Chapter 22 - Flight

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Your POV (Second Person):

You, Doll, Black, and Doctor crowded around Smile's cot in the infirmary. He wasn't looking so good. He had thrown up right before passing out, and he was extremely pale now. More so than usual at least.

"It's an asthmatic fit." Doctor informed the three of you.

"Asthma?" Questioned Black with concern. "Are you certain? We've lived together for three years now, and I've never known anything of the sort to afflict him before today."

Doctor picked up his clipboard that had been lying on Smile's bedside table. "If he hasn't had an attack in three years, he may be more or less cured, but sometimes patient's relapse if they catch cold or experience sudden stress."

You stared at Smile's unconscious body as worry coursed through you. His breathing was ragged and uneven, and his cheeks were bright red with sickness. Without even realizing it, you'd reached out your hand to hold his.

"He has had colds before, though they weren't like this." Admitted Black as he too watched Smile's breathing with concern.

"It seems probable there were multiple triggers this time," Doctor said quietly. "And I hear he had a bath outside earlier with the rest of those loons. It's no wonder he took a chill!"

You glanced over to Doll who stood silently in the corner. Her blue eyes were ridden with guilt as she stared at the ground in shame.

Before you could comfort your friend, Smile's eyes had opened, catching everybody's attention.

"Wa...ter" He breathed.

"Awake then, are you?" Asked the Doctor cheerfully as he looked down at Smile.

Black suddenly appeared to Smile's side with a glass pot full of fluid. "Here, drink this." He insisted.

Smile began drinking from the spout without hesitation, but coughed a bit after taking a sip.

"Tell me, Smile," Began Doctor in a calculative manner. "Has this sort of thing happened before? Were you asthmatic as a child?"

Smile only maintained his ragged breathing and didn't answer. His eyes seemed clouded, as though he wasn't fully processing the world around him.

"Asthma can be deadly," Continued Doctor. "So even if he hasn't had a fit in some time, you must remain vigilant."

"Aunt Angelin-" Mumbled Smile before closing his eyes again and continuing his uneven breaths.

"Not good." Murmured Doctor. "His mind appears to be muddled. We shall have to keep a sharp watch until the fever goes down."

Doll gasped quietly in obvious worry. "I-I'll fetch ice!" She yelled frantically as she darted out of the tent. "Be right back!"

"Doll!" You called, but she didn't stop. You released Smile's hand and ran after your troubled friend. You knew that she became overcome by guilt easily, and wouldn't be able to handle the thought that she might've caused Smile's sickness.

You chased her through the camp until catching up with her. You grabbed her shoulders and turned her around.

"Let me go!" She shouted angrily as she fought your hold. "I have to get ice for Smile!"

You maintained your grip on her as steady tears began streaming down her face. "It's all my fault..." She whispered. "All my fault..."

You hugged her tightly as the tears poured down. She began shaking in your grip. "You didn't know, Doll. You were just trying to be friendly."

Your words didn't do much for the remorseful girl though, as she continued bawling onto your shoulder.

After a few minutes, you withdrew your hold and said, "Come on then. Let's go get Smile some ice together."

She nodded quietly and wiped the tears from her cheeks as the two of you started together towards the mess tent.

_____

"Got the ice." Murmured Doll as the two of you stepped back into the tent.

"How is he?" You asked with concern as you sat on a wooden crate near Doctor's wheelchair.

"Asleep at present." Replied Doctor in a hushed tone. "He seems to be having a devil of a nightmare though."

You looked over to see Smile tossing and turning in his sleep. His breathing was still ragged and uneven, and his face was still hot.

"I used to have nightmares like that every night." Doll admitted quietly.

You frowned. That had been the reason Doll never wanted to sleep alone, and why the two of you had begun to share a tent. She began having nightmares apparently around the time the circus was started, but before she'd never had anyone to share a tent with. That is, until you came along.

Doll moved over to Smile's side and crawled in bed with him. You gave her a questioning look and she simply shrugged.

"I never liked sleeping alone when I had nightmares." She said. "You were there for me when I had trouble sleeping, so I want to be here for him."

You smiled at your friend's notion and nodded. "I'll check in on you guys later. I'll go let Dagger and the others know what happened with Smile before I turn in for the night."

You parted ways with Doll and Doctor as you made your way out of the tent. "Please be okay, Smile." You whispered to yourself, before walking through the darkened camp. "Please."

_____

The next morning, you awoke from your tent slowly. Last night had been rather stressful. You sighed. I wonder how Smile's doing.

You stretched and sat up from your bed before getting dressed. You then decided to head towards the medical tent to check on Doll and Smile before getting breakfast.

Upon entering, you noticed that Doll was already awake. She sat there, talking with Doctor about Smile's asthma and how he'd hopefully get better soon.

"Good morning, Doll. Doctor." You said with a yawn. "How's Smile?"

"I believe he's doing better." Doctor answered when noticing your arrival. "However, he did have a very restless sleep last night."

Doctor then stood up. "I'll be going to get a quick breakfast now. Smile will be perfectly alright by himself for a few minutes. Would you two like to join me?"

You nodded quietly before looking up at Doll. "Would you like to go get breakfast, Doll? Smile will be fine."

She thought for a moment, then nodded her approval and the three of you left the infirmary and walked towards the mess tent.

_____

After breakfast, Doctor was asked to head to one of the performer's tents who'd come down with a heavy fever, so you and Doll walked back to the infirmary to watch Smile while he was away.

"I know you're upset about his condition, Doll." You said as you neared the medical tent. "But you can't continue beating yourself up about it. You should simply learn from your mistakes and press on. It does nothing to continue worrying about what's in the past."

"I guess you're right." Muttered Doll as she pulled back the curtains to the tent. "I just wish I'd known before hand what would've 'appened."

As the two of you stepped in, you froze. Smile... was gone! You peered around the infirmary, but he was no where to be seen. Where was he?!?

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