Wilfred was racing, in the distance he just barely saw his destination, he ran faster.
I can't see… Smalls thought.
my chest hurts ... .
It's so cold….
I can barely move….
I can't speak….
Help me Wilfred…..
help….
Wilfred sprang over a fallen tree.
He somehow ran even faster.
He dashed under a low hanging branch.
He ran faster.
He ran through a mud puddle, ignoring the splash of mud on his clothes.
He ran faster.
I can't feel my legs…. Smalls Thought.
Hurts to breathe ... .
Its so hot in here……
Or....is it cold?.....
I want a hug….
I want Wilfred…..
Wilfred came up to the door of the warren, he rushed past the guards, causing them to jump, and pull out their spears.
Wilfred rushed down the halls, completely ignoring rabbits and shoving some of them out of the way.
Wilfred ran into the hospital shouting.
“Where is Smalls!?!” Everyone jumped and looked in the direction of Wilfred.
“Uncle!” Picket ran toward Wilfred attempting to hug Wilfred, but Wilfred sidestepped out of the way, reaching in his bag and pulling out the tonic.
Wilfred ran over to Smalls, ignoring every rabbit in the room.
When he was at Smalls bedside, he lifted Smalls up, he was almost limp, Wilfred ignored that, opening Smalls mouth he poured the tonic in and made sure he didn't choke.
After that Wilfred climbed into the hospital bed and pulled Smalls close against his chest.
“You're okay, you're okay.” Wilfred said, squeezing Smalls tightly, Smalls whimpered and tucked his face in Wilfred's chest.
Smalls went limp in Wilfred's arms, Wilfred's eyes widened and he clutched Smalls tighter.…..
“He needs rest , Wilfred.” Emma said.
“Yes, you're right.” Wilfred said, he hesitantly sat Smalls back down on the bed and wiped at his eyes.
“Your injured Uncle!” Heather said, reaching for his arm.
“Smalls was more important.” Wilfred said, letting Heather un-slinged his arm, set the bone, and re-bandaged his arm, and slinged it.
Wilfred was watching the still sleeping form of Smalls the entire time, not even flinching at his bone being set.
“You should rest Uncle.” Picket said, grabbing Wilfred's uninjured arm and leading him away.
Wilfred let himself be led away, even he really wanted to lay next to Smalls, he wanted to be fully awake for when Smalls does....
......If Smalls wakes up........
Wilfred lifted his head, he felt so much better now that he finally had actual rest after days of not much sleeping, he crashed asleep the second he hit the pillow.
“Wilfred.” Helmer said, opening the room door. “He's awake.”
Wilfred perked up and jumped out of bed.
“I'm coming!” Wilfred shouted and ran out the room, Helmer struggled to catch up to the suddenly fast Wilfred.
Running into the hospital again he looked across the room.
He Spotted Smalls sitting upright receiving some tonics's from Emma.
“Smalls!” Wilfred shouted.
Smalls quickly looked up, eyes widened when his eyes meet Wilfred's.
“W-wilfred?” Smalls said, Smalls jumped out of the bed shoving aside Emma and Heather's attempt to keep him in bed.
“You still need to rest Smalls! “ Heather shouted, Smalls ignored her.
Smalls ran toward Wilfred, Wilfred crouched and held out his arms for a hug, Smalls leapt into Wilfred's arms.
“FATHER!!” Smalls shouted, clutching Wilfred's shirt tightly as Wilfred wrapped his arms around Smalls in a hug.
“Y-Y HERE?!?” Smalls yelled crying.
“Yes Smalls I'm here, I'm not going anywhere.” Wilfred said clutching the little rabbit tightly.
“DON'T YOU EVER LEAVE AGAIN!!” Smalls said.
“I won't, never again.” Wilfred said.
Smalls said nothing, just relaxed now that Wilfred was back, Wilfred relaxed aswell, Smalls was safe, he squeezed Smalls tightly saying.
“I love you son.”
That's it! Its all done! Please share your thoughts!!
"He got worse.” Heather said, walking up behind Emma. “Every breath he takes seems like a struggle.”
“Well, I guess we better get him as comfortable as possible, I don't think he's going to survive much longer.” Emma said.
Heather's ears dropped, she was hoping they would've been able to save Smalls.
“Okay…” Heather said, walking away to gather up fresh warm blankets and taking them over to Smalls's bed.
“Hey Smalls, let's get you comfortable Sweetie.” Heather said, adjusting Smalls and switching the blankets.
Emma came over and switched the ice pack on Smalls's forehead.
“Hey Holly?” Emma called for one of the nurses. “Can you tell our close friends to come here please?” Holly nodded and ran off to fetch them.
“How are you feeling?” Emma asked Smalls.
“H-hu-rtszz…” Smalls barely spoke.
“Anything we can do to help you be a little bit more comfortable?” Heather asked.
“pa-p-pa?...” Smalls whined, opening his eyes to look around.
“Wilfred's not here Smalls.” Emma said, trying not to cry at Small's eyes dilating and tears forming.
“w-whe-re?...” Smalls asked, he seemed to not be able to speak more than one word at a time.
