NEVER Talk To Strangers

~ 18 ~

"I-I can feel something, can you? I think it's working!" Mari said to her father after about fifteen minutes of trying. She'd been figuring out what to do, and now she'd got it. Hopefully, anyway.
"I feel a strange tingling." He told her, hoping that's what she was talking about. He didn't really want her to do this, but he was left without a choice. She wasn't going to stop, and he didn't really want to die.
"Just relax. Everything will be okay." She assured him, continuing. She could feel his sickness like a black hole inside of him. It was draining her, and part of her was scared she would end the same way her mother did. Like hell was that going to stop her though! She didn't even hear Budo coming into the room yet.
"How's it going? Has it worked?" Budo asked her, noticing she was still working only after he had spoken and asked the questions. Mari continued, evidently getting weaker.
"He... needs... more..." she told him weakly, not stopping for a moment. The other two in the room were concerned for her.
"Maybe you should stop. You don't look so good..." Budo said softly, placing his hand on her shoulder trying to get her attention. Mari shook her head a little, continuing.
"Just... a little... bit more..." She insisted, her voice weak. She didn't want to give up and let him die. Not now, not ever. Budo sighed and very gently pulled her slightly away.
"That's enough, Mari." He told her gently but firmly. He didn't want her to die like this now he knew that's how her mother died. He couldn't lose her now. She didn't want to give up.
"He needs just a bit more. I know it." She tried to argue with him. She didn't know that, but she had to keep trying. Budo was getting annoyed with her now.
"I said that's enough!" He snapped, startling her. She jumped, losing her footing and falling to the floor. Budo gasped in shock. He knew she was weak, and yet he went and startled her. He felt pretty stupid, as well as concerned for her. "Mari!" He gasped. She looked up at him, a look of exhaustion on her pretty face.
"I'm fine... just... tired... so tired..." she told him, barely moving. She yawned loudly, covering her mouth with her hand lazily.
"I know. Stay awake, please. We'll get you some food." He told her, kneeling down beside her. He couldn't let her fall asleep, fearing if she did she wouldn't wake up. Mari shook her head, moving her hand.
"I'm not hungry... just sleepy..." she said quietly. She barely had the energy to speak louder. Budo held her hand tightly, getting even more worried.
"Please stay awake Mari. You might slip into a coma if you fall asleep and don't replace your lost energy." He told her worriedly, using his free hand to gently play with her hair. She admittedly liked when he did that. "Stay with me, stay awake." He pleaded with her in a desperate attempt to keep her awake. "W-what's going on?" He asked, noticing an almost instant change. He couldn't describe it.
"What's happening?" Mari asked, her voice already sounding stronger. She was just as confused as he was. Budo kept hold of her hand, watching her.
"It feels like you're taking my energy." He told her. He could feel himself getting slightly weaker, and could see her getting stronger. As long as she didn't take all his energy and accidentally kill him, he'd be fine with it. She gasped in shock, managing to pull herself up into a sitting position.
"I didn't mean to!" She gasped. She didn't even know how she did it. Budo laughed softly, keeping hold of her slender hand.
"It's okay. Take whatever you need." He reassured her. Mari continued taking energy until he fell face first into the ground. That caused her to panic.
"Budo?!" She realised quickly she'd taken too much from him. He looked up at her, trying to assure her he was absolutely fine.
"I'll have that snack now if you're not hungry." He said to her, trying to lighten the situation. He laughed softly, continuing to do just that. He always brightened situations if it was possible and appropriate for him to do so. "I'll be okay, I just need to eat." He assured her, knowing she would ask. She nodded her head slowly, carefully getting up and turning to Dr Casey.
"Frank, are you okay?" She asked him, worried. He hadn't spoken at all, and that wasn't like him considering what was happening around them.
"I-I feel... pretty good." He admitted, smiling at his daughter. That was a relief to hear. He sat up, looking at her still. "Better than good, even." He told her. He couldn't wipe the smile off his face, getting up out of the bed and holding on to her hands. "It worked, Mari. My heart feels so much stronger, and I have no more aches and pains. I feel twenty years younger!" He said, making her smile. She was so relieved it had worked and he was okay. 'And I feel twenty years older.' Mari heard Budo's thoughts. She'd almost forgotten about him at that moment.
"Come on Budo, let's get that food for you." She said to him, turning back to him. She helped him up, supporting his weight. "You should probably stay here and rest, Frank." She told her father. He sat back down on the bed, watching Mari help Budo out of the room and to the kitchen.