Bri felt her heart pumping like mad. Her best friend was in the hospital, and her friend's parents were in bad shape. Apparently one was in critical condition.

They got to the hospital to pick up May.

As soon as May came out, Bri hugged her friend.

May didn't hug back, but leaned heavily into Bri.

Bri helped her to the car, then quietly asked "What happened?"

May took in a shaky breath, and Bri realized this would be a sad story.

"Someone tried to kidnap me. Shade saved me, I ran to Dad and Papa. Dad ran to help Shade. Eventually, Papa went to help too. I escaped from the dorm building and..." May took another breath. "And I saw a fight scene. Shade and Papa were down, and Dad was injured. All I know about what happened next was everything went dark, and then I woke up here..."

Bri hugged May again. May leaned into her. "I'm sorry."

May wrinkled her nose. "You're not the one who needs to apologize."

Bri's fox-like ears went back against her head for a second, but then back to normal.

"May?"

May hummed.

"Will they be okay?"

May looked down. "Dad's going to have a bunch of new scars. Papa might not..." May shook her head and moved on. "Shade is okay, but he's got a new scar on the palm of his hand, he showed me."

Bri nodded. "Okay."

They sat in silence during the car ride to Bri's house. May eventually fell asleep. Bri sighed and curled her puffy tail around May in a form of protective care.

Once they got home, Nala carried May inside, and Max carried Bri. May woke up instantaneously,  struggling against Nala!s grip until she realized she wasn't being kidnapped again.

Other than that, she didn't do anything.

Bri felt worry beginning to drown her. She had never seen her friend so jumpy.

She couldn't do anything though. All she could do was wait and see what happened.

——————————

SPOILER ALERT

I promise I'm not killing anyone. It doesn't fit the plot.

Anyway, the last few chapters forms a bond of hatred between May and Lyra. And before you ask, yes, Lyra did escape.

It's also important to note that at May's age, magic overuse could be fatal if she didn't get to the hospital fast enough, and in a healthy adult, it can cause some major sickness.

May was almost dead.

That will be important later.

Well, I hope you all have a good day/night!

Bye!