“Not here.” Heather said.
At that moment, some of their close friends walked in: Helmer, Frye, Victor, Cole, Heyna, Jo, and Picket.
Victor walked over and placed his hand on Smalls head.
“Shuush,” Victor said gently soothing the small rabbit.
Picket walked next to Helmer and slid between his body and arm, silently asking for a hug, Helmer returned the hug wrapping both arms around Picket.
Jo and Coleden went on the opposite side of the bed than Victor was on with Cole placing his hand on top of Smalls's.
Heyna hugged Emma, while Heather crouched down next to Smalls on Victor's side, Frye stayed put where he was, but he wrapped his arms around him in a self hug.
“Smalls?” Emma said, gently shaking the buck, Smalls slowly opened his eyes and looked at her.
“Hmm?” Smalls mumbled.
“Lets change your bed sheets again okay?” Emma lifted Smalls up and placed him on a different bed.
“It'll only take a minute, then you can go back to sleep.”
“Okay, Emma…” Smalls thought to himself.
“H-h-ea-ther?” Smalls barely coughed out.
“Heather?” Emma asked, Smalls nodded.
“I want Heather.” Smalls thought.
“Do you want me to get her for you?” Emma asked.
“y-ye-es..” Smalls whispered.
“Okay, I'll go get her.” Emma said, lifting Smalls up and placing him on fresh bed sheets.
After laying him down she tucked him in and left for Heather.
“Heather is safe.” Smalls thought to himself. “Wait, she yelled at me? No, she's not mad Smalls, she's just scared…”
Smalls sat up a bit in bed. “I'm scared….I want papa….”
Heather entered the room.
“Smalls?” She said, noticing Smalls perk up apon her entry.
“Emma said you wanted me?” Heather asked, Smalls nodded and made grabby hands towards her, she walked over and sat on the bed, Emma said his sickness wasn't contagious so she happily snuggled up next to Smalls pulling him close.
She felt Smalls push his head under her chin and sigh.
“t-than-k -u….” Smalls barely said.
“For what?” Heather asked, she really didn't know.
“fo-for -be-bein-g h-he-re.” Smalls mumbled, leaning against Heather more.
“Of course.” Heather said.
At that moment Picket opened the replaced door.
“Is Smalls awake?” He asked.
“Yes.” Heather responded.
“Can I talk to him?” Picket asked.
Heather looked at Smalls, Smalls nodded.
“Sure.” Heather said.
Picket walked over to the bed.
“Smalls, I wanted to apologize for yelling at you, and implying I wouldn't be there if you died.” Picket began, Smalls looked up.
“I would be there, really I would, but at the time the question caught me so off guard, It shocked me that Helmer had to even ask that!” Picket said, Smalls interrupted.
“t-the-n w-wh-y'd u l-lea-ve? Smalls asked.
“I felt the need to run because I didn't want to yell at you anymore.” Picket said.
Smalls nodded and layes his head back down against Heather's shoulder.
“How are you feeling?” Picket asked.
“He has a worse fever than before.” Heather said.
“Like, a super very bad fever?” Picket asked.
“Something like that.” Heather really didn't want to tell Smalls he only really had 10 hours left, it dropped by 6 hours when his fever got higher.
“Okay, I'll be leaving then, just wanted to check up on ya, I have training with Helmer, bye!” Picket waved bye has he exited the hospital.
“Just us again.” Heather said.
Smalls nodded.
“Wanna lay down together?” Heather asked.
Smalls nodded again, Heather adjusted their position where they were both laying down comfortably on the hospital bed.
“Better?” Heather asked, Smalls nodded again and tucked himself again Heather.
Heather stroked Smalls face again just has Emma walked back.
“Pretty sure you're supposed to help the patient and not cuddle with them.” Emma said putting one hand on her hip.
“I am helping!” Heather replied. “Smalls wanted cuddles!” She didn't point out the fact that, technically, this was her idea.
“Okay fiancés.” Emma said, she sat down a small cup of tonic. “Give that to him in a few minutes, once you are done with ‘totally only the patient wanted cuddles and not me, cuddles’.” Emma said leaving.
“You're gonna get me fired.” Heather said looking at Smalls, Smalls softly Smiled.
“Hmh.” he mumbled. “y-you -lov-e m-e t-to m-mu-ch t-to c-ca-re.”
“I hate that you're right.” Heather said, Smalls didn't respond, Heather looked down and saw that he feel asleep.
She kissed him on the forehead and layed back down.
Emma placed another ice pack on Smalls's forehead.
“He got worse.” She said to Heather.
“Worse?!” Heather said, dropping what she was doing and running over. “It can't be worse!?”
“Well, it got worse.” Emma said. “I'm going to grab Smalls's pain medication, please wake him up for me.” Emma left the room.
Heather reached a paw out and began to gently shake Smalls.
“Hey Smalls,” Heather said. “Wake up honey.” It took a few minutes but Heather got Smalls to shift just as Emma walked back in. “He is really out of it.” Heather said.
Emma walked over and slightly pushed on Smalls.
“You awake Smalls?” Emma said. “Its time for your medicine.”
