confusifying | wicked | book 3/3

Elphie

After hearing Doctor Tip leave and waking up, Boc was adamant on going to see my sister.
"Boc you've just collapsed!" I cry, still far too anxious to let him up off of the sofa. "You can't really be wanting to get up."
Boc glares at me.
"I have to see your sister before Glinda gets a chance."
Boc won't take no for an answer, I watch hesitantly as he staggers to his feet.
"Boc are you sure about this?" I question awkwardly.
"Elphaba she's the love of my life, I owe her everything."
I nod and follow Boc out of the lounge and down the hallway.
The door to Nessas room is slightly adjacent, I watch Boc poke his head round, I follow him in.
Nessa is perched in her chair, her hair rather than being tightly pulled into a bun is now cascading down her shoulders, she looks up slowly when she sees us, locking eyes with Boc.

Nessa doesn't seem angry, instead she seems rather calm and collected.
"Oh Boc, hi." Nessa murmurs, her voice soft and delicate.
Boc takes an uneasy step towards her.
"How are you feeling?" Boc asks cautiously.
Nessa smiles slowly and glances at me and Boc.
She's in a lovely white dress with matching white tights, it is knee length and has beautiful long sleeves with the most gorgeous embellishments on them, stunning lace and sweet silk.
She looks quite angelic.
"I think."' Nessa mumbles "I think I'm ready to become a patient again."
Boc nods slowly and Nessa stares wistfully at her bed.
Without so much as an exchange of glances, Boc lifts my sister out of her chair with practiced hands, her skirt hanging down from his arms like a curtain on a stage, gently Boc places her into bed.
The pillows in here have always been rather stuffed so my sister sits up slightly, she closes her eyes calmly and enjoys the lavish luxury of a bed.

"Thank you." Boc whispers dearly to my sister.
Nessa turns to me and smiles softly.
"This is good, this is nice!" My sister whispers merrily to herself.
Boc leaves the room for inexplicable reasons and I finally seize my chance to ask my sister all my burning questions.
"Nessa whats gotten into you?" I question "you seem...happy."
The pause I take before the word happy kills me, I haven't seen her calm like this in a few days now.
"I don't want to die anymore" my sister trembles, "I want to live, Elphaba."
Upon hearing my sisters words I move closer to the bed, holding her hand when I do so.
"You won't." I reply attempting to remain composed "I won't let you."
My sister looks up at the ceiling and smiles.
"I realise now that I've been stupid." Nessa continues "when I died in munchkin land you gave me another shot at life and I've been wasting it, I have so much and I've wasted it."
I nod and I hold on tightly to my sister.
"Elphie your always here to bring me back, thank you."

My sister closes her eyes gently and leans back onto her pillow, for a second I panic, hoping that she's not dying.
I watch cautiously as her face relaxes and her breathing softens.
A floorboard creaks near the door and I look up to see Boc standing there looking terrified, I stand up and sit down at another chair by the foot of Nessas bed, allowing Boc to be by her side.
Boc curls his fingers gently around my sisters delicate hands and he gazes lovingly into her eyes.
"Boc," I mumble, his head jerks towards me "Nessa wants to live."
Tears build up in Bocs eyes, like tiny puddles of happiness, I notice one singular tear roll down his cheek and land on my sisters duvet cover.
"She wants to live." Boc whispers happily "Elphaba, she wants to live."
"I'm not sure where we go from here"
I say suddenly.
Boc turns to me once again, slightly irritated that I'm interrupting his joy.
"What do you mean?" He enquires.
"She's going to have to stay here until she gets stronger." I reply "that could take months."
Boc glances back down at Nessas hands, that he has such a tight grip on.
"And what of her new powers?" He mutters hatefully.
"Perhaps they will weaken with Nessas strength regaining." I answer.
I wish I hadn't given them to her, I know she hates me for it, even if she won't admit it.
"Boc." I wishper again "if Nessas dies again, we have to let nature take its course, it's what she wouldn't want."
Boc twitches suddenly, the force of him moving makes Nessa stir in her sleep.
"You can't expect me to just let her die, she said it herself, she wants to live, she wants to live!" Boc cries.
Nessa opens her eyes suddenly and Boc pulls his hand away from hers, riddled with guilt.

"If you could stop screaming at unusual intervals, please." Nessa croaks, still half asleep.
Boc clasps her hand tightly.
"Sorry Nessarose."
"You'll give me a headache." Nessa mumbles wearily.
She closes her eyes again and I observe as Boc tries not to breathe too loudly.
He's so good to her, it makes me so happy to see it.
"Wow," a sad voice whispers from the doorway, I turn to see my mother stood there with alberts arm around her shoulder.
"That's my little Nessarose." Mother mutters, taking a step forwards.
Boc leans protectively over my sister and my mother turns to me.
"Is she okay?" Albert asks shakily, so my mother doesn't have to.
I clear my throat and Nessa stirs again.
"She just died, twice. No she's not okay, her body shut down and gave up, but Nessa wants to be okay." It's the best description I could give, no Nessa isn't fine, not even a little bit but yes she's okay because she's not fighting against herself anymore.