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“Oh no, this cannot be happening.” Her best friend laying in her bed in so much pain, groping at her stomach. It has been weeks since she has been able to try and comfort her.
Orchela could not believe the pain that Zera had to deal with. It has only been a myth but once Zera came swimming as fast as a speed boat excited, I knew she found something.
Zera grabbed Orchela and hurriedly swam with each other’s tails entwined. We made our way towards the field of flowers. We came near one of the most deadliest ones; Liladels. These plants are gorgeous; yellow with some blue and red, small and big pedals with long leaves and stems flowing from the bottom of the bloomed bud.
While they are beautiful, they are also painful and deadly when their toxins enter your body.
The Liladels send some toxins as protection, for humans not only does it do that, but it can also rot the inside of whoever has touched or consumed such flowers.
Zera has always loved nature and flowers were her favorite. She had a hard time not being around it and to keep from touching them. This time it might cost her life.
Orchela has never heard of any kind of cure but that has not stopped her from trying to find one. She has been researching and asking around. The most she has found was an individual who has heard about a possible cure trial but that is all he told her and would not say much more.
So, she is trying her hardest to find a way to get a cure for Zera. It has been too long; she has been suffering for too long. I want her better and healthy so we can have fun again, swimming after each other, amusement parks, parties, parks, just fun things.
Suddenly, Orchela heard a loud yelp coming from the bedroom. She ran to it, Zera was crouched into the fetal position with her arms wrapped around her tail. She went up to her and tried to comfort her, but she was in too much pain to even notice.
“I can’t deal with this anymore, I need to find the cure, I hate seeing you like this!” Orchela grabbed Zera’s hand and held it while letting her know she is going to go out to find the cure no matter what.
This is it, that man said the cure was on land, so I will have to risk my own life to find it.
Orchela swims towards the land and makes her way onto it. It has been years since she has been on land, she was not even sure if she would be able to keep her legs long enough to try and search for the cure. If she hurried it should be all good. This was going be a test.
As she sets foot on the sand, she starts to concentrate. Her tail turns white and seems to shed like a snake does when molting. Legs slowly start to form; she imagines them finishing as hard as she can and takes a huge gulp of fresh air.
Orchelas lungs hurt for the first couple of breaths. They start to grow and accept more air.
The legs were fully formed. Once she was able to stabilize her balance, she made her way towards the city.
It was so bright outside; it was like looking into fire; hot and painful. The city was also loud, her ears were having trouble dealing with the noise, it was piercing to her but the longer she was able to stay, the more she got used to it.
So many people and buildings, where should we start? As she was walking down the sidewalk, she noticed a tall, old building that was not there last time she tried.
Orchela moved towards it, not only was it quiet but it looked as if it was a private practice. She got curious and knocked on the creaky door.
“Hello… Is this store open? I have an emergency and I was wondering if you could help me in any way.”
It was silent, no movements or anything. She starts to frown and feel like this place was a lost cause.
As Orchela was turning around, she heard the door open. “Yes, we are open. How may I help you, dear?”
She slightly jumped, “Oh, I thought it was empty.” She discussed the situation while zoning in and out worrying about Zera.
“You are lucky, we just got in a cure for the Liladel's toxins but it’s not cheap.”
Orchela forgot about payment, she grabbed her face and started to cry. She was becoming hysterical; her legs and body were twitching. She was not getting enough oxygen. If she kept this up her tail would start to reform, and she would die by suffocation with no water. She calmed herself down.
“Sir, I don’t have any money on me. I could afford it, but I was in such a hurry I did not grab any. Is there a way we can set up something?” He stood there thinking with her finger on his chin.
He could tell the emergency of the situation; he decided.
“Listen, I know how dangerous these flowers can be, as well as painful in the process. With how upset you are, it must be for someone that you genuinely care for. I do not usually do this, here, you can have this for free. All I ask is that you both come to visit once they’re fully better.”
When Orchela heard this, she busted out in tears of joy. She could not believe it.
“Thank you so much! Will do, I promise.” She lovingly hugged the man and took the vile. As she was making her way back to sea, she noticed the building disappeared, it was like it was never there. That was odd but she did not care right now, she finally had the cure!
She reached the sea. Holding her breath helped her tail regrow back and the legs to disappear. Once back she quickly made her way into their place. She could hear Zera literally screaming. She picked up the pace.
“Zera, I found the cure! I finally found it! We can have you better in no time!”
Zera tried to calm down and ignore the pain. It was not easy to do. It felt as if someone made her drink acid with needles inside.
“Really Orchela, you got it! No jokes!?”
Orchela looked at her with a shocked expression, “Why would I lie about that? Look!”
She looked over and noticed the vial and she smiled in delight. That made Orchela tear up some, she has not seen Zera smile in weeks.
“You ready?”
“More than you know!” Zera said behind tears and pain.
Orchela injected the medicine into Zera’s stomach. A warmth spread over her body and the pain slowly started to subside.
“Its working!” They both had a huge smile. Things were going to be ok and could finally be back to normal. Zera no longer will hurt. Orchela is sure that Zera has learned a lesson and will be more cautions next time.
Zera had a few questions about the vial; where I got it, how and what I paid for it. I explained it all to her and she listened with amusement.
“Of course, you risked your life for me. The most I can do is do the same to help you keep your word for payment.”
They stayed up catching up on things, laughing, joking, having a girl’s night. Something they have not been able to have in a while.
This has been the best night they both have had in quite some time and they could not wait for more days and nights like this.
Laughter could be heard from miles away, but no one could stop that for they earned it, especially Zera for all she had dealt with.