Axel Light Trilogy: Wands and Shield

Chapter 26

Robert ran a wand over Axel as he watched Axel in a deep sleep. He placed his wand on the table and picked up a box. He opened the box and took out a syringe, with some liquid inside.

Margaret watched with her eyes wide as her father poked the needle into Axel's right arm and squeezed all the liquid into Axel's veins.

'Is Axel alright?' asked Margaret softly, worriedly.

Robert kept the empty syringe back into the box and shut it close. He looked at Margaret and gave her a smile.

'Axel is fine,' he said softly, as he gave a quick glance at Axel sleeping, 'He had been sleeping for a day, but he is resting well. He needs the sleep. We don't want to wake him up just to eat. I just gave him some nutrition mixture, so that he won't feel weak when he wakes up.'

'Will he always be like this?' asked Margaret, still in whispers, afraid that she might wake Axel up.

'Sleeping? Nah, he will wake up soon. Tomorrow, I hope,' said Robert.

'No, I mean... like this...' said Margaret edgily, 'Sad. And angry.'

Robert looked at Margaret, startled, and he glanced at Axel again, still sleeping soundly.

'I hope not, Margie,' said Robert warmly, he picked Margaret's hands and clasped at them, 'That's what we are here for, to help him get over his sadness and anger. That's why your Mom and I brought him into our family. You wish him well, don't you?'

Margaret nodded eagerly.

'Everyone will have their ups and downs. Even you too, Margie, eventually. Right now, Axel is going through his most difficult times,' said Robert softly, 'We will help him get through them. I am sure, we will see the Axel that we know so well, back with us.'

'I miss the Axel who used to come home with Elliot from school,' whispered Margaret wistfully.

'Me too, Margie,' sighed Robert, 'Me too.'

*

Axel woke up and found himself on his bed in the safe house. He sat up so quickly that he felt a sharp pain on his back. He must tell Linden immediately!

Quickly, he crossed over the threshold of his room, opened the door and rushed out. But he did not manage to get far as he was pulled back by his arms by Stanley and Johnson.

'Where are you going?' asked Stanley, flummoxed.

'Commissioner Linden!' gasped Axel, 'I need to see him! There is something that I need to tell him!'

'But Commissioner Linden is not in Xeliq at the moment,' said Johnson nervously, 'Can it wait?'

Axel stared at them while he contemplated about it.

'I think so,' he said, unsure.

'Maybe you should eat something, you had slept for two days. You must be hungry,' said Johnson warmly.

'Two days?!' gasped Axel, shocked.

Stanley nodded edgily, 'And it's nearly dinner time now.'

Axel was very hungry, famished even. He was so hungry that he did not argue with them, instead, he went to the dining room with them. He ate so many helpings of food, he lost count. Jane happily filled up his plate each time. Margaret chatted animatedly while he ate, happy to see him finally awake. Robert came back while Axel was having his third helpings of pudding.

'How is Elliot?' asked Axel in between his chewing.

'He is like you, eating a lot!' chuckled Robert, 'He is doing well. His wound is healing fast, and I had managed to arrange a prosthetic for him at Stirling. So, once we can travel back, he can start to adjust to using it.'