The Third War

Chapter Eighty Two: Kristy

"...What?"

Shock pulsed through my body as I barely registered what he had said.

Leaving, he's leaving. He's going away.

My brain couldn't seem to process the thought of Dustin not being around anymore. Not knowing exactly where he'd be, not being able to come visit in the hospital whenever.

"It's not for very long! And it's not far," his eyes shot up to mine as he began rambling, "It's on the other side of the city, and I'll be back soon, and I didn't want to say anything, because I don't want to leave, and I swear I'll be back, but I have to go because they can't perform the surgery here, and If I don't get it, I'll..." he trailed off unable to say it.

Unable to voice the fear every single one of us had in the back of our heads.

If he doesn't leave, he'll die.

I stayed silent with no idea how to answer. Guilt and fear had brought tears to his eyes as he watched me terrified of what I would say. My hand slowly brought the blanket away from his face and to my relief the cut had stopped bleeding.

I pulled his note out unfolding it feeling as cold inside as I did outside from the lack of power. "You're coming back?"

"Of course," he whispered softly. "There's no way I could stay away for long."

Leaning forward, I hugged him wrapping my arms around his neck. He hugged me back, "I'm so sorry. It's all my fault. If I wasn't sick, I wouldn't be so afraid to do anything. I'd be able to say everything that goes through my head when I see you."

My hug just tightened and eyes closed since I couldn't trust myself to talk without breaking into tears. The both of us sat in complete silence until I managed to take a deep breath, "I wish, I wish I could fix you. I wish I could go in your place."

Dustin rested his chin on my shoulder, "We couldn't switch places, I could never do everything you do."

"When do you leave?" I needed to know how much time we had.

"The first of the new year," he informed me to my horror. That meant it was only three days.

"Promise me something?"

I only managed a questioning, "Hm?"

"Don't, don't let anything change. Be exactly how you are."

I felt a tear slip down my cheek as I pulled away from the hug, "I promise."

He smiled, but I noticed he was slightly shaking, "Good, and see. I told you the cut wasn't that big of a deal."

He slightly laughed so I just shook my head with a small smile, "You should still get it bandaged."

"Nah, if I asked the nurses to would just flip out."

"Fine," I huffed grabbing one of the thinner blankets and ripping a piece of so I could wrap it around his head.

His playful grin appeared as his he chuckled mischievously, "Whatever you say Nurse Kristy, you're by far my favorite, and the prettiest."

I lightly slapped his arm feeling my face flush, "Oi!"

He opened his mouth to say something else, but a knock at the door stopped him. We both glanced over as Phoebe poked her head in, "I was told to make sure he's staying warm."

She walked over handing one of the heating blankets to me which I passed to Dustin. "Yes, you need to stay arm."

"Okaaay," he took it setting it over his legs.