It's been a few days since I've been cleared to eat solid food, and everyone is making sure I get something special for either lunch or dinner. Even going on runs to restaurants to get me something. I try to ask for things close by or hospital food. But sometimes they can read my mind and it's cravings. 

A lot of restaurants have closed down, and few places are keeping open. Those that are open, are under strict restrictions and only accept takeout. Still, Mom searches up and down to get me what I want. Since she's so busy it's best not to bother her, "How about just some eggs and bacon from the hospital cafeteria?" 

Mom coughs slightly, trying to hide her pain as she rubs her chapped hands with lotion from her purse, "I was actually hoping to get some Rryno Trino BBQ. I'm personally sick of hospital food."

I lightly laugh, not entirely disagreeing. "Then a regular BBQ sandwich for me." 

"Got it." She closes her computer, stuffing it into her bag. Heading over to me, she kisses  my forehead, "Stay still, I'll be back soon."  

"Stay safe," I whisper after her. From her pocket, one of her many phones buzz, and her voice slowly echoes in my direction. Sharp, with a frustrated grunt. I flinch, as a bright light swirls around her back, fangs sinking into her neck. Scarlet red eyes roaming it's a brilliant sunny white bubbling mess that fizzes and shifts in size.  I keep my gaze away from it, fearful it might notice. 

Luna's been very clear about irritating them or allowing them to notice my sight. 

Speaking of Luna. She, Hazel, and Rebbecca are all safe and sound. Hazel got sick like me during the party but she recovered quicker than I did, going back home. While Rebbeca is stuck at home, not even allowed to leave to enjoy the front yard. Luna is less restricted actually visiting me once every few days. But we all mostly keep in contact through messages. 

I've been stuck here for nearly a month now, and I'm getting bored just watching the news. It's mostly sad stuff right now. Photos and videos of car crashes, and people being wheeled into hospitals. Government officials trying to calm the public. And then there are the talks of vaccines and medicines. 

Next to me, I have a small hairbrush and a hand mirror. I work on my short hair while looking deep into the glass. I have blood on my neck, and far behind me in the distance is a silver tree... I lay it back down, closing my eyes. It's been so hectic and insane. All these visions and thoughts. At least I don't think I'm insane. 

Finally, tired of my motionlessness, I get up stretching. I'm allowed to walk up and down the halls, especially seeing how it's cleared up of people... sometimes. Today it's clear allowing me to pace and count all the tiles. After my seventh time passing the nurse station, I hear a strangely familiar voice. 

"Please, is this the hospital that took in a man named Calvin Hortin?" 

Calvin! I spin involuntarily, my breath sucked out of me. It's... Joe was a bit more ragged and exhausted with dark bags under sad dark eyes, and lines of worry zig-zagging across his face. Still nicely dressed in a suit and tie, his hair pushed back. He has this professional air to him, that screams businessman. Clutching his left leg, like a life jacket in an ocean, is a little boy, Adam. 

I can still remember that strange dream... If it was even a dream... I mean, I'm seeing two living breathing people right in front of me. Unless this is a dream in itself? I pinch myself hard, a welt forming. 

The nurse clicks on the mouse for a good minute before frowning. "I believe so... we still have yet to fully identify him..." She looks up shaking her head, "I'll need you to.... come and confirm if it's his body."

All life fades from Joe's face, the dread and fear paling his already weak features. A man's entire life just crumbles between his fingers, like fine sand. He shakes, one hand grabbing the counter while the other holds his face. He looks... broken... "Are... are you saying he's... he's...." 

The nurse with closed eyes, nods briefly. For the time I've been here, she's had to tell several families about this very thing. And the drainage of it all leaves her cold and numb looking, her face empty of even sadness. She reaches under her desk, her voice is soft and yet void, " Yes... I'll need you to sign some papers... but first... we should confirm his body." 

Above them, there's a swirling storm of violent glowing monsters their teeth gnashing together, eagerly biting into them. Joe buckles, both hands on the counter to keep him steady. Poor Adam pushes his head into his father's side, tiny crystal tears threatening to pour down in a sob. He turns away and notices me. His eyes follow me, and like a net catching falling stars, there's this spark of recognition and confusion. 

His small hands let go of his father's trembling legs, and he reached toward me. One step, then another, crying out "Angel!" He hurls himself at me. He's surprisingly light enough that I can pick him up, his sobs echoing in my ears as he shoves his face into my neck. "You're the one who took Daddy away." 

Angel... oh no... 

I pat his back, a realization and understanding smacking me into a rather, unique reality. That dream I had, where I met Calvin... it was real... all of it real. Adam, Joe... and Calvin... 

Adam begs his voice trembling, "Did Daddy make it to heaven? Did he!?" he grabs my shirt tight like I am the only thread keeping him afloat. 

I don't know what to do... I glance up watching the Monsters hungrily glower, all their eyes focus on little Adam. I brush my hand waving away the closest Monsters. I pull him into a hug, brushing his hair. "You're father... he loved you so much, I am sure that wherever he went. It's a good place." 

