Kitsune Royalty

Chapter 10

I shove the car door open and step out. I instantly freeze. I was never a fan of the hospital, even though I'd never been. I see my parents walk through the sliding front doors and cautiously follow through.

"I am here to see my daughter, Amatheia," My Dad says, authoritatively. "Level 2, door 19," the receptionist replies, without even looking up. That's what I hate, the straight and uncaring faces. I take deep calm breaths and head down the hallway to the elevator. When the elevator arrives, I press the level 2 button, getting that stupid yet fun and special feeling I get when I press the button in the elevator. I know it's childish, but it gives me some kind of comfort during this hard time. We arrive and walk into another long, drab hallway with plain white walls and an eerie quiet.

"There's room 18, and then it's room . . . 32? What?" My dad states. We're currently trying to find A. I walk around the corner quietly, searching for her room.

"Dad? Room 19's here," I say softly, unsure of what I will find. The door creaks open as I push it, and I see three beds.

Only the last one is occupied.

I walk over, terror filling me to the brim. I finally peek around the curtain, and see Amatheia. She notices my presence, and looks over with a small smile. There are tubes everywhere, and machines surrounding her.

"Hey," she says. I stand still for a few seconds, slightly scared. Her words take another few seconds to register in my head.

"How are you so casual about this?" I ask quietly. She smiles, and I walk over to her, a single tear falling onto my cheek.

"Hey, don't cry. It'll be fine. I'll be fine," Amatheia keeps up her bright smile. I look back at my parents. They're both in tears.

"We'll be outside if you need us," my father says, gently leading my mother out the door. I look back to Amatheia to see a quick wince of pain before it's gone. Her face takes on a serious look.

"Look, I know you don't know anything, but just listen to me. They came after me. They took my life source ball, and now they'll come after you. Mum was so worried because I am the heir to the Kitsune throne. But I can't hold on for much longer. And I'm so, so sorry. I tried so hard to protect both you and our people. But it's up to you now. You have to do what is right for the kingdom. You have to become their warrior, their ruler. Their protector. I relinquish my power to you, Clarissa. I'm sorry. I love you. Goodbye." Her eyes begin to droop closed.

"I love you too. So much. Please don't leave me. Amatheia, I need you."

I watched as her eyes closed and her body grew limp.

Suddenly a surge of power went through me, lifting me slightly. A crown of stars adorned my head, and a wolf with celestial white fur flashed before my eyes. As soon as it appeared, everything was gone. I looked back down to my sister, panicking. Her eyes were closed, but a small smile graced her lips. Tears fill my eyes as I realise she is dead. As I realise I will never have the chance to see her laugh again, or stupidly run through fields, or . . . or hug me. I can't hear a thing as I drop to my knees by the bed, eyes wide and tears spilling.

I feel myself being pulled up, but everything's blurry. I reach out for Amatheia, only to grasp empty air. Someone's dragging me away. "NO!" I scream, wrenching myself away and running to Amatheia's lifeless body. "No." I say it much more softly this time, my sobs breaking up the words. People are trying to pull me away, so I launch myself over Amatheia's torso, hugging her tightly. I move onto the bed, fighting to stay with her, still hugging her, putting my head in the crook of her neck, desperate for one last shred of hope that she might laugh again, might stupidly run through fields again. Might hug me one last time.