Outbreak

Something's Wrong

Day 45

Violet Leader's P.O.V.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The sun shines brightly through the stained glass of the citadel meeting room, casting rainbow-colored light over all of us.  My high heels tap against the floor, muffled by the carpet below.  Nobody meets anyone's gaze.  It feels wrong to have this meeting without Sabre, but what else could we do?

"Morning, guys."  I glance up at the sound of footsteps, only to see Light, clutching a bouquet of welcome-back flowers in one hand.  Guilt gnaws inside me, remembering the few meetings he had called to talk about Sabre.  Now I'm doing the same thing.  "Violet, what's going on?"

The rest of us send each other looks.  Light wasn't there with the rest of us when Sabre started freaking out.  He doesn't know about it yet.

"Your silence is very ominous."  Light notes, sinking down into his chair and burying his face in the flowers.  "Is this about my weird behavior?  I've already scheduled a meeting with my guards so I could apologize.  I don't know what came over me, but-"

"No- you were sick.  We understand."  Green Leader interrupts quickly.  "Actually, it's Sabre who's been acting weird."  Light straightens his posture, immediately looking concerned.

"Weird how?  Do you think he's been infected?"  he asks quickly.

"He hasn't.  I checked."  I volunteer.  "Twice, in fact."

"Well, what's wrong with him?"  Light's voice is a little higher than usual.  "Does he seem sick?  Should we get a doctor?"

"Nothing like that."  Orange Leader buts in.  "He's just confused.  Really confused."  My eyes drift to the empty chair between Orange and Green.

"Ever since yesterday, he won't stop worrying about the Yellow Leader."  Light pauses, frowning.

"We don't have a Yellow Leader."

"Exactly!"  the rest of us chorus.

"But he was so stressed about it!"  I continue.  "I told him to get some rest, but he wasn't any better this morning."  My stomach feels like it's tying itself into knots just thinking about it.  I tried to make sure Sabre was taking care of himself, but what if I intervened too late?  Has he already cracked under the stress of trying to cure the sickness?  Why hadn't I done something earlier?

My heel keeps tapping.  What can we do now?  The question, though unspoken seems to echo around the room, imprinted on the face of every steve.

"I'm going to talk to Thera."  Green Leader volunteers after a tense moment of silence.  He bolts up from his throne, ready to take action.  "Maybe he'll know what to do?"

"I'll go check on Sabre, I guess."  I stand up from my own chair, following the Green Steve out of the room.  If I stay there any longer, I think I might scream.  Do the others think it's my fault?  Well, I'll show them!  I can fix this.

"Violet-"  Orange Leader calls after me, his voice weak.  I ignore him.

I already know the others feel guilty.  This is the second time they've left me to run the kingdom by myself.  Neither time was their fault, but that doesn't seem to register, no matter how many times I assure them that they aren't to blame.

Lost in thought (and careful not to trip in my heels), I follow behind Green Leader much more slowly.  I wonder what Sabre's doing right now?  What if he's gone again?  Do I give a message to the guards, or just wait by his house?  I hope he's finally taken some time to relax, but it's Sabre, so I know that's wishful thinking.