Shadow Chapter 2 by Cat

Shadow’s eyes were sore and her head still swam. Dizziness had come over her similar to the one she got after spinning around in circles. Her stomach felt like it did when she turned somersaults, she hated that feeling. Moaning softly she clutched at the rags as if they would make it all stop. She heard Mist’s voice, forced calm to hide the panic and fear, telling her it would all be all right and that Critter shouldn’t be too much longer. The medicine he had brought back hadn’t helped so Mist had sent him to find a Healer. Shadow’s ears heard footsteps coming, quite a way off yet but she couldn’t trust her judgement of that. Not while she was in this condition. She asked Mist.
“I c’n ‘ear footsteps. Is Critter comin’?”
“I’ll go check.” Said Mist. She got up and walked to the little opening and looked out.
“Yep, brought a Healer too. Lucky tha’. You’da been in a bit a trouble if ‘e didn’.” Mist said. Her words barely made sense, certainly the look on the Healer’s face said she hardly understood and that it took her a while to work out what had been said. Mist sighed. It was going to be a long afternoon. Critter led the Healer into their little cave.
“That’s ‘er.” He said gruffly. Shadow supposed he pointed but she couldn’t be sure, being temporarily blind. At least she hoped it was temporary. A strong wave of dizziness came over her suddenly and she whimpered, clutching at the rags for all her life was worth. The Healer conversed with the new boy for a while; he was straight out of a real home onto the streets not long ago so he still spoke properly. Shadow didn’t bother keeping up with the conversation. It was too hard. She let herself drift off but she had been asleep maybe 30 seconds before the Healer prodded her and she woke. Making a funny noise Shadow moved slightly away from the prodding finger.
“Quit it.” She muttered thickly. Mist laughed.
“That a girl, Shadow. Ya tell ‘er.” She said happily. The Healer supposed that Shadow was normally like that for Mist to be so happy about it. She turned to Mist.
“Shh.” She said. “I need quiet.” Mist was silent except for the noise she made when she sat in a corner of the cave.
“Hope ya know we can’t pay ya for the healin’.” Mist said angrily.
“Yes, I know that. By the looks of it you won’t have to anyway.” The Healer said quietly.
“What’s tha’ s’posed ta mean?” Critter asked, his voice wary.
“I’m not sure why she’s sick and can’t see. I’m going to have to get more Healer’s down here and put the lot of you in Quarantine.” The Healer said. Mist choked.
“B-b-but we’re no’ sick!” she protested.
“Yet.” The Healer said. “It could be contagious. Until we know what it is and how to cure it you will have to be in Quarantine.”
“Does tha’ mean free food?” Mist asked.
“Do you pay for what you eat as it is?” the Healer asked, sounding amused.
“No, but it gets awful annoyin’ stealin’ all the time.” Mist and Critter said at the same time. Newbie said nothing. Shadow supposed he was used to not having to steal, coming from a real house and all. She was scared about going into Quarantine but if it meant she mightn’t stay blind then she would go without a fuss…not that she had much energy left to fuss with.
“I’ll come with ya ta get ya Healer friends.” Critter said.
“No, they are already coming. I can mind-speak with them.” The silence that followed that announcement was an awed one. It was broken with a whimper of pain from Shadow.
“Ow, my head hurts real bad.” She said very quietly so even the Healer had to strain to hear her words. An unfamiliar hand pressed against her forehead.
“She has a temperature.” The Healer announced, though who to, no one was sure.

Fifteen minutes had passed when three Healers entered the cave. The first one gasped.
“Gosh she’s pale!” he cried.
“I know.” Said the original Healer. Introductions were made, the original Healer was named Sarah, the others were Markus, Fay and Alice. They fussed over Shadow for a while, talking to her and trying to lower her temperature. Sarah talked to the other children. She found Mist to be very interesting although the newbie (who they still hadn’t named and he didn’t answer to his real name) was not her idea of a needy child. She did feel sorry for him but not as much as she did for Critter, Mist and Shadow. When the Healers got confirmation (using that mind-speak trick of theirs’) that it was all clear to take the kids and themselves to the Quarantine building they all got up and Markus picked up Shadow. Sarah leaned over to Mist.
”Call him Pup.” She said, jerking her head over at the newbie. “He acts tough but is really very soft, like a Pup and he is confused to be in an entirely new world, one of thievery but still.” Mist thought it over quickly and nodded.
“Oi, newbie. Ya name’s Pup.” She called.
“Right.” Came his answer. The rest of the journey was taken in almost completely silence except for a couple of times when the Healers asked for confirmation on direction. Shadow fell asleep half way there and the others walked along in a waking-sleep.