Chapter 8: Despair

Tak felt a shiver down her spine when leaving the house, as if something was wrong. The weekend had arrived and she had done absolutely nothing, everything was so... empty.
Tak gave shuffling footsteps toward the hospital. She imagined she would feel better knowing that someone would be happy to see her. The sky was overcast half, and did not take long to emerge a few drops. Tak was forced to run the rest of the way, lucky for she was not far off, she slammed the door abruptly and let out a sigh of relief.
Tak watched for a moment the rain through the glass door, the drops pounded hard against the glass, as if trying to catch her, she cringed a little at the idea of going back outside.
"Just hope the rain ends soon…" Tak whispered to herself as she walked toward the bedroom.
She felt another shiver when stayed in front of the door.
"Well, it's a bit cold today, that must be it." She straightened her jacket, trying to cover her body a bit more, maybe.
Tak opened the door slowly and gave a brief observed about the room, before she felt her blood freeze.
The bed was empty.
She was in shock for a moment, just looking at that pile of blankets messy, trying to understand what happened. Tak approached for a closer look, the bed was actually empty. She felt another shiver, this time worse, something was wrong.
Tak looked around again, the place was too small for someone to hide. She tried to stay calm, but then felt the panic dominate her when she look to the window and saw the rain.
"No... he didn't it..."
She knew where he was, didn't know how, but she was sure. Maybe a sixth sense? He had no time to think about it, she was too busy rushing out of the hospital. The rain was burning her skin, Tak just ignored, now she just had to find it, and quickly.
- Not far away.-
A small green creature walked through an alley. The rain was burning his skin, but he didn't care. He just wanted to go home and leave that horrible place, never imagined he would come to the point of doing this, but now he was there.
The plaster on his leg was heavier than he imagined. He trudged slowly, leaning on the walls, while the water burned his sensitive skin.
Zim paused for a moment to take a breath, he felt angry for what to be taking so long. He shivered for the cold, that outfit the hospital was too slight, he could not feel his own arms. But he would not stop, not until get home.
"No, I can't stop, Zim is stronger than all that." He said to himself.
Then he heard steps approaching rapidly, and panicked. Zim tried to go faster, but eventually stumbled and fell into a puddle of water letting out a scream of pain.
He tried to get up, but was too weak to do it. Tak approached him, she said nothing, gave him a disapproving look and grabbed his arm firmly.
"NO! LET ME! LET ME NOW!" Zim screamed with forces still had.
Tak looked around quickly and see an awning. She dragged Zim to under it. She wasn't thinking very well, just wanted to get him out of the rain. Tak pushed him against the wall, she held his wrists tightly. She was silent for a moment examining him to see if he was okay.
Zim looked into her eyes for a brief moment, she was obviously worried.
"You…YOU IDIOT! ARE YOU CRAZY? YOU COULD HAVE DIED!"
"I DON'T WANT TO GO BACK THERE!"
"WHAT IS YOUR PROBLEM?!"
"I DON'T WANT! THAT PLACE STINKS AND I SPEND DAYS ALONE!"
"FINE! I STAND WITH YOU!"
The two stopped screaming, they stared for each other a moment of silence. Tak noted that it could reach an agreement.
"Yeah... I stand, all days…" Tak said, now in a gentle voice.
"Is a promise?" Zim asked, he wasn't very confident about her.
"Yes… a promise." She bit her lip nervously.
"Eh…This is weird." Zim looked down.
"Why?"
"I thought you wouldn't search for me." He looked back at her.
Tak felt a lump in her throat. He managed to say that with such innocence, he really did not think she cared about him. She unexpectedly gave him a hug. His body was terribly cold and she could feel the little creature trembling in her arms.
No, she wouldn't cry, he was safe now, that was what mattered.
Zim did not say a word, he even tried, but realized he had lost his voice. In fact, things were getting a little blurry. He could feel the breath of Tak against her body, she was warm, unlike him, perhaps, if he passed out or something, at least she was protecting him.
That thought made him feel safer.
He didn't care much when everything went dark.