(Mhhuum) “i-z h-hu-rtz…” Smalls whined, he tried to open his eyes, but his eyes deemed it too bright.
“I know it hurts, that's why I have some pain medication for you.” Emma said, as Heather lifted Smalls up so as to not choke, Emma gently pried open Smalls's mouth and slowly poured the tonic in.
“There you go.” Emma said. “You'll feel a bit better now.”
“s'co-co-ld.” Smalls whimpered, once again pushing his face into the scarf.
“I know, but if, I give you any more blankets, the fever is going to get worse.” Emma said.
“s'w-wyunt m-my d-dad…” Smalls fidgeted with Wilfred's bracelet that was around his wrist.
“I know, I know.” Heather said, gently stroking Smalls's cheek.
“How is he?” Helmer asked, entering the room.
“His fever got worse, he went from 2 days, to not more than 16 hours.” Emma responded. Helmer's eyes widened a moment before speaking.
“He only has 16 hours left?”
“Less if he gets any worse.” Heather said.
Helmer walked over. “We haven't a clue about Wilfred, the scouts say they saw him enter First Warren though, apparently they moved him to some other cursed, vile place.” Helmer said.
“So he's behind!?” Emma whisper-shouted.
“Technically yes, and we have no idea if he has found the cure either.” Helmer said.
The three rabbits looked back and Smalls, Smalls slowly rolled over to face the group, eyes still closed.
“i-i w-un-tt m-myy…da-d…” Smalls whined, hands reaching for rabbit that was not there.
Helmer walked over to the shaking white rabbit. “I know son, he'll be here soon.” Helmer said, hugging Smalls.
“How is Smalls?” Captain Frye asked, walking into the hospital, it has been roughly 2 hours since Smalls was last awake, he fell asleep in Victor's arms.
“His fever got worse, and his heartbeat is slow again..” Emma responded.
“Will he make it much longer?” Frye asked.
“Not if his heart slows any more, or his fever gets any higher..” Emma said. “Thankfully Heather, um.. ‘convinced’, Smalls to listen to us.”
“At least he's listening..” Frye said.
“Any news about Wilfred?” Emma asked.
“We sent scouts to look for any clues, no one has reported back yet.” Frye responded.
Emma walked over and switched the ice pack on Smalls's forehead. “He's burning up, we might have to make a bath to cool him down.” Emma said.
“Is that even a good idea?” Frye asked.
“If his temperature doesn't lower, he won't make it Frye.” Emma said, telling a nurse to prepare an bath with lukewarm water.
“But won't the cold lower his heartbeat?” Frye asked.
“We're gonna use lukewarm water.” Emma said, she began to shake Smalls a bit. “Wake up Smalls.” She said, Smalls shifted a bit, before slowly opening his eyes.
“H-huh?” Smalls said, still very sleepy.
“We need to lower your temperature Smalls..” She said, sliding her arms under Smalls's back and knees, she lifted him up and began to walk to the water filled large bucket the nurse set up.
She sat Smalls down on a towel and unbuttoned his shirt, and took off his pants. She reached to remove his scarf as well but Smalls barely lifted his hand to stop her.
“N-noooo” he mumbled, barely coherent.
“Small it'll get wet,” Emma said.
“S-sscar-f s-stayz onn.” Smalls mumbled.
“Smalls, you can have it back afterwards.” Emma reached for his scarf, Smalls tried to stop her again but he was too weak, Emma got the scarf off, but her heart broke at the small heartbroken whine that Smalls made.
Frye walked over. “Anything I can do?” He asked.
“Go to Smalls's room and grab some new clothes, he's been in these for too long.” Emma said, as Frye went off to do that, Emma lifted the flushed rabbit up, and slowly lowered Smalls into the tub, but when Smalls's tail slightly touched the water, he flinched and jumped up whimpering, Emma bring Smalls down a bit over her lap,
“Smalls, I know it feels cold, but it's not, it'll help you.” She said.
“N-nooooooo.” Smalls whined.
“Just for a few minutes I promise.” Emma said. She lifted Smalls up and slowly placed him in the tub, Smalls clinged to her dress as she placed him down.
“Just for a moment Smalls.” Emma said.
After a 10 minutes, Emma felt Smalls's forehead, he was cooler, so she pulled him out of the lukewarm water right as Frye came back.
“Perfect timing Captain.” Emma said, sitting Smalls down on a towel and wrapping him up.
“His fever went down?” Frye asked.
“Yes.” Emma said, taking the fresh clothes from Frye and putting them on the now dry Smalls.
Emma picked up Wilfred's scarf and wrapped it around Smalls, when Smalls noticed the scarf, he buried his face in it.
“Wouldn't a scarf... Not help with his fever?” Frye asked.
“If I took it away, he would probably not allow any help, it would make him way too sad to care.” Emma said.
“Isn't he already too sad to care?” Frye asked.
“Not the point, Frye.” Emma said. “The scarf stays.” Emma picked up Smalls again and brought him over to his hospital bed, and after setting him down in it, placed a lightweight, thin blanket on top of him.
Emma watched as Smalls curled up once more, she sighed, and thought to herself.
