I have a surprise for you @Mercy

You have been so encouraging and kind to me, even when I don't deserve it. And I just needed to do this, for you, and for Esme. :)

Darkness….

That's all that was around her.

Darkness.

She was dead, wasn’t she? All she could remember was the searing pain throughout her whole body. The blood caking her body. Gushing from her stomach as she lay on the hard ground. But she couldn’t be dead. Could she? The ache in the center of her body was there, as sharp as ever before. Then something touched her wound and she let out a scream of utmost pain. A sob choked her as she lurched away as best she could. She felt her body slam against the ground, causing white to flash before her eyes. She lurched with painful sobs as she heard someone screaming her name.

“ESME! ESME WAKE UP! Please! please.”

“Esme darling. wake up.”

“Sister…”

Her eyes burst open and light flashed around her, causing a migraine to make her shake. She took a heaving breath as the pain grew sharper. Her head was pulled back gently and a unpleasantly thick and warm liquid was poured down her throat. She gagged and felt herself being sick, closing her eyes again. A gentle hand let her onto the soft surface again. “Please wake up.”

The voice was one of an angel. Soft and tinkling, like a bell. She smiled softly, but didn’t open her eyes. Then the yelling again, “ESME! WAKE UP!” The voice was so familiar. Fritz needed her. He needed her to wake up. She tried to peel her eyes open, but only one would. It was dry, as though she hadn’t opened it in years. It adjusted slowly to the light and she looked around the small room. It was dark, though blinding to her eye. Fritz was sobbing, his hands over his face, which was a deep crimson color from yelling. Marisa and Richard stood, hand in hand. Both looking mildly concerned. Right by her head was a beautiful doe, with deep brown fur, and hazel eyes that glinted just perfectly to look the color of raw honey. “Shhhh….” She cooed, placing a cool pack on Esme’s head, which was once again wrapped tightly. Esme opened her mouth, letting the foul taste fill it before croaking, “Fritz.” it was no more than a whisper but his head bolted upright. His eyes were wild and he looked as though he hadn’t slept in days. “Whats happening.” He didn’t respond, just stared at her, tears streaming down his cheeks. “We did it.” he whispered. Stroking her hand lightly. “We’re here. In Terrilain.”

“What?” Esme tried to sit up, but failed pathetically. She scowled, only to find that her mouth felt funny in the corner. She lay in silence for a moment before speaking again, “I’m even more ugly. Aren't I.” fritz frowned, “No! Don’t ever say that again! You are so beautiful.”

“Then let me see what they did to me.”

“I don’t know if that's the be-” but he was interrupted by the nurse with the pretty voice. “I’m the doctor and I say she deserves to see.” Fritz frowned but brought over a small mirror. “Thank you… Umm…” Esme started, with her signature victory smirk, “Mercy.” the doe commented, grimacing slightly as Esme grabbed the mirror. She gasped, sending shooting pain down her neck and chest. One of her eyes was gone, and she pulled an eyepatch that was resting on her eyebrow over it quickly, before she was sick again. A thin scar led from the top of her ear to her mouth, and though it didn’t disorientate her face shape it was obvious that would never leave her. She wasn’t covered in blood but she looked down and saw a thick wrap around her stomach. She dropped the mirror into her lap, looking around again. “How did you find Terrilain?” She remembered dropping the map, and why, but the anger was gone, for now. “Mercy found us.” Fritz said. And She nodded. “I saw a rumble and I had to join!” Mercy said enthusiastically. “I was just supposed to be collecting herbs for medication but when I saw you and him in such a bad state I had to help!” Mercy beamed, obviously happy at being a hero. Esme smiled at her, she already liked this doe. She went to say more but the world was starting to go blurry again. “That's the medicine kicking in.” Mercy said, before Esme could ask.

“Ya know…” Esme managed to say, right before her eyes closed again, “I think we can be happy. And you and I, Mercy, We’ll be good friends.”

The last thing she heard was, “I hope so.”