll only take me a minute to prepare it. Try to relax." I resisted as he dragged me into the hallway. "No!" I growled. "Stop, I don't want it." "Decipher. You have to, otherwise you're going to get a lot more sick!" "Just let it heal on its own!" I snarled. "Bandage it up." "You've been poisioned, Decipher! Hale's a vampire! I'm willing to bet that since you're in a wolf body, vampire venom is toxic to you." Misha yelled, clutching my arm again. "Now come on." Dazed, I thought back to when Hale had made the incision. I really wasn't aware of what he had done; I had been too preoccupied sifting through his memories...Then I recalled the moment he licked the blood from his fingers. There was already a spot of blood on the side of his face when he brought his bloody fingers to his lips... My attention snapped back to Misha as he dragged me into another room. He sat me down in a place that was disturbingly familiar. I closed my eyes and ignored the memories that tormented me while Misha disappeared into the other room. My head was spinning. What is wrong with me? I whined softly. Calm down. Nothing's happening. You aren't bound. You won't stay down here. Misha doesn't want to hurt you. I fell backwards onto the metal table as my vision blurred. After a few moments, I heard the sound of my blood dripping down off my arm and splattering onto the floor. Everything else was silent. I felt something else dripping out alongside my blood, but I couldn't comprehend what. My mind was gone. Misha's touch sent a shock through my body. He clutched onto my arm as he slid the needle deep into the muscle. His touch mixed with the sting of the needle sent a paralyzing pain through my blood. I wanted to react; to whine, or yell, or thrash around, but I couldn't. I felt my blood rush out as my body poured itself out onto the floor. I no longer existed in the world I was currently in...I dripped away into nothing. "Decipher?" Hearing my name hurt. Hearing Misha's voice call my name hurt even more. "Hey!" He shouted. "Come on. Don't pass out. Stay with me!" Hale...He wanted me to be compliant, to be nothing, and it was so very tempting to let his cold energy numb me. His intent surrounded my thoughts, and the urge to sacrifice myself to his will possessed me. I fought the waves of pain that struck my body before leaving me numb. Something else was dripping out with my blood, something heavy and important-my energy. No, not just my energy, but my life force. I have a soul, and it's being destroyed. My mind grabbed onto Misha's frantic voice as he yelled at me. He clutched onto my arm and shook my head with his hand. His touch was so painful. The pain helped me focus on what was real. He was real. What he had done to me was real. I was wounded, but not destroyed. Carefully, I began to piece myself back together. I felt a bit of warmth suck back into the wound as I twisted against the pain. As if nothing had happened, I was suddenly awake. My vision was clear, and Misha was hovering over me. I suddenly felt conflicted. Was this what Hale had been referring to when he said I would fight him? Had I somehow made things better for him? It was difficult to remain calm. Hale had probably planned this somehow, but what did he have to gain from this? "Hey!" Misha said enthusiastically, shaking me from my fears. I groggily sat up as he pulled me forward. I looked down to the floor, where not much blood had fallen. I blinked several times as I tried to figure out what was happening. "Take it easy." Misha said, petting my chest. "It seems like there wasn't much venom in your system, and the antidote cleared it up nicely." The kindness I was receiving from Misha was unnerving, but I decided to ignore my fears and try to take advantage of the situation. Hopefully, he wouldn't try anything tonight, and everything could wait until I had a plan formulated for tomorrow. "Decipher?" My eyes jerked towards his inky black eyes. "Sorry. I'm having a hard time focusing." He smiled at me, the same smile he had given me when he'd come back to the basement to watch me die. My anger slowly began to return. "Come on. You should get some rest." He said, offering me a hand up. "Where are we going?" I asked as my head spun. I didn't want to fall asleep in the basement, but I also didn't feel like I was going to make it if I tried to walk out. "I thought we'd go to your room, or mine is closer I guess." Misha said as he helped me stand. "How does your wrist feel?" My head spun at his words. How do your legs feel? He had asked the first time... I looked down to the area where the wound had been. The incision had