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Description

The ending rain dripped down silently in the night. Its puddles rippling with the last few drops of the previous storm. Soft drip drip drip echoed in the silent lot. The warm glow of lights leaked out the many windows of the overshadowing building. Soft noises escaped through the automatic doors, flowing out into the night for anyone to hear. It was a welcoming place, it was meant to be. It had to be. It was a sanctuary, a home.
A hospital.
The clouds heaved a sigh as the last droplets bounced off the ground. The puddles fell still, but only for a moment as swift movements sent ripples through them. With hands in their black leather jacket pockets, the person walked uphill. Back hunched slightly, shoulders close. Walking at a quick pace to get inside. It was much too cold and damp for his taste.
The doors parted for him, and he entered, loosening his composure. He moved one of his hands, and smoothed back his turfed ears. His bright crimson fur fluffed up, to the change in temperature. He shivered, shaking off the last breath of cold.
The blood hound strolled past the information desk. The desk worker looked up, and smiled kindly recognizing the familiar face. As he passed, she picked up the wired phone and pressed in a few numbers, calling the floor above.
"He's here again."
The hound turned down the corridor, walking into the main cafeteria. Little shelves were stalked with chip bags and jello cups. Small dainty food.
He paid no mind to them. He walked past the racks of displayed pre-made food and the freezers containing little sweets for the younger patients. All he did was open a cooler and select a single can of soda, the brand mattering little to him. Digging in his pocket, he pulled out a dollar and a few cents, setting it on the counter. He walked back to the entrance of the cafeteria, giving a nod of hello to a cook who waved.
Down the hall he went again, this time his destination was the elevator. Where he needed to be was the floor above, and it would be quicker to take the stairs. But he did not find the motivation to do so. Elevators were just easier.
A quick press of the up button and silver dented doors opened. A stale smell flowed out, but it did not bother the hound. He had gotten used to it many years before. A few steps in, and he turned to close the doors.
He counted the seconds. The delay he knew to get it started. And then 6 and a half seconds later the elevator had lifted to the next floor. The doors creaked as they pulled apart both layers. The elevator light leaked out into the dark hallway. Lights had been dimmed for the patients, with the exception of the help desk where two nurses stood on standby.
The hound walked out, turning left. Each room he passed leaked out sounds of the hurt and dying, or silence of sleep and healing. Smells of many drugs and chemicals overwhelmed him. He was still not used to it. The sense of clean and sterile perfection.
A turn at the desk, he grabbed a peppermint form the bowl that always stood slightly lopsided, filled with hard candy that usually went untouched.
"Hello Raphael." One of the nurses called as he walked away. He raises his hand, giving back a sign that he had heard her. He didn't feel like a conversation today.
Another left, and then a right. Passing more rooms with doors open and closed. As he passed one he could hear the giggling of children, and quick hushes at the sound of his footsteps. Another he could hear the TV play some old gameshow. Two voices inside, guessing the answers with each other and exchanging a laugh or two.
Finally he came to the end of the hallway. Where the emergency stairs were located and the last of rooms. He had chosen this one specifically. He grabbed the silver handle of the door and opened up the room. The same dim lights were filled in here. A TV played soft pre-programed music. Forever stuck on loop.
He took a few steps in, and closed the door behind him. Soon as the soft click followed he took no hesitation to drop his act. The illusion began to fade.
The red fur began to dull, becoming ash that blew away at the small currents of wind from the fan above. His shoulders popped, back stretched out. His tail flicked, becoming whip like. He grazed his hand over his spikes on the back of his neck, rolling his head in a stretch. A brief pause, to brush off dust from his long black dress of satin. Then, he walked to the bedside.
The soft beep beep beep of the life support echoed in this dark room. He had become so used to it that the noise almost seemed nonexistent to him.
Very carefully he sat down on the bedside next to the sleeping Mobian, and looked to the window. Outside the clouds were beginning to part. It would be sunrise soon.
"I am sorry for missing the storm with you. I know how much you like them." He apologized softly, opening the can of soda. He reached up and removed the vale from his distorted mouth and took a loud sip, ungracefully. He leaned back against the backboard of the bed. The mobian did not wake.
"Ah… your favorite book series has discontinued." He added. Unwrapping the mint. His fine claws cut the plastic effortlessly. He glanced to the Mobian beside him.
