Those With Wings

O: Piper's Speech

Zero's POV

As we carried Alex back to the palace, I could barely process it. In twenty-four hours, I'd killed a man. One of my friends was dying...the other had hung himself. I'd never even considered that Alex would be capable of doing that. Nor had I thought, from what he'd told me, that Piper's probable death had hit him so hard.

I heard Alex utter a raspy moan. Good. At least he's still alive.

"Hang on, buddy," I told him, tightening my grip on Alex and quickening my pace. Luanna did the same, and soon we were nearly sprinting, Alex' body wobbling back and forth dangerously due to our speed. The people gathered in the square in front of the palace murmered as they saw us dash towards the enterance. Once inside, I dropped Alex immedietly, and slammed the large doors shut, bolting the lock. It was not their business to see what'd happened.

"What happened?!" Myhrr cried out, astonished at Alex' pale, unmoving face.

"He tried to kill himself," Luanna whispered, her eyes filling with tears again.

For a brief moment, everyone just stared, too suprised to do anything. Then people ran towards him, checking his pulse and performing CPR.

I glanced around, trying to find Piper. Her father was with her, stroking her hair and murmering things. My heart skipped a beat, but then I noticed her blink. I grabbed Luanna's hand. "Piper is alive," I told her.

She looked happy for a second, but then her face fell as she looked at her twin. "What if he'll never find out?" she said, aghast.

"He will," I told her. She sucked in her breath, and nodded. The brave Luannitha I knew surfaced, and she lifted her chin. "He will," she repeated.

I went to see Piper, who's eyes were fuzzy. I glanced at her father. "Will she be alright?"

"She'll leave, but they don't know whether she will be the same. She might have damage to the brain..."

"Meaning?" I squeaked, looking at the usually tan girl, who was now as pale as a sheet.

"Meaning she might be partly paralized, suffer memory loss, have lost her ability to talk or hear, maybe even see...we don't know."

I nodded, and took a deep breath. I just hoped she'd be okay.

"I'm sorry," I told him.

"It wasn't your fault," he said, though his eyes were full of agony. I decided to rest the case, and glanced at Piper again. Her eyes were fixated on me, and her mouth formed a small "o". "I think she can see me," I said.

Piper blinked and her mouth moved, forming a constant "o".

"Heya, Piper," I said, patting her hair. "We're all alive. Alex is okay too," I lied.

Another "o".

I began to panic. "Can you talk?"