Up in Smoke

Ch 2

Coco had gone up to Trixie's room and saw that Stephanie had fallen asleep on Trixie's bed. Coco smiled bittersweetly.

Coco asked her cousin, "When did she pass out?"

Coral answered, "Just a bit ago. I could really use more help on this one, though."

Coco raised a brow, "How come?"

Coral pointed out, "You and I both know that you are the genius in the family."

Coco replied, "Yeah but when it comes right down to medical science, you beat me everytime." Coral looked down for a minute before Coco caught on, "This has nothing to do with that, is it?"

Coral admitted, "I just want to give them comfort but how can I do that when Trixie is going to go blind? And how will they react when we have to cut most of her hair?"

Coco came over to her and gave the brown haired girl a hug. Coral returned it, sobbing onto her shoulder. The two stayed like that for a while before Coral finally stopped crying.

Coco said, "There is no need to compare yourself with me. You are the best you that you can be. And that's all we need right now. We will take things head on - one thing at a time."

Coral sniffled, "T - thanks Coco. I - I feel a lot better."

That's when Ellison and Timmy came in. Coral had dried her eyes, giving Timmy a smile. Timmy smiled back a bit. This was going to be a long stretch.

...

Trixie had gotten up hours later, trying to figure out why she couldn't see. She was panicky and thought that she was dead.

Trixie stammered, "N - no, I don't want to die!"

"Trixie! It's okay! It's mom!" Stephanie tried to reassure.

Trixie sniffled, "M - mom...? W - where are you...?"

Stephanie took a breath before answering, "I'm right next to you, sweetie."

Trixie tried to look, to open her eyes but it was extremely hard to do. They ached, they burned. Trixie cried out in pain. Stephanie placed her hand on top of Trixie's hand, gaining her daughter's attention.

Trixie questioned, "W - what happened...?"

Stephanie answered, "Try and remember sweetie."

Trixie thought for a minute before she answered, "F - fire.. Terrible fire..."

Stephanie stayed near her daughter for the rest of the night. She didn't realize that Trixie had fallen back asleep after she had said that.

...

Timmy had walked with Ellison to the hotel that they had found on Timmy's "phone". It looked more like a bed and breakfast than a fancy hotel.

Ellison asked, "You sure this is the place?"

Timmy answered, "Mhm, I know the owner."

Ellison was surprised, "Oh really? How convenient!"

Timmy and Ellison went in. They saw that it was bigger on the inside. There was Nacey behind the reception desk. She turned to Timmy.

She smiled, "Hey Timmy!"

She went over to him and hugged him gently. Timmy returned it, smiling back. They broke out of their hug.

Timmy replied, "Glad to see you, Nance."

Nacey turned to Ellison, "And I am guessing this is Mr. Tang?"

Ellison responded, "Yes, I am."

Nacey offered her hand and the two of them shook hands.

She stated, "I am the owner of the Rose Hotel, Nacey Cortex. And there is no need to pay me. As long as you are willing to work for room and board then I'm okay with it."