Descent

Chapter 17

A few months prior.

It was another average day in Prosperity. Bright clear skies. Children ran with vigor in the courtyard without a care. The adults were tending to the usual - making sure the walls were sturdy and that everyone was in tip top shape. On the outside looking in, nothing seemed out of place - but for Mai and her family, their lives were slowly rounding a turning point. A point of no return.

Mai's eyes were locked on her mother and Aunt Vittoria who spoke in hushed whispers by the infirmary exit. Her mother was a streak of dried tears decorating her face as Vittoria pulled her in for a hug. As the newest leader of the reestablished New Eden, Vittoria came at Nayeli's request today to say last rites over the man who made Mai's existence possible.

Mai shifted in her seat, redirecting her sight to her father. He lay on the infirmary bed, sound as could be. He looked the most relaxed she had ever seen him. His chest rose and subsided steadily, his head cocked towards her, a small snore escaping from his slightly parted lips. He was a lot thinner than he had ever been, a result of natural degeneration. His red hair had finally gave into gentle coils of white. It was in this state that he truly resembled his brother Joseph.

That name alone left a strange tugging feeling in her stomach. Where did Joseph go after his death? Was Ethan there as well? Would her father go join them? Would she ever see him again?

Curled up beside her father was the tiny figure of her brother. Malik looked more like their mother but you could tell by looking into his eyes he was their father's son through and through. He too was sound asleep, his head tucked into their father's chest. Mai reached out to brush the curly brown hair that masked his head. She was glad her father and mother had conceived because in her mind, it allowed both of them to make up for the lost time they had to endure with Mai's own birth.

As Mai's hand began to retreat, a scarred hand reached out and grasped her weakly. The Seed girl looked up to see the eyes of her father open, albeit semi-awake. One foot in the land of the living and one foot in what comes after. Mai secured her fingers around her father's hand, resting it on his bedside.

"Hey dad." she murmured with a weak smile.

It took a moment for him to comprehend that she was speaking. He was dazed but his fingers entangled with hers securely, ensuring they would not slip out.

"Pup." he responded weakly.

Just the word alone seemed to drain his energy as his eyes shut momentarily. Mai brushed her thumb gently across his hand, "It's okay dad. Save your strength."

Jacob was not one to save his strength though - he reopened his eyes, this time a bit wider and more awake. His fingers tightened as he stared right into her making sure she was paying attention to what he had to say. For a moment, he looked like the father she had always known. Sturdy, strong faced, eyes sharp enough to pierce your soul but also a softness only reserved for his family. It was a fleeting moment, but Mai knew she'd hold onto it for as long as she lived.

"You watch over the little lamb for me." he teased, a slight smirk appearing on his face as he spoke about her mother, "She deserves everything that I could not give her."

"I'll do my best to make sure she takes it easy but you know her." Mai smirked.

The two smiled and spoke in unison, "She's stubborn though."

The father and daughter chuckled as they both looked down at Malik. There was nothing to be said that couldn't be communicated with a look. Mai knew that when her father was gone, it would be up to her to be the main protector of her family. She would do her best to ensure that Malik did not repeat the same vicious childhood or teenage years that she had to endure. He would grow up knowing he had a father who loved him, and a mother and sister who would do anything to protect him.