The Run-aWays (I)

~ChaptEr Fifteen~

It was a restless night.
The baby was sick, his temperature rocketing way higher then normal. Each breathe was loud and shown with underlining struggle. Athena's mum was in bed long ago. But Athena and the nurse sat by his side. Attending the baby whenever they could, both left with heavy bags and tired faces.
"He's struggling with respiratory problems."
Athena already figured this out. How was she going to run away with the baby as fragile as this?
Even her herself wasn't strong. She had to get stronger.
"If we inferred him to hospital they'd kill him, he's defective. They'd kill your mum too.." the nurse whispered.
The night grew long, and heavy. Every second went passed was a blessing for Athena. The amount
Of runs for more cold or hot towels and more, milk/water ect it became a happy doing. As it meant her brother Is still living. Sunrise came, the baby's condition improve rapidly throughout the next day. "That baby is strong.Despite its little size- he's strong. " the nurse said gathering her things, she did her last final check on mum before she goes. Only to find out mum wasn't there, the nurse exclaimed how she was gonna look for her, but Athena did care. She loved her mum deerly, but its safer for Joshua for her not to be here.
Yes Joshua, a warrior.
Athena looked at her brother, "Joshua.." it rolled on her tongue perfectly.
She smiled and nodded. The nurse smiled back.
"Now this baby is way under the normal weight, you need to feed him every 3 hours today." Athena nodded.
"Right! Im going now." She touched Athena's shoulder "good luck-if u need me you know where to find me" waving her phone.
Athena nodded cradling Joshua in her hands. His tanned skin glowing under the sunlight as she opened the door. She waved the nurse goodbye watching her leave her when suddenly Joshua starts fussing, Athena didn't instantly see what was wrong, but she smelt it. "Let's get you cleaned up." She did so
There was a harsh knock on the door.Athena's heart skipped a beat. She looked through the peeping-tom whole. Seeing April and Elijah looking equally mad. She opened it.
"Athena!! Your in DEEP trouble!-" April stopped.
They were taken back, by the little human in Athena's arms. Then taken more back by the state of Athena, she stood limply her eyes heavy with tiredness and visible bag. She looked weak as if she had no energy left in her body but still pushed on.
"Its been a very busy couple days" Athena chuckled weakly. "I didn't have time to charge my phone. Sorry guys..."
"Can i hold him?" April asked. Athena nodded, "but come in..." she said
They walked into the recently cleaned living room. Elijah sat down on the couch, clearly shocked. "Why didn't you let us know?"
"The baby... is really unwell... i have to make sure he was comfortable. "
"Unwell in what sort?"
"Respiratory problems.." clearly slurring her words in tiredness.
Elijahs eyes furrowed a bit, April approached Athena , Opening her hands "let me see."
"He's missing an arm." Athena said. "Limb reduction, due to the exposure of drugs."
"And so?" April said with her hands on her hips. She scrooped him from Athena's hands and looked down at him. She smiled with happiness:

"He's perfect."
Athena nodded, "baby Joshua..."
"I love him..." April said pushing Joshua closer to her chest. "Even though his bum smells.."
"Yeah, i was about to chAnge him..." she swayed at bit tripping over. "Joshua needs to be fed every 3 hours....L-Let me go get the-"
"Nope, I'll change him. Rest."
Athena bit her lip, and thought. Her tiredness taking control. In such a fluffy faze she limped over to Elijah, who just sat on the sofa. She cradled into his lap for comfort before instantly falling asleep.
Elijah eyes where still open with shock, April laughed. "Take her to bed." Elijah nodded and picked her up bridal. Her arm swaying he walked, they got upstairs and Elijah went on his knees and slowly lowered her into bed on the floor . He covered her and  stroked her hair away from her face. Revealing her sleeping face, generally you'd looked peaceful but she was disturbed and her eyebrows furrowed. Elijah sighed deeply before exciting the room. He walked downstairs, seeing April cleaning Joshua.
"He's really small.." Elijah mentioned. April nodded,       Silently.
"Elijah, go make dinner while i'll sort him out."
Elijah vanishes into the kitchen, to open the fridge. Seeing ingredients for only spaghetti. Otherwise empty, but clean. April walked into the kitchen with a ready made milk bottle and placed it into the microwave for 10 seconds. By then Elijah was dicing onions skill fully.
"So you can cook?"
" I was born with it"
April put her hands on her, and tilted her head.
"Im only joking" laughed Elijah.
The microwave beeped, April took out the bottle  and poured the milk into a baby bottle. She twisted the lid on and squeezed the tip on the back of her hand to check if its hot.
"Perfect," she vanished into the living room.
Elijah poured the onions onto a hot pan greased with oil. A nice smell filled the kitchen.
Athena struggled silently, twisting;turning and crying deaf to her two friends downstairs.
Joshua finished his bottle, April placed him on her shoulder and continued to pat his back until he burped. She then cradled him till he feel peacefully asleep, placing him on a make-shift bed of blankets on the floor, on his stomach. He stirred slightly before falling asleep again.
"Elijah, I'm going to the shop...I'll right be back." She whispered/shout. "The baby is asleep by the way."
Elijah stuck a thumbs up through the door to show he understands. He continues to season the mince when he heard the door close.
He checked on the baby quickly, who slept peacefully, then proceeded to cook spaghetti.