The Touch of Infection

chapter 90: Final goodbyes

Marnik ran through the halls to reach Carisa's room. Seeing Zareb standing just outside of it.

"Is she in there?" He asked.

Zareb sighed not answering, "I doubt she's in the mood to deal with your arrival... but yes she's in there." He took a step back to let Marnik pass stopping him just as his hand reached to open the door, "She's sick, and we can't do anything about it Marnik. It's been over a week since she woke up and she can't even stand to look herself in the mirror."

Marnik was about to brush him off when Zareb pulled him away from the door rather aggressively, "Before you go in and pour your heart out listen to me."

Marnik took a deep breath before turning and looking at the man, "Make it quick."

Zareb wasted no time, "Vasin has agreed to Carisa's demands, she's decided her infection is beyond cure and begged to be 'saved' before she loses her mind,"

Marnik shook his head, "what nonsense is this! Carisa would never say such a thing, we can help her."

Zareb's normally stern expression glared at Marnik, "You've not been around a while Marnik... Amite is dead, Ezhno is banished and you... you broke the rules and were sent away. Carisa has had time to think for herself, she's tired, she's done fighting the senseless war."

"We're not done until she's better!" Marnik yelled turning on his heel just as Vasin stood behind him with his hands clenched.

Vasin leaned down to Marnik, "You think that not what the rest of us would want! Carisa's been through hell and back because of us, we... I took part in her downfall... how do you think I'm going to face Bavyn... because right now I can just say she died and be done with it. But what happens when he grows up and he learns that because of my choices as the commander she died." Vasin sighed and pressed his temple, "He'll hate me is what will happen."

Marnik clenched his fists, "Then let's try harder to save her, there's the time!"

"She doesn't want to!" Vasin yelled, "she doesn't want to." He repeated, and held his head down, "Talk to her about it if you want, Carisa's made up her mind."

Marnik walked past him opening the door to see Neda sitting just beside Carisa with her head down.

Carisa's eyes slightly widened for a moment seeing him enter, but she quickly calmed down and greeted him, "Hi."

He walked around to the side Neda wasn't hearing her slightly awkward greeting, "we can still-"

"Stop!" She told him sternly, "just stop saying that, no more test, there's no more time... no more anything." She sighed, "If that's why you came here, it would have been better if you didn't come and remember a happy me."

He fell silent, "I can't let you do this." He whispered.

"Then look away, leave... I'm tired Marnik." Carisa chuckled half-heartedly, "I'm still afraid of dying Marnik... but I'm tired..."

He shook his head and grabbed her hand, "just hold on a little longer." He begged her.

Carisa frowned shaking her head, "It doesn't matter if I hold on, it's progressed far too much..."

Marnik couldn't stand listening to her and got up on his feet leaning towards her. He opened his mouth to speak but closed it.

"Say what you have to say," Carisa told him seeing as Neda quietly got up and left the room.

Seeing he was still quiet she spoke, "I remember you promised to take me home." He looked at her with a frown, "It's alright, I understood a while ago we can't go back... you know everyone who's been to that house with me these last three years... they're all gone. All except you..."

She'd erased Ezhno being there from her memories, but Marnik frowned deeper, "You're still here."

"... you know what I mean." She grabbed his hand, "I want this all to stop Marnik... let's go for a walk... just a short one."

He didn't deny her, "where do you want to go?"

"Neda told me there's a window overseeing earth," she mentioned.

Marnik smiled, "alright then let's go there."

As they spoke a little longer inside and they walked out Neda pulled Marnik aside for a moment while Vasin spoke with Carisa. He looked at her calmly while Vasin seemed to be nervous speaking with Carisa.

Neda pressed her hands to her sides, "I don't think you should take her out of the room. Carisa's condition is-"

"It'll just be a minute..." he stopped her and turned, freezing in place, "Neda... thank you for looking after her."

Neda looked at the floor, "I'm sorry I didn't do better."

He walked off taking Carisa's hand and finding the window she'd been told about. Earth looking deteriorated... Its colors drained. Carisa looked at it for a while and turned to Marnik, "I'm ready."

Marnik's hands were clenched as he turned and faced her, "I love you so much..." he pressed his hands on either side of her cheeks.

Carisa smiled closing her eyes, "I love you too."

Marnik pressed his forehead against hers, seeing Neda, Zareb, and Vasin not far keeping an eye on them as he whispered, "I'll miss you..." and in the spring if a second his hands twisted her head...

The end