A sleeping rabbit, her fur the color of cream. Or, it used to be. It was beginning to grow grey, especially around the muzzle and ears. Eyes too. She had been asleep for some time.
The demon set down his mint. And stood. With careful touches he grabbed her arm, and gently moved it out and bent inward. It was the nurses job to do such things, to move the patient so the blood flow continues. But he had taken on the liberty of doing it himself every time he came. It made him feel... useful.
He continued the process, slowly moving different joints, and bends. Even took the chance to gently push her up a few inches, to relieve some pressure off her back. Outside in the hall he could hear the not so soft whispers of gossip between the old and new nurses.
"Who is he?" the first of the voices asked. His long whip like tail twitched, sliding over the tile floor as he adjusted the blankets.
"His name is Raphael. He's been coming here for almost 30 years."
"Wow really...? why...?"
The gossip faded out for a moment, the whispers falling. Raphael tilted his head back to try and hear, but decided not to pry. His time was limited. He sat down again next to the 'sleeping' rabbit.
It had been more or less 30 years for him. But time was of little importance. He would continue to come back here till his dear Ellie gave out her last silent breath. He picked up the mint, popping it into his mouth. The sharp peppermint flavor was more then enough to send a shiver down his neck and spine. he loved the taste of these simple candies. They were her favorite.
"Hard to believe it's been that long." He said, in between the bites of the candy. He glanced to the window. The clouds still heavy but parting.
His hand drew over the soft blankets and cloth, gently settling on the Mobian's hand. He grasped it, holding on. He expected no reaction from it. Raphael heaved a sigh, leaning back on the wall. The scenery outside was beautiful. It was much like the night where it all started.
30 years ago, he had stolen something from God.
30 years ago, Ellie had died.
30 years ago, he had fallen in love.
...30 years ago, close to this day he could remember a time when he in his simple illusion had been sitting on a bed much like this, in a house elsewhere with her. Some movie about star crossed lovers played on the TV. The ending was predictable. Nothing original.
Raphael recalled, how the credits played a sweet instrumental tune. One of violins and some sort of wind percussion. Ellie had said she liked it.
His hand held tighter in hers.
It was easy for him to recall almost all the details of that night. Usually he could only remember names and faces of people. Actual events fading away when new ones came to replace. But she, oh she stayed. Everything about her. Her favorite color, her favorite dress, her favorite flower. All the little things he never bothered to remember with anyone else his hands ever laid on. He had too, for she couldn't remember it herself.
He turned his eyes to the sleeping fragile rabbit. He began to make a list in his head. Don't forget, her eyes are purple. Don't forget, her favorite store is Dazers. Don't forget, her favorite flavor is chocolate.
Don't forget it's my fault.
He silently cursed at himself for the inability to feel what he wished. He wanted to feel the remorse he had felt that night. The guilt he had felt as he paid to keep her alive. The fear he had felt when she had fallen down those concert steps. The surprise, when he discovered how fragile Mobians are.
The monitor skipped one beat. But returned to normal.
He was now rubbing her hand, and found his throat burning. Not from the mint, which had long ago been eaten. His shoulders tensed. His eyes turned to the window once more.
"You can't take her from me yet." He hissed, his tail thrashing. The outside remained still, under the moonlight that began to break through the clouds. The moon was setting, but it still had plenty of time.
"You can have her in the end but you cannot take her from me yet!" He repeated, his voice raising. His tail thrashed hard to the side, knocking the soda can off the bedside table. It clashed to the floor, spilling out the drink.
"I have done no harm to your name, to your ways." his voice faded into a whisper. He leaned over, his other arm that was covered in the dress cloth wrapped around the brain dead Mobian.
"You couldn't take her from me 30 years ago, you cannot tonight." He hissed again, a black spittle flicking off his tongue. He slouched for a moment, and then regained his composure.
"I will let her go, but not today and not tomorrow. You can have her when I am done."
He slid down in the bed, now laying next to her. He pulled her close, her frail warm body calmed him to some degree. And in that moonlight he had to ask himself. When would that day come.
"Oh Ellie... how low you must think of me." He said, his train of thought taking off again. There was no reaction from her, he didn't expect there to be. There had been no reaction for her since she had gotten here. But that was alright with him.
She was still here, and with him.

