I am Leal

Shattered

"What are you looking so sad and all? Did somebody die?" I asked as I opened my eyes and watch my sisters sitting next to me. There were a few gasps und then I find myself in a pile of limbs.

I groan as the air gets pushed out of my chest. Euphoria and Naz had pulled me closer crying into my shirt.

But as they heard my groan they quickly moved away afraid of hurting me.
I giggled and brushed over Naz's cheek. "What a week, huh?" I softly say and Naz looks to the ground. Guilt was written all over her face.

"Leal, I..." She starts but I press her hand. "Don't apologise for doing what you thought was right." I lean my head against hers. Euphoria sighs and I take her hand and press it.

"Where's Kara?" I asked and in that moment Kara comes in closely followed by Fives and the rest of my friends. "I'm here, di'kut." She grins and comes rushing to my other side.

Fives and I look at each other for a while before he smiles softly. "Thank you, for bringing Echo's helmet home." He whispers and I smile sadly.

"I wished I could have done more." While closing my eyes a flashback hits me. Sulfurous air filled my lungs and heat crept over my body. I gasp and open my eyes again to see that I was indeed in the med bay and not back on Lola Sayu.

"Hey, you came back alive when this isn't a success then I don't know." Fives smiles warmly and I nod. It really didn't feel like it at all and I knew I needed time to get over the memories but I knew that with Echo I had left something on Lola Sayu as well. I just didn't know what it was.

"It's good to have you back." Waxer and Boil smiled and I nodded. "To be honest, I had enough action for a lifetime. I can retire by now." I smile and Kara grins.

"Yeah, you're not getting any younger. I can see a grey hair just here." Kara laughs and I notice how Euphoria looks at her relieved.

As Euphoria noticed my stare she sighed. "Kara refused to talk to anybody while we thought you were dead." She whispers and I narrow my brows. My eyes drift towards the laughing and bantering girl and I smile warmly.

"She missed you. We all missed you." Euphoria murmurs and I sigh. "All I could think about was getting home. You gave me the strength to keep pushing." I said and the conversations stopped.

"Leal? What happened?" Waxer asks and I stare at my hands. I could see dirt and dried blood underneath my nails. A few scratches were visibly on my skin and the newly healed and sensitive area on my wrist told a story I didn't wanted to repeat. These were the last relicts of my adventures.

"Too much for one single lifetime." I breath out. There was silence and I just stared at my hands. Suddenly fingers interlace themselves with mine. I look up and Kara smiles. "For how long was I out?" I asked and Naz giggled. "Well, you didn't let us wait for another seven weeks. It was just three days."

"Just is good. Kix said you nearly exsanguinate." Euphoria growls and I giggle. "Look at you, using fancy words." Euphoria rolled her eyes but smiled nonetheless

"By the way, where is Kix? I want to take a shower and eat something." I say before someone can start asking again about what happened.

"He's speaking with the commander about something." Boil murmurs and I nod.

I get up only to get pushed back down again. I growl and push a few hands away. "I might not be in full possession of my strength but whoever touches me again will know pain on a whole other level." I snarl and stand up.

Kara giggles but gets a glance from Euphoria which makes her shut up. I ignore them and pull the IV out of my arm. "Hey, stop that. A doctor should do that." Waxer exclaims and I grumble and take Fives's hand for support. At least one helped me.