(Blog 29) Back to Thursday, October 6
Before we head back to current time at Wing Tails Sticker Studio, let’s take a step back from Lena’s story and remember that Spyder and Pip were also in a head spin with the events that untangled in October. We know in current day, the two male dragons’ friendship is a little strained and Pip has struggles with the outcome of Belle’s discovery. Now, we shift to a domestic setting for the boys outside of school hours.
Thursday Afternoon, Spyder’s House: Pip and Spyder made their way through the crisp autumn air to Spyder’s house. The school day was non-stop with excitement from recounting the rescue story for classmates. They were drained from the hype and relieved to step away. Unlike most days, they gratefully anticipated doing their homework and chores in the comfort of quiet homes.
A tempting trail of savory and sweet warm smells drew them to the kitchen where Mrs. Locke was preparing an after school snack. She ushered them to the table where a platter of mouthwatering chicken bites and cinnamon sugar snap cookies waited along with three steaming mugs of calming dandelion tea.
“Have a seat, boys.”
They dropped their bags and settled at the table. Mrs. Locke sat with them, claws gently folded around her mug, and her wings drooped low beside her.
She didn’t speak right away, giving the teens a minute to satisfy their appetites.
“Pip, Spyder…” she began in a serious tone. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
Both boys looked up.
“Hecubum Horn called this morning,” she continued, her amber eyes watching their faces carefully. “He wanted to inform the families that Belle’s health had taken a bad turn overnight.”
“What do you mean, mom? Is she OK,” Spyder eagerly replied.
Mrs. Locke drew in a deep breath, as she tried to prepare the right words for what to say next. “Well, just about an hour ago… he called back. Belle passed away at the hospital.”
Every motion in the room went completely still except the steam rising from their cups of tea that the boys were now holding on to with grips that seemed to freeze their posture.
After minutes that felt like hours, Mrs. Locke broke the silence, “There were internal injuries the doctors weren’t aware of. By the time her parents realized that her pain wasn’t normal for the recovery, and that she was getting worse… it was too late.”
Pip’s jaw slowly unhinged, his tail going limp behind him and he began to sob uncontrollably in a way that was out of character for the usual happy-go-lucky dragon. Spyder stared straight ahead, eyes blinking once, then again.
“We had her! We SAVED HER! Why did she have to die?”, Pip screamed in the breaks of his sobbing.
Mrs. Locke stood up and pulled him out of his chair to envelop him in a warm, tight hug caressing the back of his wings and placing his head underneath her neck. “It had nothing to do with what you boys did. You gave her a chance. The best one she had. Her family knows that, and they’re deeply grateful.”
Mrs. Locke and Pip sat back down as she continued to hold his claw with her right claw and grab Spyder’s with her left. “They’ve asked for privacy as they grieve. But they did tell Hecubum that they would like to invite you both, and your parents, to a small memorial. Only if you want to. There’s no pressure.”
The boys said nothing. Pip sat staring into his tea as the steam curled up past his horns. Spyder never cried, but stood up and moved over to curl up in his mother’s arms as they sat silently together.
Later, as the sun began to set, Pip and Spyder hugged each other tightly at the front door and agreed to check on each other again before bed and also to discuss whether or not they would attend school the next day.
Pip’s wings hung low, his mind stuck between muffled thoughts of what could have gone wrong in her recovery, and replaying the story of their time with Belle to look for details he may have missed. He couldn’t help but wonder if his mother already knew.
And if she didn’t… what would she say?
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To be continued… New posts each Friday. Subscribe below to follow the dragons. Read the beginning of it all at Blog 1: New Adventure Awaits.
