The heavy door swung on its hinges as Rhys knocked on it lightly, causing him to stumble back in surprise. Voices were heard clearly, despite how low they sounded around the echoey room. “Please tell me there is hope for him. He seems to mean a lot to that Rhys.” Said someone, most likely Maybelle. Rhys paused, holding his breath. “He-he doesn’t stand a chance against this May. I hate to say it but he is not going to survive.”

No

NoNoNoNoNoNoNo

This couldn’t be happening, not to Vell. Not to his best friend. This must be a dream, a horrible dream, a nightmare. Rhys took a shuddering breath, blinking ferociously against the salty tears that had welled up in his eyes. He looked at the sky, as if it would help him not cry. Gravity or something. But no, the tears beat him, and rolled down his face. A hand laid on his arm and he turned around to see Kat looking at him, her eyes wide and confused. “What?” she asked, pulling him off to the side. “That doe, Maybelle. She said that- that Vell was going to die.” Rhys mumbled, staring off into the distance. He couldn’t focus properly, his eyes were glazed and his face damp. Kat said nothing, her gaze cast to the ground. “I’m sorry.” She said, for what felt like the millionth time. The door opened and the does stepped out, smiles on their faces. “So? What's the verdict?” Kat prodded, seeing that Rhys was choked up. “Well, I don’t know honestly.” Jade said, her smile fading. “But most likely he won't make it.”

“Thanks girls.” Kat said, helping Rhys sit down. He couldn’t believe that this was happening. Vell couldn’t die, he was too young. He hadn’t gone exploring or done anything fun. He hadn’t lived his life as best he could, and at this point he never would. There was no meaning left for him now, no point. Kat would never want to be his friend, neither would these does. No one would like him besides Vell. And Vell was going to die. “Will he ever wake up?” Rhys questioned. He wanted to talk to his friend one more time. “I think so, we can try and get him up.” said Maybelle, glancing at her sister. Jade nodded, her face setting in a determined expression. Rhys nodded. He couldn’t feel anything. It was if all emotion had been erased from his mind. “Just give us a moment.” Jade said, sharing a meaningful glance with Kat and Maybelle. Maybelle nodded and hurried back inside, followed quickly by her sister. Rhys sighed, his voice quavering with emotion, “Kat. I don’t know what I’m going to do now. Vell always had the ideas and stuff.”

“Yah, I get it.” Kat said, frowning. “But we should go in. No time to mourn now. He’s not even dead yet.” Rhys flinched and Kat seemed to realize how harsh her words were. “Sorry.” She whispered. But Rhys ignored her and walked back into the small shack. Vell was rolling around, moaning in pain as Maybelle layed a block of ice on his head. He turned and his eyes opened slowly, but barely. “Rhys?” He said, and Rhys rushed closer so he could hear. “Rhys, I’m going to die aren’t I?” Rhys’s eyes welled up, but he nodded slowly. “Dang, that sucks.” Vell said, a little humor hidden in his voice. “You are kidding, right?” Rhys shook his head, a sob escaping his throat and tears stinging his eyes. “No Vell, you’re going to die.” Vell suddenly looked frightened. “Rhys. Rhys- Rhys! I don’t wanna die!” His eyes were wide and after a moment he also let out a sob. “Rhys- Rhys- Rhys I don’t wanna die! I’m- I’m too young! I’ll never get to see the sun fall again?!? Or the stars?!” Rhys’s heart seemed to shatter as she shook his head again, now sobbing uncontrollably. “No-” Vell’s voice was growing even weaker. “No, I’m too young, I never got to meet a doe I liked, or- or- make my house- I’ll never get to get married! No! NO! I can’t die.”

Rhys shook his head as Vell looked at him, pleading. As if he thought this might still be a joke. “Rhys.” Vell took a shallow breath, he was in pain. No one moved to help him. “Rhys- I- don’t want to- die.”

Rhys bent over, his stomach hurt to bad. Vell lay still. Not moving. The mental pain was too much to handle. He stood abruptly, slamming his fist into the wall. “NO! Dangit Vell! don’t die Vell! Don't die.”

He pounded the wall, as if it would heal the hole now in his chest. But nothing could. And nothing ever would.