---

Special thanks to OingoB for designing Ellie for me~~

Story / Character / Art (c) Way-to-Haven

Description

The ending rain dripped down silently in the night. Its puddles rippling with the last few drops of the previous storm. Soft drip drip drip echoed in the silent lot. The warm glow of lights leaked out the many windows of the overshadowing building. Soft noises escaped through the automatic doors, flowing out into the night for anyone to hear. It was a welcoming place, it was meant to be. It had to be. It was a sanctuary, a home.
A hospital.
The clouds heaved a sigh as the last droplets bounced off the ground. The puddles fell still, but only for a moment as swift movements sent ripples through them. With hands in their black leather jacket pockets, the person walked uphill. Back hunched slightly, shoulders close. Walking at a quick pace to get inside. It was much too cold and damp for his taste.
The doors parted for him, and he entered, loosening his composure. He moved one of his hands, and smoothed back his turfed ears. His bright crimson fur fluffed up, to the change in temperature. He shivered, shaking off the last breath of cold.
The blood hound strolled past the information desk. The desk worker looked up, and smiled kindly recognizing the familiar face. As he passed, she picked up the wired phone and pressed in a few numbers, calling the floor above.
"He's here again."
The hound turned down the corridor, walking into the main cafeteria. Little shelves were stalked with chip bags and jello cups. Small dainty food.
He paid no mind to them. He walked past the racks of displayed pre-made food and the freezers containing little sweets for the younger patients. All he did was open a cooler and select a single can of soda, the brand mattering little to him. Digging in his pocket, he pulled out a dollar and a few cents, setting it on the counter. He walked back to the entrance of the cafeteria, giving a nod of hello to a cook who waved.
Down the hall he went again, this time his destination was the elevator. Where he needed to be was the floor above, and it would be quicker to take the stairs. But he did not find the motivation to do so. Elevators were just easier.
A quick press of the up button and silver dented doors opened. A stale smell flowed out, but it did not bother the hound. He had gotten used to it many years before. A few steps in, and he turned to close the doors.
He counted the seconds. The delay he knew to get it started. And then 6 and a half seconds later the elevator had lifted to the next floor. The doors creaked as they pulled apart both layers. The elevator light leaked out into the dark hallway. Lights had been dimmed for the patients, with the exception of the help desk where two nurses stood on standby.
The hound walked out, turning left. Each room he passed leaked out sounds of the hurt and dying, or silence of sleep and healing. Smells of many drugs and chemicals overwhelmed him. He was still not used to it. The sense of clean and sterile perfection.
A turn at the desk, he grabbed a peppermint form the bowl that always stood slightly lopsided, filled with hard candy that usually went untouched.
"Hello Raphael." One of the nurses called as he walked away. He raises his hand, giving back a sign that he had heard her. He didn't feel like a conversation today.
Another left, and then a right. Passing more rooms with doors open and closed. As he passed one he could hear the giggling of children, and quick hushes at the sound of his footsteps. Another he could hear the TV play some old gameshow. Two voices inside, guessing the answers with each other and exchanging a laugh or two.
Finally he came to the end of the hallway. Where the emergency stairs were located and the last of rooms. He had chosen this one specifically. He grabbed the silver handle of the door and opened up the room. The same dim lights were filled in here. A TV played soft pre-programed music. Forever stuck on loop.
He took a few steps in, and closed the door behind him. Soon as the soft click followed he took no hesitation to drop his act. The illusion began to fade.
The red fur began to dull, becoming ash that blew away at the small currents of wind from the fan above. His shoulders popped, back stretched out. His tail flicked, becoming whip like. He grazed his hand over his spikes on the back of his neck, rolling his head in a stretch. A brief pause, to brush off dust from his long black dress of satin. Then, he walked to the bedside.
The soft beep beep beep of the life support echoed in this dark room. He had become so used to it that the noise almost seemed nonexistent to him.
Very carefully he sat down on the bedside next to the sleeping Mobian, and looked to the window. Outside the clouds were beginning to part. It would be sunrise soon.
"I am sorry for missing the storm with you. I know how much you like them." He apologized softly, opening the can of soda. He reached up and removed the vale from his distorted mouth and took a loud sip, ungracefully. He leaned back against the backboard of the bed. The mobian did not wake.
"Ah… your favorite book series has discontinued." He added. Unwrapping the mint. His fine claws cut the plastic effortlessly. He glanced to the Mobian beside him.
