Nightfall, Children of the Elements Part 1

Two things happened when Manda touched her back. One, Manda would have felt something ridged in the middle of her back, like, something was sticking out. And then, Suzume coughing up a bit of blood.

"Oh my!" Manda yelped, before mentally slapping herself. Now is not the time to be squeamish!

"S-Sprarrow ma'am, I'm going to carry you inside, okay. So please hold still." Manda walked to the other side of the girl and reached under her arms.

Suzume didn't seem to register her words...only coughed.

While Xone slept, he connected to Fang, seeing all he saw as though it were a dream. This happened to him from time to time, but it was somewhat enjoyable. Fang was looking around the outskirts of town, and smelled someone nearby. He ran up tot he person, a boy, and Xone convinced Fang to nip at the boy's clothes, in order to get him to follow him.

"Huh?" Zack looked down at the dog. ... "Hey! Don't be ripping my shirt!"

Fang pulled at the boy's shirt once more, then headed off toward the tower, at a pace where the boy would have to jog to keep up, but not to fast so as to over exert him. When he saw the tower in sight, he barked once, then ran a circuitous route to the dog house, so as not to be followed.

Zack sighed and followed after the dog. Then, when the dog ran off he was confused. "What the hell...?"

Manda held her breath as she barely lifted Suzume onto her back, having to bend low so the bigger girl wouldn't slip off. "We're... gonna go inside now..."

Suzume coughed again, and was rather limp.

The girl started to take baby steps back into theskyscrapper, hoping she would be able to get Suzume to a doctor...

Suzume seemed to move her hand up...but stopped and coughed again. "Water..."

Manda concentrated and a stream of water floated and was slowly deposited in Suzume's mouth.

After Suzume had a drink, she asked for Manda to put her down.

"B-but I'm... almsot... there..." Manda replied.

"The doctor...won't be able...to help..." Suzume muttered from where she was on Manda's back.

"Don't say crazy talk like that..." Manda replied almost to the door.

"Just...set me...down..." Suzume muttered again. She knew for sure that the doctor wouldn't be able to help...

"I... can... make it." Manda huffed, pushing at the door. "Can someone help?!"

Suzume started to struggle, but stopped and coughed again.

Hearing a commotion from down the stairs, Sam eventually got out of the hammock, leaving Aculeus to rest. She zipped up her over-sized hoodie, heading down the stairs. A fight had apparently broken out, and Manda was trying to drag Sparrow inside. She hurried to the girls, supporting Sparrow's other arm, and helping Manda drag her inside. She stared at the injured girl for a moment, then looked up to Manda. "What happened?" she asked quietly.

"I-I don't know! Jeff took me away before the fighting started and when we came back she's was on the ground and her back..." Manda replied.

Sam woke Aculeus up as she left, and although he was very sore and tired he decided to put on his cloak and follow her out of the room and down the stairs. The stairs made him have to slow down. "I'll need to try something when the storm clears," he muttered, "Maybe it will help." He was met by something he'd never thought he'd see. Sparrow was down. Poppies popped out around him and he got to work making a quick batch of opium.

"Put...me down..." Suzume growled again.

Sam set dowb Sparrow obediently. "Be calm," she said, looking at Manda. "It's all we can do for her right now."
She quickly turned her attention to Sparrow. "Any way I can help?"

Manda gave a jerky nod, but still looked worried.