Ninjago: Ripped World 2

The Box

The woman hovered outside the hospital room. A nervous disposition now hid her true bravery, which had been knocked from her in so many subtle ways that she could not discern the time it finally left her. For her daughters sake she gave in to the mental control of her dominant husband and abandoned her strength. But here she was, where she shouldn't be, so it must still exist and this thought gave her an amount of resolve to open the door. Visiting his first love was certainly not on any of her safe lists.

She quietly entered the room.

'Lil' she whispered 'Lilith'.

Lilith jolted sharply as she woke, feeling the presence in her room. She squinted looking to the dark corner that the woman was cowering in 'Who's there, who is it?' she asked. The woman slowly edged forward 'Amber? Is that you?'

'Yes, Lil. Shhh.' She moved forward some more. Lilith gasped as she saw her old friend for the first time in years 'You've changed Am. What's happened to you?' Her once shining lustrous hair was now straight and dull, her strong body was thin and week. Only her eyes held the same striking amber glow to them.

She fidgeted with her wrist, wringing her hand around it 'Oh, nothing really' she replied, her eyes darting back to the door, checking.

'Gaaagh' Lilith, was overcome with a contraction. Amber ran over to her side.

'Are you ok Lil?' Lilith nodded frantically while breathing in short sharp puffs.

'Yes... sorry... just a contraction, she managed to say as it released. I've been here for hours and hours and, sob, hours. Its just going nowhere...' She trailed off and looked at her old friend.

'Lil. I have to give you something' Emotion welled up in Ambers voice. She placed a small box in Lilith's hand 'you must keep this with you. This disc is vitally important. It goes in this slot here' She stared into Lilith's eyes, trying to make her see how important this was 'You might need to use it' she said as she stood up to leave.

The look of confusion and worry on Lilith's face was apparent 'Amber' she called out as her friend headed out of the door 'Is it Chen?'

Amber nodded, small scared jerks of her head trying to control her fear and tears. She pulled the door open and left.

Lilith slumped back on the cushions 'Gaaah' another contraction. Oh where had Cliff got to? 'He better not be signing autographs or flirting with the nurses!' She thought. As the contraction ebbed away, she lifted the box to look at it and the small disc 'I might need to use it...' Lilith didn't question Amber's words. Chen was a nasty piece of work, which she found out to her detriment many years before. What did he want of her now? Surely he couldn't harbour a love grudge for this long?

The door opened and Cliff Gordon lit up the room as he entered. He had that ability and everyone he met felt it. She felt safer and happier now he was here, her guiding light. She pushed the box under her sheet. No need to worry him.

'How you doing, Lil?' Cliff breezed over to her planting a kiss on her sweaty forehead and a candy bar in her hands.

'Urgh, sorry my love, I can't eat anything' she fell silent, her thoughts turning to Amber. As soon as she was fit again, Amber would not be staying with that tyrant any longer. Until then, thanks to her friend, she would be ready for him.