A sleeping rabbit, her fur the color of cream. Or, it used to be. It was beginning to grow grey, especially around the muzzle and ears. Eyes too. She had been asleep for some time.
The demon set down his mint. And stood. With careful touches he grabbed her arm, and gently moved it out and bent inward. It was the nurses job to do such things, to move the patient so the blood flow continues. But he had taken on the liberty of doing it himself every time he came. It made him feel... useful.
He continued the process, slowly moving different joints, and bends. Even took the chance to gently push her up a few inches, to relieve some pressure off her back. Outside in the hall he could hear the not so soft whispers of gossip between the old and new nurses.
"Who is he?" the first of the voices asked. His long whip like tail twitched, sliding over the tile floor as he adjusted the blankets.
"His name is Raphael. He's been coming here for almost 30 years."
"Wow really...? why...?"
The gossip faded out for a moment, the whispers falling. Raphael tilted his head back to try and hear, but decided not to pry. His time was limited. He sat down again next to the 'sleeping' rabbit.
It had been more or less 30 years for him. But time was of little importance. He would continue to come back here till his dear Ellie gave out her last silent breath. He picked up the mint, popping it into his mouth. The sharp peppermint flavor was more then enough to send a shiver down his neck and spine. he loved the taste of these simple candies. They were her favorite.
"Hard to believe it's been that long." He said, in between the bites of the candy. He glanced to the window. The clouds still heavy but parting.
His hand drew over the soft blankets and cloth, gently settling on the Mobian's hand. He grasped it, holding on. He expected no reaction from it. Raphael heaved a sigh, leaning back on the wall. The scenery outside was beautiful. It was much like the night where it all started.
30 years ago, he had stolen something from God.
30 years ago, Ellie had died.
30 years ago, he had fallen in love.
...30 years ago, close to this day he could remember a time when he in his simple illusion had been sitting on a bed much like this, in a house elsewhere with her. Some movie about star crossed lovers played on the TV. The ending was predictable. Nothing original.
Raphael recalled, how the credits played a sweet instrumental tune. One of violins and some sort of wind percussion. Ellie had said she liked it.
His hand held tighter in hers.
It was easy for him to recall almost all the details of that night. Usually he could only remember names and faces of people. Actual events fading away when new ones came to replace. But she, oh she stayed. Everything about her. Her favorite color, her favorite dress, her favorite flower. All the little things he never bothered to remember with anyone else his hands ever laid on. He had too, for she couldn't remember it herself.
He turned his eyes to the sleeping fragile rabbit. He began to make a list in his head. Don't forget, her eyes are purple. Don't forget, her favorite store is Dazers. Don't forget, her favorite flavor is chocolate.
Don't forget it's my fault.
He silently cursed at himself for the inability to feel what he wished. He wanted to feel the remorse he had felt that night. The guilt he had felt as he paid to keep her alive. The fear he had felt when she had fallen down those concert steps. The surprise, when he discovered how fragile Mobians are.
The monitor skipped one beat. But returned to normal.
He was now rubbing her hand, and found his throat burning. Not from the mint, which had long ago been eaten. His shoulders tensed. His eyes turned to the window once more.
"You can't take her from me yet." He hissed, his tail thrashing. The outside remained still, under the moonlight that began to break through the clouds. The moon was setting, but it still had plenty of time.
"You can have her in the end but you cannot take her from me yet!" He repeated, his voice raising. His tail thrashed hard to the side, knocking the soda can off the bedside table. It clashed to the floor, spilling out the drink.
"I have done no harm to your name, to your ways." his voice faded into a whisper. He leaned over, his other arm that was covered in the dress cloth wrapped around the brain dead Mobian.
"You couldn't take her from me 30 years ago, you cannot tonight." He hissed again, a black spittle flicking off his tongue. He slouched for a moment, and then regained his composure.
"I will let her go, but not today and not tomorrow. You can have her when I am done."
He slid down in the bed, now laying next to her. He pulled her close, her frail warm body calmed him to some degree. And in that moonlight he had to ask himself. When would that day come.
"Oh Ellie... how low you must think of me." He said, his train of thought taking off again. There was no reaction from her, he didn't expect there to be. There had been no reaction for her since she had gotten here. But that was alright with him.
She was still here, and with him.

---

Special thanks to OingoB for designing Ellie for me~~

Story / Character / Art (c) Way-to-Haven