The Virus

Chapter 14

Estelle

I don't know where you went, but I hope you weren't upset with me. Issi hopes the same. That's...where the problem comes in.

Issi has Leven HYZ.

Or she...had it.

I knew I had to end her pain, but...killing your own sister? Look. I know this is difficult to hear, at least I hope it is. She thought you didn't care about her. That's why you left. She was scared she was never going to see you again. I told her not to worry.

Estelle if you were to hear her pleads, I wouldn't be the only one wishing to kill myself.

I know that whole 'killing yourself.' Is hard to hear from your older brother, I'm trying to remain calm.

Healers still don't know how it was caused, the way they carried her away...

Estelle I want you...I need you back. I know I'm supposed to be looking over you, but I kinda need you to look over me. I'm scared.

Issi was crying for me to let her out, so she could hug me, but me being the selfish brat I was didn't wish to get sick. She begged for chocolate but couldn't taste her favorite food because her tongue was cut. She cried, begging me to tell her what was wrong.

I couldn't do it Estelle. I couldn't let what was left of hope steer out of her eyes. Now I'm terrified.

I need you to come back! I not only miss you...I don't want another member of my family to be hurt, whether that'd be me or you.

I told Issi you loved her, and she wanted me to tell you 'you are the greatest person I have ever known. Thanks for being a great big sister.

Please come back.

-Camber & The spirit of Issi

My heart thudded with pangs of indescribable sadness.

My breaths came out short and ragged as I shook with...Rage, guilt, and terror.

I cursed myself as subconscious tears glided down my face, Issi would always comfort me when I cried.

When I needed her most, she was gone.

How had she even caught the Virus, I thought we were all protected from it, the only reason mom got it was because she crossed into Zemira.

And Issi thought I didn't care about her? Why did I leave them? Why didn't I just stay, I was perfectly happy with them. Now I can never be again.

Issi was like...a sun, on the storming days, she'd always learn to be hopeful. My sister didn't deserve this. She was so young.

"Es!" She would call. Her voice left tears to form in my eyes. "Come play with me Estelle!" I would of course, but soon I would always get sick of it. Now I wish I had played with her more, so that she could be happier. She deserved everything!

Or maybe I wished I wouldn't have played with her so much.

Now those memories haunted me. I would forever be taunted by the fact that...There's no hope left for us.
"Elsie?" I heard Lorcans voice from outside the tent.

"Lorcan," I tried not to let the tears take control of my voice. "I-I just want to be alone."

He surprised me. "I know. But...keep in mind, if you ever need help, Kaliver and I are here." I smiled. "And we'll take down this Virus." He sounded so confident. I laughed a little.

"You would have liked Issi." I said, without realization.

"Issi? Is she like some cousin twice removed or something?"

"She's my sister Lorcan." I sighed, my smile getting wider.

I could almost see Lorcan beaming. And it hurt. "Does she like chocolate?"

Does. Does isn't a word to be associated with her anymore. I sniffed. "Yeah," I sucked in a breath. "She...loves" Loved I corrected myself. "It."

"Well then you're right."

I said nothing.

"But Kaliver wants us to go, he says we-I'll most likely be distracted in...We got the cities name! Laz Vegaz. Exactly like the old one. Anyways, I'll most likely be distracted. So if we want to reach the Corr we'd better leave sooner rather than later."

"Yeah okay, hang on, I'm coming." I wiped tears from my eyes and stood up, stuffing the letter in my pack.

Before I left, I promised something. "I'll be back soon Cam, and when I am, there will be no Virus."

-- --

Kaliver layed out a map of Laz Vegaz. "They only offer monorails in the location. I have enough currency to pay for one ride, let's just hope that's all we need. The walk to the monorails isn't long, it's just three miles. Once we get to Laz Vegaz there will be no time to 'hang around.' We'll go straight to the Corr."

"Kaliver, based on what time it is now, don't you think we'll need a place to...sleep?" I asked. Lorcan nodded in agreement.

"You're right, but for now, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Although we would get to the Corr faster if we didn't spend the night in Vegaz."

"But Kaliver," Lorcan whined. "What's the point in going to Vegaz if we don't get to see it!"

"Getting to talk to the Corr. Now let's get going. 

Thanks for reading!! I hope you enjoyed!! I'm sorry I haven't updated this story in a while, I've been thinking a lot. And school, dance, and more. ;) I hope you can understand!!! Thanks for reading and staying through this book!