I Promise You'll Get Better

Eleven

No. No. It couldn't be happening. This wasn't happening.

Dashi was barely aware of her cousins crowding around her, shielding her from the sight of Tweak. She was barely aware of Koshi holding her hand. Of Shellington hugging her waist and turning her around so she was against his chest.

"How can everything go so wrong?" she kept saying.

"I know," Shellington said sadly, stroking her hair. "I know."

Kwazii and Captain Barnacles were strapping Tweak to a stretcher. Peso was at the heart of it all, taking notes, bandaging up Tweak's wound, talking in a low voice to the Captain. Dashi couldn't bear to watch—and it only made things worse when the Vegimals, the most innocent things on Earth, waddled in and saw what was going on before their eyes. They ran over to the huddled group by the Launch Bay tank, squealing, weaving their way in through the legs and towards Shellington and Dashi.

Dashi crouched down and opened her arms for a Vegimal hug. They rushed into her, chirping worriedly, nuzzling into her arms.

"What happened out there?" Delilah said as Captain Barnacles and Kwazii carried the stretcher up the OctoChute, followed by Peso.

She received a whack from Donna.

"Dashi obviously doesn't want to talk about it right now!" said cousin reprimanded.

Danielle crouched beside Dashi. "Do you need time by yourself, or..."

"I want to stay with Tweak."

Dashi's tone was surprisingly forceful, despite her mood. She was shaking as she stood up, Tominow still in her arms. The little Vegimal cooed and burbled.

"Please," Dashi said when the cousins exchanged glances. "She's my best friend. She stayed by me when I was in the Sick Bay. Now it's my turn to do the same for her."

"Dashi." Shellington slipped an arm around her waist.

"Please." A fat tear slid down the photographer's face. "It's disturbing, yes, but Tweak's going to need comfort. And I want to be there for her."

"How about something to eat first?" DeLana advised. "You can't worry on an empty stomach. Plus, we have way too much food now. I think we overdid the cooking."

Tominow chirruped something and hopped down.

"She's asking if you'd like anything in particular," Shellington translated. "How about those strawberry kelp cakes that you love? And a nice mug of hot chocolate?"

They were all being so kind. Dashi followed them to the OctoChute, trailing a little behind them. Koshi was still holding her hand.

"Was it scary?" she asked quietly. "Seeing Tweak like that?"

"Yes," Dashi said. "Too scary."

"I think you're brave," Koshi said honestly. "I wouldn't have been able to handle that."

She hugged Dashi. "It'll be OK."

*

Two hours later. Dashi was in the Sick Bay with Peso, who was just about to operate on Tweak; Captain Barnacles, who had offered to help out; Professor Inkling, who was extremely deft with tools, seeing as he had eight tentacles; Daphne, who knew more about being a medic than most people would've expect, and Danielle, who had joined for moral support.

The shark had ripped open Tweak's side. Thankfully, none of the internal organs had been damaged, but Tweak's left arm had been crushed in the impact and there was a nasty gash on her shoulder. Peso was going to stitch up the wound in the side with dissolvable stitches and bandage it, along with straightening up a couple of bones in her arm. Tweak wasn't going to be able to work for a couple of weeks—and Dashi knew she would hate that.