sealed up and formed a fresh-looking scar. I moved my fingers a few times, and then turned to Misha. "It feels fine." I said, a bit surprised. "But I'm exhausted." Misha looked away from me. "I know what Hale wants to do." He confessed. "I don't want to let him." I wobbled at his words, and sank back down onto the table. I sat still and looked at contrasting blood red against the white floor. Misha was lying. He was acting again, just like he had done before. I could never forgive him. Was he trying to convince me that he wasn't a bad person? Or was I just being a fool with my emotions again? "You can't stop Hale." I said after a few moments. "You've never tried before. Why would you now? How can I trust you?" "Because I love you!" He yelled.
"Then why did you let him do this to me?" No answer would satisfy me, but I had to ask. "It was a mistake." Misha whispered. "I don't want to be controlled by Hale anymore..." I'd had enough. I stood and shoved Misha. "Hale didn't tell you to rape me!" I snarled, finally brave enough to say what I had been thinking. Misha backed up into the wall. "I...Yeah, that's my fault...but I can't help what I am!" "Don't you dare! You are what you chose to be." I roared and shoved him up against the wall. "You could have chosen real love." I growled. "All I ever wanted was to be loved by you!" My body began to shake, and I knew I wasn't going to last. I released my grip on Misha and stumbled towards the table. I collapsed over it as my thoughts screamed. Why did you have to be so fucking evil? I just wanted to love you. My mind cried as I began to lose consciousness. Misha began talking to me, but I couldn't hear him. My body couldn't handle the physical and emotional stress that had been placed on it, and I passed out against the cold, metal table. The next thing I was aware of was laying on a soft, comfortable surface. I didn't want to move. I was warm and wrapped in a blanket that cushioned my entire body. Then, I became aware of a warm body next to me, a small figure that curled into me. I slowly opened my eyes to observe my surroundings. The bed became far less comfortable as I realized I was still in the basement. I frantically checked my wrists and ankles, and was relieved to see there were no bonds. Misha was wearing a t-shirt and his boxers, and I was still wearing my black pants and t-shirt. I glanced to the floor to see my jacket had been folded and placed on a chair. What time was it? Had I slept through the night? I jumped upwards, shaking Misha awake. "What time is it?" I demanded. Misha yawned and blinked a few times as he glanced at his wrist. "Mid-breakfast." He said as he rubbed his eyes. "Are you feeling better?" I nodded as I stared into his eyes. They had returned to the deep brown color I had originally seen. My heart raced as I realized how little time I had left. I needed to find Kato and speak with him about tomorrow... "Good. Why don't we go to breakfast?" Misha asked as he rolled out of the bed. He slipped his lab coat over his white t-shirt and began to put on his shoes. I glanced at his arms, and didn't see any marks. I narrowed my eyes, wondering how he had healed. I found my jacket and slipped it on over my undershirt, and followed him out the door in silence. "Sorry we had to spend the night down here." Misha said after a few tense moments. "It must have been rough." "What makes you care now?" I asked, more curious than angry. "Decipher, it's not like I wanted you to be down here." "You're the one that handed me to Hale." I sighed. We were repeating ourselves again. I trusted you. I thought, tempted to say it one more time. Misha became silent as we climbed the stairs out of the basement. You just know you're in danger now. I thought, glaring at Misha's sad expression for a moment. My pace quickened as we neared the light. Misha sighed, "Hale knew-" "Don't bother repeating yourself." I snapped. I was tired of hearing his excuses. In attempt to distance myself from Misha, I walked quickly down the hallway and towards the dining hall. When I reached the main entrance, my eyes scanned the area for Kato, but I didn't see him. I peered inside the dining hall and scanned the area, but he wasn't there. I quickly turned and walked towards the large, glass doors of the main entrance. Should I go looking for him? Misha was walking into the dining hall, watching me with curious eyes. "Do you know where Kato is?" I snapped. He shook his head in response, and then continued into the dining hall. I sighed and decided to check the arena before I went out into the cold. At least Misha was giving me some space. I