Enigma: Part 3

Chapter 18

Synyc and his crew sat in some rustic, leather chairs beside a fireplace. The village was being slowly rebuilt from the Empire's attack and all seemed to be going well, but they did make some changes to their non-existent security.

"So," the leader, Sayaram, started, leaning forward intently towards Synyc. "What is going on now?"

"Our friend needs help. Her days are very numbered and we need to either kill off a certain bacteria in her blood or do a complete blood transfusion. We were hoping you could either provide help or donors. The Rebellion has larger matters to attend to so there wasn't much help to be given there," he explained. "We're desperate."

Sayaram looked over to Jolie. "What will happen if she does not receive help soon?"

"I'll turn to the dark side and do very bad things. Then my friends will have no choice but to kill me," Jolie replied matter-of-fact-ly as if she'd already accepted her fate.

The old woman held out her hands to Jolie like she was waiting to be given something. "Let me see your hands, dear."

Jolie looked over at Synyc, who nodded, and then Evander who gave her a reassuring smile.

Jolie obliged and shakily extended her hands, a sudden wave of fear washing over her.

Now they'll know about me.

Sayaram took her hands gently in hers, flipping them over to inspect her wrists. She then slowly rolled up the sleeves of her shirt, revealing several deep cuts and bruises along her arm. Jolie ignored the shocked looks from everyone and looked away with shame.

Sayaram rolled her sleeve back down and held Jolie's trembling hands. "Dear, look at me." Jolie winced and looked up, afraid of what she would see. Fear? Anger? Will they yell at me? "You and your friends saved us from an Imperial attack we would not survive. It is only fair we repay the large debt we owe to you." Jolie nodded somberly, looking into the fire. "I will send someone in soon to escort you to our medical station." Sayaram gave a final squeeze to Jolie's hand and smiled, leaving the shocked group alone.

They were silent for a good thirty seconds, still processing everything.

Jolie had been self harming and apparently doing drugs to escape her demons.

Evander held back tears as he softly rested his hand on top of Jolie's. Jolie didn't flinch or even look at him.

"Don't worry about me," she said plainly. "There's more important things on our radar."

Corr had an arm wrapped around Synyc, who looked paralyzed by his shock and the sudden wave of sadness that overcame them. Flint and Evander both looked at her with love and concern, wanting nothing more than their friend to be okay again.

"Jolie... you're the most important thing in our lives right now," Evander said after the silence became too heavy. "Why else would we be here?"

"I'm risking my position to be here," Synyc added.
"I wouldn't do that unless someone was deserving."

Jolie's deadpan look didn't seem to fade. She just looked into the fire and stayed silent.

"Please say something... anything," Evander pleaded as he took her hand in both of his, holding onto it like it would fade away in front of him.

Jolie finally let out a breathe and looked over, staring at him dead in the eye. "You should've just killed me when I attacked Corr. It would've put a lot of us out of our misery."

They were interrupted by the door to the small living room opening, a man in overalls standing there awkwardly after seeing the scene. "Erm — if you will just follow me I can shoe you to the medical station where you can have access to our equipment. We are currently scouting for any available and willing donors as well."