Far up in the clouds, a small Kerahee was hiding in the storm. A bright flash and a burning, searing pain down her side, and she was falling towards the ground.

Down below, a young wolf was pelting through the forest, trying to put the memories of the fire behind her. She ran from her own guilt, knowing she made the choice of a coward, knowing that she could never forgive herself.

And not too far away, an innocent angel- cat was being dragged from the flames. She opened her eyes, still watering from the smoke. She expected the warm, comforting gaze of her friend's blue eyes, but was met with the kind face of a stranger. "You're going to be ok..." a soft voice whispered, then she gave way into the dizzying blackness.

Tap. Tap. Tap.

The light grey wolf leaned back in her chair, tears silently streaming down her face. She didn't look through the glass again, she couldn't bear to see the pain her friend was in.

She was so still and quiet, so unlike the Alba that Cami had grown to be friends with. The angel- cat was young, but full of personality and life.

Cami heard the soft paw steps of the nurse echoing down the corridor, she quickly wiped away her tears. 

The nurse walked past her, but Cami still did not look up as she padded into Alba's room. Twice everyday, a nurse came in the check on her. They would apply ointment to the burns on her ears, face, tail and wings, check her heart monitor and leave again. It was the same every time. "Do you want to go in?" She asked as she was leaving, nodding at the door. Cami was startled, usually the staff paid no attention to her, but this one must be new. She was a lean, pale orange cat with wide, green eyes, a reptilian tail and a kind smile. "U- uh... Sure." Cami stuttered, getting up. She walked over to the bed and kneeled down, putting her front paws on Alba's and sighed. "I never told you how sorry I was." she whispered after a moment. Her mother had told her that even when someone was unconscious, they could still her sounds from the outside world. "I feel terrible," She continued. "I don't know why I ran away instead of helping you. I was a coward, and I'll never forgive myself," Cami drew in a shaky breath, "and you shouldn't either." 

She leaned down to rest her forehead on Alba's. She stayed there for a long moment, reliving the memories she made with her, hoping she wakes up, hoping they would get the chance to make more.

The bright green display of the clock flared in her eyes when she opened them, and she sighed, knowing she should go back to the hotel... But now she never wanted to leave her friend's side. She dragged out an old mattress from the storage closet, and curled up on it.  "Goodnight." She whispered, already drifting into a deep, deep sleep.

BEEP BEEP BEEP! Cami's ears shot up. Alert and ready, she looked around the still- dark room, trying to find where the noise was coming from. 

The heart monitor.

It was beeping like crazy compared to normal! That only means one thing...

Cami got up and raced across to Alba's side, her heart nearly jumping out of her chest when she saw that her eyes were fluttering awake. 

"Cami?" Her friend asked softly. 

Relief washed over her like a tsunami, washing away her fears and guilt for a long moment. Alba was ok! She grabbed Alba's back and pulled her into a tight hug. Alba hugged back. "I thought I lost you..." Cami admitted. Alba pulled back, looking into her eyes. "I'm ok now. I forgive you!" She said, smiling softly, but Cami knew that her forgiveness was not deserved.  

She shifted a gasp, her eyes widening when she noticed for the first time that night that the burn scars around Alba's eyes were gone. "Is everything ok?" Alba asked, noting her concern. Cami took a step back, nodding absent-mindedly. 'Yes, yes. Fine." She replied. "Two seconds." She turned around, racing out of the room and into the corridor, she told the nurses that Alba was awake, then fled down the walkway. She burst into the main entry-way of the hospital just as a scaly, pale ginger tail slipped out of the door.