I Never Knew

Chapter 17

***A couple things! First, there is no song for this chapter. You'll find out why later. Second, this is a really angsty chapter. That's mostly due to Nya's POV. She recounts events in the past that made her who she is today. So, if you're in a depressed mood, maybe don't read her POV yet :) ***

***(Jay's POV; no song for this chapter)***

I can barely keep my eyes open. We've been in the hospital waiting room for hours, worrying, hoping, praying. Skylor has to be okay. Our team is already divided enough. I don't know if we can take a blow so close to home. We lost Wu. If we lose Skylor, we lose Kai. I think everything would go downhill from there.

I'm exhausted from sorrow. I watch Nya worriedly pace the floor, approaching the attendant every five minutes. She's asking whether we can see Skylor or not. I know the bored employee will respond as always: "Not until her condition is stable. Only family is allowed in until then."

How did Kai get in with her?

At some point, I can't resist any longer and drift off to sleep. It's a fitful rest of anxious nightmares. Sometimes, the team crumbles in them. Other times, I learn Wu is dead. My sleep continues like this for who knows how long.

My eyes open to Nya shaking my good shoulder. "Wake up, Jay. We can visit her now."

I absorb the care in her eyes and am glad that Nya doesn't have to be part of my nightmares. I might fear losing her, but not her leaving me. Not like I fear Wu leaving, or Kai...or my mom.

I shudder and stand up, reaching for Nya's hand. She takes it at first, then releases it. An incline of her head reminds me that Lloyd's with us.

"Wake up, Lloyd," Nya murmurs.

He shakes his head, then snaps to attention. "Skylor! Where is – is she – "

"We can go visit her now," promises Nya.

Lloyd rubs the sleep out of his eyes and follows us down the hall. It takes a long while, but we finally make it to room 479.

Nya inhales a steadying breath, then knocks.

"Enter." Kai's voice is subdued.

"Hey," I greet, pushing open the door gently.

Kai looks over with tired eyes. He's holding Skylor's hand, trembling.

"What happened?" Lloyd gently questions.

Kai's attention returns to Skylor. "She's a fighter. I guess, since she has opposite elemental powers, she was able to counteract a lot of negative withdrawals."

Nya fills in the blanks. "Like fire and water?"

"Yeah. What really got her was the power of mind." He chokes out, "It's attacking her brain."

I gasp. "But – how is she still alive?"

Brushing a few strands of hair from her face, he says, "She's in a coma. We're waiting on results from some scans, but it looks like right before her mind began to suffer, her powers induced her into some protective state. She's entirely unconscious to avoid damage." He swallows. "Or at least, to avoid serious damage."

"Kai," Nya whispers sympathetically. She walks to him and enfolds him in her arms.

Tears wet his cheeks as soon as Nya reaches him. "They said only family could come in, but they didn't understand that I'm the only family she's got."