Please.... whoever or whatever there is... make sure that Calvin is safe and happy. He's... he's such a nice person. Nothing bad should have happened to him. 

Adam leans into me, "I knew it... Daddy promised he'd come to my concert... He's never broken a promise to me, ever." 

Joe looms over us, and I can't help but feel a bit queasy and embarrassed. Is he mad... Have a crossed some boundaries? 

Joe looks me over, a softness about him. He mouths, "Thank you." He kneels down lightly shaking Adam's shoulders. "Hey... Adam dear... I have something very important that I have to do. Can  you follow this really nice nurse, she'll take care of you until I come back." 

Adam whispers, "You promise..."

"I promise." He kisses Adam's forehead, "I will see you soon." 

Adam hesitantly hugs me one last time, "Thank you, Angel." Then with another reassuring kiss from his father, he left with the nurse keeping an eye on Joe. 

Joe lowers a hand to me, "Need help?"

"Please." I accept his hand, brushing dirt from my pants. "I..." I feel myself heating up, "I didn't mean to eavesdrop or anything... or make it sound like... um..." 

He lifts a hand calming me, "No one does, but I am glad you were there..." He takes a long breath, "Adam has barely said a word since his Daddy disappeared..." His hands clench in an effort to keep himself from shaking, but I can just feel this wave of sadness echo, "You reminded him of his angel." 

"Angel..." 

He has this wistful solemn smile that hesitantly breaks into a light grin looking at my anxious frown. "Please do not worry. I'm not calling you out for lying to him... in fact, I appreciate it..." He closes his eyes and took a breath, "Your kindness has eased him..." From his pocket, he pulls out a cross with a silver chain. "Calvin was the religious one, and it seems Adam might end up following his footsteps... Me, I am an atheist... so I guess, unlike my baby... I don't know what's happened to Calvin..." 

"He sounds like a good man..."

Calvin blinks in surprised realization, "He... he was the bests man I have ever met. Always doing community service and support groups, he'd even give half his lunch to any homeless person he saw... He thought nothing of his kindness, it was as natural to him as breathing air. He loved this world and everything it gave him..." He clutches the necklace holding it to his chest, "I don't know what to do without him. He was my light... our light." He looks down the hall where Adam disappeared to. 

I fiddle with my hands, "It's not my place....  but I'm sure the world will still be bright because he was here... His footprints, his ripples. it will continue for a long time, and affect everyone... that's... what I think." 

A warm hand lands on my head, "Thank you..." He left down another hallway, a nurse leading him down. 

I numbly walked back to my room falling into the bed and burying my face into a pillow. Calvin was real! He was real and he's... dead... A wave of nausea, and I push forward barfing onto the floor. Waves and waves of nausea just crushing me with a weight. I cry hot stinging tears, not sure if it's from the deep sadness or from vomiting. 

Cradling my knees to my chest I sob to myself. 

Calvin is dead... did he go to heaven? Or someplace where spirits reside? I mean, the spirit of the Raven came and saved me from that monster. There has to be something and if so then he went to a good place... No god or goddess would send him anywhere else... 

Just then the door opens, walking in George, Shyan, Rin, and Mom. 

Rin is the first to smell the throwup turning a few shades sick. Geroge let out a gasp rushing to me, Kiro!" while Shyan ran out to get a nurse. 

Mom pats my back, holding me even though I'm soiling her pretty shirt. I cry in her warm embrace. I finish by the time the BBQ is cold, not that I want to eat. I feel too upset about that. I just lean into Mom, nuzzling her neck as she rubs my back, "You need to eat." 

"I will..." I softly mumbled, "Later..." 

Geroge places the food in a refrigerator, a small little one he brought over. it has orange juice, and small apples inside. "What happened?"

I give him a shrug, "I don't know... Tell me how your day went."

All three of my siblings glance at one another and then at Mom who shifted over to me. I think she nodded to them. 

Shyan took a seat, "I had to deal with a bunch of scared superstitious scientists, and then to idiotic politicians all in one day. Some people are arguing that the virus isn't related to the animal problems we've been having." She grumbles explaining, "Wild animals have been... acting... wrong. Animals who were once solitary are forming packs. Intelligence is found in bugs, and then there's been some flora and fauna that's growing in places they should not be. It's complete chaos in the animal kingdom. If it's not the virus I don't know what else could be affecting them in such a way." 

George leans back, "Hey then are those rumors true?" 

Shyan sighs, "You mean about the miracles. Yes, the Great barrier reef has suddenly flourished to life, then there's the fact Mount Everest which was once climbable is no longer accessible. And then there's the Amazon forest that's... rapidly growing at an increased rate..." She rubs her nose, "It's all too much. There's been nothing but meetings after meetings all over the world about this. I don't think I've gotten... even a full four-hour rest in a week!" 

I listen to them all continue to discuss things, lulled by their presence and voices.