As My Heart Dies-Chp46

[the gang made their way into the mothership n Hater n Wander were ushered into the med bay]

Brad: (had been waiting with Sylvia and Peepers) ... Is... Boney okay?

Sylvia: :| What's happening with him shouldn't be of your concern.

Peepers: Yeah, u should be packing n leaving this planet so we can honour our deal n liberate this planet

Brad: Couldn't you at least let me know what's going on with him? That didn't seem like him at all!

Peepers: [looked at Sylvia, wondering if he should tell him]

Sylvia: (gave the 'might as well' look)

Brad: ??

Peepers: [sighed n turned to Brad] He has cancer. He's dying, n he wants to make a bit of a difference in the world before he goes. Which is why he's retiring n trying to liberate all the planets he conquered. This planet u parked ur ass on is the last one

Brad: :o Oh... Oh, damn... (wasn't sure how to respond)

Peepers: There, happy now? So u best get lost right now if u knw wats good for u... [sees the doc coming out] Doc, how is he? How's Hater n the furball?

Doc: Wander just got some minor burns. His fur is singed a little bt nothing too serious, it'll grow bk. Hater... Well... [wasn't sure if he should say, not knwing tht they already knw abt his cancer]

Brad: What?

Sylvia: How is his cancer doing?

Doc: Oh, u knw...?

Peepers: Yeah, in one way or another. Just give us the deets, doc

Doc: [sighed] Well, I'm afraid he's already progressed to Stage 2 of his cancer. His magic is starting to unravel n loose control, n he will experience occasional magic outbursts. I've issued him some magic suppressors tht he has to take once a day. It won't completely eliminate the outburst, bt at least it'll minimize the damage. Other than tht, he will hv to find a way to protect himself n others frm his outbursts

Peepers: How long till he reaches... (gulp) ....the nxt stage?

Doc: Hard to say... bt I give him at least a yr or two tops

Brad: (had a moment to let this sink in) ... No point, then.

Sylvia: Hm?

Brad: As in, no point in continuing to be his enemy then...

Sylvia: :^)

Peepers: Were u evn proper enemies to begin with? :^) Hater hardly evn mentions u

Brad: We've rivaled a few times but not so much.

Peepers: Wat exactly were u doing in this planet anyways? Surely not to just trying to be a "hero"

Brad: ... Okay, okay, I wasn't really meaning to bother anyone. I just need time away from... some stuff.

Sylvia: Hmm...

Peepers: Stuff? [tho frm the look on Sylvia's face, he gathered she might hv an idea wat it was]

Sylvia: Really? You're not into bothering that princess and her dragon husband anymore? :^)

Brad: (bit his lip) ... I needed a break.

Peepers: Sounds like ur taking a break frm being a homewrecker

Brad: :| Why do you care?

Sylvia: Boys, let's not...

Peepers: I care bcoz if it weren't for u, we wouldn't evn need to do any favours for this stupid planet. We could've just liberated it n be on our way. Thanks to u, now Hater is in the med bay n his cancer has escalated! [was feeling a little emotional bcoz of his best buddy's condition]

Brad: ...I get it...You're upset cause at some point, he's gonna die and you want to at least make his last moments meaningful. But what about yourself? You may have a hard time moving on once he passes but he'd want you to somehow be happy as well.

Sylvia: (was surprised with the given speech)

Peepers: Wha- U- [was at loss of words frm Brad's speech, then punched him on the shoulder] Wat do u knw?! U don't knw anything abt me! STFU! [ran off]

Brad: (doh)

Sylvia: (sighs) You tried at least... but not enough.