kept an eye out for Caliber on my way to the arena, but didn't see him either. When I entered the gym doors, I saw a few guards sparring on one half of the field, but Kato wasn't there. I stepped out and glanced inside the locker room, and moved towards the showers. There wasn't anyone in there, either. Panic was beginning to choke me, and I became afraid Kato hadn't returned from checking the perimeter. Quickly, I walked towards the dining hall again. I should try and eat and remain calm for the time being, and perhaps ask the information desk for his whereabouts afterwards. Misha was off at his own table eating already. He watched me as I wandered over to get food, his eyes pleading with me to join him. I cringed when I realized he was the only distraction I had right now, and maybe he knew something. I grabbed a random assortment of food and wandered back to his table, defeated as I sank down across from him. "Hale sent him out to check the perimeter after a guard didn't return last night." I mumbled as I picked at my food. "He's probably fine." Misha shrugged. "Kato's experienced with combat, I'm sure Hale just sent him out to take care of whatever's causing a problem." We sat in silence for the rest of the meal as I tried to ignore the worry gnawing at me. Tomorrow was the big day we would escape...tomorrow night. Wait. I thought, staring at Misha. Whatever's causing a problem? Maybe Hale really is concerned. Vladimir made it sound like something threatened Hale's life...is someone going to attack him on the night of the eclipse? A guard approached Misha and said something to him. I didn't hear him, but Misha's face concerned me. Misha was staring at me with an alarmed expression as the guard walked away. "What is it?" I demanded. "I'm needed in the medical facility." He said, quickly standing and dashing out.Kato! I thought as I took off after him Misha. Misha turned to me as I caught up with him. "Stay out of my way." He warned me. I had no choice but to behave as I followed Misha through the doors. He stopped to speak with the receptionist, who gave him some paperwork. My heart raced as I watched Misha flip through it. He furrowed his brows and checked his pockets, cursing as he turned to face me. "I need something from my office. Kato's in the second door on the right." He said, gesturing to one of the rooms. "Don't cause any trouble. You'll need to get out once I get back." I dashed towards the door, not caring to think about what Misha had said. I just needed to know Kato was going to be okay. Upon entering the room, I saw Kato's beaten body lying unconscious in the bed. His face was spotted dark purple, and he had an oxygen mask hooked up to his face, along with tubes that ran into his veins. His arms were heavily bandaged as well, and dark blood had soaked through most layers of the white fabric. I whined as I ran to his side. "Kato!" I shouted. He didn't respond, and his heartbeat continued to beep from the machine next to us. I began to shake. Kato... I cried out to him mentally. Are you okay? Please tell me you'll be okay. I felt his energy struggle within my mind, and I latched onto it. I offered him some of my own energy so that he could respond. With a gasp, I felt his exhausted energy rush into me.I was attacked by a slithurm. The venom is toxic to feathered beasts. His voice chimed in my head. Misha has a serum I'm sure, but... My ears fell. What is it? I asked, considering the hundreds of drawbacks the treatment could have. I don't think I'll be able to transform into a phoenix. They're going to double up on the dose that keeps me from being unable to transform...What are we going to do? I cried. Tomorrow Kato...it's tomorrow night! We have to escape! You're a phoenix! Can't you heal?Not when I'm so heavily drugged. We'll figure it out. Kato wheezed in my mind. Calm down. I turned to the doorway, where a nurse was speaking to Misha as he entered the room. "He was found just a few hours ago. He quickly lost consciousness after describing the incident. Many of his bones were broken by the slithurm. It probably wrapped around his body in attempts to eat him." The nurse said. I looked down at Kato's bruised body helplessly. "Have you cleared treatment with Hale?" Misha asked. "Hale is occupied. You'll have to wait a few hours if you want clearance." The nurse said. "How much time do I have?" Misha looked conflicted as he glanced up and stared at me for a moment. "Not long. The toxin is already deep into his system." The nurse sighed. "His recovery will take a long time, especially since we were unable to reach Hale before his meeting." "I'll