A Zusi's Path

Chapter 6: Lightning Strikes

     While walking over towards the lagoon with his brother and father, Re3x0 had an odd feeling in his chest. Apart of him had a feeling that something was going to happen. Was it anxiety? Or just his imagination getting the better of him. Shaking his head he tried to clean his mind.

While lost in thought, time has passed sooner than expected and they were at the lagoon. Setting the bags down D6a50 found them a good spot to keep their belongings safe. "Alright boys! Last one in the water has to take out the trash when he get home!", he said before slowly running towards the water.

Suddenly Re3x0 and E4r1c sped towards the water. Neither of them wanted to take out the trash. With their father slowly making his way to the water, getting easily beat by his boys. "Oh darn! Looks like I have to take it out then", he chuckled as he saw the two out of breath with them knee deep in the water already.

Not waiting another minute D6a50 ran into the cool water. Going out to where he can't touch anymore and just floats on his back. "Man, it is good to be back home", he said to himself. "Hey Re3x0", E4r1c whispered to him. "Let's go flip dad over", he suggested. "Sure!", Re3x0 agreed.

The two swam as quietly as they could to their father who was laying on his back with his eyes closed. They both got on different sides of him. "One two three!", E4r1c whispered on and the count of three the two flipped their father over face first into the water. Taken by surprise by this action he flailed underwater lightly and quickly made his way back to the surface to see his two boys laughing at their deed.

"You little stinkers", he joked about. E4r1c chuckled and then splashed his father with some water before getting splashed back in return. D6a50 chuckled as he soon got splashed by both his sons. He put his paws up, "Okay okay I surrender", said while laughing.

Re3x0 was smiling, it seemed like things were much better now that dad was back. Feeling his stomach growl, he gestured to his father. "Hey dad? Can we go and eat?", he asked. E4r1c nodded in agreement, "Yeah dad, can we?". D6a50 just nods, "Alright, let's go chow down", he answered them and went to swim back into the shore.

"Alright boys, what do you want?", Their father said approaching the bags they had brought.

After they have eaten lunch, the three then just sat there, having a full satisfaction with them. "Hey dad!", E4r1c shouted as he reached in his bag and grabbed a ball. "You vs us kick-ball!", He exclaimed and his tail wagging.

Giving a chuckle D6a50 he nodded, "You two are on" he smiled and the three got in their team. Though not even a few moments into the game, the three were interrupted. "Sir! Mr. D6a50! I uh...", quickly said by a Zusi of a grey color pallet. His pink eyes shone with sorrow. Looking over at the stranger and his ear flicked. "What is it young one?", he asked, slightly confused by the matter.

"Y...your mate.. There's been.. It is too late..", he admitted. D6a50's eyes widened and grabbed the stranger by the shoulders. "What.. where? Where is she!", he demanded, his green eyes having a conflict of emotion.

Now frightened the stranger quivered with fear, "She's at the Uphire.." He answered.

Re3x0 and E4r1c both looked at each other, only hardly hearing as to what is going on. "What's he talking about?", Re3x0 asked looking at his brother. "I have no idea..", he responded.

"Boys! Come on, now!", He called them over and quickly started moving towards the Uphire. His pelt ruffled up in worry, fearing for the worst. The two running to keep up with their father. "Dad! Wait up!", E4r1c called out. "No time, hurry up both of you!", he demanded them in a slight harsh tone.

After a very hasty walk to the Uphire, the three were sent to the waiting room. Not given any information. The room was filled with silence so thick that it could be sliced. Re3x0 just sat next to his brother and father. "Hey.. what do you think is going on?", Re3x0 asked his brother in a whisper. "Why do you think I would know? Maybe dad does?", he replied back.

Looking at their father, E4r1c asked. "Dad? Do you know what's wrong with mom?".

Taking a look at his sons, and he gave a heavy sigh. "Boys, you both should have been warned already. Your mother.. She has been sick, and she's really badly sick", He tried to explain. "So the Healers can just make her better and we can go home?", Re3x0 asked.

"No son... She can't get better. It is something that the healers cannot fix", he added in.

"What does that mean?", Re3x0 asked again. "It means.. She won't be coming home", E4r1c spoke up. His ears flattened and he looked at the floor then his father. "That's it isn't it?", he added.

D6a50 couldn't muster up any words, so he just nodded before a healer entered the room.

"It is time..", said the healer. "You may come and say your goodbyes..", they said as they opened the door for them to enter. Suddenly feeling the sadness rise up his chest and to his eyes. "No.. She has to come home with us.. This can't be goodbye! She can't leave us!", he cried out as tears slid down his face.

Placing his paw on his Son's shoulder. "You need to be brave, be strong. For her". He said. E4r1c, wiped the tears from his eyes and nodded. Still unable to hold back the tears. Re3x0 just sat there and wiped the tears from his face, trying to do the same as his brother.

"Now.. You can say goodbye", D6a50 said as he led his sons into the backroom. The door closing behind them.