Masked

XXIII

"Michael don't worry. I'm sure whatever happened was an accident," Ryan reassured me as I was assuming I was the one to blame. They hardly knew me so this was unexpected.

We were all outside waiting for some kind of news as doctors and nurses ran through the halls yelling medical terms I didn't know.

A doctor who had first seen Taran came over to us, "well whatever happened to her in the ocean was horrendous. She's lost a lot of blood, and we were able to find some medical records of her. She has hemophilia, and considering the condition she's in, she won't live past tomorrow evening. I'm sorry, but I'll let you go and see her. She's awake to some extent, and should be coherent enough to respond to you for now."

"Doctor, we never had any idea of her condition. No records had ever showed up before when we had adopted her."

"Well then I would contact the orphanage and possibly sue if I were you," he said to Ryan and left.

"Michael you can go in first, we'll meet you in there."

I walked in slowly and gritted my teeth when I saw Taran. She was hooked up to machines with IV's and blood transfer tubes. Her eyes were open and she smiled once seeing me.

"Taran I'm so sorry, I had no idea you had hemophilia... This is all my fault. Shit, why did I have to hurt you?"

She tried to pat my hand but couldn't from the loss of blood. I reached over and kissed her forehead.

"Michael, I didn't know of the circumstances either. It wasn't that you threw me hard, just that where you did. I landed on something, I think I scratched myself. It's my head that is bleeding and part of my back. It's not your fault though that I have this condition." She sighed, "how long did the doctor say I have left?"

It broke my heart to tell her anything like this but I knew I had too. "You have until tomorrow evening. Taran can I please change you so you can live? I don't want you to die, and I know no one else wants you to either. I'll tell your parents and hope that they will agree with it even. Please Taran I can't lose you like I did with Lacie."

"Michael," she began softly, "you won't lose me. I promise. Now bring in my parents and tell them what you told me. They'll have to agree with us and won't turn us in or anything."

Taran sounded so sure of herself so I went out of the room and asked Mallie and Ryan to come in.

"Hey Taran, are you feeling any better?" Ryan asked while his eyes reflected tears ready to fall.

"I'm okay. Michael wants to ask you something. There is a way for me to survive, but you can't judge him on his suggestion... nor if I want to do it. Agreed?"

"If there's a way to save you we'll do everything we can to make sure it happens," Mallie patted her hand and looked at me to explain.

"Well like Taran said I have a suggestion. You see we live in a world where non-human creatures exist. I happen to be one of the non-human creatures. I'm a Gargoyle, and I know if I turned Taran she could live eternally with me, and never get sick." I stopped and watched their faces compose themselves quickly after what they heard.

"I'm willing to do it if you're okay with it Mal," Ryan said looking at his wife.

"I'll do anything to let her stay alive. Don't worry Michael, you're secret is safe with us."

I looked towards Taran, knowing her decision would finalize it all.

"Alright Michael, tell Mallie and Ryan what to get, I'm ready," she said and winced slightly when she noticed her pink bandages.

"Taran?" I asked her while I stuck the syringe in her arm, and watched her body relax and twitch at the same time.

She didn't answer me as her back opened up with glossy white wings and the wounds closed without any blood flowing out. We had taken her out of the hospital, and simply told the doctor that we would bury her tomorrow; she wanted one last night in her bed.

Her eyes opened slightly, "Michael?" her voice echoed as she tried to sit up but laid back down, clutching her side.

"Lie still Taran, the change isn't done yet. You could damage your spine and wouldn't be able to fly." I watched as she twitched and winced but never screamed or uttered a sound.

After another twenty minutes, she sat up and looked around with a new identity. She stood up slowly and examined her wings while looking herself up and down in the mirror. Taran was still tan, and gorgeous, just every detail now was enhanced a thousand times more.

"What do you think?" she asked all of us as we just stared at her in awe.

"Taran, Michael was right. You look well and astonishing!"

Taran smiled and looked at her siblings who stared at her with wide eyes, unsure of how to respond.

"Since I turn eighteen in less than a week, I'm letting you know that I'm going to live with Michael once... wait, I can't get a job now can I?"

"No it's possible to still do your job Taran."

Taran was obviously pleased and continued, "and after I get a job and can earn more money for college we will live together."

"Well Taran, I'd prefer you both get married first before you live together, but it's just a suggestion," Mallie said not wanting to offend either of us.

"We will Mallie," I said winking at Taran, who blushed and had a joyous expression on her face.