just have to beg for his forgiveness, then." Misha whispered, turning away from me. My heart slammed against my ribcage. Was he actually considering helping Kato without Hale's approval? "Get me the serums. I'll work on mixing the antidote for his original treatment." Misha snapped as he moved to the counter on the side of the wall and began to pull some vials out of his coat. The nurse rushed to his side and began pulling things out of the cabinets. "Leave, two-fifty-seven." Misha's voice was flat. I swallowed hard and walked out of the room in a daze. There had to be something more to this...Misha wasn't just helping Kato. There had to be an alternate motive I was unaware of. The nurse closed the door behind me, and I shivered. I'm still going to kill Misha. I thought to myself. I felt Kato's pained energy as I heard some stirring in the room. Stay calm. We're still getting out. Kato's voice struck me. It'll be fine. His voice sounded hazy in my mind as I stood motionless outside the door. Suddenly, he screamed outside of my head. I turned to face the closed door and listen to the muffled yells. I closed my eyes and took a step backwards. I couldn't stay here and listen to him thrash around in pain. I walked out to the entrance of the medical facility and sat down on the chairs. The lady behind the reception desk stared at me, but my eyes weren't focusing on the world around me. I stared down at the shimmering, tile floor. The glistening surface reflected my face in it as I looked down at the ground. My black ears were laying down against my head, and my wide eyes looked fearful and panicked. I sighed. Maybe I did love Kato. I shivered and turned towards the room he was in, hoping he would be okay. My ears twitched at the sounds of movement and muffled cries coming from the other side of the door.I can heal Kato. I thought. With the sudden realization, I jumped up and dashed towards the closed door. I stopped outside the door and resisted the urge to barge in as I heard Misha speaking to the nurse behind the door. The noises from inside the room became quiet. Kato! I called out mentally. I can try to help heal you...using magic!No. He responded. I'll be okay. Misha is actually doing a good job. I'll be fine. I just need rest. Suddenly, the door opened, and the nurse jumped when she saw me standing right outside. I moved aside as she walked past me. Misha was wiping bloody hands on a rag and cleaning up his tools. I stood in the doorway staring at him. "Who are you?" I whispered, stunned at his behavior. Carefully, Misha forced his dark eyes to face mine. He remained silent for a few moments, and then glanced to Kato. The oxygen mask had been removed from Kato's face, and all his bruises looked softer than they were before. The sheets were stained with blood, but I couldn't see any fresh wounds. The bandages on his arms had even been removed, and fresh scars replaced the gashes that had been there before. I sighed with relief. Misha finished putting his tools away and walked towards me. I was still standing in the doorway when he walked by me. He brushed his hand against mine and sent me a pleading look on his way out. Every one of my muscles tensed while he slowly pulled away. I closed my eyes as he walked away. I had to think about this logically. Kato and I had both been poisoned, and then saved by Misha. This wasn't coincidence. Hale was giving Misha a chance to redeem himself to me, that's all it was. Hale wanted me to love Misha...and it was humiliatingly difficult to resist. I shook my head and finally entered the small room. I sat on the chair beside Kato, who looked like he was peacefully sleeping. I whined softly as I leaned towards him, staring at his still body. He stirred in his sleep and pulled at the blood-stained sheet. I pulled it up towards his face. "Thanks, Decipher." Kato mumbled. I stopped near his face and stared down into his calm expression. His eyes opened just barely. "For what, Kato?" I whispered. He smiled softly in response and became still again. I sat back in the chair and stared at him in silence. I shivered again and stuck my hands into my pockets. I glanced down at Kato's arm as he shifted in bed, noticing that his tattoo had a faint, orange glow to it. It looked like Misha hadn't given Kato the toxin that prevented him from transforming just yet. I let myself smile a bit. Even if this was a set-up to make me like Misha, Kato was closer to being himself, and I couldn't find fault in that. In the cold, white room, I let the image of the phoenix fill my mind, and my dreams kept me warm, if only just for a few moments.