Forbidden Power

Chapter 3- Adiel’s Condition

"I've missed you, my brother. I'm glad you're here," Mwenya gave me a tired smile. He looked like he'd aged ten years in the past five years. Instantly I felt guilty for being absent from my best friend's life while he was suffering at home. I've been selfish to be hunting ghosts while my living family needed me to be here for them.

"I've missed you, too, Mwenya. Forgive me," I whispered and stepped forward to grab him into a tight hug. He hugged me back. A hug of forgiveness, grief, and gladness mixed together. My brother and my friend. Always. And here I was about to leave without even seeing anyone. What a heartless being I truly am.

"We were about to go see Papa. Would you like to come? He has asked about you," Mwenya told me, turning back to his mother and offering her his arm. I realized then that Huallpa also did not look so good. Dark circles were prominent amidst stress lines on her taut face. She was not bothering to offer me a smile. She looked neutral, uncaring, as if she were somewhere else that wasn't here.

"I would love to come with you. Of course I'll come. I'm afraid to ask, but how is Papa doing?" I watched Huallpa for a reaction, but she continued to stare ahead with her tired, watery eyes. I frowned. It must be bad. That was all the answer I needed. Huallpa has always been a reserved person, but she lights up at the mention of her beloved Adiel. Not this time.

"He's been on the brink of death for awhile now. Somehow he keeps finding strength to live on, but he's not well, Teddy. He's not well," Mwenya shook his head sadly and cast a wary eye at his mother. Her eyes watered up, the only reaction telling me that she was present and listening, but she continued to stare ahead, remaining neutral.

"I see. If you're leaving right now, I'd like to go with you if it's okay," I said heavily. My heart felt like it was breaking. I don't know why, but I assumed Adiel would always be a part of my life. I forget that wizards are not immortal like me and my family.

Mwenya offered a small smile and nodded.

"Kunda," he called to his sister. "Let's go. Time to see Papa."

"Yay! Papa!" She cheered and ran to hop in their car. I watched her happiness at the mention of Adiel, and my heart wrenched for her. Adiel has been sick her entire life. Does she understand that he won't be part of it much longer? He was looking so forward to having a daughter, but that war in Canada drained him. I could never blame Ash for that war. It needed to happen as it affected all races, and it all turned out for the best. All except Adiel not being able to get better. All except him barely staying alive for the last ten years. This weak, tired, drained, sick Adiel was all his beautiful daughter knew of him. I felt overwhelming grief for her. How was it fair that I was raised playing with Papa, training with Papa, and laughing with Papa when his own daughter had never seen him outside of his sick bed?

I plastered on a fake smile and slid in the back seat next to Kunda. Mwenya helped his mother get settled in before taking the wheel and navigating the car toward the hospital. Kunda asked me where I had gone for such a long time, and I made idle chitchat with her on our drive. Mwenya occasionally looked at me in the mirror, but his expression was unreadable. The atmosphere in the car felt bleak and depressing, reminding me of how serious Adiel's condition really is.

Mwenya pulled up to the hospital under the overhang and turned to look at me.

"I think Papa will want to see you first, Teddy. Go on in while I park the car. Room 305. We'll be right behind you."

I nodded and slid out of the car to Kunda's whines that she wanted to come with me. Huallpa snapped at her in her native language, and the little girl straightened her back and stopped whining, casting a whistful gaze at me before pursing her lips and rolling her eyes. I gave her a little wave and headed into the hospital.

I don't know why, but I felt nervous. Will Adiel be angry with me for not so much as calling in the past five years? How will he look? It feels ridiculous, but I feel fear rising up in me at what I will see when I reach his room. I decided to take the stairs to work out some nervous energy and sped up them at vampire speed since no one was there. I reached the third floor in a second and took a deep breath as I stepped into the bustling facility. Signs pointed in all directions for room numbers. I quickly spotted the 300's hall and headed down to room 305. The door was closed, and I could hear the beeping and whirring of many machines inside. I froze with my hand on the handle.

I could lightly smell Adiel's scent, though it was tainted with the medicines and disinfectants commonly used in hospitals. I didn't feel ready for this, but at the same time, this was my Papa. I have been blessed by the goddess with two wonderful dads and two wonderful moms. I got to be raised by the best living beings on the earth, and how do I repay them? By running off and not coming back for five years. I'm the worst.

I shook my head, continuing to hesitate at the door and not paying attention to my surroundings.

Suddenly the door swung open, and I jumped at the same time as the startled nurse yelped who was getting ready to exit the room.

"Oh! You about gave me a heart attack!" She gasped, placing her hand over her heart.

"Sorry about that," I mumbled.

"It's fine. Adiel has lots of visitors, so I shouldn't have been taken by surprise. Please enjoy your visit with him," she smiled politely, having gathered her wits again.

I motioned to her and stepped away from the door. She stepped aside with me, and I leaned close to her.

"How is he really?" I whispered.

"I can't give out personal information. You'll have to ask him yourself," she whispered back.

"I'm not asking for personal information. I'm asking how he's doing," I whispered.

"He's got a positive attitude and good morale. You'd be surprised how long those two things alone can keep a person alive. He always smiles and jokes with the staff. We all love him," she smiled and motioned to the door, and I took the cue as her unwillingness to divulge anything more. It was time for me to see him for myself. I took a deep breath and stepped into the room.

"Papa?" I called. "It's Teddy."